With the Edwards annoumcement, I've comitted to a new candidate:

I throw my support behind Obama.

It will be a different kind of campaign, with different kinds of issues. Obama's focus is different, its not the same kind of populism that Edwards managed to briefly inject into politics. It's not as "liberal" in some respects, its not as strongly married to labor and other things.

But it IS a lot of things as well. Obama is a democrat, that much is clear. And as a true democrat, even if he is more moderate on some issues, he represents a clear alternative to Republican rule. He is an outsider, young and idealistic when it comes to change in Washington - he is these things right at a time when I feel the country needs it the most. He speaks of message of unity. That has led some to criticize him, fearing that he means caving into corrupt republican politicians like so many democratic washington insiders have done. I'm not sure how you can get that from his message. When he speaks of unity, he speaks in truly inspiring ways about how the time has come to unite the people.

Because when you strip away all the political spin, and the partisan entrenchment, the people of the United States actually SHARE many core beliefs and expectations for their government. A majority of ordinary people on both sides of the isle believe that we have a health care crisis. A majority of ordinary people on both sides of the isle believe that this war was either ill-advised or ill-executed or both, and that it is hurting us economically, hurting us diplomatically and that its time we brought it to a close. A majority of ordinary people on both sides of the isle believe that massive out of control spending and deficits combined with legal exemptions allowing multi-billion dollar corporations to pay less in taxes than a middle-class family is a failure of our system - regardless of what they think about higher or lower taxes in general or about the spending priorities of washington. A majority of ordinary people across both sides of the isle feel that the protection of constitutional rights for American Citizens matter, and that accountability in government is tragically missing.

The disconnect is between the polarizing propaganda of beltway politicians and the establishment media consistently bombarding the airwaves speaking for the American people and telling them what they believe. While research consistently indicates that when partisan rhetoric is stripped away, the American people are overwhelmingly in favor of a richer, progressive more community oriented America. It is time for a leader who will unite ordinary people across political divides around these common goals. That message of unity is not some secret scheme. It is the vision for a better tomorrow.

John Edwards shared that vision in common with Obama. And while John Edward's emphasis was (I feel courageously) on taking on the power of corporate rule, I believe Obama's message, even if carrying a different issue focus, carries on that same spirit of unity and optimism that inspired me to become involved in the Edward's campaign. I don't now support Obama crestfallen as if he were some unpalatable last option. Rather, I support him with great optimism, with a willingness to take a risk on a brilliant man who in many ways has not yet been entrenched and molded into any one category of politician. That freshness, that brilliance, and that optimism is something I'm willing to hope in. And vote for.

You make many good points.

Kick.

:hug:

That was a great endorsement !

Almost as good as Caroline's! Thanks for that.

Thank you for your post. I'm happy to have sent it to the Greatest.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4291267&mesg_id=4291267

Just a thought...

Like I said though, I don't support Obama as a candidate of "last resort." I support him for some of the same reasons I support John Edwards, which I explain above.

Neither her record nor her policies seem closer to Edwards to me. And I've done more research on the three top tier candidates than most.

Clinton is closer to John on energy, economics, and healthcare.

Which of Obama's policies do you think are more Edwards-like?

(Just as a side note, its frustrating that of all the three candidates, Hillary Clinton's campaign platform is the most difficult to navigate. No direct links to specific issues, rather a lesser set of links each headed with some campaign soundbite. Nothing wrong with that, just frustrating for someone trying to cut through the political bullshit and get to the point. I'd like to go to "Issues," see "Poverty," and jump into the red meat.)

I believe that Obama's economic plan is the best of the remaining two. Obama is closer to Edwards on Iraq, and Iran, and I believe would be closer to me on foreign policy in the future.

Obama's direct proposals on the issue of Poverty as well as his attitude exemplified in direct speeches on the issue are closest to Edwards, in my opinion.

There are some areas where both Obama and Clinton's policy plans are similar to each other. At that point there are other characteristics that are important such as: ability not just to lead from the front but to motivate, unify and rally the people behind your leadership, vision, charisma (it does matter) and gravitas.

The combination of each of these things - both platform review and leadership qualities - have helped me make my decision.

Note I didn't attack any other candidate in my answer. I hope you'll be respectful enough to keep any discussion positive-focused. If you want to talk about the strengths of your candidate, that's wonderful. But go negative, and you can enjoy my ignore list.

Not sure what makes you prefer Obama's, but ok.

:shrug:

:shrug:

but as of now he is the only choice.

I think he and Hillary are pretty close... I'd pick Hillary first, though.

:shrug:

Hillary is too closely associated with the DLC and the spineless Democratic leadership in my mind. IWR, kyle-leiberman, the Patriot act, the flag-burning amendment etc. the mailings insinuating that Obama is anti-choice and the propoganda efforts in Florida are too much to overcome for me.

I just get the feeling that Hillary is more concerned about neutralizing the Republicans (often by joining them) than she is about representing Democrats.
There have been so many times that she could have done the right thing by Democrats, and she simply refused to.

In short. Perhaps Obama is not all he says he is, but Hillary has already boxed herself in with me and I figure it makes more sense to give him a chance than to vote for someone who has already proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that she doesn't represent me.

:hug:

Although I may disagree with you, I am glad you found someone to support.

I have tremendous respect for Edwards and am sorry to see him go, for now. It is my hope that whoever wins the nomination, will recognize this man's talents and offer him a position of influence.

:toast:

Very well said.

:toast:

:hug:

both sides of the aisle

unless we are lost on an island or something.

But I agree, Edwards supporters should go with the more progressive of the two remaining, and I still think that's Obama.

I'm absolutely heartsick JE is dropping out and have decided I will support Obama, less about him personally but more because of the spirit of youth and change that his candidacy is capturing. Watching all those ossified power-hungry types applauding the war criminal in chief at the state of the union the other night just made me sick and realize viscerally how desperately we need a fresh start. And I hope to the depths of my soul that Obama truly stands firm for the principles of justice and equity JE has so passionately brought to the fore, not with platitudes but with concrete policy positions and strategies.

welcome.

I heart you! :hi:

my support is definitely going to obama now...i can live with his moderate positions on some issues. Maybe I'm just a misty eyed old hippie...but he really does awaken some old hopes in me.