No More Mr. Nice Guy For Edwards

Second White House Run Has Former Senator Playing Offense

(The Politico)  By The Politico's Roger Simon.

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In 2004, John Edwards rarely had an unkind word to say about his rivals for the presidency. But it isn't 2004 any more.

Should Hillary Clinton apologize for backing the Iraq war? "That is a moral decision she has to make," Edwards told me.

Is George Bush a "good man in difficult circumstances trying to do the right thing?" No, Edwards said. He is not.

That nonbinding resolution against the Iraq troop surge favored by Barack Obama? "Useless," said Edwards. "Exactly like a child standing in the corner and stomping his feet."

Success teaches little; failure is a wonderful instructor. And Edwards has learned a lot from running and losing last time around.

As the 2008 race gets underway, Edwards has at least four things going for him:

First, a good calendar. The race begins in Iowa, where Edwards came in second in 2004 and where he has a good organization today. He has visited the state 17 times in the last two years.

Nevada is scheduled to come next. It is a highly unionized state, and unions love John Edwards. Anna Burger, secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, was very complimentary about Edwards in an interview with The Politico on Tuesday.

She said that all the Democratic candidates are "good on the issues" but that Edwards has been "more consistently on the streets with the people." When he went to Nevada, she said, "he was in the kitchens of the hotels; he was in the break rooms. He was with the workers."

Union endorsements are not what they used to be, but you won't see any Democrats turning them down.

According to the current calendar, New Hampshire comes after Nevada and South Carolina comes next.

If Hillary gets in trouble in any of the first three contests, she might have to recover with a victory in South Carolina. (The same might be true for Barack Obama.) And South Carolina is Edwards' strongest state. He was born there and was a senator from North Carolina for six years.

Second, Edwards may be able to flank both Hillary (as her campaign officially calls her) and Obama on the war.

"When we went to war, Senator Clinton and I both voted for it and Senator Obama was not in the Senate," Edwards told me recently. "I have since said I was wrong, and I take responsibility for that. I have not heard Senator Clinton say that."

Should she say she was wrong? I asked.

"That is a moral decision she has to make," Edwards said.

Hillary, Obama and Edwards are all against the planned troop surge in Iraq. Hillary and Obama want a cap on troops in Iraq but are not now in favor of cutting off funds for the surge. (Obama is not ruling it out if it is the only option remaining.) They both favor passing a resolution indicating opposition to the surge.

Edwards, who wants an immediate cutoff of funds for the surge, thinks the resolution is a sham.

"What is the point in saying we are just against it?" Edwards said. "It is useless. It is exactly like a child standing in the corner and stomping his feet."

(Late Tuesday, Obama introduced legislation to begin a phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq.)

Democrats like a little red meat when it comes to Republicans. Even so, when it came to George W. Bush, Edwards surprised me.

Edwards told me about how he had watched Bush give his recent Iraq speech and how Americans "needed the basic feeling that this was a good man in difficult circumstances trying to do the right thing" and how, in Edwards' opinion, Americans didn't get that feeling from that speech.

And you don't believe President Bush is a good man in difficult circumstances trying to do the right thing? I asked.

"I don't believe it. I don't," Edwards said.

Finally, Edwards is trying to establish a specific campaign posture: authenticity. Many Democrats believe that after eight years of a president who they believe was packaged and sold to the American people by clever handlers, Americans will now want an authentic candidate.

But how do voters discern that? (As the old campaign joke goes: "The people want authenticity? I can fake that.")

One way to demonstrate authenticity is to take a stand that is not popular, that is not politically expedient.

And Edwards has decided to sell America on sacrifice.

"I am totally comfortable with the word sacrifice, with asking people to sacrifice for their country," he said.

Among the sacrifices:

To reduce carbon emissions, Edwards recognizes that people may have to pay more for gasoline. And he is not ruling out new taxes or increasing old ones.

The universal health care plan he wants is going to be expensive and some people will have to pay more.

Eradicating poverty, his signature issue, will also require more money from taxpayers.

And Edwards does not favor any new tax cuts for the middle-class.

Isn't there a risk in asking voters to sacrifice while other candidates are promising them things? I asked him.

"There is clearly a political risk, no question," he said. "But I actually believe this is what America needs."

And he is going to find out how many people agree with him.

[seven-pesos]

as long as we have those idiot slave state white trash bush lovers

there'll always be wars in america.

ha,ha,ha.

redneck, white trash, republican, phony christian south.

bad for america!

[bellal-2009]

"The universal health care plan he wants is going to be expensive and some people will have to pay more."

In other words; the poor will continue to get free healthcare, middle class taxes will increase, standards of care will decrease, choice will decrease of become nonexistant, and big govt. intrusion will invade our personal habits.

[dallison7]

A SELF-MADE MAN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, THAT'S DIFFERENT!

[thgdriver]

Hummmmmmmmmm, an attorney for president this time round. Seems harmless enough at first glance, but what do we do every time an ambulance drives by the White House and he runs down Pennsylvania ave chasing it like a fool?

