Meanwhile, there's a new American Research Group poll, which indicates that Hillary Clinton is currently leading in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and even Edwards' home state of South Carolina. Of course, polls this early in the campaign cycle don't mean much (where were Kerry and Edwards in the polls at this point 4 years ago?), but still, I wonder if Edwards is feeling a bit frustrated right about now. (on the other hand, the Washington Post reports big crowds for Edwards in both Iowa and New Hampshire, so maybe these polls really are full of you-know-what).
P.S. Despite rumors to the contrary, I have NOT decided who I will support for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2008. However, I am quite optimistic that whichever contender secures the nomination, the Democrats are in great shape to win the White House in 2008. In large part, that's because the GOP continues to tear itself apart, in Kansas, in Virginia, and elsewhere. What a shame! :)
NBA Legend Michael Jordan and his wife are splitting!
And! Julia Roberts is expecting a THIRD child!
Finally Is Denver ever going to get a break between winter storms?!?!?
John Edwards who? John Edwards what?
Oh, that's the guy who lost the Debate to Dick Cheney. Well, that's what America thinks anyway. And, they are also thinking about who Britney Spears will be dating next!
But, if you post this on Kos.. they might EAT you alive.
Look at this latest Diary on Kos.
Makes you understand why Time Magazine chose us/YOU as the Persons of the Year and not the MSM....LOL.
As far as Edwards is concerned, he was born in South Carolina and served as Senator from North Carolina. How about we split the difference and say he's from both North AND South Carolina? :)
Look at two previous polls there, starting with the most recent showing her in the lead...
American Research Group: Dec. 19-23
600 likely caucus goers MoE +/- 4.0%Clinton 31%
Edwards 20%
Vilsack 17%
Obama 10%Research 200O Dec. 18-20
600 likely Iowa voters MoE 4%Barack Obama 22%
John Edwards 22%
Tom Vilsack 12%
Hillary Clinton 10%Harstad Strategic Research: 10/12-10/19
602 likely Iowa voters MoE 4%Edwards 36
Clinton 16
Obama 13
Vilsack 9
Kerry 6
Biden 5
Clark 3
Richardson 2
Bayh 0
Dodd 0
Unsure 8
The Obama bounce in the 2nd poll totally makes sense. But Hillary suddenly being at 31% when she polled 16% and 10%? And Obama being behind Vilsack? No way.
Something is fishy with that ARG poll.
I think the biggest problem we have to face....why not support them all ! Especially against the MSM whackjobs and Rovian smear machines.
I've been in the Edwards Camp since '03, where we were inspired to stick to issues not attack, but certainly be prepared to defend attacks! He's already taken on the McCain Doctrine, which is a good start!
With hopes Edwards supporters will be welcomed here?
One of the RK Frontpagers has referred to Edwards supporters as "hypocrites" and "kool aid drinkers" over at DailyKos.
Looks like the nomination season is about to get nasty...
The national lefty blogs (DU, Kos, et al) were very mean to Webb the last election cycle, mostly by Kerry04 supporters who couldn't forgive Jim for his OpEd's against Kerry.
It was all so stupid, especially after Kerry endorsed Jim!
I learned a lot about that kind of forgiveness in politics, which I feel is better for our Virginia and country too.
I didn't mean to broad brush DKos as being anti-Webb as a community. DU was very $upportive too :)
Secondly, beachydem. I understand and respect your passion for John Edwards. But, I didn't say anything negative or unproductive about him. I leave that for Daily Kos, I have much respect for Raising Kaine and our community blog.
Even though many of us will support different candidates in 2008, I hope to maintain our civility. I don't think it's wrong to be sarcastic about JRE. On here at least I will respect anyone views and any different opinion.
Like Lowell has greatly pointed out, this is not Daily Kos. I have respect for all here. Though, I think you can also have an opinion about anything. If you don't agree, state why.. just don't troll rate or 1 point a user.
Just my thoughts, It's going to be a nasty primary in 2008. I hope here on Raising Kaine we keep our community together and peaceful.
Have a happy new year everyone!
Regardless, I'm still undecided. Warner and Feingold both passed it up, so I haven't really thought about it yet.
It will be fresh news to most people, considering the media focused their attention elsewhere.
