Why John Edwards Is Our Best Hope For Progressive Change

Here's something I just posted on the New Nebraska Network. I'd go in and add the links and stuff, but it's really late, uh, early.


America Needs and Want Progressive Change. John Edwards Is Our Best Bet
by: Don Kuhns
Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 03:55:51 AM CST


Can you smell it?
Change is in the air. The people of the United States are fed up with their government. Our president's approval rating sits around 30% in most polls. The ratings for congress are even lower. And it is progressive change they want: An end to the war in Iraq, universal health care, fair trade, election reform, an end to corruption and cronyism, government accountability, debt reduction, energy independence, restoration of the rule of law, global warming action, reengagement with the world community, tax policy that rewards work, not wealth. Who is best suited to bring the progressive changes we need?

Don Kuhns :: America Needs and Want Progressive Change. John Edwards Is Our Best Bet
Let's start with the chaff...
Republicans? Please.

Kucinich? Gravel? Dodd?

Swell guys, all. Haven't got a prayer, or a pot to piss in. Alright, Dodd's got a pot. A little copper one.

Biden and Richardson, the "2nd tier"?

If they haven't got the poll numbers by now, they're probably done for. Richardson will never win because he's a lousy communicator. I honestly don't know why more people don't like Biden. I do know why I don't like him. And he's broke.

That just leaves the big three.

Hillary's off my list. She will not bring the fundamental changes we need. It's the money, stupid. Lobbyist money, Telecom money, insurance money, drug money, oil & gas money, etc.

Need I say more?

So that leaves us with Barack Obama and John Edwards. These two of course try to distinguish themselves from each other, but in reality there isn't a lot that separates them. Both see that the system isn't working for ordinary Americans. Both know the will of the people is being ignored by both parties. Both know they will need to rally the people of America to their cause in order to break through the brick wall of powerful special interests.

Neither candidate is perfect, but both are strong progressives, excellent communicators, and darn good lookin' to boot. I could easily support either one of these men. It's a close call for me and many others, but I've made my choice. For me it's Edwards.

Mostly it's about trust. I am not the trusting type. I especially find it hard to trust a politician. But I believe John Edwards when he says that for him, this fight is personal. I believe him when he says he won't back down. Maybe I've just been snookered by a really talented lawyer, but nothing I have seen leads me to believe John Edwards is not worthy of my trust. Yes, he has screwed up in the past, but he has admitted it. That shows character, and builds trust. Obama I'm not so sure about. His track record worries me. And there is a hint of arrogance and condescension when he speaks. I sometimes get the feeling that he has started to believe all the hype that surrounds him.

Some people have written that Barack Obama is being naive when he says that he will achieve progressive change by inviting the foes of change to a "big table" and working out a compromise. Others say that it's Obama's critics who are being naive. Here's my take: Politics is the art of compromise, but who enters a negotiation with a stronger hand-the one who immediately signals his willingness to back down? I don't think so.

Obama likes to talk a lot about how Democrats need to lead. Edwards, he just leads. He has driven much of the agenda in this primary, just as Howard dean did four years ago.

So those are some of the more subjective reasons I'm supporting Edwards. Now, let's get down to policy. Both candidates have put forth detailed plans for their presidencies. On issue after issue, the similarities between Edwards and Obama outnumber the differences, but in my estimation, Edwards comes out on top with more wonk-meat and more integrity on a few issues. Here's an issue-by-issue rundown:

Civil Rights: Advantage Edwards.

For Barack Obama, some minorities seem to take priority over others. I don't see much on his website about LGBT or disability issues. Edwards, on the other hand, has separate and detailed action agendas for issues regarding women, older Americans, people of color, LGBT citizens, and the disabled.

Economy/Trade/Labor: Advantage Edwards

The candidates' prescriptions are very similar. However, Obama screwed the pooch by voting for the Peru trade deal, a NAFTA extension that only pays lip service to the notion of fair trade. It's true that Edwards was once a member of the DLC(AKA the corporate wing of the Democratic party), but it's clear that he never fit in with that crowd. In this DLC speech from 2002, Edwards actually sounds a lot like the Obama of today. Edwards shows a little more bravado on labor issues.

