Wash Post ombudsman debunks Edwards house story

[Newsjock]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/26/AR2007012601571.html

Accurate, but Not the Whole Story
By Deborah Howell
Sunday, January 28, 2007; Page B06

... I kept waiting to read about the connection between the Klaassens and Edwards that would make this sale unseemly; it wasn't there. Edwards spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri said Edwards "has never met or spoken with them; nor have they contributed to his campaign."

The story was interesting, but it was more of an item for the Reliable Source or In the Loop -- and not worth Page 1. It seemed like a "gotcha" without the gotcha.

The story also lacked needed financial context. It noted that Edwards bought the house for $3.8 million in 2002 and sold it last month for $5.2 million after it was on and off the market for 18 months.

But the story didn't pin down that the house, in the 3300 block of P Street, had at least $1 million in renovations, said several sources. The asking price originally was $6.5 million and had been lowered twice, according to Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, the region's multiple listing service.

And the story didn't mention how home prices had risen from 2002 to 2006 -- for District single-family homes, the gain was 61 percent, said Fred Kendrick of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokers. Applying those numbers would put Edwards's house at about $6.1 million, not counting the renovation costs.

[Liberal Veteran]

1. And quite honestly the faux outrage on DU over this idiotic story..

...is no different that all that faux outrage from the right over Boxer's saying that Kindasleeza has no family in Iraq or the faux outrage over Kerry's joke.

[ShortnFiery]

2. So is the undying loyalty (hypocrisy?) of those who choose to explain

Edward's excesses away. Why don't you just admit that it was an error on Edward's part instead of trying to explain it away? It was a bad decision for A POPULIST candidate and it will likely cost Edwards politically. You can't change the facts. :shrug:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. THIS thread is about the SALE of Edwards' old house and the news story about it. NOT the

construction of the new house.

[ShortnFiery]

4. It's all related to work out to "an apology" that

Edwards is truly a populist candidate. It all links together.

[natrat]

37. are you high or just some thug like political opperative type?

we get your point about a rich man expressing interest in helping the poor while he lives in an expensive house. It's preety simple. Why do you feel a need to inject the same simple idea into every thread concerning edwards.Clinton and loads of other democratic reps live in mansions. WTF?

[The Deacon]

5. So, It's "Populist"

To move your family into a ghetto when you can, by the fruits of your own labor, afford better? Or to risk your family's welfare by intentionally losing money on a real estate deal?
Appearence & reality are two different things. John Edwards has the money to buy his family nice things because he applied himself & earned a good living as an attorney. His well-heeled clients helped pay for pro bono work as well as a comfortable life for his family. Since he retired from the Senate he has worked tirelessly to the benefit of a number of anti-poverty iniatives, despite the fortune he maight have made on K Street.
As a regular viewer of Property Ladder & Flip This House (okay, my wife actually watches them while I read) I can tell you that John Edwards probably has foregone considerable profits by selling into a softening market.

[ShortnFiery]

8. No, but a little more modest abode would not have drawn such attention.

Come on folks, we are all Democrats.

John Edwards made an political error in purchasing this sprawling mansion.

It will hurt him with other democrats.

Not all of us are thrilled with the excesses of wealth by our representatives. It's just a fact, I'm sorry that you feel a need to attack. He made a tactical mistake and probably will not recover from it. :shrug:

[Neshanic]

15. Correct sir!

[RetroLounge]

31. How modest?

Do you have an exact square footage.

I mean, I wouldn't want to leave beyond YOUR means.

:eyes:

RL

[donheld]

35. I think they mean a house like this

[Liberal Veteran]

6. LOL....if you want to work yourself into a tizzy about it, have at it.

I'll just be over here laughing at how utterly inane this whole thing is.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ShortnFiery]

7. Yes, attack the person when you've lost the arguement? n/t

[Liberal Veteran]

11. I would respond that I am laughing WITH you....

....but that would be a lie.

I am just going to flat out say that I counted sixteen threads on the first page of GD concerning this topic and up until yesterday, I had a hell of lot more respect for the sense of proportion and priorities of my fellow liberals.

3000+ American soldiers are dead, their families are maimed forever. Thousands more will carry the scars of Iraq the rest of their lives. 45 million Americans don't have access to health insurance. We have a madman in the White House who has a messianic complex. Our freedoms are being eroded.

But what the fuck? Let's focus on really important matters like the size of people's house! What's next? Bitching about how much Barbra Streisand paid for her last gown?

[donheld]

36. You mean Babs doesn't wear burlap? Shock!

How dare she not wear rags like a good democrat should. :sarcasm:

[RetroLounge]

32. LOL!

I love that people don't realize how idiotic they look whining about this..

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

RL

[mondo joe]

9. Yeah - populists should live humbly, like the Roosevelts did.

[ShortnFiery]

10. This is the 21st Century where our Representatives' Excesses make

it to the media in seconds. It's a different age and many are getting sickened by our Consumer Culture of excess. As a populist candidate for the 21st Century, Edwards is not practicing what he preaches about "The Two Americas." At the least I would expect him to live a little more modestly. He had to see this coming? I guess not. :shrug:

[mondo joe]

12. LOL - you think no one knew where the Roosevelts came from?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The Two Americas is about everyone have an opportunity to succeed. Not about everyone living like Mother Teresa.

