I'm Not Doing It.

I'm done with defending my candidate against spurious attacks from people who refuse to recognize that his populist stance is not new, but evidence of the same general beliefs he's always held. How he's fought for a living wage and those who work for a living for his whole political career. I'm not going to waste any more time explaining how I see a man who went into the belly of the beast, saw what was going on, and got the hell out. Who's now telling us precisely what he's seen, and why he's hell bent on changing the way things work.

I won't bother defending him against stupid FOX News talking points about his goddamn haircut. If people don't want to understand that he didn't arrange that haircut, and wasn't aware of how much it was going to cost when he got it, I'm not going to try to explain it to them.

I'm not going to waste my time talking about his house. For all anyone knows, he may well intend to donate it to a worthwhile charity sometime in the future--so it might become a home for unwed teenage mothers as a haven in their climb up from poverty, or as a haven for women hiding from a abusive husbands or boyfriends, or for some other worthwhile purpose. If he came and SAID so, people would accuse him of lying, or playing a political hole card, but it sure as hell wouldn't surprise me. The house certainly has all the qualities one would need for such a purpose.

I know that's what *I* would most likely do with such a monstrosity. Something that large would hardly feel cozy, or feel like home to me. And it would be a heck of a gesture should he somehow beat the odds and ended up in the White House to donate the house to a worthwhile cause.

Some of us are pretty quick to assume the worst of people. Not without reason, sometimes, but still... :shrug:

I'm also not going to be descending into the threads bashing other candidates. Sure, it'll leave me with a lot more time on my hands, but, frankly, I've said all I have to say about everyone currently in the race. It's not hard, if someone is actually curious, to seach through my journal and see what I have to say about each of the other candidates.

I've always tried to put the issues first, to talk about what means the most to me. I don't care so much about star-power, or personality. I don't know these people--I can only judge whether or not I think their message and presentation of their message is what I want to hear and see. I have to base my judgments on what the candidate seems to stand for.

I like what Edwards is saying and how he's saying it. Again and again he's bringing up things that I myself have touched on over the years and that says something to me. He seems concerned about people who work hard and yet have nothing and so am I. He seems concerned about the rising cost of education, and the dwindling opportunities even a good education can offer. Well, so am I. He talks about the preservation of the middle class, without which NO ONE can be lifted out of poverty simply because there would be nowhere for them to be lifted TO.

This country has an immense potential to be a true force for good in the world, but not if it's full of broken promises and broken dreams itself.

An America in which every citizen is afforded basic dignity, and can stand tall knowing he or she is important, and that his or her fate matters to those around him or her is a worthwhile goal, and it's an America I would dearly love to see. We can't afford to run around the world trying to fix everyone else's problems while ignoring the shattered lives here at home.

No matter who wins the nomination in the end, I will cast my vote for him or her against whatever evil the Republicans put forth. I cannot in good conscience do otherwise, knowing all too well from the last several years what continued Republican dominance would bring.

There are those who try to tell us it's not really that important, that none of these people will bring any meaningful change. Perhaps that's true. But if it is, then all of THIS is for naught, for the fate of not only America, but the whole human race could well be at stake.

Plan accordingly.

in Mens Vogue, you will see that in the south, it is a dream to have a large house on acreage. Think of it as a modern age Tara.

zalinda

I don't know how that house ever became an issue with anyone (other than people looking to find anything they could to attack him with).

It seems consistent with his message: Poverty is a bad thing.

Personally, I'm against poverty, and if I had millions of dollars I would live in a house that I felt was in proportion to my assets (i.e., a pretty damn expensive one). I don't see how the two concepts are contradictory (unless I were to hoard my wealth and not try to help the impoverished in any way).

I don't think Edwards has ever stated that individual possession of wealth is somehow evil, or tainted, or even something to which one should not aspire.

(live in a house proportionate to one's assets, that is). I wouldn't, but I wouldn't be comfortable in a place that felt more like a hotel than a home. A three bedroom cottage with a nice sized yard for my dogs would suit me perfectly.

for kids and grandkids and a few good friends. The Edwards seem to be a tight and loving family and will likely remain that way for generations. The house has "room to grow".

what you do with your wealth does send a message to others. Edwards missed a chance to put some energy and environmental innovations into his compound -- the biggest mistake about it IMO. I think he was a bit expedient about the design and building, being distracted by other things. Obviously it's a prime real estate investment, a complex, not simply a "house."

I'm not looking to find fault with or attack Edwards. I support Edwards and Obama all the way. But I think the timing of the housebuilding and the underestimation of how it appears to clash with his ideals is unfortunate. I bet he's sensitive to this now. I don't expect candidates I support to be perfect. It's a missed opportunity is what I'm seeing...not a major character flaw. He is so good in what he's saying now that it's more than made up for this PR flub of the House.

