Obama or Edwards?

Email Print posted by bluemihai 12/27/2007 12:04:47 PM EST

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Today's listener-oriented show inspired me to finally write a blog post.  My topic is, of course, my primary choices...

First of all, my idealistic candidate is Dennis Kucinich, because he clearly has integrity.  I'm a little less angry now than I used to be about his exclusion from the national debate, because I better understand his critics, but still...  He clearly has the judgment to come up with reasonable positions and the courage to stand up for them when it's unpopular.

But if my non-existent Iowa vote for Kucinich is not enough to get him 15%, who do I go to next among the top three?

I don't think president Hilary would be the worst thing in the world, and in fact she could be a good surprise.  Still, she's a distant third for me - too much risk of too little change.

When it comes down to it, I trust Barack Obama more than John Edwards.  Watching both on "Candidates @ Google" (check it out), I couldn't shake the feeling that Edwards is a politician in the dirty sense of the word, a la Romney but with better overall values.  Edwards used to be my first choice because I like populism and I'm all for a little class warfare...  I wish I could combine Obama's character/presence with Edwards's clear stand for something.  In the end, I just want a clean break with oily politicians.  If there's even a 20% chance that Edwards is one of them (versus 5% for Obama, let's say), I'd rather avoid it altogether.

I am currently reading Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope," and I feel like I really get to know the guy's ideas, apart from his Steve Jobs-like reality distortion field when he speaks.  The main thesis of the book is one America - respecting the tradition of government, having faith that things will work out, building consensus, etc.  This is not exactly up my alley - I love Noam Chomsky, I listen to KPFA, even my Young Turks membership recommends me as a card-carrying (hey, when do I get my membership card?) radical lefty.  Still, I feel like "Hope" expands my world view and gives me a vision where, for instance, Senate Republicans don't set new records for filibusters.

Another thing I enjoyed about Obama's point of view is his humility / open-mindedness.  After Bush's haughty, idiotic self-assuredness, this would be a welcome change.  There are so many instances where he is clearly willing to look at both sides of the issue.  Perhaps this means he may be indecisive at times, but he'll have four years to grow in confidence.  I'll be glad to have a thinking president again.

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Obama or Edwards? | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 hidden)
America loves a hick. (none / 0)

Edwards' own recent comments about sounding like Clinton and Carter confirm what I've believed for a while. If they sound 'down-home', then they must be honest, therefore they should be president.

 And watch the hickiest sounding candidate on the Republican side (excluding Thompson who doesn't have a chance). He'll get the nom.

I don't mean to dilute your obviously well considered thoughts, just throwing my quipiness out there. 

Peace,

AK 

by Andrew Koenig on 12/27/2007 01:14:19 PM EST

Yep, America often does (none / 0)
Just look at our latest presidents.  White guys with some degree of southern accent (I agree it's a little annoying, but I won't not vote for someone because of their accent).

At any rate, that has NOTHING to do with why I like Edwards.

As an afterthought I *will* concede that I'm worried that Obama would be targeted with direct *and* subtle racist attacks (consider what Bush did to McCain in 2000 and then the Obama/Osama/muslim bullshit). 

And Hillary will get much the same nonsense reg arding her gender (i.e. she's a bitch or she's weak during a time where we need someone strong, etc.).

by ihavenobias on 12/27/2007 01:37:52 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Big Table Fantasies? (none / 0)
Realistically, we're likely to end up with 1 of the Big 3 (Obama, Hillary, Edwards).

With that in mind, I'll be happy with anyone but Hillary but I prefer Edwards for reasons I've explained in previous posts (don't want to spend all day retyping or digging them up, gotta make up for that vacation time).

PS---I think this points out an interesting difference between Obama and Edwards.  I also want someone who at the VERY least *raises* these issues and offers some ideas for them.

by ihavenobias on 12/27/2007 01:16:03 PM EST

TYT Callers (none / 0)
I can't believe so many callers this morning supported Edwards.  Like Koller, I've always had a bias against Edwards and feel Obama would be the best leader.  I feel both candidates are qualified and have potential but now to be superficial - the idea of Edwards as a President seems laughable to me.  Yes, I should back that up (maybe later), but I already said I'm being superficial and gut instincts sometimes have merit. 

by rev24 on 12/27/2007 02:01:23 PM EST

I'm guessing (none / 0)
Many who have "gut feelings" about Edwards (and how he's "phony", etc.) have been indirectly (or directly) influenced by the bullshit talking points about him. 

Even if you didn't see these exact clips, it's clear the talking points are out and have been picked up by others in the media.

by ihavenobias on 12/27/2007 02:21:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]
my real favorites are not in the top tier (none / 0)
I never considered Edwards because to me it seemed like it was between Obama and Hillary. In that instance I would pick Obama.

