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Edwards to run for Pres in 2008
Topic Started: Dec 17 2006, 10:45 AM (382 Views)
George K
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Finally
Edwards to Enter 2008 Race

By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON


Former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards intends to enter the 2008 race for the White House, two Democratic officials said Saturday.

Edwards, who represented North Carolina in the Senate for six years, plans to make the campaign announcement late this month from the New Orleans neighborhood hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina last year and slow to recover from the storm.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not want to pre-empt Edwards' announcement.

As Edwards enters the crowded field, the Lower Ninth Ward provides a stark backdrop to highlight his signature issue _ that economic inequality means that the country is divided into "two Americas."

Edwards also plans to travel from New Orleans through the four early presidential nominating states _ Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina _ as part of an announcement tour between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Among Democrats, Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois are drawing the most attention almost two years before the actual vote.

Edwards, however, is in a strong position as the leading candidate in Iowa. He was a top fundraiser in the race for the nomination in 2004 before he became Democratic Sen. John Kerry's running mate.

Since the Democrats' loss to President Bush, Edwards has worked to build support for a repeat presidential bid. He has a retooled agenda that is more openly progressive and has spent time building relationships with labor leaders and traveling overseas to build his foreign policy credentials beyond his one term in the Senate.

Edwards' spokesman, David Ginsberg, would not confirm or deny that Edwards planned to announce he would run in 2008.

Ginsberg said Edwards would make an announcement about his future when he is ready.

Word leaked about Edwards' plans just hours after Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh announced he would not seek the presidency in 2008. Bayh had been a leading candidate in early fundraising and, like Edwards, based much of his appeal on his electability. Bayh and Edwards, friends who went running together daily when they were in the Senate, each won election in Republican-leaning states.

Bayh and some other hopefuls have struggled to build their name recognition against the drawing power of Clinton and Obama. Edwards, however, does not have that problem.

He is well known from the 2004 campaign and his profile has risen this year as he and his wife, Elizabeth, went on nationwide tours to promote their books.

A poll of Iowa Democrats that was published Thursday in the Des Moines Register showed Edwards with 36 percent support, more than Clinton's 16 percent and Obama's 13 percent combined.

Edwards' campaign plans include an aggressive fundraising effort to prove that he belongs in the top tier of contenders. Because he currently does not hold federal office, Edwards does not have a war chest like some of his rivals. In fact, he has several hundred thousands of dollars of debt from his 2004 presidential campaign.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Sad, really. I think he blew his chance for 2008 by accepting the VP nod in 2004. Here's another basically unqualified guy, little more national public service experience than Obama, but who did incredible revewrsals of position as Kerry's lapdog.

Stick a fork in him. if he gets in at all he will be beholden to so many disparate groups he won't be able to do anything.
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Jolly
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:snooze:
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Mikhailoh
Dec 17 2006, 01:50 PM
Sad, really.  I think he blew his chance for 2008 by accepting the VP nod in 2004.  Here's another basically unqualified guy, little more national public service experience than Obama, but who did incredible revewrsals of position as Kerry's lapdog. 

Stick a fork in him.  if he gets in at all he will be beholden to so many disparate groups he won't be able to do anything.

Quote:
 
Here's another basically unqualified guy


You mean like Bush?

Edwards is smart and charismatic. He's knows that charismatic is the single most important qualification, in the television/internet age. He may not have much of a chance to get nominated, but he's a heckuva better alternative than Hilary. And do you really think he's less qualified than Rudy or Obama?
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Bush - two term executive in Texas.

Rudy - dog years as NY mayor. Executive position.

Probably more qualified than Obama.

If it were a race between Hillary and Ahmadinejad, I'd have to take some time to think it over.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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George K
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Finally
A single term Senator who built his legal career on channelling the unborn? One whose basis for litigation had no basis in scientific fact? The guy who never had any kind of governing experience other than that one term as a US Senator? Charismatic? Yeah, I guess so...
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QuirtEvans
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Mikhailoh
Dec 17 2006, 05:56 PM
Bush - two term executive in Texas.

Rudy - dog years as NY mayor.  Executive position.

Probably more qualified than Obama.

If it were a race between Hillary and Ahmadinejad, I'd have to take some time to think it over.

Sorry, but mayor of a city is not relevant job experience.

Not all executive experience is alike.

And if executive experience is the issue, McCain doesn't have it.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Daniel\
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Fulla-Carp
I know that there are some people who support Edwards and I want to be careful about what I say but I have strong negative feelings about Edwards.

Edwards has all of the charisma of piece of cardboard. The differece between Edwards and a piece of cardboard with Edwards' picture on it is not much. I have never seen a more boring politician. I have never seen a politician's persona more suitable to platitudes.

I agree that he has little experience or natural ability for the job.

Finally, I would like to note that people who are chosen to run for vice-president get the idea that the American people love them. Nothing could be further from the truth and mark my words- Edwards will get the reality check he has coming to him.

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Daniel\
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Fulla-Carp
QuirtEvans
Dec 17 2006, 03:17 PM
Mikhailoh
Dec 17 2006, 05:56 PM
Bush - two term executive in Texas.

Rudy - dog years as NY mayor.  Executive position.

Probably more qualified than Obama.

If it were a race between Hillary and Ahmadinejad, I'd have to take some time to think it over.

Sorry, but mayor of a city is not relevant job experience.

Not all executive experience is alike.

And if executive experience is the issue, McCain doesn't have it.

When was the last time if ever that a mayor of a major city was elected president? If it has happened I do know about it or am not remembering it.

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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
I believe mayor of New York City, which might have a larger population than, oh, say.. Arkansas, and certainly more complex issues, counts pretty well.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Daniel\
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Fulla-Carp
chirp chirp

I guess that is never.

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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Mayor is usually a stepping stone to governor.

A mayor may have a large population and a large budget, but he does not have a legislature to deal with, or the ability to pass the same kinds of laws.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Daniel, you could come up with a statistic like that from virtually anything.. when was the last time a guy who owned a baseball team was elected president? When was the last time an Arkansas governor was president? How many times has a Catholic been elected president?

I don't see it as meaningful. Giuliani is a national figure after 9/11, which most mayors AND state governors are not.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Daniel\
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Fulla-Carp
So, a mayor has never been elected president in the history of the republic AND you object to me noting it? That's not very fair, is it?

It would be remarkable NOT to mention it- whether you feel it is important or not.

It is not random. If all presidents have had certain experience and candiate X has not had the same, not a random consideration.

If I wanted to say something random I would say- how many men who dress like women in their spare time have been elected president?

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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Neither has a black person, a one-term senator, or a woman, a two-termer, but those are the two strongest contenders today, aren't they?

I should think either black or female would be more of a hindrance than mayor.

I don't object to your saying anything, I just don't agree with it and stated my viewpoint. That is kind of the basis for an online discussion.
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
I'll say this about Edwards.

I met the guy briefly a month or so back. I dunno what qualifications you need to have as president, but-- wait a minute, yes I do. And he has them. He's very charismatic, and the guy has a plan. I went back later to check his political history with what he said he supported, and everything matched up. I didn't see the flip-flopping we were used to seeing with Kerry.

Also, the guy was pretty honest with his answers. He gave direct, honest answers to everything he was asked. His views don't line up with mine in many respects, but I'll give him a lot of credit for explaining himself.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
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Dec 18 2006, 11:04 AM
I'll say this about Edwards.

I met the guy briefly a month or so back. I dunno what qualifications you need to have as president, but-- wait a minute, yes I do. And he has them. He's very charismatic, and the guy has a plan. I went back later to check his political history with what he said he supported, and everything matched up. I didn't see the flip-flopping we were used to seeing with Kerry.

