An otherwise excellent post. However, there are many, and have been some in the past, who don’t even have the luxury of having a car to “live in”.
Been there, done that not that many years ago. Not sure whether my changed circumstances are due to luck, divine intervention or something else. Either way I’m grateful but for some of the poverty stricken, even a car to live in would be a luxury. Respectfully submitted.

radlib1 @ 133

I think that’s his “persona” problem. He is a “softie” for all of the right reasons — but he definitely doesn’t have the “steel” of Hillary.

Edwards shows that he has the “feeling” for poor people, for all people — but, Hillary, like her or not (and I don’t, particularly) comes across as “strong” and “resolute” and all of that national security sh*t. Advantage, Hillary.

I agree. Edwards’ flinty edge is seen most clearly when he’s incensed that someone like Mr. Lowe is so clearly “playing by the rules” and still getting nowhere. Edwards has compassion and a great drive to “see things as they are and ask ‘Why?’ “

We live in the wealthiest country in the history of mankind and there is still great inequity and far too much real poverty. Many people, as Michael Moore points out in his movie SiCKO, think they’re secure, but find out otherwise when health care problems arise. These problems must be addressed.

The Rich often refer to this as ‘class warfare’, but it isn’t. It’s caring for ALL Americans and trying to ensure that everyone can benefit from this American miracle.

Why on earth should the poor of America have any faith in America if they are continually trod on?

Why should the middle class of America slave so hard to live payday to payday?

America has always stood for something more. The American Dream must be fought for or we’re just another republic.

Edwards gets it.

I agree with your assessment, I see Edwards at his most powerful when he’s talking about the effects of poverty on the MAJORITY of Americans. My parents both immigrated after the war, and we’ve benefited greatly from poverty programs instituted before the Republican Revolution. I look at all the benefits our family has today, and I know that prior to ‘94 even at it’s very cruellest you felt as though you could be proud of your country because America would not let its people fall flat on their asses.

Keeping in mind that Iraq is the most important problem now, America used to be a country that looked over the next hill as well at our current situation and I feel like Edwards has vision in this regard.

I look to his statements on inequity and see it such, the more educated and healthy we are, the more we innovate and prosper … all Americans deserve this, not just the top percentiles.

“That’s where the real longing for Reagan comes from: not nostalgia for his vaunted communication skills, important and prodigious though they were, but nostalgia for the fact that he had a distinct vision for American government and wanted to put it in play. The only major candidate in the race on either side who seems to share that quality is, ironically, Silky, which doubtless explains part of his appeal to the nutroots. Newt would fit the bill on the right, but he’s unlikely to get in and is a sure loser if he did.”

rwcole @ 119

radlib

Sounds as if you’ve nailed the persona issues. That’s what a large portion of the electorate responds to.

Edwards continues to show a very “soft” persona- haven’t seen an edge yet- although he surely has one.

I think that’s his “persona” problem. He is a “softie” for all of the right reasons — but he definitely doesn’t have the “steel” of Hillary.

Edwards shows that he has the “feeling” for poor people, for all people — but, Hillary, like her or not (and I don’t, particularly) comes across as “strong” and “resolute” and all of that national security sh*t. Advantage, Hillary.

I agree. Edwards’ flinty edge is seen most clearly when he’s incensed that someone like Mr. Lowe is so clearly “playing by the rules” and still getting nowhere. Edwards has compassion and a great drive to “see things as they are and ask ‘Why?’ “

We live in the wealthiest country in the history of mankind and there is still great inequity and far too much real poverty. Many people, as Michael Moore points out in his movie SiCKO, think they’re secure, but find out otherwise when health care problems arise. These problems must be addressed.

The Rich often refer to this as ‘class warfare’, but it isn’t. It’s caring for ALL Americans and trying to ensure that everyone can benefit from this American miracle.

Why on earth should the poor of America have any faith in America if they are continually trod on?

Why should the middle class of America slave so hard to live payday to payday?

America has always stood for something more. The American Dream must be fought for or we’re just another republic.

Edwards gets it.

I like Edwards but his “2 americas” rhetoric rings hollow with me as he IS the “other America” given his net worth of $30-40M. And not only that, he’s performed his own brand of acrobatics to hide a great deal of that income in various S-Corporations to avoid paying taxes on it. So until Edwards treats his income as income and pays his fair share of taxes I take whatever he says about wealth redistribution with a grain of salt. That said, it will probably take someone of his position to bridge the gap that exists in America today so in that respect he has my support… I just wish he was a little more transparent in how he treats his own wealth.

I agree and find it ironic that it’s a guy named “Rich” who makes this point. :-)

Christy Hardin Smith @ 41

Brat at 36 — Which is also why Edwards has done a lot of work with union groups over the last few years in his poverty work. …

So is it stacking up that Edwards will get the FDL seal of approval?

I’m not going to have a problem with that. Who do you want for VP?

Hey, we don’t ask tough questions LIKE THAT around here.

Nobody knows the answer and it’s not even obvious who the Veep would be if any of the other Dems gets the nomination.