I watched ALL the top tier candidates on CSPAN this weekend. And I

[saracat]

now know why I support the candidate of my choice. I listened to Hillary speak of "experience, bipartisanship and how she has "worked with the republicans.I listened to Barak on how he would bring both sides together and "negotiate'. I realized I do not want to be "bipartisan". I do not want to negotiate. The Repukes have held us hostage for years and have NEVER negotiated with us on anything.Hillary hasn't achieved anything with her bipartisanship.Neither has Nancy or Harry by remaining civil and negotiating. The war still rages, we have no health care, or infrastructure, our education system stinks.This is what bipartisan ship has bought us, and I don't want it anymore. This isn't the 90's, the 80's or anytime bipartisanship last worked. The GOP has taught us a hard lesson on that and we are not heeding a it at our peril.

The system is broken.I do not want a candidate with the "experience" of working in a broken system and who wishes to continue to support that system. I do not want a candidate with idealistic hopes for the other side who has proven time and time again that they will screw us over.There is NO reciprocity with the GOP. They do NOT work on bipartisan issues.I do not want a candidate who will "negotiate" with these people who will not keep their word.
I want the system replaced.I want a "fighter".I want someone who acknowledges the system is corrupt.I do not want someone who "defends" it or wants to work with it.

I have chosen John Edwards as he is the only candidate , IMHO, to publicly come out against the "system" and the only one, to my knowledge to call the system of lobbyists and corporations what they are "corrupt". Edwards has also had the experience of dealing with these people and has admitted he was "wrong" and was part of the "system" himself. He understands how the politicos get "sucked" in and how the "system" is damaged. He knows we have to "replace" this system. He has declared he will "fight" them, not work with them and he has done exactly that in his professional life.John Edwards understands what it takes to defeat these entities and John Edwards is the candidate who will fight for for the people of the United States,not corporate entities.

I am voting for John Edwards because he is the only candidate that will offer bonafide change.John Edwards speaks for me when he says "enough is enough."We must have change and we must "rise up". and demand it now.

[redwitch]

1. my first choice as well.

He gives me hope.

[Horse with no Name]

2. You speak for me sara.

Thanks. K&R

[Little Star]

3. Saracat & John speak for me! Great post! k&r

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. I hope you're right

He is my first choice as well.

[monmouth]

5. As I was reading I thought it was Joe Biden you were going to support.

Your requisites in a candidate are exactly what Joe Biden provides, with the exception of his thirty plus years in government. I'm sure John Edwards is a nice guy, and obviously a good lawyer. He can sell a case to a jury and win, then go home to his cottage and count his money. My concern is his lack of experience in foreign policy which I include those problems in the Mideast. I certainly don't buy his rhetoric concerning corporations..But, having said that, I wish you luck with your choice of candidate.

[JDPriestly]

8. Unfortunately, Biden did not organize a really strong campaign.

[Two Americas]

22. true

I support Edwards rather than Biden, because I think that economic justice here at home will lead to world peace sooner than justice abroad will lead to justice here. Biden thinks the opposite, and makes a strong and compelling case for his viewpoint. He is strong, knowledgeable, experienced and credible. For those who think foreign policy takes precedence over domestic policy, he is the right candidate to support and a good candidate to support. He argues that if we muck up domestic policy, we can fix it later, but if we muck up foreign policy we may not get another chance to get it right. I respect that opinion, and for all I know he may be right. But, I have seen little or no effort for 35 years now to help - or even to acknowledge or talk about - the working people: the 50% of the population who are sliding into misery and poverty, and the other 35% or so living in anxiety and fear. They are not living in fear of terrorists, but fear of being able to pay their bills.

I don't think there is anything "to buy" in Edwards' "rhetoric" any more than there is in that of Biden. Implying that someone is "selling" something is a backhand way to smear them. I don't agree with Biden's approach, but I wouldn't make snide remarks about him "selling" something.

