Edwards: "Hugh Shelton has been a friend and adviser for many years"

[kerry-is-my-prez]

I'm not trying to "bash" Edwards (I'm bashing Hugh Shelton) but apparently, Hugh Shelton is a North Carolina native and is a good friend of John Edwards. They both went to N Carolina State and both even majored in "Textile Management." ("Many influential industry leaders have graduated from the N.C. State College of Textiles.")
Edwards was instrumental in getting Hugh Shelton a Congressional Gold Medal Award. Shelton is on the board of directors of some large corporations in North Carolina.
http://www.house.gov/etheridge/Speeches-SheltonGold.htm


http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/clark/articles/2003/11/12/clark_backs_a_ban_on_flag_burning/
The Clark campaign said it was shown an e-mail sent by the Edwards campaign to its supporters noting that Shelton is scheduled to speak next Monday at a meeting of Edwards's foreign policy advisory committee. Bennett sent Edwards a letter asking the senator to tell Shelton to stop criticizing Clark.

"This conclusively proves that Hugh Shelton had an agenda when he attacked Wes Clark," Bennett said in an interview. "General Shelton's comments are absolutely outrageous and Senator Edwards should not be associated with them, if he truly believes what he says about not attacking one another in a primary."

Edwards shot back a letter to Clark, saying Shelton, a former North Carolinian, "has been a friend and adviser for many years. I will continue to seek his advice. When I talk to the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it's about the safety and security of our men and women in uniform, not about politics."

[efront]

1. What's the point?

Shelton advised Edwards on military affairs before MTP on Sunday. Edwards didn't mention Clark and has not bashed Clark, unlike Lieberman or Dean.

[KittyWampus]

22. Shelton Has Smeared Clark

With no specifics... and the GOP has been using it repeatedly against Clark. Soemtimes they bring up Shelton's remark when it is clearly a non sequitor.

So perhaps Shelton was helping Edwards out when he made his trashtalk about Clark?

Or was he just exhibiting his Neo Con credentials and helping out Junior?

Or Both?

[newyawker99]

94. Hi efront!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[CRK7376]

96. Tough Calls!

I too am an NOrth Carolinian and I admire all 3 men. I wish Edwards was not running for Pres. We need him in the senate more, especially since Liddy Dole is my other Senator. I admire Shelton, and he was my boss several years ago. I also support Clark and love to see him give freepers convulsions....

[mmonk]

2. I'm from NC

and I attended NC State and my wife has a BA in English from there. I do smell a rat, however. The south is going to be a battleground for these two candidates.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. Well,

here's one point.

The Clark campaign said it was shown an e-mail sent by the Edwards campaign to its supporters noting that Shelton is scheduled to speak next Monday at a meeting of Edward's foreign policy advisory committee. Bennett sent Edwards a letter asking the senator to tell Shelton to stop criticizing Clark.

VERY bad move by Edwards. Hobnobbing with republican whores? Not good.

[AP]

5. Clark and Clinton used to hobnob with Shelton, by the way.

And if I were a Clark supporter, I really wouldn't be making who you hobnob with a litmus test, unless you had way more concrete evidence.

[mmonk]

7. it might have something to do with Shelton's comments

[AP]

9. The other two idiot generals were doing it for Bush. And the media...

...played it up, which is a big clue they're all doing it for Bush and not for Edwards.

I have no idea on what level Shelton interract.

Edwards has some kind of long term relationship with the guy, but Edwards is in tune with Clinton on liberal internationalism, and doesn't favor the kind of chaos that the anti-Clark generals favor.

Edwards used Shelton to prep him for a head to head with Russert which tells you a little something about when Edwards thinks Shelton is good for -- mouthing the Repubican line.

Clearly, the jury's still out on this one.

However, it's amazing that the Clark people would be so quick to criticize Edwards for having this relationship with Shelton so soon after Clark took so many hits from everyone for being tight with a few Republicans.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. Another

big difference. Clark has since changed parties. He has since made his positions on the issues known. He is not currently in bed with republicans or schmoozing with a Edwards hater who has make unkind remarks about Edwards.

[Shakespeare]

17. Correction - Clark did NOT change parties!

He was "unaffiliated" while in the service--a very, VERY common thing, especially among higher-ranking officers. He simply declared his party affiliation formally (which, contrary to certain naysayers here, wasn't a huge surprise to anyone).