"All the water (all of which comes from wells) in our home and some of the flooring is heated with solar energy.
We built a highly energy efficient house. In fact, our home is Energy-Star rated. Energy Star is an EPA regulated designation for homes that are at least 30 percent more efficient than the national Model Energy Code. In building we made sure we had effective insulation in floors, walls, and attics. We chose efficient heating and cooling equipment and high-performance windows. Our builder paid close attention to making sure the construction was tight to seal out drafts and moisture. The day the independent inspector came to evaluate the house, we were on pins and needles while he tested our home's energy performance. As he packed his equipment, he gave us the good news: we are an Energy-Star home!"

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/1/26/15303/2358


So it seems it is the size that offends some....I wonder how energy efficient their homes are. Seems to me most of the Repugs are living in very large glass houses. They should be very wary of throwing stones.

SHALL WE ? LET'S !!!

-s

I feel the same sense of import and urgency.

recommend.





              Edwards '08 tees!

--before his entry into politics. His actual record as a politician has been playing it safe centrist stuff (co-author of the PATRIOT Act, voting for the war, etc.) I think he's since decided that those tactics only lead to losing, so he's decided to go big this year with being far more specific about issues and more aggressive about naming corporate power as the central problem.

Were you around here in 2004? Edwards was the Obama of 2004, with nothing but good looks, being southern, and saying how very much he wanted to turn two Americas into one America. Not the slightest mention of what forces, exactly, are responsible for the existence of two Americas.

Hillary hit her stride (apparently) when she stopped listening to them. Edwards is coming on strong because he's handling his own campaign.

:kick:

I can't believe all the childishness being bantered around here.

The level of what some posters consider discourse, is well, really nonexistent. The tit for tat squabbles and the plain right hatefulness rears its ugly head for ALL of us to see. They do this without any recourse to their actions. They think they are being clever but in essence it exposes a deep dark tendency to hid behind a screen name.

I would hope if these same people are campaigning for their candidate that they would not treat someone who supports someone else with as much disrespect I see hurled around here. Perhaps they would be more civil in public, face to face with someone. Who knows perhaps they would tell what an a**hole they are, who knows, I certainly don't understand their approach to the politics of hate.


Thank you, Mythsaje. I hope you will continue to post about John, and the Edwards supporters will continue reading your words of wisdom and the disruptors WE will start to ignore. If they choose to be ignorant of our candidates then so be it. If they want to be like adults then they should research ALL the candidates, because in November we will be voting for one of them. I would think we should brush up on the candidates, it has its upside to be well informed. We CANNOT rely on the media to inform us. WE have to do that ourselves.

It's all pretty simple really. What is there to defend? He has stated his case and his closet has been aired. The man has, as you said, come out of the belly of the beast and offers us substantive change away from that beast.

I will NOT vote for her. I would miss this website forum, but HRC stands for nothing I can help support.

The vitriol against the non-HRC candidates has already cheapened DU to low-brow status; the spew towards supporters/commenters is astoundingly ugly and repugnant. And no, it is not "politics as usual", it is hating, and speaks volumes about the participants.

Until the final determinaton, however, "Yay!, and Huzzahs for John Edwards!"

NoFederales

:kick:

--IMM

I also like what Edwards is saying and how he's saying it. :kick:

Glad you liked it.

uncloaking and chiming in.

Thanks again for your comments.

risk seems to have passed now as no one can possibly believe that Kucinich or Edwards have the cash on hand to pay for any troll-bots and I'm not a huge fan of the centrist candidates.

I think that particular jibe is thrown around a little too freely. There MIGHT be campaign folks here on DU, but I tend to think the vast majority are volunteers who really believe in their candidate.

And, yeah, I'm not all that thrilled by the centrist candidates myself, but come November, I know I'm going to be voting for whichever Dem gets the nod.

Can't say I'm an Edwards supporter, but I really liked your post!

And yes, after awhile it's best just to let the trivial old criticisms slide. They aren't said to engage in a debate, anyway.

K&R! :kick:

I'm trying to spend my energy where it can do the most good. :)

I'll support him until Feb. 5th and then I will VOTE for him.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vZxOYF9ZAe0

And thanks for this heart felt post. As I have said in many posts, John Edwards will never stop fighting for us and I will never stop fighting for him. He is simply the best choice for this wounded nation, and the best hope of restoring our good standing in the world. No matter what happens in the coming months and who the eventual nominee will be, I know JE will be okay, but will we?

if I should give all my money away to the poor and become poor in order to help some. :sarcasm: If I give my $50 million to the 35 million poor people that about $1.42 each. Think that will help? JFK was rich, FDR was rich... I guess they didn't help the poor as presidents. All the candidates are rich. This is a non-issue. Go, John go!!!

!

:thumbsup:

he's gonna donate the home to unwed mothers?



ROFLMAO!!!

I said he COULD.

And, yes, I AM a good fiction writer.

old and just this once, I'd like to vote for someone who I truly believe in and, for me, that's John Edwards.

but when I'm not trying to unmask the Martin Luther Kind illusionist, I will be exorting primary goers to vote Edwards.

I just don't get why the polls aren't soaring for him. It is strangely bizarre. Classic case of cognitive disorder. We never learn. The masses watch the shiny gold object as it swings and never realize it's gold plate on top of tin.