He should make a joke of it, and act as if he hasn't already declared. Bring in more baloons this time, and then a staffer to curse when they don't fall from the ceiling. That may get their attention ;-) In fact, bring in the SAME staffer who cursed the balloons last time ;-)
People, I really should be paid for this advice.
And for the record, I lean Edwards so my humor (or humorous attempts) should not be construed as an attack on him.
I mean really, nodoby else thought the guy cursing the balloons was funny? Come on, that is a classic!
Lighten up folks - it's gonna be a long ride from here to 2008 ;-)
Somehow I got on the McCain list (perhaps George Allen or John Warner have been selling constituent email addressess?)--unsubscribe, and I haven't been bothered since.
None of the presidential contenders has me sold yet. Edwards is fine on economic policy, but the national security cred is a serious concern for me.
Leadership is defined in moments of conscience, anyone especially any elected official that claims they were mislead are either foolish or liars. All they had to do was listen or talk to any military expert at the time in 2002 (General Zinni, General Clark, Jim Webb) and they would have told them it was a mistake to invade.
Jim Webb wrote the famous "Heading for Trouble" on September 4, 2002 in the Washington Post. General Clark actually testified to Congress with a warning of a pre-emptive strike on Iraq and the consequences.
Congress knew what it was getting into, they may not have been away of the outcome but were fully aware of the circumstances.
There was no real threat from Iraq.
They knew it, many of us bloggers knew it.
Anyone who paid any attention knew it.
But because Kerry, Clinton, Bayh, & Edwards all had Presidential ambitions and didn't want to appear "Weak on Terror" they sold out, and voted for the War.
Bayh and Edwards went so far as to co-sponsor the IWR. SJ RES 46 passed with the help and the urging of Edwards by his Senate colleague to join him in support of this war. Just yesterday someone dug up his speech on the Senate floor.
Some actually took a stand whether serving in the Congress or not.
Russ Feingold, Bob Graham, Wes Clark, Jim Webb, Howard Dean, Tony Zinni, Barack Obama, Richard Clarke, & Al Gore.. to name just a few.
These individuals had the foresight and the moral judgment to know that invading Iraq was wrong.
I would rather stand behind a candidate who had it right about Iraq from the start. That has the intelligence, foresight, moral judgment, and integrity to lead a nation in a time of crisis.
You don't need a long resume to be elected President. Many haven't. But you do need to have proved you have a good sense of judgment.
In a defining moment of U.S. History, we all saw who lead and who followed.
I end with this quote by my personal hero:
"We need more leaders, not followers" --Jim Webb
But, in 2008 no matter who we choose as a party.
I will fully support the Democratic nominee.
I don't forgive Edwards for co-sponsoring the war. He hasn't asked me to.
That said, so far I support Edwards because I believe the economic issues are that important - important enough that I'll let him slide on his former support of the war.
Our country is in a crises, and most people don't get that. We have such massive debt hanging over us, and such large trade imbalances, that our prosperity is in grave danger. The middle class is eroding, many going backwards into poverty.
Poverty and violent crimes are linear. As poverty goes up, so does crime and violence - and a host of other problems, like hunger. Go visit any Mexican border town. That could be the United States some day if we don't get our economy in order. The great depression CAN happen again. It probably will, the question is how long it will last and how hard it will hit us. Also, as you recall our way out of the depression was WWII. You could probably expect the same.
If you want world peace, the best way to get there is by ending poverty. Period. And John Edwards gets this. Use of the military to achieve peace is the WORST possible way.
They were just foolish if they didn't see the facts.
Politicians, pundits, voters.
I am glad Edwards came out against the war in 2005. I just think he needs to do much much more in regards to National Security issues.
If not, he might need Clark should he capture the nomination.
Actually in my opinion, every '08 candidate needs Clark..
Unless he's the nominee in 2008. And as a former Clarkie, I have no problem with this! =)
Lowell, people knew that we had a containment policy on Iraq. At the very least those in Congress knew our policy. If they didn't they failed twice. Once in reviewing our policy toward Iraq, and twice for not listening to military leaders past and present.
They may be good Democrats, and I have forgiven all of them for VOTING for the war, but not the few Dems that co-sponsored the war. That's different to me.