Shakespeare, air force brat who saw her father do the same thing.

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. I stand corrected.

He's NOW a registered Democrat.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[in_cog_ni_to]

74. I forgot that little detail about him not being registered

with a party because of the military. A detail that you seem to think is of UTMOST importance. Give me a break. I read every article I can about Clark, read his web site and read whatever/whenever I can about him. I catch him on the tube whenever the media decides to give him a few seconds. I have watched every debate the Dems have had. Is that good enough for you? I'm new to his campaign (I was a Dean supporter) and think I know enough to know I like him. Do I have your permission to like him? Is there more I can learn about him? Of course! You can get down from your high horse now.

I know enough about Edwards to know I will not vote for the man. He lacks integrity and is a friend of Shelton's? No Thanks. That's all I need to know. He doesn't have a chance in hell to be the nominee anyway so who cares what I do or don't know about him?

I hope this answer suffices for Your Highness, AP?

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. Clinton

was Shelton's Commander-in-Chief. Clark was a Military man, active duty. There's a BIG difference in HAVING to "hobnob" and actually doing it just to get dirt on a candidate you're running against. Shelton, to this day, will not be "specific" in his slam on Clark. He just threw it to the wind and let it go.

[AP]

12. "getting dirt on Clark" -- did Edwards say anything bad about Clark

on MTP? Ever?

Have I missed something?

Is any part of his message reliant on trashing Clark?

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. Give it time.

Why else would he have ANYTHING to do with that man? A Bush shill.

[AP]

31. Yeah. Let's see what happens.

To answer your question, however:

"To find out facts about national security and to prepare for a head-to-head with Time Russert."

Duh.

[AP]

33. Furthermore, it's probably helfpul to credibility to have

responses that are in proportion to the facts.

[yaledem]

38. Clark praised Rummy at GOP fundraisers in 2001.

Why would Clark have ANYTHING to do with that man? A Bush shill.

[in_cog_ni_to]

76. You can give that crap a rest.

Clark is NOW a registered Democrat. Period. I don't give a flip what his political leanings were 2 years ago before this fucking invasion started. Wars change people and a General would know that. His past politics is moot.

[bearfartinthewoods]

100. self deleted

biting tongue in a new civil manner

[bearfartinthewoods]

98. maybe because they have been friends since school?

some of us do have pubbie friends, you know.

[Avalux]

14. Clark did not

hobnob with Shelton. He worked with him when he was active duty and the two did not get along. Shelton has a personal vendetta against Clark and has chosen to engage in character assassination. The letter to Edwards was justified.

[bearfartinthewoods]

97. criticizing someone for republican ties isn't a good way to defend Clark

just how short do you think our memories are?

remember Clark praising bush and voting and raising money for pubbies?

you might want to rethink this strategy.

[xultar]

4. But now Shelton is Paid. Don't you think since Clark is leading

in SC Edwards needs some dirt?

[AP]

6. Shelton isn't getting paid. Just a fine point. But worth noting.

[SahaleArm]

41. Got a link?

An advisory role may or may not be paid.

[mbali]

50. Since you don't know whether or not he was paid

perhaps you should not make the accusation.

[SahaleArm]

53. Sorry but this is politics...

And not everyone has good intentions, especially Shelton.

[spooky3]

8. Bennett is a big boy. Why is he asking anyone else to

tell Shelton to stop criticizing Clark? Why isn't he directing his concern to Shelton?

I don't like smears either, and I think Shelton (and anyone else) should be asked to get specific every time he makes some general slam on someone's "integrity." But I don't perceive that Edwards is doing anything wrong to ask a long time friend who has relevant expertise, to advise him on military or foreign policy matters. I'll judge Edwards on his own words and actions. If he criticizes Clark unfairly, I'll hold that against him.

[mmonk]

11. good cop, bad cop

Clark didn't think this war was necessary. Edwards and Shelton did and still do.

[mbali]

16. So then

why is Clark acting so surprised that the two of them would have any contact?

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. Maybe because

of all the nasty remarks Shelton has made about Clark? :shrug:

[spooky3]

27. is it possible that Shelton's advising has nothing to do with Clark

and everything to do with shoring up areas that Edwards believes he needs advice?

[mmonk]

35. Lets see.......Edwards desparately will need South Carolina

to stay in the race......Clark has made headway and may win it....NO.

