Ezra Klein: Emotion on the Campaign Trail...

[SaveElmer]

Personally, I found this video of Clinton choking up a bit while discussing the fate of the country and the meaning of the election affecting. And Christ Almighty, I've been on the campaign trail for a week and want to cry. Anyone who doesn't get worn out and a bit emotional after the grueling process these candidates are undergoing is inhuman. Which makes this statement by John Edwards particularly classless:

"I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business," Edwards told reporters Laconia, New Hampshire.


Assuming the quote and context is correct, I think it's appalling that Edwards attempted to equate a momentary display of emotion with an absence of strength and resolve. Obama, by contrast, struck the right note:

"I didn't see what happened," he said, but added, "I know this process is a grind. So that's not something I care to comment on."

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezraklein_archive?month=01&year=2008&base_name=emotion_on_the_campaign_trail

[Adelante]

1. Speaking of classless

Elizabeth Edwards: "Voters will decide whether or not they want to see watery eyes."

[SaveElmer]

2. I didn't think my opinion of Edwards could go any lower...

But it has!

[jsamuel]

3. that is not a quote from her

[Adelante]

9. Okay, you're right

Here is the paragraph:

However, in an interview with ABC News' David Muir, Elizabeth Edwards offered more compassion than her husband. She noted that everyone on the campaign trail can relate to how grueling the task can be. In the end, Elizabeth Edwards did not pass on the political opportunity and added that voters will decide whether or not they want to see watery eyes.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/rival-reacts-to.html

[SaveElmer]

14. So she did say it...nt

[goldcanyonaz]

4. I used to respect Ms. Edwards. I no longer care to hear from her, and soon I wont have to.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Do you have a link for that quote? Otherwise, I can't take is seriously.

[SoFlaJet]

5. Hmmm Hillary as Ed Muskie

this one is gonna go over real big-this menopausal moment just may be the Clinton campaign's equivalent of the Howard Dean scream

[Cameron27]

6. Good for Obama, I'm glad he took the high road,

I don't think I could think much less of Edwards than I already do, so I expected something like that anyway.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. Spinning the tears to Clinton's advantage...

supports the idea that the tears were phony.

[SaveElmer]

8. No what it means is that John Edwards is an ass...

As he has proven yet again...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. Edwards is right.

If he wanted to be an ass, he'd have pretended to cry.

[SaveElmer]

13. Edwards is an ass...

Nothing new...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. Clinton's phony.

Nothing new.

[Egnever]

12. Obama got it right

[Cameron27]

16. Obama got it right.

I think more of him for taking the high road.