[BlueInWI]

So what..., Edward's is wealthy. Not all wealthy people are bad, only the greedy oligarchical ones that support the Repug Party and tax-free inheritance for their children not serving in Iraq. Wouldn't want them to have to pay for any of this war our middle and lower class young people are dying in so they can fill their Humvees.

Another example of a good wealthy person is Warren Buffet. Rich, but not greedy.

[tibu987]

So long Johnny.
Just another pretty face.
Just another party lackey.
I can't say I like the way things are going with all the Dems running for Prez.
Personally, I do not see one yet that I would like to vote for.
My guess is that after the fallout, Hillary will still be standing.
Hillary is not the one for me. But who?
I believe that Obama will decide not to run and that he will throw his votes to Hillary.
Whatever, it is going to be interesting.

[nyckate]

Edards has my vote - I thought he was the right guy in 2004 and if anything he's more than ready this time around in all respects!!!

[nyckate]

drdilemma - where on earth do you come up with the lie that edwards wants to put more strain on the middle class?? In some ways Rush's outlandish loudmouthed sleaze attacks are better than your sly sneaky slimey ones.

[agnim]

"if hillary gets in, all men in america will be fighting in Iraq, Iran, etc. just to get rid of us, so the women can rule the country.

Posted by dirtyharry02 at 01:59 PM : Feb 02, 2007"

Surely you jest?
That will be the day. LOL

Hilary won't get in; but may be Bill will get in her for a change.

And where will the REAL MEN be when a bunch of females are 'running YOUR country'?

[dirtyharry02]

if hillary gets in, all men in america will be fighting in Iraq, Iran, etc. just to get rid of us, so the women can rule the country.

[dirtyharry02]

John Edwards was raised without money, he earned his way into law school and as far all you people that are dogging him for getting a law degree to make money, what the hell else would you want to do with a law degree. Jesus Christ people, let's get a change with this country, I think this guy is the one to do it, and a positive change at that! so far, he's got my vote.

[randalds]

He and his wife got it from suing doctors and hospitals..........

Posted by perception5 at 01:33 PM : Feb 02, 2007

He earned it defending people who were victims of some of the most gross malpractice you've ever heard of. Have you bothered to look at the causes of some the people he's defended? Do so. Victims deserve compensation and none of them are getting money without deserving it. If you punish a doctor or hospital for *** up and it doesn't hurt...bad...then why should they change their ways? Yes he's making money and earning every dime of it.

[perception5]

Give us a break with the liberal propaganda. Edwards and his wife Liz reported a net worth of $35 million during the 2004 election. John didn't get that $35 million from being the "son of a mill worker". He and his wife got it from suing doctors and hospitals..........
It's time we Americans stop these vampires from feeding on our institutions. Multipy John's millions X's thousands of other vampire trial lawyers and "that's" why health care cost so much......

[antoniof123]

I am very happy to say this but it does not matter who runs against a Republican in 2008 they will win. I mean the only one that will get in is a loser so we do not have to worry about a Republican. Thank you god for small favors. The real question is how many seats will the Republicans lose this coming election. They have done so much for us here in America. They have cut taxes for the rich and so on.

[drdilemma]

Seems like a copout to ride on the shoulders of the middle class and let the wealthy continue on their free ride. He sounds great accept gas prices and taxes. Personal savings is at an all time low and personal debt, meaning the cost of living is breaking the majority of our country, and Edwards wants to put more strain on the middle and lower class. Hmmm.

Edwards is my choice! Sharp, appealing, savvy...I really like his political stance!

[sharncedar]

I too am in love with Edwards. But does that make me love Obama less? Will Obama be jealous, now that I'm in gushing love with Edeards?

I love Obama's ears, they are cute. But I love Edwards too, he is tough and tkes on the special interests, and like a furry teddy bear his smile is so nice. And the other things the nice news people said, he must be wonderful. And he's famous and all.

Tough to be a Democrat these days, so many pretty men to love. Or should I vote for a woman like Hillary, to show my support for women's rights? I love her too, she really cares about people.

I can't wait to vote. And I LOVE the fact that my vote cancels out the vote of some intelligent person who spent months thinking about the candidates and what's best for the country. I vote for the prettiest smile! And there are millions of Democrats like me, and we LOVE to cancel out the votes ten times over of all those people who read news (yuck!) and all those who can read ... as if. Yawn.

[gunownerdan]

At least John Edwards isn't a rabid anti-gun libnazi like Obama, Clinton, and Biden!
Go Edwards!

[sheckyodell]

Listen, ANYBODY but another phony, ex-cheerleader with no life experience. I miss NIXON!

[agnim]

The problem with these guys is that they are all LOST; AND THEY LACK VISION FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR AMERICA!

While Edwards has the right attitude and courage, his lack of vision will do nothing much to bring America out of the rut, in which our present lost leader was unbelievably handed the reins to take 300 million half-awake citizens.