Anyone watching the Edwards interview on CNN?

[Leilani]

He just discussed Clarke's testimony with Blitzer, & he either didn't get it, or wouldn't touch it.

Wolf asked if he agreed with Clarke that Bush had diverted the "REAL" war on terrorism by going to Iraq.

Edwards replied, that by going into Iraq without our allies, it made the war on terror more difficult. Therefore, He didn't even pick up on Afghanistan, & Clarke's major premise.

He also reaffirmed his vote for the war on Iraq.

So either, he is clueless, or he is speaking for Kerry, & they don't want to address Clark's major theory on why Bush is a failure.

This is meant for discussion purposes, & not flaming. Is Edwards position right? Is he speaking for Kerry? Will the Clarke accusations be part of the campaign?

[chimpymustgo]

1. I think Edwards is speaking for Kerry. He did a great job.

He is a fantastic advocate for Team Kerry.

[DemDogs]

24. Speaking for Kerry and

doing a heck of a good job.

[Nashyra]

2. If Kerry picks Edwards for VP

My personal opinion is that we are toast. Two senators? Where the hell is the Kerry campaign with the rebuttal, I'm getting a sinking feeling that the Kerry team does not know how to respond. Why the hell hasn't there been a commercial about the asshole going on vacation before 9-11, alot of people have forgotten or are not aware that the * was on vacation and it is never mentioned in the press. They are trying to play it safe and they are looking like the piss ants that they end up being. The democrats have no fucking spine and the Kerry campaign is not showing much of a backbone either. God I hope I'm wrong.

[Sticky]

4. Jay Rockefeller

``If I had known then what I know now, I would have voted against it,'' Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said Friday. ``I have admitted that my vote was wrong.''

Why can't Kerry do the same thing? I know he's sensitive to the Flip Flop thing but he's got to end his stance on the war - NOW!

[kera]

5. and you know why?

Because basically they have the same policy regarding war on Iraq and the interest of Israel at hearth whether by conviction or fear of Pnac. don't' forget that Kerry voted forcefully for the war therefore he cannot get a free ride on this issue without making his flip flap record worse

[FloridaPat]

8. Bush was on vacation 42% of the time his first year. Never did

hear the number for the other two. Everything this guy does is a disgrace and totally ignored by the press.

If the Democrats don't get a spine this time, and they loose, that is the end of this country - if it's not dead already with the deficits and Iraq fiasco.

[spooky3]

25. just think of the damage he'd do if he worked full-time. :-(

[Leilani]

9. I agree with you

& I hope I'm wrong, too.

[surfermaw]

26. Of course, you are trying to get the nod for you choice

[BootinUp]

3. I hope that is not

Kerry's position. Because it is bullshit. Kerry should come out on this relatively soon. And so should the majority of Dems. The water's fine come on in.

[Leilani]

7. I am starting to get really worried

Dick Clarke gave us a gift...that Bush blew the war on terrorism. This is also what Wes Clark said during the campaign.

By going to Iraq, we diverted our resources, & took the heat off of Al Queda. Now they have morphed into a more dangerous, less centralized organization, that will be harder to track, capture, & defeat.

Also, Iraq did not pose a threat to us, & there was NO connection between Al Queda & Iraq.

Will the Kerry campaign use this issue? I'm starting to doubt it, & that's why I'm worried.

[BootinUp]

13. Well,if Clarke falls on his face

Kerry does not want to be attached to it. Not saying I like this either. But I noticed last night on CNN and MSNBC that the reporters are starting to string together all the cases of abuse of power and character assassination from the Bushies. And Clarke's credibility is pretty shaky in the polls now. I expect that this will improve for Clarke as more people come out backing him and are interviewed etcetera.

I think Kerry is giving this a little more time to sink in. The vacation and the shoulder surgery were timed to let this story settle and so we don't get side swiped. Don't worry, he will come out on this issue. Reporters won't let him evade it forever.

[Warren Stuart]

6. Edwards did vote for the Iraq War

As well as the Patriot Act. He is just being consistent.

Will this get in the way of the Democrats ability to go after the Republicans on these issues?

Maybe Not. There are a lot of shoes that have yet to drop (Plame, Memogate, Medicare bribes, to name a few) events just may drive themselves. In this case, positioning is more important than scoring points.

JMHO

[Leilani]

12. It's not about positioning or points

it's about the truth.

This Iraq war was bogus, & has made us less safe.

Richard Clarke testified to this, & it seems it would be a natural theme for the campaign.

