Somebody's campaign manager kicks much ass...
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Though I'm sure the politic hounds among you already know, John Edwards has once again thrown his hat in the presidential ring. The candidate announced his bid for the presidency at a press conference held in the now infamous lower ninth ward of New Orleans saying "no place better demonstrates the two Americas I've talked about for a long time".
While the former Senator was dutiful in outlining his plan for Iraq, his campaign is centered on lessening the gap between the upper and lower classes. Edwards has set a bold 30 year goal for eradicating poverty, and though the budgeting for the social programs required to meet that goal haven't yet been fleshed out, I'm sure we can all feel the collective shudder coming from fiscal conservatives on both sides of the party line.
Last election cycle this strategy didn't play too well, but footage of Katrina's devastation (and of the ruble that still compromises much of the lower income sections) should serve as a perfect illustration for his platform. Pictures speak louder than words, as his campaign manager clearly understands, and I strongly suspect that Edwards' "Two Americas" will be more than just a late night punch line this time around. There are a few minor points that may play in the presidential hopeful's favor as well:
Having been Kerry's vice presidential pick he's well known to the American public.
He escaped much of the previous primary's mud slinging, simply having been labeled "unexperienced" - a label that may not stick so well four years of public service, several diplomatic visits, and one anti-poverty center later.
He's a Southerner. Democrats have a hard game in the South, and a home town advantage may be the only way for a Democrat to win.
He's made up for past "sins", playing up to both the antiwar crowds that attacked him for his original support for the war in Iraq and to the organized labor groups that largely ignored him last go round.
Lastly - he's still cute, and he's not Hillary.
BetaPwned
While the former Senator was dutiful in outlining his plan for Iraq, his campaign is centered on lessening the gap between the upper and lower classes. Edwards has set a bold 30 year goal for eradicating poverty, and though the budgeting for the social programs required to meet that goal haven't yet been fleshed out, I'm sure we can all feel the collective shudder coming from fiscal conservatives on both sides of the party line.
Last election cycle this strategy didn't play too well, but footage of Katrina's devastation (and of the ruble that still compromises much of the lower income sections) should serve as a perfect illustration for his platform. Pictures speak louder than words, as his campaign manager clearly understands, and I strongly suspect that Edwards' "Two Americas" will be more than just a late night punch line this time around. There are a few minor points that may play in the presidential hopeful's favor as well:
Having been Kerry's vice presidential pick he's well known to the American public.
He escaped much of the previous primary's mud slinging, simply having been labeled "unexperienced" - a label that may not stick so well four years of public service, several diplomatic visits, and one anti-poverty center later.
He's a Southerner. Democrats have a hard game in the South, and a home town advantage may be the only way for a Democrat to win.
He's made up for past "sins", playing up to both the antiwar crowds that attacked him for his original support for the war in Iraq and to the organized labor groups that largely ignored him last go round.
Lastly - he's still cute, and he's not Hillary.
BetaPwned
I see more hope in the campaigns of Edwards and others than Hillary. The greatest good that a H R-C candidacy would do is serve as a magnet for the radical conservative fear-smear machine and leave the other candidates unscathed for the general election.
Perhaps it is a shame that Hillary would fall into that role. But, there is no identified cure for the irrational vehemence of the radicals. Despite all of the good deads of her Senate record there is no doubt that they will attack often and in the most vicious manner possible.
t
He also manages to steer clear of many issues that divide moderate voters.
He would be a strong candidate against a traditional Republican, but a Guilianni or McCain would pose a real threat to him.
I also agree that he'd be a great candidate against a traditional Republican, especially since there isn't anything immediately recognizable as a scandal maker. McCain is someone to worry about, but I don't think Guilianni will make through the primaries - a Pro-Choice, Gay Marriage supporter on a Republican ticket while we're at war? No way.
t
That's the key to Edwards' candidacy. Yes, he has stayed on message, but that message is strictly domestic (Iraq not being able to distinguish himself from other candidates).
He's one bad event from being an irrelevancy.
And, of course, to Republicans, one bad event vaults Guiliani miles ahead of everybody else. Gay marriage, pro-choice . . . also irrelevancies after one bad event.