[spooky3]

37. Sorry, you can jump to conclusions, but I am not going to.

There's nothing wrong with getting advice so you can win SC, unless you are engaging in unethical behavior. My point is that there is no evidence that the reason that Edwards is talking to Shelton is so that he can dish the dirt on Clark or behave unethically towards him. Until someone presents evidence of it, people are being as unfair towards Edwards as they claim he is toward Clark. Geez, this looks like a playground fight. Grow up, Bennett, and IF Clark is behind this, grow up, Clark!

[mmonk]

40. Did not say he will throw dirt

but I do think it was tactical to get someone on board that made a remark about Clark's character and doesn't have to say anything else except to appear as an expert on foreign policy who agrees with Edwards about Iraq. He is a trial lawyer.

[mbali]

51. So, he's not allowed to talk to Shelton

since Shelton might tell him something bad about Clark?

Who else is Edwards banned from talking to?

Perhaps Clark should share his "enemies list" with the other candidates so they will know in advance who they can and cannot consult with during the campaign.

[spooky3]

69. if tactics and/or winning SC is all that concerned you and others

then I don't see any fair basis for objection to Edwards' getting advice. So what is your problem with it?

[mbali]

79. I haven't objected to it n/t

[spooky3]

87. my response was to mmonk's post

[mbali]

89. Sorry - I misread it. n/t

[spooky3]

88. delete dupe

[bearfartinthewoods]

101. all the remarks???

i heard the one that said he was fired because of ethical and character reasons. what else did he say?

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. Maybe because

of all the nasty remarks Shelton has made about Clark and is obviously a republican? :shrug:

[mmonk]

42. timing

why now? Clark's new lead in SC?

[Name removed]

77. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mmonk]

93. ok

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0347/mondo5.php

[chimpymustgo]

23. Clark's camp is clearly trying to make hay with this.

If Clark thinks Edwards should deal with this - Clark should contact Edwards. If Clark has a beef with Shelton, Clark should contact Shelton.

An "open letter" to Edwards?

C'mon, folks. I really like Clark, and the spirit of his campaign, but I'm really surprised Clark would let his guys be this skanky. It is from this direction that the strong whiff of fear emanates.

[SahaleArm]

24. Always cut off your opponent at the pass.

Consider this a political pre-emptive foray into shutting down the Shelton factor, without bashing Edwards.

[spooky3]

30. I agree. Big boys need to direct their concerns

to their targets, and do so in private. Otherwise, they should understand that some of us will make interpretations about less professional ways of handling concerns.

[CWebster]

18. Let these Southern boys wrestle it out amonst themselves

Carry on generals.

Let the games begin.

[Bertrand]

25. Smart move by the Clark camp to make this an issue

by getting attention on this, it helps to deflect the criticism he has recieved by some in the Armed Forces by highlighting the idea of partisanship through Sheltons council.

[Spazito]

28. I agree, the Clark campaign has "defanged" Shelton....

unless he can come up with concrete evidence to back up his smears. A very wise move by the Clark campaign, imo.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

34. My thoughts exactly

n/t

[Kool Kitty]

83. Yes, I agree with this, too.

[mmonk]

26. Let's put it this way

The republicans are going to like this. What could they want more? The threat of a general saying the Iraq war was unnecessary will be countered by a democrat making the case it was and using a general to back up his case that also happened to say Clark had character issues.

[chimpymustgo]

32. Agree, mmonk. Clark should have dealt with this straight up.

Denounce Shelton and move on, talk to Edwards man to man - anything but this. Now it's politicis - and fodder for the rethugs.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

36. Don't agree. It was already fodder for the Repubs.

Clark's team has now "neutralized" the Shelton factor.

IMO it IS appropriate for an aide to send a letter to the Edwards camp at this point.

[retyred]

39. Let's see what Edwards has to say when speaking of Clark

along with what Sheldon says about Clark while speaking for Edwards.

Clark is a big boy and should fend off attacks on his own, by pointing out Sheldons and possibly Edwards bias and lack of intrgrity and credability if it becomes a factor with regard to Edwards and Clark.

I do however think it shows a lack of sensitivity on Edwards knowing the bad blood between Clark and Sheldon to flaunt it in Clarks face but that just enforces Edwards lack of integrity, IMHO



Retyred In Fla
So I Read This Book

[chimpymustgo]

43. Whoaa...Edwards and Shelton have had a relationship going back years

Clark is showing a lack of integrity by making this a public pissing match.

