John Edwards Makes His Case

In Iowa Polls, The Democratic Hopeful Is No Distant Third, And Is Still Arguing He’s Most Electable

(CBS)  In Hillary Clinton’s corner, the most dominant Democratic politician of his generation. In Barack Obama’s corner, the most dominant media figure of her generation.

It’s just one more explanation for why the Democratic nomination is so often seen as a two-person race.

But at least in Iowa, the numbers tell a different story, CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield reports. It’s a virtual three-way dead heat.

“Well, you can’t count Edwards out,” said Ann Selzer, who directs the Des Moines Register poll.

She points to former vice presidential nominee John Edwards’ strong second place showing four years ago.

“He's been through this before and he knows what it is to surge at the end,” she said.

So what is John Edwards doing? As he did for years ago, he's crisscrossing the state of Iowa arguing that he is the most electable Democrat based on who he is, where he's from, and what he's for.

Part of the argument is geographic.

“I'm the one candidate on our side who's actually won in a red state and grew up in small town rural American,” Edwards said in Iowa. “And I might add, you know, as a practical matter, the last two Democrats who were elected president of the United States, they talked like this.”

But he also links that working-class background to his core political argument: a frankly populist attack on corporate wealth and power.

“The power in government, in our country, has become concentrated in the few, affects every single thing that's happening,” he said.

It's the theme of a new ad linking his campaign to his wife's life-threatening illness:

"And Elizabeth and I decided we're not going to quietly go away," he says in an ad. "Instead we're going to go out and fight for what it is we believe in."

Edwards end game is simple: find the Iowa Democrats who want change, convince them that change requires a fighter and not Obama's intention to be a healer.

And hope for a win here that turns a two way fight into a three-way
fight everywhere.

[rfcnj68]

Hey how about Ron Paul wins the prez and brings Edwards in as vice prez

[oscar19861]

A CNN poll just came out showing that Edwards beats all the Republicans by the largest margins, and that he is the strongest candidate for the general election.

The poll also showed McCain was the strongest Republican, although he too lost to Edwards.

It is time for people to stop flirting with a Hillary or Obama candidacy, and realize that Edwards is the most electable.

[terrapin78]

Hey how about Ron Paul wins the prez and brings Edwards in as vice prez

Posted by rfcnj68 at 06:57 PM : Dec 11, 2007

NO!!!!!!!!

Won''t happen. No Repug as Prez again!

[denn034]

Don''t care. Besides, I missed where it explains why I should care. In the end, the only good that can come from this is that it keeps Clinton from getting the nomination.

[creeper00]

I live in Iowa and will be at the caucuses in January. After months of watching the candidates I''ve finally made my decision. John Edwards has my vote.

He''s far and away the most genuine of the Democratic candidates. Edwards knows what it''s like to struggle from one paycheck to another. His roots are never far away. Best of all, he''s willing to learn from his mistakes and admit to them freely.

I''ll be proud to stand for him.

[samthetvcat]

"A CNN poll just came out showing that Edwards beats all the Republicans by the largest margins, and that he is the strongest candidate for the general election.

The poll also showed McCain was the strongest Republican, although he too lost to Edwards.

It is time for people to stop flirting with a Hillary or Obama candidacy, and realize that Edwards is the most electable."

Posted by oscar19861

Hey great find with the poll . . . those McCain numbers are troubling. This poll was taken before the big Oprah and Bubba blitzes this weekend, but on the other hand realistically there are probably a substantial number of ''centrists'' who like to think they''re ready for a woman or a black to be president who when it comes down to it really aren''t. My first choices would be Obama and then Hillary, but if their ability to win the general election comes into doubt I think we Dems need to abort and go with Edwards. He''ll do a good job, he''s just more left than I''d prefer . . . but he''s WAY better than any of the RepubliCons BY FAR (imo LOL!)

[samthetvcat]

Here''s the numbers so people know what they are and don''t have to go searching for them:

1a. Hillary vs Rudy: 51% to 45%
1b. Hillary vs Mitt: 54% to 43%
1c. Hillary vs McCain: 48% to 50% (YIKES!)
1d. Hilary vs Huckabee: 54% to 44%

2a. Barack vs Rudy: 52% to 45%
2b. Barack vs Mitt: 54% to 41%
2c. Barack vs McCain: 48% to 48% (EEK!)
2d. Barack vs Huckabee: 55% to 40%

3a. Edwards vs Rudy: 53% to 44%
3b. Edwards vs Mitt: 59% to 37%
3c. Edwards vs McCain: 52% to 44%
3d. Edwards vs Huckabee: 60% to 35%

(Poll conducted Dec. 6-9/07, +/-3 margin of error, http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/12/11/tue6ampoll.pdf )

[samthetvcat]

PPS You think Edwards could have won the Presidency if he had gotten the nom in ''04? Like does that mean we gave the nom to the wrong guy in ''04, or have times just changed? I wonder . . .

Also I wonder, were they doing these match-up polls in ''04? If so were they showing that Kerry would actually win? Like are they reliable? If not then does weathering the RepuliCon slime attacks then become a factor?

[sgtrds]

He''s got my vote if he''s in it when the primaries reach California. I''m hoping for an Edwards/Clark ticket. Still, if he doesn''t get the nomination I''ll be voting for anyone the Democrats nominate as there''s not a single republican running that''s worth pis*sing on if they burst into flames.

[nyckate]

I''ve been an Edwards supporter since 2004 - in fact I thought he should have been the candidate then not Kerry.

Polls show that Edwards beats every single GOP candidate -- he IS the most electable candidate period.

So why are we still hearing only about Hillary and Obama?? Put them on a freaking reality show and let the grownups get on with fixing the country.

[blancadebree]

America doesn''t want a President who knows what is like to worry about where the next meal is coming from, how to pay the bills, and what to do if someone gets sick. We want rich spoiled brats, who don''t know anything about, and care nothing for the regular folk. After all, it was the Republicans who called the so-called "little guy" a myth on the floor of the House. And we all saw how popular the Republican Congress was! If Americans cared about average Joe, we wouldn''t pay any attention to what Paris Hilton did. We would follow the exploits of the mechanic from Spokane who can''t pay his mortgage and has three sick kids.

http://blancadebree.blogspot.com

[ontheleft]

After 8 years of division, this country doesn''t need another divider and I see Hillary as a divider. Looks like she''s on track to getting the nomination. While winning in 2008 would be easy for a moderate Democrat like Edwards, it''s going to be an uphill battle for unlikable Hillary with all the baggage she comes along with.

Edwards is the candidate who stands for my core values. I like all the Democrats but he is the cream of the crop!

[samthetvcat]

Just an update on the head-to-head polls, there''s a site called RealClearPolitics.com that lists the results of all the major polls (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/national.html) and nobody''s safe against everybody on all polls, not even Edwards. Here are some revised predictions:

1a. Hillary vs Giuliani, Romney = wins
1bc. Hillary vs McCain = LOSES by 2 with CNN, wins with Fox, Gallup

2a. Barack vs Romney = wins
2b. Barack vs Giuliani = TIE with Gallup, wins with CNN, Rasmussen, Bloomberg
2c. Barack vs McCain = TIE with CNN, Rasmussen; wins with Gallup

3a. Edwards vs Romney = win
3b. Edwards vs Giuliani = TIE with Rasmussen, wins with CNN, Newsweek
3c. Edewards vs McCain = TIE with Quinnipiac, wins with CNN, Rasmussen

Like who we pick might depend on who gets the Repub nom. If Rudy wins the nom, then maybe the nom ought to go to Hillary. If McCain wins the nom, then maybe the nom ought to go to Edwards. If Romney or Huckabee win the nom, then it would be safe to go with Barack (or Edwards or Hillary . . . )

Gosh, a little too close for comfort . . .

[samthetvcat]

PS By ''predictions'' I don''t mean they''re my predictions, they''re what the polls found - those kind of predictions. You can see the specific numbers by clicking on the link :)

[jsilver2th]

Go John Go
I hope he is still in by the time we get to vote in may.

[infidel_us]

Is this ''Love John Edwards'' week at CBS? Yesterday, we were treated to the gushing story of how he worked his way up from the coal mines of South Carolina.

Now it''s the comparison of Edwards to Rocky Balboa.....he''s down....he''s a long shot.....but don''t count him out!

Pathetic leftwing blather!!!!

[omega39-2009]

Posted by SamTheTVCat

Sam, the election is still 11 months away with hundreds of millions of dollars of "dirt" about to hit the airwaves. I don''t believe specific polls this far out are useful because most people aren''t really paying attention yet.

[mbcsmith]

Ms Edwards is a joke. she has amassed a $35 million dollar fortune by stealing money from the sick and injured. TORT REFORM NOW!

[nc_mom]

When we evaluate people for jobs, we consider experiences and references. Regrettably, this North Carolinian who once voted for Edwards can%u2019t give him a good reference.

Edwards has no experience putting ideas into action. He never held any kind of office, even PTA, before his single win (against a guy Forbes dubbed %u201Csenator for sale%u201D). He abandoned his senatorial duties to campaign for himself. His constituent services were terrible%u2014to the point of embarrassing other Democratic office-holders who sent constituents to him for help. After losing, Edwards started a think tank that had no measurable impact on our state.

More importantly, Edwards has never carried a single issue through all the politics of this state, let alone Congress.

Then there%u2019s the hypocrisy. Unlike other wealthy people, Edwards chose to make his commitment to the poor his central issue. Why, then, didn%u2019t he choose to build a modest 1.5 million mansion instead of a 6.5 million, and put that $5 million into nonprofits that help the poor, and amount that could keep many nonprofits going 50 years. What percent of his income does he give to charity? Studies show lower-income people give a greater percentage of their income; if Edwards is truly committed to the poor, he%u2019d be giving the same percentage as lower-income folks%u2014and telling us about it.

In conclusion, Edwards doesn%u2019t have the experience or true commitment to be president.

[lisainmilo]

"Go John Go
I hope he is still in by the time we get to vote in may. "

Posted by jsilver2th

I agree! I want a change of direction in this country and I believe he will fight to give us that.
John Edwards 2008

[beachroses]

I have been telling the people who work for John Edwards *for years* to take me off his mailing list and they refuse. The last time, I told them if they didn''t stop, I was going to take action as is my right. I just got something else from them this morning!! Are you kidding or what??? That is not only inconsiderate of me, my time and my space, it is AGAINST THE LAW. He doesn''t care about anyone or what''s legal, he is so greedy for power and money and that Presidential seat he''s been running for since day 1 of entering office as our Senator in NC, nothing would stop him. He rarely showed up for work then, either. I''m reporting him to the police.

[prinzowhales]

I''m from North Carolina and have never had a satisfactory communication with his office...from communications regarding the fraudulent case for war against Iraq to those arguing against the expansion of Big Pharma''s FDA'' authority over supplements and herbals.

Still, compared with Hillary, Obama and the rest of the mainstream, he is the pick of the pack.

Dennis Kucinich stands head and shoulders above all of the Democrats. He has actually done real yeoman''s service for the people of Cleveland by keeping their public utility out of the clutches of the banksters. He voted against the war.

I''m voting for Ron Paul...but I respect Dennis Kucinich--and Mike Gravel. They all have one thing in common--they haven''t sold out to the Estabishment--and, because of this the Establishment''s mainstream media is not giving them the media exposure that the banker-supported candidates are getting...not surprisingly, all three were left off Katie Couric''s ten question love fest.

[dianeboise08]

Stop it with all the John Edwards bashing. Could we just maybe possibly look at all the candidates with an open mind.

Or, if we don''t happen to like a person or disagree with their views, must we continue with the unnecessary bashing of any candidate you do not believe in-for crying out loud already - grow up and talk civilly!!

[tacyr1242]

Sumner Redstone has contributed to Hillary''s campaign and to Edward''s. So, guess who''s going to get airtime and, as a result, get nominated.

[infidel_us]

Hugo Chavez has endorsed Edwards. Does anyone really need to know any more than that? I mean anyone besides Danny Glover, Sean Penn, and Harry Belafonte?

[mattcbsmatt]

Candidates Reveal Their Biggest Mistakes

Candidates Reveal they think illegal immigration is legal?
Even though there is a hint in the phrase illegal immigration. : )

He thinks illegal immigration is legal?
Which presidential candidate can answer this very difficult question? Is illegal immigration, illegal?

[sgtrds]

Edwards/Clark ''08. Unstoppable.

[rowdytexan2]

lol, I also find it rather impossible to believe that a man that lives in a $6.5 million dollar mansion is the best advocate for the poor and needy.

And the few plans that he finally came up with after he quit HIllary bashing with every breath, have not just wow''d the pants off me either.

Just because HE believes he is the best advocate for the American people does not make it so.