Hey Edwards Supporters !!! - Did You See This ???

[WillyT]

It's by Brent Budowsky

<snip>

...

Here is my first formal prediction in this new role: I predict that virtually everyone you hear on cable and network television is wrong and neither party’s nomination will be decided on Super Tuesday. I predict that the most likely
time the Democratic nomination will be decided will be on the day that Ohio and Texas vote, with the real possibility the Republican fight continues beyond that day.

Remember where you heard it, folks: When the insiders tell you “the campaign is over,” hold on to your wallet with both hands, because when they all agree, as they almost always do, they are almost always wrong. We will see who is right, but I do not believe that the nomination of either party will be decided on Super Tuesday unless some non-campaign mega-disaster befalls one of the leading Democrats, which is highly unlikely.

Now we are probably in the closing act of the last stand of John Edwards, who now has three options. If he withdraws and supports Barack Obama, he might become the kingmaker, if not the king. Second, if he continues on the current course, he probably runs out of money and flames out without any chance.

Edwards has a third option, and I predict this, which you have not yet heard on the cable talkies, but soon will: If Edwards slightly retools his message back towards his “two Americas” of 2004, he has a chance to win the upcoming
debate so decisively that he will be able to take his case to an Alamo-like stand in Texas and Ohio.

You heard it here first: John Edwards has a chance to thoroughly win the upcoming debates with a smaller number of candidates and a greater chance to get out his message, but he must retool the message. Angry populism alone does not win presidential campaigns, and he had every chance in Iowa, where he virtually lived for six years, and it did not happen.

Edwards should return to his 2004 roots, combining a progressive populism with an optimism about what America can be if he is elected. He should talk about two Americas among voters, but also the greater America that is possible with Edwards as president and a Democratic House and Senate.

As the economy moves to center stage and the injustice and bad economics of the Bush viewpoint come to the center of our national debate, Edwards should reach beyond mere anger and offer policies of hope and reach out to Middle American families and working-class voters with hard but uplifting visions that he would champion during the coming debates.

Edwards should champion a freeze of the Grapes of Wrath-style foreclosures that are driving America towards recession, and champion substantial cuts in interest rates to help the average American.

Edwards should oppose the Bush vision of permanently extending tax cuts that are the gold standard for injustice, and champion tax cuts for the middle class and refundable tax cuts or other assistance for the poor that will stimulate the national economy and help the two Americas become one America for a rising tide that would lift all boats.

Edwards should oppose corporate giveaways while supporting business incentives for safe renewable alternative energy and visibly champion those business sectors that would help the new America.

Edwards should call for national usury laws that would ban outright credit card interest rates that rise above 30 percent for good customers, with good credit card histories, who miss only one or two payments.

Edwards should escalate his noble support for homeless veterans and make a direct appeal to military families as well as Middle America, because on issues like healthcare, they are all part of the one America we seek, and all shortchanged, in the same way, for the same reasons, by the same forces, in the two Americas we have.

Edwards can win the upcoming debates, and win them big, but to do so, must reconnect with the broader Middle America — which he has not done in 2008. In 2004 he argued populism with optimism; in 2008 he argues populism with anger. He was right the first time, and just as John McCain adjusted back towards his message of 2000, Edwards should adjust back towards his message of 2004.

...

<snip>

Link: http://pundits.thehill.com/2008/01/11/the-last-stand-of-john-edwards/

Interesting analysis.

:shrug:

[Labors of Hercules]

1. Hey John and Joe, good advice here for you!! nt.

[Kajsa]

2. Willy, PLEASE send this to Edwards!

These are great suggestions!

:thumbsup: :D

[stravu9]

3. Yes, Do send this to him.

With the other tru now trying to steal his message, I've even heard them quote him verbatum, he needs to throw them a curve ball.

[ClericJohnPreston]

4. Send it to the campaign!

If you vare unsure how, please PM.

[WillyT]

5. I Sent It To His "Hot Tips" E-Mail Account Through The Campaign

Is there a better way?

:shrug:

[B Calm]

6. I have always thought that Edwards will somehow win this nomination.

[Inspired]

7. Yes, Two Americas and electability. n/t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. We've (Texas Democrats) been speculating that we may become important.

Oh, and Edwards won our Texas straw poll.

[WillyT]

9. Yep... You, Ohio, Rhode Island, And Vermont (March 4th)

Somebody the other day thought that the rePukes would be decided in Pennsylvania (April 22).

JANUARY 2008
• January 3: Iowa
• January 8: New Hampshire
• January 5: Wyoming (R)
• January 15: Michigan
• January 19: Nevada, South Carolina (R)
• January 26: South Carolina (D)
• January 29: Florida

FEBRUARY 2008
• February 1: Maine (R)
• February 5: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia,
Idaho (D), Illinois, Kansas (D), Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico (D),
New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah
• February 9: Louisiana, Kansas (R)
• February 10: Maine (D)
• February 12: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
• February 19: Hawaii (D)1, Washington, Wisconsin

MARCH 2008
• March 4: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont
• March 8: Wyoming (D)
• March 11: Mississippi

APRIL 2008
• April 22: Pennsylvania

MAY 2008
• May 6: Indiana, North Carolina
• May 13: Nebraska, West Virginia
• May 20: Kentucky, Oregon
• May 27: Idaho (R)

JUNE 2008
• June 3: Montana, New Mexico (R), South Dakota

AUGUST 2008
• August 25-28: Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado

SEPTEMBER 2008
• September 1-4: Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

Link (.pdf file): http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=92

:shrug:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. Just once I'd really like my vote to be relevant

And if my vote could help elect Edwards as our candidate all the better!


Found an article re: Texas Democratic straw poll favoring Edwards.

Edwards tops Texas Democrats' straw poll

Obama, Clinton trail him in state party's ePrimary survey

AUSTIN – Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards has won a Texas straw poll conducted on the Internet, state Democratic Chairman Boyd Richie announced Monday.

Mr. Edwards, a former North Carolina senator who was the party's vice presidential nominee in 2004, attracted nearly 38 percent of the 8,101 votes cast, Mr. Richie said.

Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York finished second and third, respectively. Mr. Obama drew 21 percent, and Ms. Clinton, 20 percent. Five others split the remaining votes cast in the Texas Democratic Party's recent weeklong ePrimary Poll.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-dems_11tex.ART.State.Edition1.4214f70.html

[PufPuf23]

11. Good Stuff !! Thanks

Go Edwards and thanks for the primary schedule too.