:)

He's the only one I feel REALLY cares about WE THE PEOPLE, and when he said, in the debate the other night, that this election was not about the candidates, but about the people and the issues, he was damn flat right.

I don't hate Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama, but I do feel that John Edwards' message is the one who speaks for the greatest number of people.

a social conscience.

As a fairly new DUer one thing I have noticed is that the Edwards supporters seem to, much like our candidate, stay above the fray, and I think that says a lot about us and John Edwards. Excellent post!!!

:-)

Because he is the only candidate i feel is honest..and who can demand the change nessesary to take back our country and restore her to her greatness.

And many of us are here in SC and all over the country working to Make John Edwards our president.

Today i saw and spoke to Madaline Stowe..and tonight Danny Glover...

I walked 5-6 precincts today and am about to drop into bed..but wanted to drop by here to let you all know there are some of us here on the ground working for the real Dem who called for change first..it seems to me after working in Iowa..the other two candidates can only copy what John says..and if they can only copy the words someone else says..how effective will they be at coming up with their own ideas..when or if they don't have John to copy..we can not afford to find that out.

People here are real receptive to John..but many have voted for the repukes ..but so many after the debate say they wish they had not already voted..so many here are impressed with John and what he had to say in the debate..so many are disgusted with the way Hillary and Obama behaved in the debate..and they are not afraid to tell us so when we knock on their doors!

anyway..again Mythsaje i could not agree with your assessment more ( opps edit i am pooped!)..and all you had to say..

i am tired ..it has been a long day..on the election trail..

night all..

fly ..in Columbia South Carolina...volunteer for John Edwards.

doing what needs to be done. I plan on attending the Washington State Caucus on the 9th of next month, as soon as I can find out where the heck it's being held in Pierce County. I feel like I have to do something besides write.

and in your state you can be a co-captain for the caucus and help sway people to John..and help keep him viable..

please do it..it is so wonderful to do..i did it as an out of state co captian in Iowa..and it was a wonderful experience..please do sign up at John's web site..and volunteer to be a precinct co-captain!!..we need educated people who know all the issues..and who know John's platform.

Do it..you will not regret it!!

and please get there early to set up ..and make sure you have enough tables and chairs..we bought water to have for caucus go'ers..and cookies..because Hillary sends sandwiches..to all precincts..( with Rupperts money .don'tcha know )
Please volunteer..

i went to Iowa trudged through the snow..and coldddddddddd....and now here..because our nation needs John..please use your knowledge ..to save this country!!

night again..fly

That personal contact means so much

:toast:

I told a peer of mine today that I am fed up with the presidential campaign and that it has put me off of politics. I am a political science major and a veteran and this campaign and its lack of substance has created a vitriolic reaction toward all things political.

I see Edwards as the only one consistently pushing an issue-based campaign and he is being ignored for it. And the way that his campaign is being looked over by the American public has had an impact that has made me question the path that I had laid out for myself. It has me questioning whether or not the American people are worth fighting for if they are so easily distracted with vague and meaningless rhetoric by a couple candidates who have never exhibited any leadership qualities. I find myself daily trying to figure out other avenues to alleviate the lives those who don't have voices of their own...but in avoiding anything dealing with public policy.

You are not alone in your frustration, that's for sure. Many of us are feeling the same way lately, particularly the Edwards supporters. Of course, we understand that the dynamics have been greatly influenced by the way the corporate media frames the race. Also worthy of consideration is the historic precedence being set by a woman and an African-American man standing in the position of having a real shot at the Presidency.

And it's ironic that it's the white Southern guy who's running the most issue-based campaign and is the one being ignored in favor of soundbyte rhetoric and name recognition. But that's where things stand right now.

Edwards has been leading the campaign in many ways, being the first to bring up salient issues that have changed the language the other candidates have used. But he ultimately challenges the status quo and, even in times of economic uncertainty, people are afraid of losing the status quo.

Sad, really.

But it's not over until it's over.

What frustrates me about it is that the well-off cackling TV heads who constantly mock him for it are just as well-off as he is and would think nothing of doing the same things with their prosperity.

I use well-off in the sense here that anyone who can run a presidential campaign is quite propserous. I don't hold that against him. I think having wealthy people around isn't actually a bad thing. The problem with a lot of wealthy people these days is that they want to stay wealthy, most times obscenely so, while making it so that most of us who don't happen to be wealthy have no way of getting there – or even in a place where paying the bills isn't such a worry.

John Edwards is for real. He hasn't forgotten what it's like to be poor, and he understands what a hopeless mess America will be come if it ever finally happens that the poor are absolutely doomed to stay there.

The only reasons he is still in the race:

He's white,
He's male,
He's Xian,
He's Southern.

Unfortunately, since it is so difficult to believe anything that comes out of his mouth and even more difficult to match his words today to his past actions, most reasonably sane people will probably want to vote for someone else.

Good luck with THAT, too. Gawds, this is going to be a frightening year...