Can We Trust Edwards?

[Nbadan]

Edwards certainly seems to be saying the right things in Iowa, but can we trust him?


Qm_qTBo2Ltc

[AFBlue]

I don't think there is a democratic candidate I'm more torn over than this guy....

He SEEMS to be a genuine guy that I would have to seriously consider voting for, but part of me just thinks he's as greasy a politician as the next guy...or girl.

I WANT to believe in this guy, just not sure I do yet.

Stay tuned....

[Nbadan]

I can't help but wonder, if his candidacy would have caught fire by now, would he still be pandering to the anti-war, anti-corporate types?....I mean, he is a lawyer after all...

[some_user86]

I don't feel he's genuine, but I guess that's a personal decision for an individual to determine.

[JoeChalupa]

I've always liked John Edwards and could vote for him.

[boutons_]

His anti-corporatism and populism are wonderful, but the corps already have more power than We The People and will fight back if he gets the nomination, then, if by some crazy chance he gets elected, they will block/gut any anti-corporatist moves he would make if elected.

In America, Corporate Money Talks, Everybody Else STFU.

[ploto]

I think he is the most electable of the top Democrats.

[AFBlue]

I've always liked John Edwards and could vote for him.

To expand on my earlier statement...

I really like his politics and his general demeanor. I think he could be very good for this country and would probably vote for him in a general election (unless he's opposing McCain).

My only concern is that he hasn't had much time to back up his stances on most of the issues with a legitimate voting record. I just wonder if we would end up with the President that we though we had elected into office.

I do like him very much though....

[JoeChalupa]

To expand on my earlier statement...

I really like his politics and his general demeanor. I think he could be very good for this country and would probably vote for him in a general election (unless he's opposing McCain).

My only concern is that he hasn't had much time to back up his stances on most of the issues with a legitimate voting record. I just wonder if we would end up with the President that we though we had elected into office.

I do like him very much though....

I concur. I too like what he talks about and to change the politics of Washington is a monumental task to say the least.

[scott]

I don't know you can trust ANYONE with that kind of haircut.

[SA210]

Yes, he can be trusted, he is the most electable against ALL Republicans, and he is the "real" change candidate. Edwards set the Democratic agenda in this race. He shaped the race completely and both Hillary and Obama followed his lead.

He didn't wait to see if the media would tear him apart for wanting to end poverty, to have universal healthcare, to end the war. He came out with his beliefs, and the others followed when they knew it was ok. They followed, while Edwards lead and set the Democratic agenda.

I love his ambition and his bold ideas for change. I see him as another Kennedy. And I predict he will win Iowa and that scares the crap out of alot of Republicans. The media does not give him the air time that the others get, but when people actually get a chance to hear him, they love him. He is also getting the biggest crowds in Iowa as of late, and the most energetic crowds giving standing ovations and cheers.

Watch that ad again. I believe this is who he really is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm_qTBo2Ltc

Go Edwards!

[smeagol]

His anti-corporatism and populism are wonderful, but the corps already have more power than We The People and will fight back if he gets the nomination, then, if by some crazy chance he gets elected, they will block/gut any anti-corporatist moves he would make if elected.

In America, Corporate Money Talks, Everybody Else STFU.

Is there anything you like about your country?

[SA210]

I concur. I too like what he talks about and to change the politics of Washington is a monumental task to say the least.
A monumental task it is, and I think it's time someone took on that task.
I think John Edwards is that person.

[boutons_]

"about your country"

Since when do corps = USA?

[SouthernFried]

I found this most insightful on John Edwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDeZdDDHIo

[SA210]

I found this most insightful on John Edwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDeZdDDHIo

I found this to be even more insightful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1qG6m9SnWI

:spin

[SA210]

Edwards' Major Announcement: "I Will Ban Corporate Lobbyists And Foreign Government Lobbyists From My White House"



Edwards will end the corruption in Washington by holding his administration to a higher standard by banning corporate lobbyists from serving in an Edwards White House

Washington, Iowa – Today, Senator John Edwards said that he will ban anyone who has worked as a corporate lobbyist or has lobbied for a foreign government from working in an Edwards Administration. Edwards is proud to be the only presidential candidate who has never taken a dime from any Political Action Committee or Washington lobbyist, because he's determined to be a voice for regular families like the ones he grew up with.

"I want to make an announcement today," Edwards said at an event in Washington, Iowa. "No corporate lobbyists or anyone who has lobbied for a foreign government will work in my White House. We will not replace corporate Republicans with corporate Democrats. I hear people argue that the way that you can get things done is to sit at a table with drug companies, insurance companies, oil companies, and negotiate with them and somehow they will voluntarily give away their power. I think this is a complete fantasy.

"I am proud of the fact that I have never taken money from a Washington lobbyist or a special interest PAC my whole time in public life," Edwards continued. "I don't think you can bring about change by taking their money or sitting down at a table and trying to make a deal with them. I think if that worked, we would have universal health care, we would be attacking global warming, we'd have a trade policy that makes sense, and we'd have a tax policy that makes sense. I don't think these people will give up anything without a fight – they've been there too long and they have billions of dollars at stake."

In August, Edwards challenged Senator Clinton and the other presidential candidates to join him in demanding the Democratic Party lead the way to real reform by refusing, as a party, to take campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists. And in October, Edwards unveiled his "One Democracy Initiative" to return the power in Washington to regular people and end the unique power of lobbyists.

Edwards called for prohibiting all candidates and federal office holders from accepting contributions from lobbyists and prohibiting federal lobbyists from acting as bundlers for federal candidates. As president, he will limit the ability of lobbyists to secure lucrative earmarks by enacting a Constitutional version of the line-item veto, where the president can require an up or down vote on special-interest spending. He also proposed curbing lobbyists' influence by increasing disclosure requirements for lobbyist activity and by prohibiting government executives from accepting gifts and travel from lobbyists and their employers.

Edwards "One Democracy Initiative" also called for closing the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street by reinstating the five-year ban on lobbying by former top government officials. Edwards' new proposal today builds on this by banning any former corporate or foreign government lobbyist from serving in an Edwards Administration.

Over the past few administrations, influencing our government has grown into a big business that employs a mass of lobbyists and lawyers. Lobbying expenditures totaled $5.1 billion during the last Congress. The number of Washington lobbyists has tripled in the past 10 years to almost 36,000—more than 60 for every member of Congress. Edwards believes it's time to end this permanent government and go back to a Jeffersonian model of public service. He believes there are plenty of skilled, honest and talented people from across our nation who will come to Washington to serve their country for four or eight years.


http://www.johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20071229-lobbyist-ban/

[SouthernFried]

How can Edwards ban lobbyists?

When He gets most of his money from trial lawyers lobbying groups?

"I will ban lobbyists...as soon as I finish getting mine! I promise!"

What a fucking joke.

"well...well...he's gotta get it, because everyone else is getting it, before he can get rid of it."

lol...sheeple