The difference between Edwards and Obama
John Edwards should ponder what winner Barack Obama said after last night's Iowa caucuses:
"We are choosing hope over fear; we are choosing unity over division."
That almost could have come from Edwards four years ago.
What's the difference between Edwards and Obama in 2008? Both are youthful, charismatic men with comparable political experience. But Obama suddenly has surged out front in the Democratic race while Edwards looks to be in serious trouble.
Could it be that, this time, Edwards' rhetoric seems to emphasize fear over hope, division over unity? That Edwards is appealing to anger and envy, trying to build resentment against "those people" in Washington or wherever who supposedly are holding ordinary Americans down?
Some voters are bound to be stirred by demagoguery, and Edwards is good at it -- even though the message contradicts his own lavish lifestyle and support from hedge-fund associates and wealthy trial lawyers. But enough to overcome Obama? Not likely. I think Americans are more inclined to vote for a leader who makes them feel hopeful about their country rather than someone who merely works up a lather.
True, Edwards was the sunny candidate in 2004 and lost the nomination to John Kerry. But Kerry's credentials were just so superior to Edwards' that Democrats supported him almost out of a sense of obligation. Some may feel that way about Hillary Clinton now. But, at this moment, more seem to be happily enthusiastic about Obama.
If Edwards had stuck with his 2004 demeanor, he might be in that position.
The question now is whether he'll turn negative against Obama as he did against Clinton. If he does, it won't serve him well.
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John Edwards should ponder what winner Barack Obama said after last night's Iowa caucuses:* Doug
"We are choosing hope over fear; we are choosing unity over division."* OBama stealing a quote from FDR and changing it
I just don't understand why conservative republicans keep blaming Edwards for the fall and failure of their own party with his 400 dollar haircuts. I had no idea that those haircuts cause those WMD's to disappear from Iraq! If Obama and Edwards fear is working on the conservative republicans, than conservative republicans must be the most insecure people on the planet besides Hillary after this coming Tuesday in New Hampshire......Now that I think of it! Add the following republicans, Old Fred, Plastic Mitt, Gone with the Lord and Wind Huckabee, along with that infamous crossdresser and crimefighter Rudy to the list of fearmongers...
Posted on January 5, 2008 6:08 PM