I'm not sure it's ever happened in my family: It's the Democratic primary season and we're all supporting the same candidate, John Edwards. Some of us came to his camp early -- several months ago. Some of us (me for one) waited until it was clear Al Gore wasn't going to run. But, the ODD thing is that this year we all came to the same place -- even the most hard-core populists among us.
I can't speak to the defining reason the others support him. But, here's why I support John Edwards: (after the jump)
- His health care plan includes everyone and gives me the choice to avoid private insurance (AND it says right in the plan that it's a deliberate path to an eventual single-payer system)
- He admits that his vote on the Iraq Resolution was a mistake. AND this week he's calling for the near-immediate removal of all troops from Iraq.
- From the beginning of this election cycle, he has spoken clearly and forcefully FOR the interests of the Middle & Poorer classes.
- His experience as a successful Trial Lawyer. His skill in winning huge awards for his clients impresses me. Those jurors didn't go into those trials expecting to give anything to Edward's clients. It took commitment, intelligence, research and eloquence to win those trials. And those are exactly the skills it will take to get National Health Care passed.
Also, this story -- which reminds me of my parents -- had a deep impact on me:
From The New York Times - After the Pain of a Son’s Death, a Shared Mission in Politics:
He has immersed himself in the details of her medical care, much as he
used to master the manuals of medical instruments that were at issue in
his malpractice cases. Jennifer M. Palmieri, a former campaign adviser
who is close to Mrs. Edwards, recalled accompanying her to a recent
doctor’s appointment when her husband could not attend. As Mr. Edwards,
on speakerphone, quizzed the doctor and then summed up the conclusions,
Mrs. Edwards turned to Ms. Palmieri and said, "Now do you see why I
don’t worry?"
OK, so it's not all politics with me. The point is, we've got to recover and move forward on a HUGE range of issues. And for me, health care is at the top of the list. The fact that John Edwards has professional and personal experience dealing with the heath care system and doctors is possibly the most important factor in my decision to support him.
What's yours?
Update:
joanie says:
i think it is no accident at all that we have all come to edwards.
all of us share deep polulist fibers passed on to us from parents that
met at an adlai stevenson rally.
all of us have grown up encouraged to admire those that speak with
guts and from the heart, and frankly--as bequeathed to us from our
father---we admire those that won't compromise on the important stuff.
i voted for edwards in north carolina with his first senate run and
obviously felt something in him then. he had the guts to take on the
territory of jesse helms and lauch faircloth and win! he has always had
the courage of a rue fighter for justice. i don't mean to sound cliche
here, it's simply true. i have been very proud to see his campaign hone
in on the most important thing of all---the politics of "compromise"
and "bipartison" is a fantasy. what we need is someone with the guts
and strength to fight and win.
john edwards has the legacy of his son to fight for, as well as the
wishes of his wife. he has already lost what most of can't imagine
losing, and he is willing to put everything he has on the line to save
this country from the evil leadership that has stolen it from the
people.
i have never felt so excited for a candidate. we haven't witnessed this combination of power--and principles before.
Donate on our brother's John Edward's Grassroot's Fundraising page.