Why is Edwards seen as more 'experienced' than Obama? Both one term senators

[synesthesia]

I see threads like, 'Obama is qualified to run for highschool president with his resume' frequently on here.

I never saw such things about Edwards THIS cycle. Funny thing is..

Both one term senators, but Obama had almost a decade in state senate, unlike Edwards.

This is not to bash Edwards, but people should ask themselves why the double standard? Is it racism? I do not believe so.

I think it has to do with the fact Edwards was on a VP ticket with Kerry in 2004. I think people equate campaigning for experience now. Interesting.

[thunder rising]

1. Gotta link ... I've never seen such arguements. But then it's not an issue anymore.

[synesthesia]

2. yes

Link here, this thread was a response to this thread I just saw on the front page.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4345233&mesg_id=4345233

But these type of threads come up all the time, about Obama's lack of experience, underqualification etc. It's even the media narrative most of the time.

I'm an objective person. Not trying to say it's true or not. But it's interesting how it's never applied to Edward, who has less of a resume in terms of being in the government (which doesn't even count for much in my opinion anyways).

Just want to see people's opinions as to why.

[splat]

3. Life experience, maybe

Spinning out on curves makes you tough.

[synesthesia]

4. *

Look, I'm not trying to shill for Obama but, they both have great life experience.

Edwards fought large corporations in court most of his life, had the poverty center.

Obama was a community organizer, worked for a civil rights defense firm, was a lecturer for constitutional law at the U of Chicago

It's at best, a wash

and Obama has the 8 or so years in the state senate.

So why the double standard? Anyone ever ask themselves this?

[splat]

6. I don't mean political resumes, I mean real life

Time, tragedy and failure, the inevitable challenges of life, build layers of strength and endurance. And, in Edwards' case, intelligent compassion. Compassion only comes after you've been destroyed and rallied. It toughens you in a good way.

Obama doesn't feel seasoned yet.

[Levgreee]

19. Obama's father left when he was 2, his mother died from cancer at 60

His mom was the most important person in his life, so he had to adjust to living without her.
He grew up without much much money, raised by a single mother and his grandparents.

I don't know all the other details(should read his first book for that), but what else does Obama have to put up with to have "life experience" and compassion?

[cgrindley]

12. There's no comparison between a community organizer and a personal injury lawyer

Edwards fought large corporations to make himself rich off the misery of other people. He made hundreds of millions of dollars in these lawsuits. I don't see him as some sort of victim rights crusader but as a parasite. An ambulance chasing ghoul who got obscenely rich off of human misery and hardship. I honestly find it disgusting. He is part of the problem. He typifies America's overly litigious nature. He typifies the broken nature of healthcare in the country. I don't care what he says. I only care what he does. And what he did was gross.

[jackson_dem]

14. Rudy is that you?

[cgrindley]

17. So Edwards didn't get rich that way? So Obama's legal experience is...

Nice try.

[jackson_dem]

23. You channeled Rudy Giuliani and his talking points on health care and lawyers

[cgrindley]

24. Personal injury lawyers do indeed suck, health care has been hurt by them

Edwards is indeed part of the problem. That's not a repuke point. It's a fact. Health care in this country is broken and one of the many many reasons why it's broken is asshole personal injury lawyers.

[jackson_dem]

33. Then vote for a candidate who sides with corporations, etc. instead of ordinary folk's rights to sue

[Yossariant]

5. State Senate is a part time job --- and Barack took the "part time" very seriously..

Edwards was a US Senator for twice as long as Barack has been.

And if you include all the "Presents" and "Absents" - - maybe three or four times as long.
:evilgrin:

[ArkySue]

7. I didn't think Edwards was qualified last time...

or this time. Sorry.

[The Traveler]

8. Edwards is qualified

because his **experience** has caused him to achieve the correct diagnosis. There is a gross imbalance of power between the corporations and the people. Period.

Edwards is not anti-corporation. He is not anti-business. He is all about restoring a sane and healthy balance, and understands this cannot be achieved in a kumbaya moment.

Make no mistake. We cannot, as he said, eliminate poverty tomorrow. But we could do it in thirty years. We really could. And if you believe that ... if you believe that is really possible ... then how can you not swear to that purpose.

