It’s no secret, John Edwards is my number one (#1) candidate. I wasn’t disappointed with his second place showing in Iowa. Perhaps, I should have been. But, the Democratic trifecta in any order is a winner.
That said, I’m a little frustrated with Edwards’ campaign style. Someone cued him along the campaign path that “neo-con” was about as worn out and cliche as “slippery slope” and “at the end of the day”. Now, someone (Joe Trippi) needs to tell John Edwards that we get it about “fighting corporate greed.” WE GET IT! And, we are all for it. But, we need to hear the vision beyond that.
The young voters are out and ready to cast their votes for the first time. They are filled with hope and anticipation for their futures. They need to hear that they will have health care coverage when they go to work and that Edwards wants to make sure we all have continuing education for life. These voters are active, articulate, and educated. They have been swayed by charisma and rhetoric. And, I will concede that Obama would be my second choice. But, Edwards is a visionary with passion and experience. He isn’t an insider, but he has been inside. He can carry the nation if we ever get beyond the one repeated phrase the media plays over and over again. We know he’s a fighter. We know he’s against coporporate monopolies. And, to quote Paul Harvey…. “And, now… for the rest of the story.”
All one has to do is go to Edwards’ website and see that he is multi-diminsional, that he has plans beyond fighting corporate monopolies. He is the only Democratic candidate that has comprehensive plans for the issues, from military withdrawal from Iraq to a REAL universal health care plan. But, how many people are going to actually go to the website and read the issues. John, give us some teasers! At least mention the other issues. You don’t have to go negative on anyone. Just give us a taste of the hope you gave us in 2003.
I believe John Edwards is the best overall candidate. I believe John Edwards will be the best President. I just don’t understand why he isn’t telling us more about the issues that we all care about such as health care, education, bringing our men and women home from Iraq. The Edwards platform is elegant and intellectual. It is geared to the young and old alike. But, and I admit it, Edwards is starting to sound like a bitter battler that has tunnel vision. There is no middle class citizen that wouldn’t like to see the corporate bureaucrats brought back into line. But, once we kick their elephants, where is Edwards going to lead our asses?
