Another great thread by Armstead.....

[Catchawave]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3825522

The knock on Edwards is that he is hypocritical because he is a rich guy pretending to be a populist. And he was a garden variety centrist when in the Senate. And thus he is a hypocrite in his current campaign.

I'll admit that I had to think about that myself. And yet, after seeing him actually being interviewed and listening to his campaign rhetoric and looking into him, I believe he really is being totally sincere -- and that those same things used against him are actually advantages.

After the 04 election, Edwards had many options. He could have easily stayed in Washington and joined the revolving door of corporate lobbyists, lawyers and insiders. Or he could have returned home and his lucrative law practice. He could have also simply lived off his wealth and never try to accomplish anything.

Any one of them would have been the pasth of least resistance. In fact, he did take a step in that direction, by signing on as a consultant to a hedge fund.

But ultimately, he rejected that and chose to dedicate himself to public service and re-join the political fray instead of coasting on his money and connections.

To me that indicates character and commitment to what he says he believes in. (Especially since his wife has cancer, which was an additional incentive to go for the easy way.)

Also, one cannot chalk up his current campaign to blind ambition and political opportunism. If that were the case, he could he run as a centrist this time, and simply tried to appeal to those who are "anti-Hillary" as the "pragmatic alternative."

Instead he chose to carry a more risky message. To me, that is another sign that he really means it.

[asdjrocky]

1. Yeah-

I love the stuff he/she writes.

[frogmarch]

2. Yes,

Armstead's posts are magnificent.

[Plucketeer]

3. Write ON!

I love it. I personally think John had an epiphany, but it was one that took place over a span of time. He knows what it's like to be middle class (actually, LOWER middle class by my standards - much like I grew up). He - as has been written - took stock of his own good fortune and realized he had a chance to make a difference for all those who've struggled just to have the mediocre accoutremants of a comfortable existence not far from the "edge". Certainly an upbringing QUITE UNLIKE the frat boy ass hole we're suffering under now!
Ultimately, JE decides that he'll try to bring his roots along WITH him instead of just dancing ON them. I'm betting JE CAN'T talk to us like he has been and not at least TRY his level best to deliver on what his visions are!
If there's a god - and he's truly spoken to and thru George W - then the LAST thing I'll do is pray to that god to have a hand in JE's fate. If said god had a hand in the literal and figurative torture that W's wroght upon humanity, that god is not the god of compassion that's talked about in the bible.

:evilgrin: