Hillary Deflated

[im10ashus]

Ari Berman

Keep an eye on John Edwards.

As our own Bob Moser reported last year, the former Veep nominee has been aggressively courting the Democratic base, through his anti-poverty initiative, outreach to key groups such as labor and visits to high-profile electoral states.

He's kept himself a contender in '08, even as the press obsesses over Hillary. In a new poll of likely Iowa caucus voters released yesterday, Edwards beats Clinton 30 to 26 percent. It's the first time Hillary has trailed in a potential '08 match-up. And it's proof that Edwards's five trips to Iowa this year--and nine in the past two years--are paying off.

Yesterday, Edwards stumped for Chet Culver, the Democratic challenger for Governor. Clinton hasn't visited the Hawkeye state since 2003. And another poll released last week showed her beating Al Gore by just two points when New Yorkers were asked who'd make a better president.

cont'd...

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?bid=15

[liberalmuse]

1. Gore/Edwards!

Man, would I love to vote on that ticket!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. Gore said he's not running but your ticket is half right liberalmuse

Edwards is a lurking landslide that has capacity to blow the Republican Culture of Corruption to Hell.

[Rosco T.]

8. Gore has NOT said he's not running...

He's danced carefully all around that issue time and time again, leaving just enough wiggle room so he can answer the "will of the people"... and read the story on Tipper posted elsewhere...



http://www.cafepress.com/democatic

[sallyseven]

10. Yes he has said he is not running.

[Rosco T.]

12. No, he has NOT... show me the quote and the link....

he has not said "I am not running for President." (note the period)

He's said "I don't ANTICIPATE running..."
He's said "I don't see the CIRCUMSTANCES of running..."

but not "I AM NOT RUNNING".

[saltpoint]

11. Love ya, JG, but Gore actually was far more coy than that.

He said he "has no plans at this time" to pursue a White House run.

That's kinda like me sayin' I don't feel like doin' the dishes just this second. But I wind up doin' 'em later just the same.

He's been too high profile to count out, I believe.

[jsamuel]

3. He seems to be the only one who is continuously talking about poverty

[PATRICK]

4. The lesson that Edwards should learn

is the one Feingold is pushing. Waiting to be the default candidate is the surest way to early retirement. Not only should he be doing the early and hard groundbreaking to be a solid first and early contender, AND personally knock off the other name recogs, but he should remember the populist success and what it means to REALLY get out front and lead. he spent the whole campaign merely getting the recog benefit and wisely pocketed it to move on to the real work and the next level, next presidential nominee or not. It's the national crisis, not the ambition. And people most remember his populist passion. That too was pocketed and he moved on, ambition pocketed and closeted and moved on.

I hope he is the one to learn and practice the full lesson of what the times demand of leadership- or someone. Past behavior is too often extremely determinative of subsequent performance. The "new Nixon" was just more of the old "Nixon" is a more deceitful, softer, distinguished package. All the Dems need is to be themselves, for the love of God! and seize the day and apply their smarts and experience, and fight and not just say the word. The people define the strategy because the people are DETERMINED to vote for the one who leads on their real desires and expectations. None of them give a damn about a flag burning amendment or video games or ribbon cutting in upstate NY, or self created legends of "centrism".

[im10ashus]

5. How about a Edwards and Feingold ticket?

I don't care who is on top of the ticket, I just think they are both strong candidates with combined progressive values that speak to me.

:shrug:

[Dhalgren]

6. They are both good-looking, articulate, personable, and smart.

They both have progressive and populist bona fides and they give the ticket that much sought after North/South split. Not a bad pairing...

[William769]

7. Thats not saying much for Edwards.

Considering people are pitting him against someone who is not running on 08.

ON EDIT: spelling.

[saltpoint]

9. Edwards has enormous appeal and a good heart. Also he has a

terrific wife.

A lot of voters in either party will pay attention to what Edwards has to say. In the wake of Bush tax cuts and corporate sweetheart deals, a populist who concentrates on One America and not two will cut quite a swath across the country.

It's going to be Gore, Kerry, or Edwards topping our ticket.