I agree, Shelton should not have said what he did about Clark. I'd like to know more about his relationship with Edwards. That said, Clark's approach now is not about solving a problem, or addressing an issue. It's about playing politics.

I thought Clark would be the kind of guy who would pick up the phone and tell Edwards his concerns, not go straight to the media. I'm disappointed.

[AP]

44. Furthermore, Clark might have waited until Edwards actually said something

that tied Shelton's attitude to Clark to an action by Edwards.

Perhaps Clark knew that wasn't going to happen -- ie, Edwards wasn't going to say anything bad bout Clark -- so he threw this out now. Otherwise, it'd go totally stale.

Maybe. Maybe not.

[mmonk]

45. an open letter helps keep

ambitious people honest.

[chimpymustgo]

46. An open letter helps keep

ambitious people...ambitious.

[mmonk]

48. Don't know either too well, eh?

[kerry-is-my-prez]

47. Clark & Co. had to make a public statement about this. Shelton derailed

or almost derailed Clark's campaign. In addition - he made a very serious (almost liebelous) "charge" about Clark that looks to be unmerited.

What Shelton done is very serious. He could have cost a man the Presidency in addition to "smearing" Wesley Clark's military career. It should NOT be taken lightly.

[mbali]

55. Oh, please

Clark's a big boy. If Shelton's comments about him are enough for him to lose the presidency, then he's not presidential material in the first place.

I like Clark, but this is ridiculous. Edwards has never said or done anything to indicate that he's out to "get" Clark. He's been friends with Shelton for years, so it's silly to suggest that using Shelton to prep for a television interview is some kind of plot against Clark. Had Edwards wanted to use Shelton to go after Clark, he could do it whether or not Shelton helped him prepare for that interview.

Edwards has done nothing but behave like a complete gentlemen toward Clark. Edwards even refrained from justifiably dogging him out when Clark purposely stepped all over his campaign announcement. Edwards had every reason to be pissed, and despite being egged on by the press, he refused to rise to the bait and instead praised Clark as a "good man" and welcomed him into the race. Hardly the behavior of a man who is using underhanded means to derail Clark.

Edwards didn't deserve this bash from Clark. And Clark doesn't help himself any by hiding behind a campaign operative and whining, "Edwards is looking at me funny."

[AP]

57. Perhaps Clark isn't so secure about his "lead" in that one SC poll?

This is the second time or third time Clark has targeted Edwards, and I don't think Edwards has ever said anything bad about Clark.

It shows you who Clark thinks he has to worry about, I guess.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

85. I'm not blaming Edwards - I think that Shelton's judgement is clouded

by his friendship with Edwards and probably by the competition that he and Clark had while in the military. Edwards I think used bad judgement in giving Shelton a prominent role - it just looks unseemly (He is planning on having Shelton speak at a future meeting). By the way, I do support Edwards and he is one of the people I am behind. This would NOT be something that would cause me to turn against him.

This is politics, after all.

I think it was a great move on Clark's part because it totally neutralized Shelton's past comments and any future comments he may make.

[mbali]

90. I don't see how

this neutralized Shelton's comments in any way. It just helped to give publicity to Shelton - had Clark not said anything, very few people would have known that he had prepped Senator Edwards.

Also, Shelton hardly has a prominent role. He simply advised Edwards about some things. Clark blew it out of proportion and, in my view, only made himself look petty.

Where did you hear that he was going to speak at a meeting for Edwards?

[bearfartinthewoods]

102. you'd better hope it's unmerited

if what Shelton said almost killed Clark's primary bid, we might need to consider what more details will do in the general election.

[retyred]

86. Funny, i haven't heard Clark say anything

about this, I heard that his campaign manager did but not Clark personally.

Clark is not making this anything yet, Edwards made it a pissing match by putting Sheldon in a position to flaunt face with another candidate, knowing it would cause turmoil. It's just bad taste. Whether thier friends or not, Shelton made a claim he can't back up and Ewards knew there was bad blood and didn't care.

Now if Shelton or Edwards would be man enough to explain the unsubstantiated accusation against Clark and prove it had merit, maybe it could be addressed and let the chips fall where they may, until then Edwards made a blatant lie about wanting to make this a civil campaign.