I don't see a candidacy as a "personal choice" that I need "luck" with. The future of the country and the well being of millions of people are at stake. I have more respect and appreciation for why someone would support Biden than to "wish them luck" on "their choice." Let's discuss substance, not personal preferences and choices.

[Lochloosa]

44. I'm happy to see you putting that star to good use.

:toast:

[frogcycle]

56. well put

I happen to agree with Biden's view - he puts it slightly differently from the way you phrase it. He is passionate about looking out for the "little guy" - as much so as Edwards. But in his view, fixing the problems with international relations are a prerequisite to freeing up the time and money to mount a proper domestic agenda. Not that one must wait - for example, he has already introduced legislation to get started on healthcare initiatives. But the 125 billion a year pouring into this ill-advised misadventure in Iraq would fund a lot of preschool, teachers pay raises, healthcare, etc. that are absolutely in his sights. And he is absolutely correct that if Pakistan implodes we face such an uncertain future that NO domestic programs may be feasible - I hate to imagine what we could be looking at, but suffice it to say that the Great Depression and WWII both come to mind as far as changes in our lifestyle are concerned.

I was an Edwards supporter and am still a fan. I really like the guy, and resent the cheap shots about going back and counting his money. That is NOT who John Edwards is, and I am sick and tired of all the sniping. That said, despite the fact that i like him and hope he has a major role to play (I am thinking AG) in the next administration, perhaps even being POTUS 4 or 8 years hence, I truly believe we have to have someone grab the helm of the ship of state and steer it out of the rough waters, away from the rocky shoals that this crowd has sailed it into, and there is just NO room for error or hesitation.

[Two Americas]

82. very strong

Biden's message is very strong, and you described it better than I did.

There is a lot of loyalty test nonsense going on around here - "will you commit to voting Democratic no matter what? Knuckle under right now or else you don't belong in the party and might as well be a Republican!" The Hell with that, I say. Of course most of us will vote for the nominee no matter who it is. But can you imagine going to a restaurant, and whenever you try to talk about what you would like to order the waiter demands - "will you eat whatever I bring out no matter what? If not, you don't belong here so get out."

The question is not - especially at this point! - to start in with the "they are all better than Republicans" mantra. Some day soon, they will not all be better than Republicans if we keep that up. The question is who will fire us up, who will inspire us to campaign harder and more effectively, who will be the easier candidate to promote?

"Who is my favorite choice?" is the wrong question to ask. "To whom shall I award my one little vote?" is also not very powerful. "For whom can I most easily bring in hundreds of votes?" That is the question.

Biden is a candidate with whom we can run strongly.

[vssmith]

45. How many presidents have had experience in foreign policy?

Probably Bush Sr. came to the presidency with more than any in a long time. How would you rate his success?

[ThomWV]

65. Maybe that's a good part of the problem

There is no good argument to be made that a President of the United States who is inexperienced would make a better President than one who is. Come one now, you know it as well as I do.

[frogcycle]

95. nixon

and his foreign policy performance in office was pretty damned good

[vssmith]

101. That is right--I forgot the Kissinger era

[stickernation]

69. you are SO DAMN CYNICAL.

Listen monmouth, I like Biden too - I supported him in 1988.

Catty little mouthfuls like your Edwards diss above will win you no love.

Get over it - EDWARDS IS THE REAL DEAL, AS MANY OF US WHO HAVE KNOWN HIM PERSONALLY IN NORTH CAROLINA WILL ATTEST.

Jeesh. GROW UP !!!

[truedelphi]

6. I agree with you. Thanks for your OP

[pacalo]

7. He's my second choice.

I watched Biden tell an audience of Iowans that he's "had it up to here" with Republican rhetoric. He said he can't wait to take on Huckabee or Romney & ask them where in the gospel it says that torture is okay. I've already seen Edwards debate Republicans; now I'd like to see someone with a biting wit & ability to put them in their place have the opportunity. :)

[Steely_Dan]

40. My Very Thought...

Well stated. I can't wait to see Biden rip the Republicans a new one.

-P

[bdamomma]

61. Biden would be the best choice to handle repigs, repigs we all

know can be down and dirty fighters, and Biden will know how to handle them.

[frogcycle]

96. Joe would just eviscerate them n/t

[corkhead]

9. Pukes need a taste of their own medicine before real bipartisanship will work

the Chamberlain wing of the Democratic party has already negotiated the political center of our country about 30 points too far to the right and I am sick of it. We will not be able to "negotiate" our way back to the real center. John Edwards is the one I believe is the most likely to knock some repuke heads, which is greatly needed and richly deserved.

[avaistheone1]

38. I don't want to be spiteful, but there is something to this

The Republican have done everything possible to obstruct the Dems since we have come to power.

I don't think we should bow to them. I think we should exercise our power, and work to get more
PROGRESSIVE Democrats elected in the House and especially in the Senate.

[Steely_Dan]

41. I Fear...

that after he enters office, he would find that it isn't s easy to negotiate after you have trashed the very people you are going to need to get anything done. It's a sad reality...we have to work with those we may disagree with. I hope that he is aware of that little truism.

-P

[alllyingwhores]

85. Let's think about that...

Yeah, you're right--the way the Ass Emperor and his crime family have worked with those they may have disagreed with for the LAST SIX YEARS.

They seemed to have no problem doing any f__king thing they wanted to with absolutely NO F__KING NEGOTIATION!

GIVE 'EM HELL JOHN EDWARDS!

[taylor egv420106]

78. Except they wont

Learn their lesson, all they will do is spend two years screaming about how the country is being held hostage to people not willing to negotiate and their base will come out even stronger and even more insistent on never acting in a bipartisan fashion.

[we can do it]

10. That's Close To My Thinking

[Triana]

11. He's my choice too, for the very same reasons, saracat! (n/t)

[gateley]

12. Good luck to you guys and to your candidate! nt

[saracat]

24. Thanks gately ! To you too!

[kimmerspixelated]

13. Absolutely!

GO JOHNNY GO!!!!

[Hieronymus]

14. You're absolutely right... the Republicans have not negotiated and

won't start next year. Edwards will fight for us.

[smokey nj]

15. Kick!

[sandyd921]

16. My choice as well for the same reason!

n/t

[Gloria]

17. This is my bottom line motivator:

The talk is all about change, and not having all this adversarial politics. OK, so my question is HOW?? HOW does Obama do this? Considering that the entire Republican party is like a search and destroy missile. I'm reflecting on Olypmia Snowe voting for Medicare Part D....she KNEW IT WAS CRAP; she spoke about her reservations on TV...and then, she votes for it. It's that lockstep control of that party, over the few moderates as well as the rest of the crazies, that make me ask..HOW??????? How do you get them to work with you...if you first don't show that you're willing to fight them, even just a little bit?????


HOW??????

(and you can forget about Hillary, too...)

[Steely_Dan]

42. Ask Joe Biden...

He's been doing it for 35 years.

-P

[frogcycle]

57. yeah, who was it that killed the Bork nomination?

Joe something, wasn't it?

[frogmarch]

18. Great OP, saracat! K&R nt

[Armstead]

19. Exactly

Edwards has put his finger on the core issue in America.

If he walks the talk, he could help to bring the turnaround our country so desperatly needs.

We have to stop worrying what the Republicans will think. (They're going to fight for their positions regardless of how "conciliatory Democrats are.)

We have to stop giving Big Business the upper hand and allowing them to pervert our system and policies -- AND VALUES -- to perpetuate their grotesque lust for power and profit.

Edwards "gets it." The others are still locked in the mentality of the eraly 1990's.