I don't dislike Edwards for any of the weird reasons .. hes to rich  or helps people to much etc. So if he was the nominee I would gladly vote for him.

My personal faves. The ones that I agree with the most have no chance.. Kucinich .. Richardson..

--- Truth To Power

by Leeberal on 12/27/2007 02:59:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Edwards Foreign Policy (none / 0)
Yeah, I see what you're saying.  I'm just pragmatic about it and realize that I don't live in Iowa (rather I live in IL) so it's VERY likely to come down to the Big 3.

PS---Edwards may not talk about foreign policy as much so people assume he doesn't care about it but why not check it out for yourself?  It's the second section on this page.

by ihavenobias on 12/27/2007 03:08:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Oh yeah (none / 0)
I forgot about global warming.  That's addressed in the third section (use previous link):

"The League of Conservation Voters, which has not yet endorsed a candidate for president, described Edwards' plan as the "most comprehensive global warming plan of any presidential candidate to date."

"Senator Edwards' plan demonstrates that he understands the magnitude of the challenge before us and the need for bold leadership to meet it," LCV President Gene Karpinski said."

by ihavenobias on 12/27/2007 04:17:28 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Be Pragmatic. Vote for Edwards. (none / 0)

All of the Democratic candidates are infinitely better than the Republican candidates with regard to issues, platform, integrity, best ideas for the American people, economy, science, environment, fairness, protection from corporate overreach while protecting our civil liberties.

As for national security, I don't think that all have articulated that our security is based on our freedom from intrusion by the federal government and a solid public education system. I'm waiting for them to demand that all private military contractors be fired, and that none should be allowed to operate inside the US--ever.

I'll vote for any Democrat who is nominated. But this year, even more than in 2000 and 2004, we have to be pragmatic. We have to choose the candidate who is most likely to beat any Republican. That's John Edwards. Those of you who cringe at Edwards' Carolina accent probably don't live in the South. Accent doesn't matter. Judge him on his actions as well as policy plans. As a lawyer who grew from poverty to advocating for ordinary people who have been injured or killed by corporations, Edwards is in the best position to ward off the mudslide of attacks from opponents, and to win in a landslilde.

Barack Obama is afraid of powerful confrontation. That makes me nervous about how he might act as president. I don't see his 'let's get along' line as anything but naive. Some day he'll be more realistic, but he has too many negatives. This country will not elect a black man whose father's family are African Muslims, even though he's also a white man from a white Christian family from Kansas. It's still too racist here in the South, especially for a man whose middle name is Hussein and last name rhymes with Osama--opponents have already started the slash and burn with that. If he "wins" the election, caging  and  other dirty tricks in states like Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Lousiana, etc., will most likely hand the electors and the election to whatever repugnant, despicable Republican is running. However, Obama is the embodiment of the hopes and dreams of my generation in the 60s and 70s before they sold out to corporations and were brainwashed by fear-mongering fascist propaganda. Will his generation have a better chance?

Obama and Clinton are the choice of Republicans and corporations. The "mainstream media" pumps them up while ignoring or trashing the other candidates. Edwards scares them.

In national polls since August, Edwards beats all of the Republicans by enough percentage points that they can't steal another election. I like Bill Richardson and Joe Biden. I'll vote for Edwards in the primary, and in the national election.

Another consideration:  Do we really want to remove any Democrats from the Senate when they don't even have a majority, and have to depend on the "good will" [a.k.a. blackmail] of Joe Lieberman? I'd hire the anti-corporate populist as president for the people first before arrogantly and naively risking yet another election with a black or woman as the Democratic candidate. 

December 2007 poll 

by zenie on 12/27/2007 04:49:24 PM EST

Convincing Poll (none / 0)
But then again I would never base my decision off of a poll~

by rev24 on 12/27/2007 07:43:26 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Kerry (none / 0)

Will Kerry throw a shit fit if Edwards gets the nod? I thought those two hated each other now.

 Normally Democrat running mates hate each other for some reason.

by acroso on 12/27/2007 06:30:56 PM EST

Edwrds (none / 0)
Silky has a new angry silky ad.

by acroso on 12/27/2007 07:03:58 PM EST

[ Parent ]
McCain (none / 0)

Why is Cenk so big on John McCain.

Novak has been predicting McCain will take 320 electoral votes against whichever Democrat whereas the other Republicans will lose.

 I dont like that guy, but if you want someone who will continue the war, vote McCain.

by acroso on 12/27/2007 07:06:25 PM EST

Obama or Edwards? | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 hidden)
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