[Warren Stuart]

14. I'm not arguing your point

The Iraq War was bogus and safety is a relative term.

Whatever theme they develop has to appeal to a mass audience, one that was supportive of (or sold on) the war.

I'm not speaking for Edwards, just pointing out that these issues may develop on their own independent of what Edwards or Kerry's positions were.

For instance Tom Daschle has gone out of his way to defend Richard Clarke, that to me is a very encouraging sign.

Teamwork is when others carry the ball for you, when you are not able to. I'm sensing a strong feeling of unity among Democrats, that leaves me very hopeful.

[OKNancy]

10. This has always been his stance

That going after Saddam is a good thing. If you recall during the campaign that Edwards was given "props" for being consistent, unlike Kerry who backed off and criticized the Iraq fiasco. Edwards is speaking for Edwards.......and this is one reason he won't be the VP.

[Thrill]

11. I'm seeing the same old scared ass

democratic party. They should be crushing Bush on this yet,They won't touch it. Scared they may say something wrong. Meanwhile Chimp numbers in the polls are looking better. They better grow a damn backbone and speak their mind.

[Leilani]

15. That's what Nader said today on Crossfire

That the Dems should be trouncing Bush!

[Auntie Bush]

17. It looks like the Democratic party is developing another case of

Spinal Stenosis and we need Dean back speaking up for us. Clark has been doing a great job speaking for Kerry...but the media are hesitant to give him more airtime than necessary (scared to give him more credibility) so maybe they will give Dean some attention.

[surfermaw]

27. Cut and dired, he will be VP

[LandOLincoln]

16. How quickly you all forget

another guy named Clark (no e) who was all over the media in the week after Dick Clarke's 60 Minutes interview got the ball rolling.

Sure don't recall that he went easy on GeeDubya & the Chickenhawks, do you?

And unlike Edwards, Wes was definitely speaking for Kerry. I look for him to turn up again any time now. Jamie Rubin too.

Patience, patience...

[Jai4WKC08]

18. I didn't see it, but...

If Edwards did not affirm ClarkE's story, then he could not have been speaking for Kerry, because Kerry specifically sent Wes Clark to speak on Dick ClarkE's credibility as a witness, at least 6 times I know of, and once a press conference with some 50 reporters.

It doesn't make sense Kerry wouldn't speak with one voice on this.

Probably Edwards is not up to speed on the issue or Kerry's position or both.

[LandOLincoln]

19. Great minds think alike. ;-)

See my post above yours.

Shall we take bets on how long it will be before Wes puts in another appearance?

[Jai4WKC08]

20. LOL LoL

I was just going to post "GMTA" when I saw this reply.

Boy I hope you're right about hearing from him ASAP. I need my fix. ;)

'Course, I get to see him in 10 days or so....

[LandOLincoln]

21. Fix is right. I'm in severe withdrawal right now.

Uh...what's GMTA?

& how come you get to see him in 10 days & I don't?! :cry:

[Jai4WKC08]

29. Sorry so long in replying

GMTA = great minds think alike

April 8th is an big Arkansas Democratic Party fund-raiser/dinner.

[BootinUp]

22. But still the question remains

When will Kerry say something. Personally I have NO problem with Wes covering for the time being. :)

[Darkamber]

23. He was speaking partly for himself.

However, Kerry and Edwards share many of the same views on the war.

Whether it was right to go or not now is not a point worth fighting over as we are there and Kerry will stay until the mess is fixed. That is the same view that Edwards has. Edwards has stayed consistent with his belief and his vote. That part was just him speaking for himself.

However, he did do well speaking about the gas tax issue and other issues where he defended Kerry quite well.

Clark and Edwards both have their strengths and Kerry would be well served to use them both where they work best.

The interview did not hurt Kerry at all.

[surfermaw]

28. I do agree

Have said from day one, it will take Edwards and Clark to win.

[JI7]

30. only Clark has been called Kerry's surrogate

while there are many others who support kerry it doesn't mean they are speaking for him though in support of them. i don't know, but i j ust think there is a difference, why else would kerry call clark his surrogate ? and i don't think they would send edwards out to speak on kerry's behalf when it comes to national security/foreign policy issues.

[atre]

31. I think you're missing the point

if you confine your criticism to Edwards. Last I checked, his "position" on this issue is identical to Kerry's position, unfortunately. Neither is willing to admit the venture into Iraq diverted the true war on terror.

So, to answer: No, Edwards is not right. He might be speaking for Kerry. And the Clarke allegations probably won't be part of the campaign because, while true, they aren't consistent with Kerry's perspective on that war.