And again, Clark did not go to the media, if you are disappointed, it should be with Edwards/Shelton for not coming clean about the purpose of Sheltons role in his campaign, friends can advise over the phone, friends with a vocal axe to grind against an opponant, do not stump for you unless it's with your approval to slander by proxie.

I really liked Edwards, but it appears it is as you said about playing politics, it's nice to see just who it is that feels threatened enough to play the game first, it says a lot.

Just out of curiosity, Has Stormin Norman also joined the Edwards friendship tour to help KKKarl out?



Retyred In Fla
So I Read This Book

[bearfartinthewoods]

99. I just have to ask you why are you surprised?

Why would you be surprised that Clark is playing politics?

He played politics when he took TWO meetings with the republicans about running for office as a pubbie. how many meetings does it take to say "no, i'm a democratic"

of course he wasn't yet a democrat then, nor was he all summer long when he was playing with us with the is he or isn't he a dem and will he or won't he run?

not even after he declared did he bother to register. of course that's not political, that's just dumb.

given this short history of political involvement, why would this little act surprise you?

[Rooktoven]

84. or it shows a lack of courage on Clark's part

If he's so freaking hurt about an association, he should have said so himself, rather than hiding behind a lackey. I notice Edwards was forthright enough to respond to Clark directly.

[mbali]

91. Edwards' response

reminds me of a story - probably apochryphal - I heard about a Senator who received a highly critical letter from a constituent. He responded with a letter that began, "Dear Mr. Simpson. I feel it is my duty to warn you that a lunatic has stolen your stationery and written me a letter . . ."

[spooky3]

95. that's great! :-)

[PurityOfEssence]

49. Clark should just issue an edict stating with whom Edwards may associate

since Clark is obviously not bound by conventions of fairplay, and Edwards is just as obviously another of Clark's subordinates.

Surely, if Clark would simply issue orders to the others about how they will be suffered to comport themselves, it'd be a lot easier.

I'd say this is a bit imperious; who does Clark think he is? Dean?

[FrenchieCat]

52. I think that the open letter was appropriate....

since Shelton is a counsel via the campaign, Clark issued his statement through his campaign.

Edwards has not talked to Clark personally

Clark needs not respond personally

Clark's move was the right move considering the seriousness of the unfounded charges he has been accused of by Shelton.

Edwards is using Shelton and being used by BushCo.
Tragic but true.

But I guess that's why they call politics a blood sport.

[yaledem]

54. Used by Bushco?

Seems to me that speaking at GOP fundraisers and praising Chimpy's foreign policy team could qualify as being "used by Bushco" too.

[mbali]

56. Clark didn't issue a statement

a staff member wrote an "open letter" over his own signature to John Edwards.

Highly unusual.

[mmonk]

59. We'll see how St. Edwards responds

[mbali]

60. I don't know how St. Edwards responded

but SENATOR Edwards responded as follows:

Dear General Clark:

I wanted to bring to your attention a letter by a member of your staff sent to me regarding General Hugh Shelton. Whatever your personal views on General Shelton, I'm sure you agree that he is a respected military leader who served our country with distinction.

Although General Shelton has not endorsed me or any other candidate, I value his advice as one of our nation's top military leaders. He is a fellow North Carolinian and has been a friend and advisor for many years. I will continue to seek his advice. When I talk to the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it's about the safety and security of our men and women in uniform, not about politics.

I appreciate your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

John Edwards

[chimpymustgo]

63. I love Edwards. A lot of class for the son of a mill worker.

Good manners, class, respect for others - priceless.

[spooky3]

72. agree. And these are important qualities in a president.

[bearfartinthewoods]

104. this is the first time i've even seen a pol get dissed for being saintly

i guess that disqualifies him eh?

[Name removed]

78. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[andym]

58. It doesn't strike me as anti-Edwards, but anti-Shelton

The criticism from the Clark campaign was aimed at
impugning Shelton as a partisan.

Shelton probably smeared Clark for personal reasons,
as Clark himself has said, not for political reasons, but this
is a good way of shutting down the smear without hurting anyone.

I think at most a very mild criticism of the Edward's campaign,
and Edwards obviously perceived it as such with his answer.
"Shelton is a long-time friend." I buy it, and think highly
of both Clark and Edwards.

[mbali]

61. Then the letter should have been addressed to Shelton

not Edwards.

