Is Edwards too Nice?

[charlyvi]

Or can he be an effective attack dog? Or should he be an attack dog? Let's play Karl Rove for a minute. What do you think?

[cmd]

1. Nothing compares to a nice attack dog

He hits and you don't see it coming, you just stand there and say WOW!

[charlyvi]

2. Yes!!

Yes, Yes, Yes!! But can he go too far?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. No

a nice guy who tells the truth is very very difficult to combat. Edwards is an asset to the ticket.

[charlyvi]

6. I agree

Didn't mean to imply that he wasn't. Just wonder how bushco* will spin him. He has all the qualities that rw'ers say shrub has; a great guy to have a bbq with. But can he come out of the spin machine unscathed?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Edwards has fought the big boys

when he's defended the little guys against Big Business. I think he can do it.

[Warpy]

9. Are you kididng?

Consider the array of wolverines, pit bulls, wolf hybrids, dingoes, and general junk yard mutts on the other side.

There is no possible way Edwards can go too far. Oh, the right wing will shriek in pain and terror, but that's what bullies do when you stand up to them. They run crying to Momma.

Edwards will do it with integrity and class. This is something the right can never counter. They just pretend to have cornered the market on those virtues. Edwards will show them that they haven't.

[RoyGBiv]

4. I prefer not to play Rove...

Karl Rove is an example of everything that is wrong with American politics and should not be emulated on any level.

As for Edwards, he has a razor sharp, intelligent wit that can leave people stunned. Read Molly Ivins on how a Southern gentleman/woman passes an insult. It's a subtle, yet effective way of getting a point across without giving the appearance of being vicious.

Rove is challenged when it comes to wit, bless his little heart. :evilgrin:

[JHBowden]

5. I like Edwards.

I don't agree with his war position, but he seems to be an ok guy.

Rove is way overrated. I would have Edwards talk about issues on the campaign trail with ordinary Americans, and save the attack dog stuff for Cheney in a few weeks.

[charlyvi]

8. Southern charm and razer-like intelligence

Can't you just see Cheney all puffed up and snarly against this combination?

Cheney: F**k yourself, Edwards

Edwards: Why, Mr. Cheney, didn't your Mama ever teach you any respect? How does that sound coming out of a vice president's mouth? Don't you ever go to church?


BWAHAHAHAHAH

[w13rd0]

10. Edwards is able to "attack"...

...without having to land a blow. One example, during one of the debates, a question was asked of Kerry. Following it, Edwards said, "That had to have been one of the longest responses to a Yes or No question I've ever heard, Yes, I accept responsibility." He didn't have to stop being nice, but he most certainly landed a punch.

[LTR]

11. Dem running mates vs. GOP running mates

GOP running mates tend to be put into the attack dog role. It started with Eisenhower appointing Nixon in 1952, and Nixon brought it back in 1968 by turning moderate Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew into a hard-right pit bull. George H.W. Bush brought back the concept by unleashing Dan Quayle on the masses, and Dumbya did it again with Dick Cheney. Notice how they seemed to be chosen due to their likelihood of not overshadowing the #1 guy.

The Democrats, on the other hand, tend to bring in experienced, well-spoken, more upbeat running mates. Dukakis did it with Lloyd Bentsen (the ticket should have been flipped, IMO). Clinton did it with Gore. Gore did it with Lieberman (please, don't throw anything at me), and now Kerry with Edwards. They can attack, but tend to do so in a more upbeat fashion, fighting with intelligence rather than bluster.

Remember, you can attract more effectively with honey rather than vinegar.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

12. No

Edwards is tough where it counts. Just because he does not have the ferocious bark of Dick Cheney doesn't mean he can't battle it out with him. He has intellectual weaponry, something the Bush-Cheney ticket is short on. In debate, I'm inclined to believe that Edwards will go after Cheney with facts as opposed to ridicule- which makes him sound far more intelligent than your average attack dog.

[Dookus]

13. People don't become very successful trial lawyers

by being "too nice" to the other side.