I don’t post many diaries. I don’t recommend many diaries. And in this crazy environment on Daily Kos, I don’t ready many diaries that don’t have to do with the primaries and John Edwards. I am, in a nutshell, what many of you think is wrong with this website.
But I have something to get off my chest and for the few minutes that this is on the ‘recent diary’ list, maybe people will read it.
Despite my handle on this page, I was not completely sold on John Edwards in 2008 right away. I registered on this site on that dark Wednesday in November 2004 when Kerry and Edwards lost to Bush. I had been a supporter of Edwards from about January 2004 on and was mainly happy that he was chosen as the running mate because that meant that he would be the front-runner in 2012 if Kerry won. My name was really a reflection of the hope I had on that surprising Monday night in January when Edwards came in 2nd in Iowa. I had entered my caucus site not knowing if he would be viable. I had thoughts that maybe I would be the only supporter there. It was such a high to see a ton of Edwards supporters in my precinct and to actually have him win.
But in 2008, there were several interesting candidates. I considered Vilsack. I have always liked Biden and his ability to explain foreign policy issues (especially Iraq) so that any idiot can understand them. Everyone loves Obama. I didn’t just want to support John Edwards because I had before. I wanted to make an informed choice. I made it a priority to see as many candidates as possible and to really listen to what each had to say.
But my heart was always with Edwards. And he began putting out policies and positions that the other candidates didn’t begin to match. He was, in my opinion, an even better candidate the 2nd time around. In 2004, he was full of hope and generalities. In 2008, he is full of fight and specifics. If elected, he probably won’t be able to push through all of his ideas, but won’t it be fun to watch him try and fight for them? Sometimes I wonder if universal health care is really the answer and if it really would work. But I would love to see what a President Edwards could do to change the system. It seems like for years both parties have talked big and accomplished little. Call me naive, but I think that there is a chance that could change. How great would that be?!?
I am a very cynical person. But even through my fog of cynicism, I buy what John Edwards has to say. I am not sure how a person can stand in a room with that man and not think that things would be different if he was in charge. And I am not sure how someone can listen to Elizabeth Edwards advocate for her husband and not realize that after illness and heartbreak, she would not be advocating if she really didn’t believe in him.
So why post this now? After Thursday, things will change. My specific role will change. The Iowa staffs will pack up and ship out and the focus of the media will shift to those of you in New Hampshire or in the Super Tuesday states. I will either be elated and happy or very disappointed. But I just wanted it written that I have been so proud to support and advocate (in my small way) for John Edwards. Because in the last 4 years and especially the last 12 months, he has convinced me that there is still goodness and honor in the political process.