If they were trying to contact Shelton, I'm sure the Clark campaign could have come up with a current address for him rather than sending a letter to him c/o John Edwards.

[andym]

82. Re: "Then the letter should have been addressed to Shelton"

Actually I think the letter addressed to Edwards is better (more
polite), because it gave Edwards a chance to show that he had been acting honorably, while still discrediting Shelton's smear.

If it were to Shelton, and mentioned Edwards, then it would not
directly call for Edwards to respond, and in essence would be an indirect smear.

[bearfartinthewoods]

103. c/o Edwards via the press

and of course Clark has no control over what his subordinates do...

riiiight..yeah...that'll fly.

[mmonk]

62. I'm not mad or its not that I dislike Edwards

I just know it was calculated. Edwards doesn't have to say anymore. Its the things he can plant that he hopes can swing people on the fence between the two his way. Remember, Edwards is a politician. Clark has no political experience and was a retired general making speeches, writing books, and was a TV analyst concerning matters of war.

[AP]

64. Did Edwards actaully say anything bad about Clark?

The guy has said nothing but nice things about Clark.

What is the "calculated" part?

What did he plant?

[mmonk]

66. planting doubt

[AP]

67. more clues.

I'm not sure what you're saying.

The worst thing I can see that this does is that Edwards might be giving Shelton a little credibility he might not otherwise deserve. However, if Edwards has known this guy for years, and if he's been briefing Edwards on national security matters, and if his advice has bee proven useful by the passage of time, then I don't see why Edwards would have to turn his back on the guy now.

However, having said that, I did find Shelton's criticisms of Clark stupid, and they were manipulated by the media to character assassinate the guy. And no evidence has been provided to give those statements any credibility. And that's all still out there. So long as Edwards doesn't embrace that part, and until I know more, I'll reserve judgment.

[mmonk]

70. as you should

[spooky3]

71. totally agree with you, AP. (eom)

[mbali]

65. How does getting advice from Shelton about military matters

qualify as "planting" information against Clark?

Moreover, you can say what you want to about Clark, but he's hardly a political novice. A man doesn't become a general, much less Supreme Allied Commander without having considerable political savvy. Clark is no babe in the woods, not even close.

It's also interesting to see Edwards portrayed as an old political hand when one of the strikes used against him is that his six years in the Senate doesn't give him enough political experience to be credible as a candidate. I haven't seen you make such an observation, but I find your characterization interesting in light of such comments.

[mmonk]

68. lawyers plant doubt

in the minds of a jury. Politics moving up a ladder is a little different than political ambitions. That being said, I'm not anti-Edwards. May I ask why announce that Shelton is going to give advice? If they were old time friends, why now? It could be just to justify his position on the war. Could be though he didn't see the need earlier.

[mbali]

80. This is unbelievable

John Edwards didn't announce anything. He listed Shelton as one of several advisers on military and foreign policy matters who helped prep him for Meet the Press in answer to a question!

Should he have lied? Should he have only partially answered the question, leaving out Shelton's name in order not to offend Wesley Clark?

You folks are starting to sound like Dean cultists.

If Clark and his supporters can't handle this any better than whining and moaning that John Edwards is picking on them because he didn't clear his friends and advisers with Clark, perhaps he's not nearly as ready for the big leagues as I thought.

It's time for Clark, et al, to grow up or pick up their toys and blubber all the way back home to Mommy.

[criticalwords]

81. Edwards is not a "politician" per se...

Money and power have never changed Edwards. He is just not underhanded. His wife says it all the time, and she is not lying, she just knows him best.

He tends to see people as being "good people" until they do something to prove otherwise.

Edwards has always helped others. That's why he wanted to be a lawyer. At the age of 11, he said he wanted to be a lawyer to..."HELP PEOPLE"...and he was inspired by Thurgood Marshall and lawyers of that time, when lawyers were seen as heros, "champions for the underprivileged." Sound familiar. It's the way he has always been.

After he became rich, he didn't become a Republican and try to keep all of his money by limiting his tax burden. He rented a big truck and bought supplies for Hurricane Hugo victims. He has stood out in the cold on many Christmases handing out toys to children in THE PROJECTS so that they can have a happy Christmas. He has served on the boards of homeless shelters, and after his oldest son died, he and his wife opened many afterschool programs to keep kids out of trouble during the time when they are most likely to get into trouble.