[polichick]

20. Yep - you said it!!!

They can kiss our democratic asses! :dem:

[WinkyDink]

21. For Republicans, "bi-partisan" = "There's a sucker born every minute."

THEY STOLE THE WHITE HOUSE.
THEY HAVE CORRUPTED THE SUPREME COURT.
THEY HOUNDED PRES. CLINTON.
THEY ARE WAGING AN ILLEGAL INVASION, COMPLETE WITH WAR CRIMES and PROFITEERING.

"Bi-Partisan"? NEVER. NEVER.

[Richard Steele]

80. Exactly correct. nm

[Andy823]

23. I couldn't have said it better!

Great job!

[ShadesOfGrey]

25. I agree. Every day I become more and more convinced that

Edwards is the best choice. Thanks for the great post!

[Ninga]

26. Very good and thoughtful post saracat. You made your case for John Edwards and you did a good job.

i agree and hope you are right.

[bobbolink]

27. The time comes when the only way to get heard is to SHOUT!

You are so right that negotiating and bipartisanship have lost us our country.

I have had to learn the hard way that you can be determined to be nice, and to be a peaceful person, but when you keep getting screwed over, sometimes, sadly, the only way to get it resolved is to get DAMNED ANGRY!

Too bad that's the case.

[NastyRiffraff]

28. Excellent, saracat!

I don't want someone who emphasizes they will work with Republicans either. Because to do that, you also have to negotiate with their friends...Big Pharma, insurance companies, Big Food, etc.

As John Edwards has said, about negotiating with the special interests "If you give them a seat at the table, they'll eat all the food!"

[harun]

29. Great post (n/t)

[balantz]

30. I'm with ya!

A kick & a bounce for Johnny Edwards!

:kick: :bounce:

[lisainmilo]

31. Nice Post Sara!

Thank you!
:patriot:

[Mythsaje]

32. If we don't nominate a candidate who will fight

and elect a President who'll represent the rest of us, we might as well flush the U.S. down the toilet, because everything it once hoped to be will be lost. You can't negotiate with Republicans. They see compromise as weakness.

[Steely_Dan]

43. Well...

Prepare yourself for four or eight years nothing getting done...right when we need change the most.

-P

[Mythsaje]

87. Surrender won't get us anywhere either.

Except someplace we don't want to be.

[asdjrocky]

33. A K&R from-

Council Bluffs, Iowa. Edwards HQ!

[saltpoint]

37. Rocky, may the angels smile down on what you're doing and may you

have 64 layers of clothing to keep your blood pulsing through your veins!

We'll all be watching tomorrow evening!

[monarch]

49. Good for you, Rocky!

Wish we could be there to help.

[DaLittle Kitty]

34. Clear, Concise, No Mistaking What John Edwards IS ALL About

John Edwards is a Once in A Lifetime Candidate and Iowans MUST NOT DRINK THE DLC/ESTABLISHMENT/CORPORATIST/KOOLAID!

They MUST NOT!!

:think: The future of the planet is at stake and most assuredly the future of ALL WHO WORK, as well as the future that is in store for our children.

:think: Who IS Bought... and Who IS NOT?

Who IS each Candidate Beholden to?

Is the candidate beholden to "The People" or "The Corporation?" This IS ... Serious Business!

Hillary WILL NOT DO!

Barack WILL NOT DO!

ONLY JOHN EDWARDS WILL DO!

Iowa the fate of working America is in your hands. Please do America Justice tomorrow evening! :)

[Greylyn58]

35. Thanks for posting this

You have given my reasons for supporting John Edwards. Well said!

[saltpoint]

36. Recommended. I was taken by surprise at three major sources of power and

drive behind the Edwards campaign in 2007-08.

The preparedness by Edwards and his campaign team is white-hot and sizzling. Their command on the issues is a mighty blast. This is a trial lawyer. This is a trial lawyer on heightened citizenship and preparedness. Any questions?

Second is the emphasis on poverty. If Edwards were running for his own self-gratification or for power merely, he'd have chosen a far sexier theme than the homeless and the under-insured and the below-radar poor. I'm a Kennedy Democrat some long years now. Edwards is a Kennedy Democrat.