Edwards calls forth from me things Obama dares not name. Different lessons from their experiences. Obama is in a real sense where Edwards was at in 2004.

Still, Obama is a good man ... and I would not hesitate to vote for him in the general election.

[jackson_dem]

9. People said Edwards wasn't inexperienced last time he ran

Edwards has been at a high level in politics for a decade now. Obama has for three years. That's the difference. Edwards was considered inexperienced in 2004 even though he had five years under his belt while Obama had two before he began running for president.

[synesthesia]

29. *

Wait, so the argument is, because he was inexperienced in 2004, he can't be this time? You said because he's been 'in politics'. But since 2004, he hasn't been?

I don't get the logic. The fact he's been 'known', in politics, for longer, despite not having BEEN IN politics, since 2004, is experience? Seriously?

As for him serving 5 years in the Senate before running versus 3 years for Obama, come on. Those 2 extra years of pushing paper around? That's substantial?

[calmblueocean]

10. That's a good point.

Seriously, did Edwards receive a single question during the 2007-2008 debates regarding whether he was experienced enough to be prez? If he did, I don't remember it.

[jackson_dem]

15. He did in 2003 starting with the first debate on ABC

[cgrindley]

11. Edwards wasn't even a very good senator

I have no idea why his supporters are basically deciding to betray the Democratic party. Their behavior is bordering on delusional with their continued support for a candidate who was soundly beaten and who dropped out. They're going to waste their votes in the primary--throw them away, to try to prove some point that doesn't even make sense. Supporting yet another rich white southerner... someone who claims to represent the poor and who yet is a wealthy personal injury lawyer who lives in the largest house in his state. I don't like Edwards. I don't trust or believe a word he says. I'm glad he's out of the race, and I hope that Hillary or Obama can win without Edwards supporters--who are basically setting themselves up to be the scapegoats that Nader supporters have been in the past. Think about that. If McCain wins due to Edwards' supporters being assholes, then they're going to get all the scorn and hate that Nader supporters got.

[angie_love]

16. ...

Right, i'm sick of these "i'm still going to vote for Edwards" posts. Fine go ahead and vote for him, waste your vote, I don't freakin care. I just find it funny that they post that shit every 2 minutes like we care. Like one who started a whole thread about it.

[jackson_dem]

18. Edwards has spent millions of his own wealth to help the poor

How much has your candidate given? Edwards spent millions to build after school computer labs for the poor after his son died. He also was involved with Urban Ministries, an anti-poverty group before his political career began. Has gives a ton away each year in charity. He created a poverty center and edited a book which included the best minds in the nation on the issue of poverty. Because of him many children who otherwise could not go to college were able to do so. I'll stack this record up with the record of what any politician does when the limelight is not shining.

You don't like Edwards. You basically revealed why in your post:

"Supporting yet another rich white southerner... someone who claims to represent the poor and who yet is a wealthy personal injury lawyer who lives in the largest house in his state. I don't like Edwards."

[cgrindley]

21. Your "candidate's" money is dirty

you really don't want to get into that. Nothing he did, does or can do will clean that money.

[jackson_dem]

22. He earned his money representing ordinary folks who were wronged

It is called justice. Lemme guess. You support the candidate who voted to limit the right of folks wronged by corporations to sue?

[cgrindley]

25. He made nearly 10 million dollars from a girl whose intestines were sucked out

He took his third plus expenses. That's fucking sick.

[Darth_Kitten]

30. Would Obama the Automoton even CARE about this girl?

n/t

[cali]

31. Don't be idiotic

Obama went straight from college to working for the poor and disenfranchised in Chicago's inner city. After completing law school, he returned to Chicago to practice civil rights law. In the Illinois Senate he was an advocate for children's health care. MUCH better record than Mr. Hedge Fund, kittums.

[ErnestoG]

13. I'm tempted to think it's his skin color....

but of course the Hillars KNOW that would be impossible....right?

Right?

[jackson_dem]

20. He had a different skin color five years ago?

[ErnestoG]

26. What does that mean?

[jackson_dem]

32. Edwards had the same skin color five years ago when his experience was also questioned

Obamites can't blame everything that doesn't go according to the script on racism.

[FrenchieCat]

27. Well,

This video states otherwise!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x89389

[MonkeyFunk]

28. Edwards finished his term

so he DID have more Senate experience.