This entry will anger a lot of people on this forum, but I view the immense popularity of John Edwards among the netroots with enormous skepticism.
Although Hillary Clinton is the frontrunner overall, Edwards is beloved by the netroots. The progressives cite his concern for poverty, soaring rhetoric, "electability," and his renounciation of the 2002 Iraq War Vote.
I admit that Edwards is a much better speaker and more personable than Clinton. However, his recent emphasis on poverty and workers' rights is a bit confounding. As a wealthy trial lawyer, Edwards did not put in a single hour towards pro bono work. Even lawyers of modest means do some pro bono work. And yet, despite his wealth, Edwards did not bother to use his skills towards pro bono work of any kind.
It is also clear that Edwards had almost no interest in politics before his successful Senate run in 1998. Unlike the Clintons, who showed a lifelong committment to public service and an interest in politics, Edwards demonstrated no passion for politics until becoming a senator. As a senator, Edwards compiled a mediocre record, until he decided that he was fit to be commander-in-chief of this great nation during a time of war. His lack of substantive understanding of issues clearly manifested itself during his interview with Tim Russert on Meet the Press. As Kerry's running mate, he added nothing to the campaign except a great smile and a nice southern accent. His "prowess" once again showed when he lost to Dick Cheney in the VP debate.
After running as a DLC "Next Bill Clinton" democrat in 2004, Edwards decided to try a new flavor by appeasing the netroots. He now obsessively talks about poverty, mouthing off cliches and making people feel warm with his soothing rhetoric. But when I look at the evidence, Edwards just wants to gain power by using populism, which is the easy way out. It is so easy to blame the rich and talk about the oppressed, without actually thinking deeply about the issues. Political journalists, Mark Harris and John Halperin, said in an interview that Edwards displayed stunning ignorance on a variety of national issues.
Let's face it. John Edwards is a snake oil salesman. He hopes to use his rhetoric to become president even though he is vastly underqualified. I sincerely hope our party sees through his fascade and deny him the nomination.