Third is the notion that John Edwards wants the job of leading 300 million of us when by standards of the American Dream, he doesn't owe us the time or toil. He didn't owe that little girl anything when he took her court case against the corporations. But he did take the case, and he won, not because he was a gifted lawyer but because she otherwise would have gone unheard from one end of this country to the other. He didn't need to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, except that his son Wade asked him to go. By my best instincts, Edwards didn't need to reach the summit for the sheer exhilaration of a trophy climb. He went because Wade asked him to go. It wasn't macho adventure. It was splendid parenthood.

This is a man who'll make a fine president, a real leader, a genuine public servant. I feel a great need to be proud of my country again. I believe John Edwards should lead us in that crucial, shared goal.

You Iowa Democrats out there in the cold farmlands -- light the fire tomorrow night. Send John Edwards into Friday's headlines all over this nation.

[DCKit]

39. Seems more like "bipartisianship" and "negotiation" are now codewords...

For political cowardice, incompetence and disorganization. Nothing has moved and the Repukes have proven, yet again, they're the masters of the filthy, filthy game they have been playing for the past fifteen years. Few Democrats have proven to be brave enough to use those tools readily at their disposal to obstruct the obstructionists and those that have were often betrayed by the leadership. We're heartsick Nancy and Harry, and we can't begin to comprehend your madness.

At this point I'm far less concerned with which Democrat is elected to the WH than I am with having a healthy number of non-corporate Democrats elected to the House, Senate and all the way down to the local level - though I'd greatly appreciate it if the next President wasn't on the speed-dial of every Fortune 500 CEO either.

Yeah, if Edwards gets the nomination, I'll be voting for him. But please, all of you, it's not the only race, or the most important, in context.

[IsItJustMe]

73. or another code word for status quo.

[caseycoon]

46. Edwards is my second choice...

(yeah, yeah I finally made a second choice) LOL!
He is definitely the best of the 3 frontrunners.
:toast:

[monarch]

51. I wish that Kucinich had chosen Edwards

for the second ballot again!

[kenfrequed]

52. Tactical decision

Kucinich wants to be the progressive candidate. If he lends support to Obama, he knows most of his supporters won't stay there. He (like most of the second tier candidates) is relying on Hillary to fall. A fall that is, ironically enough, inevitable, given her negative ratings. So by beefing Obama he puts Hillary on the defensive and causes the story to be about her fall. In the next state Dennis support comes back and Obama falls which causes people to question whether the front runners are starting to collapse. At this point the news story becomes the insurgent second tier candidates who don't have to perform much to exceed the expectation game.

Lending support to Edwards isn't lending at all, it is Giving support. Once Kucinich voters defect to the Edwards camp, it is unlikely he can count on them to return.

Moreover Kucinich probably feels a little burned by the Kerry Campaign dragging Edwards to the middle at the Behest of that idiotic amateur Shrum. I have no idea how a self proclaimed liberal can be so stuck still fighting the republican revolution like it is 1994.

[monarch]

55. Nice analysis! n/t

[Myrina]

47. Aye!

:applause:

[deacon]

48. Thats where I ended up too, with Edwards. n/t

[TheDebbieDee]

50. Saracat, you were reading my mind when you wrote this.......

To get this country working within the law again and to make this country a better place, we need to bogart the repukes back in line the way we have been pushed over by the * admin for the last 7 years.

Fucked over is what being polite and civil gets you when you're dealing with repukes!

[Duncan]

53. Right On!

Go Edwards!

[MissDeeds]

54. Agree completely

Thanks for this thoughtful and well reasoned post, Saracat. John Edwards is just what we need now, a strong Democrat and a person of integrity who can help this country return to its democratic principles.

