MyDD: Ten arguments for sticking with John Edwards

Ten arguments for sticking with John Edwards

by desmoinesdem, Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 01:07:47 AM EST

In light of John Edwards' disappointing showing in the Nevada caucuses, some bloggers have argued that it's time for voters leaning toward Edwards to jump ship. Supporters of Barack Obama in particular have argued that it's pointless to vote for Edwards now, since Obama is the only candidate who can still beat Hillary Clinton.

Some Edwards supporters are heeding their calls. My brother in Arizona, who voted for Edwards four years ago, is now leaning toward Obama, because he does not want Clinton to be the nominee. My uncle in Los Angeles may vote for Clinton on February 5, because he does not think Obama is electable.

I've already caucused for Edwards, obviously, but if my state had not yet voted, I would stick with him. To me, the primaries are not about stopping the candidate I like least. The primaries are about supporting the candidate I like most.

Edwards is talking about the issues in a way that Clinton and Obama never have and never will, and his presence in the race is nudging the Democratic Party in the right direction, from my perspective.

Other writers have made powerful arguments for Edwards to stay in the race, and for his supporters to stand behind him. The links are after the jump.



1. Martin Luther King III released a letter to Edwards yesterday, which TomP diaried here. The whole letter is worth reading, but the highlights for me were these parts:


I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign. I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.

<...>

So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father's words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.


2. MassEyesandEars's great post on John Edwards and last night's Democratic debate highlighted the way Edwards kept "bringing the discussion back to people's real concerns and the real fight that needs to be waged in this country."

3. JedReport's take on the South Carolina debate makes a similar case in a slightly different way:


At the very least, voting for Edwards will help him stay in the race, not only keeping the race focussed on issues, but also earning enough delegates to exert considerable sway over the the nomination process and allowing him to keep progressive issues at the center of the debate. <...>

We are perilously close to this campaign becoming nothing more than a personality contest. And if voters in South Carolina and other states don't support John Edwards, the campaign will become a personality contest.

If that happens, the issues we care about -- the issues America cares about -- will get pushed to the side.


4. Ellinorianne explains why she has already filled out her absentee ballot for Edwards. Her diary also has photos from Edwards' rally in Los Angeles last Thursday, as well as a link to a video of his speech to that crowd. (Todd Beeton was there too.) Sunday's "action edition" of the Edwards Evening News Roundup was another great piece of work by Ellinorianne.

5. RDemocrat is determined to vote for Edwards in Kentucky's May primary even "if I have to write him in." He explains,


I will not support our current system of electing leaders because I don't believe that just a few states should have so much power. I don't believe in Indies and Repugs voting in the Democratic Primary and I don't believe that leaders should be decided by anything but a secret ballot. Our Democracy suffers when it is.

In a different diary that is also a good read, RDemocrat goes over the main points of Edwards' economic stimulus plan, his policies to help homeowners, his policies to curb abusive lending, and his commitment to taxing work and wealth equitably.

6. Meteor Blades argues that "we desperately need" to hear the message Edwards is conveying, both in the media and in the next presidential administration.

7. This passionate piece by priceman cites consumer rights and the need to protect people who have been wronged by corporations as reasons to stand behind Edwards.

Side note: if you like American history, I recommend priceman's Partisanship never was the problem, part 1, on the robber barons, the Gilded Age, and Teddy Roosevelt, as well as Partisanship never was the problem, part 2, his diary on Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

8. Benny06 published this beautiful diary about her family's story and why she and her mother are inspired by Edwards.

9. BruceMcF has been on a roll lately, mapping out The Five Levels of Edwards Victory, pointing out the possibility that one of the front-runners may stumble, and laying out a battle plan for The Edwards Netroots Insurrection.

10. Josh Marshall, no big fan of Edwards, is unconvinced by the insider pundits who say Edwards should quit the race.

For those of you who are sticking with Edwards:

Bubbanomics covers some simple ways you can help him win votes;
unionsally calls on volunteers to phonebank for him in the coming month;
BruceMcF put out this call for volunteers and created an Edwards Youtube playlist you can send to friends;
and SallyCat explains how she has convinced more than a dozen people to vote for Edwards in the California primary.

Thanks for reading.


(xposted in full with permission. Working links to diaries referenced at link below)

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/1/23/1747/12115#35

kick

because they though JRE is out, to the ones that are going to vote Obama to keep Hill from winning, had better go the other way and vote for Edwards to stay in, he has a better chance to beat Hillary than Obama.

Too much information ? Guess it wasn't even "troll worthy" either :silly:

I don't know if I'll be any good at it, but here goes - Oh noes, John Edwards combs his hair, that means he's too metrosexual!!!! I'll bet he showers every day too, the pansy!!!

How was that?

Thanks for the comic relief!

:rofl:

{hug}

:hug:

:spray:

C'mon undecideds... you know you like what you see. :7

Precinct Captain for Edwards in Iowa. That's dedication to your candidate !

:D

:thumbsup:

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

I think we Texans have a unique insight into politics as a full-contact sport. :D

I'm sure we've all got some stories! :rofl:

it's somethin else, huh?

They aren't kiddin when they say "it's like a whole other country"... yeah, a 3rd world country, politics-wise!

:rofl:

K&R

I can't tell you how many people ask me what is happening with John Edwards. I have been yapping about media reform for 4 years and now people are finally figuring out that the media is not reporting all the news.

"Why weren't we told about Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter?" "Good question to ask your newspaper editors", I say.

So far, the only time I've heard it mentioned in the media, was on Keith Olbermann's show last night. You would think a lovely MLKIII endorsement might get as much attention as Oprah!? :silly: