Edwards delivered a "clear, concise message" at today's Des Moines Register's Debate.
It resonated with Iowa voters.
Rick Klein of ABC stated,"Edwards Is ‘Driven in [His] Gut.’ Once Again, He Brings It Back to a Clear, Concise Message."
Clear. Concise. Bold.
A Defining Moment of the debate was John Edwards' remarks on "what's at stake."
A Defining Moment
Iowan caucus goers are looking beyond the hoopla, the glitz and glamour of celebrity candidates.
In fact, focus groups of Iowa voters declared John Edwards the winner of today's Des Moines Register Debate:
Focus Group of Iowa Voters Declares Edwards the Winner. Fox News’ focus group of Democrats in Iowa watching the debate declared Edwards the winner of the debate. Luntz: "I want you to raise your hands if you walked in here with John Edwards as your first choice. One, two of you. How many of you thought John Edwards won the debate? [Majority of crowd raises hand.] What was it about John Edwards – you didn’t pick him – but what was it about John Edwards you thought stood out?" Democratic voter: "I had John Edwards coming in number three, and he was very believable, he didn’t beat around the bush, he talked about the strong interest groups that he’s been fighting for all the time, and he has a plan. He came in there with answers.
Focus Groups of Iowa Voters
Education
Edwards' clear and concise message certainly rang through on his answer to the Education question:
Edwards’ Answer on Education Was One of Debate’s Strongest Moments.
CNN’s Mary Snow: "Also when the candidates were talking about education, that really resonated with the people here in this room, 23 registered democrats who are undecided. Take a look at how they responded when John Edwards was talking about his education plans." Video of Edwards: "We need to radically change No Child Left Behind. And if that doesn’t work, we should get rid of it." Snow: "Those were two of the strongest moments."
Trade Policies
Edwards' answer on Trade Policies were just as strong. His populist message about the "role of corporate influence" had a strong presence in his remarks regarding how he would change trade policies. As Garett noted, "he looks crisp and confident and has clearly honed his populist message..."
Major Garrett:
"Edwards: Looks Crisp and Confident and Has Clearly Honed His Populist Message." "Edwards: Looks crisp and confident and has clearly honed his populist message about the role of corporate influence on American political life, his line ‘corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government,’ will stand as one of the punchiest of the day and crystallizes his campaign theme. His fumbling of his desire that this generation leave the nation in better shape than it was found left a humanizing and humorous feeling in the air."
http://bourbonroom.blogs.foxnews.com...
John Edwards Trade Policies at the DMR Debate
Chris Cillizza is right on this, clearly John Edwards is "one of the most gifted (if not the most gifted) Debater on any stage."
Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: "One of the Most Gifted (if Not the Most Gifted) Debater on Any Stage."
"John Edwards (First 45 minutes): Edwards is, without question, one of the most gifted (if not the most gifted) debater on any stage. And, for the first 45 minutes of the debate his populist ‘us versus them’ message really hit home. ‘Corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government,’ he said at one point; ‘You have to be willing to fight....I have been fighting these people and winning my entire life,’ he said at another."
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/...
And the rave reviews continue to roll in...
TIME’s Mark Halperin: Edwards "displayed with mechanized efficiency the same confidence and warm populism that he has nearly perfected on the campaign trail. Grade: A-" http://thepage.time.com/...
CBS’ Vaughn Ververs
"If There Was a Winner, It May Have Been Edwards." "If there was a winner, it may have been Edwards. His answers to almost every question hewed to his populist themes of sticking up for the disadvantaged and sticking it to corporate America. That should play well among Democrats in Iowa." http://www.cbsnews.com/...
Bleeding Heartland Blog
"Edwards Did Indeed Win the Debate." Chris Woods wrote, "I'm going to argue that John Edwards did indeed win the debate. He articulated a coherent message that blamed corruption, greed, and entrenched interests for the problems America faces. He also clearly told viewers that the only way to enact the policies and proposals that the candidates have promised is to elect a president that will unite America to stand up and fight back against these people. His criticisms were constant, his answers honest, and his leadership potential was clear. He told us how he is fighting for the middle class, and how he's the candidate to truly enact change." http://www.bleedingheartland.com/...
Clearly, it's not just a two person race as Tim Robbins recently said while campaigning for John Edwards. Iowan voters are looking closely at the issues and the candidates and still deciding as did one of the Iowa voters of today's focus group did:
He was my third choice, now he is my first": Democratic voter #4: "That was my line exactly. Authenticity, number one. I think he would go after the corporations that are causing much of the trouble in the world today. He was my third choice, now he is my first."
Tim Robbins Campaigns for John Edwards in Iowa
"Eight months ago, we were being sold this is a two person race, but...we can decide, as American voters who the frontrunner is."
Edwards' gifted debate skills, ability to connect with regular people have been lauded throughout this campaign. But now, with less than three weeks until the Iowa caucus, "the moment has arrived once again. It's time to make another closing argument."