:kick:

[NorthCarolina]

58. You State Edwards is the Only Candidate to Offer Change??

Obviously you haven't done a thorough examination of all the candidates records and positions. If you can examine Edwards voting record and come to the conclusion that he represents "change" then you must have some really limited expectations. Oh, and please don't tell me yet again about his "moral epiphany" as a result of his wife's cancer that has helped him to "see the light". I don't buy it...he's a politician to the core, and as our Senator here in NC he was lackluster at best and fervently supported Republican agenda items such as the Patriot Act. A zebra can't change his stripes. Buy into his political speak and you will likely find that you will fare no better than under Republican control. The same goes for Hillary and Obama...two more Corporate cronies trying to fit into ill-fitting populist clothing for purposes of the election season. I don't buy any of it.

The only candidate that represents "change", REAL change, is Kucinich...and that's just a simple fact that is EASILY verified by comparing his voting record against that of the other candidates. Of course the kicker is you actually have to expend the effort to do the research, but I'll give you a bit of a hint...the internet is a great place to find this info.

For me, unlike others here willing to "settle", I actually do want REAL CHANGE, and so my vote is for the one candidate that will actually deliver change and not a load of campaign rhetoric that can't be backed up by past voting records. My vote will go to Kucinich.

[keith the dem]

59. Amen!!!

When I see Edwards, I see Bobby Kennedy. A charismatic leader who learned from his experience within the system and how tilted that system was to the very class he came from, and knew it had to be changed. Our country was robbed of that leadership then, I hope we do not lose our chance again.

[Efilroft Sul]

60. Today's the day I decide. I choose Edwards.

For the reasons saracat has put forth as well as other reasons. And I do so with malice toward none of the other Democratic candidates.

[nradisic]

62. I'm with you....

John Edwards is certainly the most progressive of all the candidates and advocates serious change. Obama and Clinton would make subtle changes.....we need wholesale changes and the only guy who is promising that is John.

[BrklynLiberal]

63. Yep.

[sellitman]

64. You nailed it.

Heartily recommended and kicked.

[GernBlanston]

66. thanks, Sara

I could not agree more, and for many of the same reasons. I've been an Edwards fan since '03, but had lukewarmly supported Obama going into this primary season... until I watched him and Hillary become the pandering, wishy-washy politicos that they are today. I don't believe that he is the only one of the Democratic candidates who could bring real change, but unlike Kucinich or Richardson, our illustrious media had decreed him as one of the "electables".

I think he's a good man and our need has never been greater.
Gern

[windoe]

67. Well said-crimes are not partisan issues!!!

Crimes are crimes, and this is what I am looking for in a candidate--someone NOT willing to enable white collar political, corporate, military industrial complex and secret government (whew!) crimes any more than they have been allowed to. They must be stopped in their tracks now, before more lives and countries become as--how do they so neatly put it--'collateral damage'.

The most important issues I look for in a candidate:
-End all foreign illegal occupations, indictment of war profiteers
-End the corporate/dominionist agenda to demolish Constitutional rights for all Americans, and the return to separation of church and state
-Support and refresh all domestic federal public services, health, infrastructure, ecological and housing
-Removing tax shelters of the uber rich

-To me the issues are crystal-
-We must retrieve what we have lost before we can go any further-

[harmonicon]

68. where is your reasoning here? Edwards voted for and even co-sponsored the big Bushco bills.... nt.

[Yael]

70. Thanks saracat

K & R

[sandyj999]

71. That Is Exactly the Reason

John Edwards received my vote in the primary. We need a fighter!

[Emillereid]

72. Though my heart belongs to Kucinich I believe my vote is going to Edwards!

That's if he's still in the race by the time it gets to California. I hate how these 'early' states get to determine everything!

[LWolf]

74. Those are excellent reasons.

They are valid, as long as you are only talking about the "top tier," of course.

The question with Edwards, for me, is how much of that talk will he walk?