Education: Advantage Edwards

This is an area where Edwards is showing true leadership and putting forth bold ideas. He would create a national teachers' university and a program to pay for a year of college to students willing to work part-time. Obama's prescriptions lack vision and substance.

Global Warming/Energy: Toss Up

I can't see any subtantial differences between the two in this area.

Ethics/Election Reform: Advantage Edwards

Obama showed up late to this party: Edwards has never taken federal lobbyist or PAC money, period. There are a few policy differences here, and I like Edwards' ideas the best. He would prohibit lobbyists from donating to campaigns or fundraising for them, reduce maximum contributions to $1000, and demand a paper trail from voting machines, among other things.

Faith: Advantage Obama?

Barack doesn't offer much policy, but at least he's got something. Edwards' website doesn't mention it as an issue. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

Family: Advantage Edwards

Here again, Barack's prescriptions are a bit vague and weak. Edwards has detailed plans to take on abusive lenders and help families save more.

Taxes/Fiscal Policy: Advantage Edwards

Again, John's plans to strengthen the middle class are more fleshed out than Barack's.

Foreign Policy: Advantage Edwards

While their basic tenets are very similar, Edwards again shows far more detailed plans. He has outlines for reengaging the world, containing Iran, rebuilding the military, fighting global poverty, and dealing with Darfur and Uganda. Are we beginning to see a trend here, people?

Health care: Toss Up

Both plans look good to me. However, I'm apt to defer to the mighty Krugman on this one.

Iraq War: Toss up.

Both candidates have put forward agendas that are very similar. Edward takes a hit for having voted for the authorization to use force, but Obama has not been a convincing leader on this issue in the Senate.

Terrorism/Homeland Security: Toss Up

Both candidates have very simlar and highly detailed plans.

Poverty/Urban Renewal/Rural Renewal: Toss Up

Both candidates have similar plans. Not surprisingly, Edwards' plan is meatier on the rural stuff, Obama's is better on urban problems.

Public Service: Advantage Obama

Obama seems to have Edwards beat on this one, with a bold plan to expand voluntary public service. As far as I can tell, Edwards has nothing to compare.

Technology/Innovation: Advantage Obama

Edwards has an outline, Obama has detailed plans.

Veterans: Toss Up

Not much difference to speak of.

If anyone here in Nebraska agrees with me that Edwards is the one, you must act NOW. That means getting your butt to Iowa this week, and donating money right now if you can. Because he is a bit of an underdog, Edwards needs to win Iowa. It will be very hard for him to continue if he doesn't. There is every indication that he can win Iowa, but we must do what we can to ensure success.

Rural issues are definitely not a toss up - Edwards proposals are the best for farm country that we have seen in a long while. People not involved in farming might not be able to notice that. I will do a detailed analysis at some point soon if there are people here talking to the ag community who can use that info.

What farmers need, to name a few things: a revitalized and rebuilt infrastructure - schools and health care especially; an end to unfair trade and dumping; re-funding and strengthening of the food safety and research infrastructure; breaking up the control that a handful of large corporations have over the food supply; enforcement of the law, on imports, on food processing plants and in many other areas; incentives to help develop abd train the next generation of farmers; caps on the handouts to corporate agri-business; an end to ag aid going to non-farmers.

Edwards is on the right track on all of theses issues. By contrast, Kerry's ag proposals consisted mainly of "giving tax breaks to corporations to develop rural areas." In other words, he was promoting the very thing that is causing the problems - big money players turning farm country into suburbia or industrial parks.

Don't underestimate the broad appeal and the power of Edwards New Deal positions - they are the best thing that could happen in so many areas: foreign policy, urban problems, the environment, education, worker rights, ending poverty and revitalizing farming.

Like a chant. Into the universe. :-)

:woohoo: :woohoo:

This could be a chant at Edwards rallies methinks....

Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo:
Edwards for President - it's a choice you won't resent! :woohoo: