Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Spike89

(1,569 posts)
37. Yup, he didn't even really try to rehabilitate his voting record
Thu May 31, 2012, 05:33 PM
May 2012

I'm sure there is a chance he could get past the adultery thing with a significant portion of the public, especially without his former wife around to get in the way. It would take time, but in a few years it becomes "the past" and the "old John Edwards. I really don't care.
What I was disgusted by and won't ever let go of was his cynical attempt to be the "poverty" candidate without repudiating his prior voting record (particularly the anti-bankruptcy bills he got behind). He also was a co-sponsor of the Iraq war, but ran as being against the war without adequately explaining (admitting) his serious error. It was obvious to me that his "getting in front" of the Iraq invasion was calculated to help him politically, but when the public became disenchanted with the war, he just flopped to the other side.
I do not have a problem with candidates changing their positions if they can show/convince me that THEY have changed. It only makes me angry when they change their position because the POLLS have changed. John Edwards has never shown conviction on any issue that wasn't a slam-dunk politically. I could never support that sort of person.
Socially, John Edwards can "save" his reputation somewhat, politically, he is toast.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

You forgot to add rocktivity May 2012 #1
Done. n/t cynatnite May 2012 #7
highly unlikely. cali May 2012 #2
No. H2O Man May 2012 #3
He's a lying adulterer Amerigo Vespucci May 2012 #4
That ship sailed four years ago n/t RZM May 2012 #5
I never thought Michael Jackson would be able to step foot on the stage again, Not Me May 2012 #6
Not in my book. Liberal Veteran May 2012 #8
I think so hollysmom May 2012 #9
It's possible that he can reinvent himself... cynatnite May 2012 #10
It all depends on what he does and how much time he has left to do it. Uncle Joe May 2012 #11
He might star in next season's "The Bachelor" but beyond that... Motown_Johnny May 2012 #12
That you John?? n/t 2on2u May 2012 #13
No, but he doesn't have to obamanut2012 May 2012 #14
he doesn't give a flying fuck about those less fortunate cali May 2012 #15
I never bought what he was selling either RZM May 2012 #18
Yup, he didn't even really try to rehabilitate his voting record Spike89 May 2012 #37
Edwards is done aint_no_life_nowhere May 2012 #16
Sure. He can become a Republican. They'll love him. Scuba May 2012 #17
Probably the only chance he'd ever get in politics again. n/t cynatnite May 2012 #19
ask Gary Hart Johonny May 2012 #20
And, Eliot Spitzer. GoCubsGo May 2012 #41
Bill Clinton did. n/t grasswire May 2012 #21
Bill didn't father a child while cheating on a wife dying of cancer. JoePhilly May 2012 #23
Newt cheated on a wife with cancer and ran for president tabbycat31 May 2012 #31
Newt "came back" only if we count making an ass of yourself as "coming back". JoePhilly May 2012 #33
Other politicians have managed it. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Arkansas Granny May 2012 #22
Who the fuck cares. Baitball Blogger May 2012 #24
THink with your brain, not your emotions Pyrzqxgl May 2012 #25
Others have done just that. SoutherDem May 2012 #26
Not sure exactly what "rehabilitate" entails loyalsister May 2012 #27
I think so but it will take time ecstatic May 2012 #28
enough decades go by and he'll be a senior statesmen magical thyme May 2012 #29
The real question is, "Do you want a politician with this in his baggage?" OneTenthofOnePercent May 2012 #30
No way. Watching him give his self-serving speech after the trial brought back all my dislike for jenmito May 2012 #32
Yes, but he will have to work very hard to prove he has changed and learned from all the pain he sabrina 1 May 2012 #34
he's done... jorno67 May 2012 #35
Who cares? LiberalEsto May 2012 #36
Who cares? Fumesucker May 2012 #38
No and I hope we never hear from him again Raine May 2012 #39
He should lead an entirely private life the rest of his days. northoftheborder May 2012 #40
No chance in hell. morningfog May 2012 #42
I don't think so. undeterred May 2012 #43
Can? Will. And NOT because he deserves a second chance. n/t cherokeeprogressive May 2012 #44
I doubt seriously that he can rehabilitate his image chieftain May 2012 #45
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Can John Edwards rehabili...»Reply #37