Also, the guy was pretty honest with his answers. He gave direct, honest answers to everything he was asked. His views don't line up with mine in many respects, but I'll give him a lot of credit for explaining himself.

Isn't he a little short? Generally, people like tall people to vote for. It makes them feel as though, err..., well, something or other is happening. Or not.

Anyway.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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Aqua Letifer
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Maybe a little. But then again I'm 6'4" so it might be a relative measure. :D
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Aqua Letifer
Dec 18 2006, 12:04 PM
I'll say this about Edwards.

I met the guy briefly a month or so back. I dunno what qualifications you need to have as president, but-- wait a minute, yes I do. And he has them. He's very charismatic, and the guy has a plan. I went back later to check his political history with what he said he supported, and everything matched up. I didn't see the flip-flopping we were used to seeing with Kerry.

Also, the guy was pretty honest with his answers. He gave direct, honest answers to everything he was asked. His views don't line up with mine in many respects, but I'll give him a lot of credit for explaining himself.

How do you explain his flip-flops as Kerry's running mate? He abandoned everything he said opn the campaign trail.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
Mikhailoh
Dec 18 2006, 11:30 AM
How do you explain his flip-flops as Kerry's running mate?

Never vote for a short man wearing flip-flops. It's only one step away from a thong.

[Cue George]
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
Quote:
 
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not want to pre-empt Edwards' announcement.


I know of only one way to not preempt an announcement, and these Democratic officials don't seem bright enough to have figured it out. (Hint: speaking on condition of anonymity is not it). :lol:
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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George K
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Finally
John D'Oh
Dec 18 2006, 10:35 AM
[Cue George]

No need, John. The memory is enough.
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
Mikhailoh
Dec 18 2006, 08:30 AM
Aqua Letifer
Dec 18 2006, 12:04 PM
I'll say this about Edwards.

I met the guy briefly a month or so back.  I dunno what qualifications you need to have as president, but-- wait a minute, yes I do.  And he has them.  He's very charismatic, and the guy has a plan.  I went back later to check his political history with what he said he supported, and everything matched up.  I didn't see the flip-flopping we were used to seeing with Kerry.

Also, the guy was pretty honest with his answers.  He gave direct, honest answers to everything he was asked.  His views don't line up with mine in many respects, but I'll give him a lot of credit for explaining himself.

How do you explain his flip-flops as Kerry's running mate? He abandoned everything he said opn the campaign trail.

No idea, as I don't remember that. I remember Kerry flip-flopping quite a bit, but not Edwards. Not saying he didn't, I just don't remember hearing it.

He did say that he wasn't entirely comfortable running as VP.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Then he should not have accepted it. He looked plenty comfortable lapdogging for Kerry and defending his record and his honor.

Sleep with snakes, get bit. He did, and he will never get over it in the electorate's eye. Even if he could overcome explaining that behavior (I wasn't comfortable won't cut it), Hillary's machine will eat him for breakfast.

I don't think Hillary will be thee candidate, but that may be wishful thinking on my part. Anyone who beats her will have to have awfully powerful backing.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
Mikhailoh
Dec 18 2006, 09:23 AM
Then he should not have accepted it. He looked plenty comfortable lapdogging for Kerry and defending his record and his honor.

Sleep with snakes, get bit. He did, and he will never get over it in the electorate's eye. Even if he could overcome explaining that behavior (I wasn't comfortable won't cut it), Hillary's machine will eat him for breakfast.

I don't think Hillary will be thee candidate, but that may be wishful thinking on my part. Anyone who beats her will have to have awfully powerful backing.

Well he said in hindsight, so who knows. In the political spectrum, I'd imagine you take what nominations you can get.

As for "lapdogging" for Kerry, if he's chosen to run for VP, but not president, what do you expect him to do? I would expect someone to only run if they want the position, and to only support the presidential candidate if he agreed with his political scheme, but that's not at all how it works. Of course he's going to support Kerry if they're both running.

I don't have any problems with the guy, I just don't totally agree with him.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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