Bayh, Edwards, Z. Miller, Joe Lieberman.
Clark testified to Congress warning them, but they were all afraid to be labeled unpatriotic. Democrats voting for the Iraq war had more to do with politics, and less to do with facts.
That's all I am sayin..
But at least Edwards came out and said he was wrong. Even the best leaders do make mistakes. It takes a truly great one to learn from his mistake and admit publicly that he was wrong. Edwards did it directly and with no equivocating. And that's why I can forgive him for co-sponsoring that resolution.
But then I'm not a veteran who went through the hell of war with in Iraq. Just hope, though, that you will at least consider Edwards and not walk away should he indeed win the nomination. You are too valuable and I'd hate to see you not be able to support him in the general election.
Meanwhile, fight like hell for the one you favor and I'll respect that. I may debate you but I'll respect you too.
Ronald Reagan always counselled, thou shalt not talk badly about a fellow party member. Of course, for him that was fellow Republicans.
Sometimes, it's not a rule to follow. But in next year's primaries, I think I will subscribe to it and not trash any of the Democratic party contenders.
Every one of them is somebody I could support in a general election. Frankly, I'm proud that we have such a good line up to choose from. It's like being in a five star restaurant where you can't decide on the entree because all the items on the menu look so good.
Personally, I'm currently leaning towards Edwards and the main reason is because of his stance on economic issues. I still like his theme of two Americas. He somehow manages to recognize the basic economic unfairness that has been built into our system by the current crony capitalism of the Bush years without appearing angry or bitter. Edwards manages to convey hope and optimism and to have a vision for a more fair America that includes everybody. That's what makes his version of populism so attractive, its refreshing lack of anger. He has staked his campaign on an appeal to basic fairness and done it in a way that embraces everybody and wraps it in idealism and a hopeful vision of the future.
If you consider yourself an economic populist, you owe it to yourself to consider him.
I think he's learned a lot on foreign policy. And I like the fact that he has unabashedly admitted that he made a mistake when he voted to support going into Iraq. He stood up and labeled that vote a mistake and did it pubicly.
I also like Barak Obama a lot and for much the same reason as I favor Edwards. In fact, I'd love to see an Edwards-Obama ticket for the added advantage that Obama is so promising that if the two of them had a successful administation, we could well be looking at an unprecedented 16 years of White House control.
Obama definitely has the charisma and ability to overcome any of the usual disadvantages that a vice presidency might have. The biggest disadvantage, of course, is that vice presidents often don't emerge successfully from the shadow of the president whom they serve. But does anybody believe that Obama would be overshadowed?
In any case, it's so early in the campaign that I reserve the right to change my mind as more candidates emerge and as I see how everybody performs in the early primary states.
For now, however, I am leaning towards Edwards and really hoping its him and Obama representing the Democratic ticket. But there is nobody I wouldn't work for enthusiatically. And nobody I will speak ill of.
I can't promise I'll be nice to Biden - he has some splainin' to do ;-)
I think the Republicans 11th commandment may be what is wrong with that party. Nobody dared to confront Bush until it was too late. I think we have an obligation to address disagreements. Perhaps we can disagree in a more positive way - without ripping each other to shreads.
I personally think that debate is good for our nation. One of the things I like about th UK is that Tony Blair will get up in the mix. I'd like to see Bush debate in that style - he'd get ripped to shreads.
I think honest debate on issues where the candidates differ is healthy. And I've never respected the way moderate Republicans too often place the good of their party before the good of the entire country like when they voted to confirm Supreme Court justices Roberts and Alito.
But my hope is that debate within our party and among our candidates during the primaries remains positive and civil. We have lots of good people willing to step up and run. I don't think we should engage in unfair character assassination, which is very different than honest and passionate debate about issues.
I'm pragmatic enough to believe that we shouldn't do the Republicans job for them and shoot ourselves in the foot.
On the other hand, I'll admit that it is better for a weak candidate to falter in a primary than in the general election, so I'm not saying don't be tough. Or hide a real skeleton in somebody's closet because we all know those things get exposed eventually and often at the worst time.
Weeding out candidates is what primaries should do. It's just that right now, I have a genuine enthusiasm for all those running. But I do reserve the right to change my mind as I learn more about each candidate during the primary campaigns.