What's the point in saying all of that?

It's this. MONEY, AND THE POWER THAT IT BRINGS, has never changed John Edwards. His wife always says it. Not only does he basically look the same, but he is the same.

He is not..."A POLITICIAN"...in the dirty sense of the word that you are trying to use. He is a Senator, but he is a genuine person beneath the title.

He isn't even flamboyant. I remember reading an article talking abut how he still dresses in his favorite clothes (those worn type), and he only buys like 1 pair of shoes until they wear out, and stuff like that, just like a lot of people without a lot of money do.

What am I doing?

I'm trying to let you see what type of person Senator Edwards is. He is not a power-crazed, I want to be in the spotlight type, like some try to say. There are actually idiots who say that he is only in this race for...PERSONAL GAIN...and they say that because they assume that he is...JUST ANOTHER POLITICIAN. No, Dean is just another politician and you can tell because he switches positions daily, and does whatever is advantageous to him. Edwards could easily opt out of public financing and depend on the likes of wealthy lawyers and some actors and even pro-athletes like Evander Holyfield and Bob Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, to fill his campaign purse with money, but it would mean...GOING AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT HE BELIEVES IN AND HIS PREVIOUS STATEMENTS (campaign finance reforms). Dean is too dirty to care about...INTEGRITY. It's nothing to him to change his position on public financing, now that he feels it is advantageous to him, and he is seeing the momentum of the race starting to shift a little.

Edwards is genuine in his convictions. When he says he wants to be President to help people, he means it. Money, and the power that it brings, has never changed him.

"JUST A POLITICIAN"?

Get a clue...

[mmonk]

92. Edwards is ok

but ask people from NC if they think he is doing his job. At first, he was and I was going to go to one of the things he does on Thursdays for Tarheels (kind of a town meeting) but he's a little different now. I have nothing against him though, and I know running for president is now his priority.

[criticalwords]

107. Well...

...I AM FROM NORTH CAROLINA, DUH!

And yes people from North Carolina think that he is doing a good job and they support his run for the White House!

I could care less about what Bush-butt-kissers, HAVE TO SAY.

[mmonk]

108. Then you know

;)

I think it best if you chill a little.

[guajira]

73. Shelton Should be made to explain his name-calling or SHUT UP!

Clark has said he doesn't know what Shelton is referring to, and wishes Shelton would explain.

The media is very wrong to keep reporting Shelton's mudslinging without any details explaining what his charges against Clark are. I hope Dems will insist that Shelton put up or shut up!!!

[in_cog_ni_to]

75. I agree.

If he doesn't say what his statement refers to he needs to crawl back in the hole he crawled out of.

[incapsulated]

105. We will see...

In the SC race. If Shelton starts hammering on Clark down there, we will know the real reason for Edwards taking him on.

[mmonk]

106. Time to bury the hatchet

Though I think some here are naive. There are alot of less controversial people at Senator Edwards's disposal to have for discussing national security policy with his campaign workers.

[mbali]

109. Why should Edwards select his campaign advisers

based upon what Clark thinks of them?

The last time I checked, Edwards didn't work for Clark nor is he required to clear his advisers with him. The only "controversy" here is one that Clark is trying to generate with this childish temper tantrum (channeled through his staff).

As I've said, if Clark wants to play in the big leagues, he needs to grow a backbone, stop whining and get on with his campaign. Whining about who other candidates choose to associate themselves with won't get him anywhere.

[mmonk]

110. Looks like Edwards people

don't want to bury the hatchet. On several threads, I defended Edwards against some attacks. Think I'll just leave it to the Edwards people from now on.

[incapsulated]

111. lol

"Grow a backbone and stop whining"??

Yeah, he does that all the time and is such a spineless coward!

:silly:

Maybe, just maybe, he was playing some clever political warfare, here. Getting the message out that Shelton is a Clark-hating creep, and that Edwards is deciding to add him to his staff, isn't whining or cowardly. Clark is leading in Edwards own state, where he thought he had a cakewalk. If I were on Clark's staff, this move would raise many red flags. If he is even thinking about using Shelton against him in SC, why not draw public attention to it now, let everyone know what the history with Shelton is? It's smart. It also lets the Edwards campaign know that if they are going to play hardball, the Clarkies are ready to drop the nice guy agreement and fight.