[cilla4progress]

13. Agreeing with SnF

I agree with Short n' Fiery. It's unseemly and it turns me off. No matter that it's style over substance. Come on - it all factors in.

[mondo joe]

14. You're welcome to support the dour puritanical candidate of your choice.

:-)

[cilla4progress]

17. Thank you - I intend to!

Mr. Kucinich of Ohio - who else?! :)

[Neshanic]

19. You keep metioning dour Puritans. Edwards does not believe in gay rights.

So it does not get more "Puritanical" than that.

[mondo joe]

33. Not quite.

Edwards has a less than stellar position, which is one problem with him.

Employment Non-Discrimination: Edwards supports a federal bill that would outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Employment: Edwards is undecided on a federal bill to outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

Same-Sex Marriage: Edwards opposes same-sex marriage, but he does not think the Constitution should be amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

On 2/24/04 Edwards said in response to President Bush's proposed Constitutional amendment, "I am against the president's constitutional amendment on gay marriage...I don't personally support gay marriage myself. My position has always been that it's for the states to decide."

Family Medical Leave: Edwards is undecided on extending Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.

Same-Sex Immigration: Edwards is undecided on legislation that would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.

Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Edwards supports giving same-sex couples the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Edwards supports the rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly in the United States Military.

# Edwards Comments: On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "As the recent discharge of Arabic language specialists demonstrates, the current policy does not serve our national interests and should be changed."

# On Hate Crimes: "I am an original cosponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which adds protections based on sexual orientation to hate crimes legislation."

[ShortnFiery]

16. Oh my, let's both run for cover? Time will tell folks, really. Peace! n/t

[SemperEadem]

27. I didn't know that along with admittance to the bar

or taking the oath when being sworn in for the Senate or declaring one's candidacy for the Presidency one also takes a vow of poverty, like one does when they join a Catholic order.

[hashibabba]

20. Why don't you admit its none of your business and Edwards

doesn't answer to you but to his own conscience.

[Liberal Veteran]

21. Next up: Hillary spent more on her new shoes than you have in the last 20 years!

Aren't you outraged?????

[philosophie_en_rose]

22. How dare she wear shoes!

Isn't Hillary Clinton supposed to be bare foot and doing housework! That's what freepers think, so she must withdraw!

Isn't Edwards supposed to live in a tent (not a big tent, because some people don't want a big tent party)! or maybe a mobile home! That's what freepers think, and he doesn't, so he should withdraw!

Isn't Obama supposed to change his name to Jim Bob Alabama? That's what freepers think, and he hasn't, so he should withdraw!

Don't all Democrats have flaws in some sense? Sure! Freepers will complain about that, so they must withdraw!



:sarcasm:
:sarcasm:
:sarcasm:
:sarcasm:
:sarcasm:
:sarcasm:

[Liberal Veteran]

23. It is truly sad the minutia that some people think is important.

To read some of the posts, you'd think that Edwards was boiling live kittens to raise money for his house.

[cilla4progress]

24. Wow - flame on!

1) I'm a freeper because I disagree with YOU!

2) Fortunately it's still a free country ... well, you know ... and I not only get to vote for whom I want, but I get to have my own opinons on the candidates. Ain't democracy grand!

[Liberal Veteran]

25. You are correct....it's still a free country and you are free...

....to elevate anything you want to the level of anathema that you choose.

Me? I'm pretty sure there about 800 million things more important than the size of Edward's house.

[cilla4progress]

26. Thank you -

For me, it's just one more way of separating the wheat from the chaff. There are a lot of good potential candidates out there - some yet to declare, I imagine, and I will be compiling a huge mental pros and cons list. This will - for me - go into the cons for a guy who I have really believed in.... is all I'm sayin' ....

[Telly Savalas]

34. Back off. Senator Clinton wears fair trade hairshirts.

All the other candidates have ones that were made by quasi-slave labor in China.

Furthermore, I hear that Gov. Richardson bought his self-flagellation whip at Wal Mart!

[earth mom]

29. This whole thing is nothing more than a B.S. rethuglican meme.

REAL dems here on DU know that. :eyes:

BTW-If you want to talk over the top and land purchases, how about talking about the * family buying all those thousands of acres in Paraguay? Now that's something to question because who in the HELL could afford that besides those who are excessively rich! And where did all that money come from? That's the question the American people should be asking especially in light of the fact that so much money has gone missing from the U.S. treasury since * & Co took office.

[spooky3]

18. Howell still can't get it right. Her opening sentence is

incorrect. She's right that the story was misleading, but it certainly was not "accurate".

http://mediamatters.org/items/200701250011

You get a 70% on this assignment, Deb. Keep trying.

[Pirate Smile]

28. I'm glad the Washington Post acknowledged this because that article was

idiotic.

[Clark2008]

30. Yeah - but did they debunk his positions on Iraq and Iran?

Did they debunk the fact that he didn't grow up poor, but, rather, upper middle class?

Did they debunk the fact that he changes his positions to meet the needs of the group with which he's meeting or because it's no longer politically expedient?

I don't give two figs about his house, but I do want to know the answers to my questions above.

BTW, Coldwell Banker homes are always overpriced. Hubby and I discovered that when we were house-hunting this past summer. :)