Of all the highly qualified candidates in the Democratic Party, John Edwards has the strongest bona fides when it comes to economic populism. The fact that there are at least two economic Americas and a systemic culture of corporate control that continually trumps the best interests of the electorate is and has been thematically central to many of Edward's policies and stump speeches. Now is the time to up the ante by taking these themes straight to the heart of blue collar America.
Presently, America's working class is taking economic hits from almost every direction-gas and energy, the mortgage crisis, healthcare, declining wages, tuition costs, etc. These folks are waiting on someone, anyone to stand up and speak for them. John Edwards, this is both your calling and your ticket to the White House.
For the past seven years, this administration has told working Americans that their economic problems are being caused by everything from fundamental Islam to liberalism. Now is the time for Democrats to take charge, re-frame this debate, and call out the guilty in front of a wide audience. Edwards can best do this because he knows how corporations and many elected officials conspire to screw the working class. If Edwards can clearly explain what is happening to working Americans and what he's going to do about it, he'll win, beginning in Iowa.
Now, for the execution. The penultimate example of corporate greed AND the 800-pound gorilla that may decide this election is illegal immigration. I say this because most Americans have barely flinched in the face of all the abominable crimes this administration has gotten away with in the past seven years. No fewer than a dozen times I have been convinced that this, this is the issue that will bring down the GOP. There have been a few hits, but mostly misses (no impeachment trial).
The only issue that has really riled up the electorate is illegal immigration and right now the Democrats are keeping mostly quite on the issue. This tactic will NOT be effective and cannot be sustained.
Both Obama and Clinton have waffled way too much on illegal immigration and there is no reason to believe that this won't continue (see Spitzer incident). This leaves a clear opening for Edwards and I believe that he should take his positions straight to illegal immigration Ground Zero: Lou Dobbs Tonight.
Dobbs attracts a high concentration of Americans who are truly concerned about this very important issue. Ultimately, the Democratic nominee must lay out a plan for securing the border, ensuring fair trade agreements, and keeping American jobs at home. The first candidate to do this in an honest and forthright way will do very, very well with America's working class.
Our eventual nominee's position needs to be thoroughly vetted before the Iowa caucus. Not saying anything or holding an untenable position is a sure-fire way for a candidate to lose in 2008.