It's ok with me that he has made a significant POSITIVE shift in stances since 2004. We WANT Democrats to swing back to us, don't we? I'm not going to criticize him doing exactly what we'd like ALL our reps and candidates to do. I will hold him accountable for it, and that's the big question right now. How much of that will he stick with if elected?

Of course, the other 2 "top tier" candidates won't stick with any of it, because they aren't campaigning on addressing the very problems with the system that Edwards has. They are not exactly likely to clean up corruption and dysfunction that benefits them.

Is Edwards? Time will tell.

I won't be voting for a "top tier" candidate unless that is all that's left on my ballot. That's likely, since I don't get to cast a vote until May 20.
:shrug:

If I can, I'll vote for Dennis Kucinich. Or at least help fund his campaign for reelection to the house, if that's the only way I can support his work.

If the current top "3" are the only ones left, Edwards would be the only vote possible for me.

[rms013]

75. Bipartisanship

Not looking for revenge but I know the pendulum must swing a long way to get this country back on track.

[natrat]

76. i like edwards to and i hope he makes it but the corporate scum may hold him down

[taylor egv420106]

77. Has it occurred to you

That part of the reason that the country is rejecting the extreme right is for the VERY REASON you now say you want it to be your way or the highway? Do you think the country will react any better to an extreme left holding the country hostage than they did an extreme right?

[Arugula Latte]

90. Oh, please.

"Extreme left?"

What is "extreme left"? -- Healthcare for everybody (like every other civilized nation), corporations given reasonable limits, money for public education ... Oh, how shocking! How extreme!

[SlowDownFast]

79. K&R. Go Edwards!

Excellent, saracat.

[krabigirl]

81. Yeah! Go Edwards!!

[CottonBear]

83. Edwards was my primary candidate of choice in 2004 and will be in 2008! n/t

[ceile]

84. He's my 2nd choice, but loved your OP.

I just don't think he has enough experience-neither does Obama or Hillary for that matter.

[mzmolly]

86. Thanks Sara, I agree!

Go John! :toast:

[eridani]

88. Well, if you are in a caucus state, why not go for the straight up and undiluted progressive agenda?

Caucus for Kucinich. You can switch to Edwards at county and congressional district caucuses if that makes strategic sense. Of course if you are in an early primary state, I really understand your position.

[Arugula Latte]

89. Exactly!

Exactly, exactly, exactly. Edwards (and Kucinich, but, let's face it, Dennis ain't gonna win) are the candidates who seem to understand the vast roiling fury bubbling out here beyond the Beltway.

[avaistheone1]

91. Edwards best represents democratic values.

[On the Road]

92. I Can't Understand Clinton and Obama's Rush to Compromise

before the first has been fired. It's very telling, and AFAIC it's a serious misjudgment.

[Seabiscuit]

93. It's their bullshit way of trying to employ the discredited DLC campaign tactic of triangulation

[On the Road]

100. Triangulation is Not Always Bad

Edwards had done a lot of it, and I like Edwards. But it's become an earmark of the Clinton and Obama campaigns. I don't think that's what Democrats are looking for, and I don't even think it's what independents are looking for. Contesting the Republican agenda is much more appealing than the prospect of halfway positions on the major issues.

[Roland99]

94. I'm on-board now!

[Blue_In_AK]

97. I was amused at a Cal Thomas column

this morning where he was getting all rapturous about bipartisanship. He certainly has changed his tune now that the Republicans are on the decline.

[virgdem]

98. This is why Edwards is..

and has always been my first choice. Hilary-DLC, Obama-too inexperienced, not interested in the rest of the field, although they would be good in other areas of a Democratic Administration.

[progressivebydesign]

99. I like Edwards. He's my second choice. But I do value bipartisanship..

.. sorry I can't agree with you on that issue. Regardless of what total jerks the other side has been, I STILL believe in my heart that most people want a civil and functioning government. The uglier it gets in DC, the less likely folks will want to be involved in choosing our leaders. We all lose when cynicism takes hold.

I like John Edwards for his attacks on the corporate takeover of America.