Obviously, a lot of talk on here has been about the 2008 race and who is viable and who is not and for what reasons. And there has been discussion as to whether John Edwards can be a real contender in a field that includes Clinton and Obama. Well, I personally do not have a 2008 favorite yet, but it's never to early to get a head start in knowing the playing field. So this diary is intended to highlight John Edwards from the standpoint of doing my pre-primary homework. I hope to, as the opportunities arise talk about the other candidates as well, since 'fair time' is hard to come by in the world of electoral politics, particularly for president.
So, inspired by this story by the AP via Yahoo, I found some compelling information regarding Edward's approach to his (now almost official) 2008 Campaign.
More on the flip...
The 2004 vice presidential nominee already has a retooled campaign agenda that is unabashedly progressive.
Today, Edwards tosses around phrases such as "universal health care" and "public campaign financing." He criticizes the Bush administration's "convergence of stupidity" on education and demands the immediate withdrawal of thousands of U.S. troops from Iraq.
"What you're seeing now is a process that started in 2004, when he put on his own clothes, basically, and said, 'I'm going to win or lose as John Edwards,' " said his wife, Elizabeth, who is recovering from a recent bout with breast cancer. "In that case it was 'lose,' but that doesn't mean you can't rewrite the ending."
That means moving on from the 2004 "Two Americas" stump speech that highlighted what Edwards saw as vast economic inequality. In its place is a bold list of policies and solutions that Edwards believes will help build "One America."
"Instead of just describing the problem, we need to focus on what we can do about it," he said.
(Emphasis mine) I think this last point is all-important perhaps a difference-maker in terms of Democratic execution. I know that one of the issues discussed here has been the failure of Democrats in the past to actually describe the policy to the American people (further, in terms they can understand and relate to) as opposed to simply describing the problem and then giving a fancy name/title to a potential solution. But thererin lies the crux of the problem, a potential solution doesn't mean anything. An illustrated, detailed, and pragmatic proposed solution is a defined blueprint to get from A to B, and it's something all Democrats will sorely need to present on the campaign trail.
Edwards has ditched a moderate health care overhaul in favor of a comprehensive health care plan to cover everyone in the United States — an approach considered politically taboo since
President Clinton's failed attempt to create such a system early in his first term.
Edwards also has joined Teamsters President James Hoffa on a Miami picket line and sided with other unions in their fight with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He has campaigned actively for a higher minimum wage and complained about federal bankruptcy laws he says keep people in a cycle of debt.
"Low-income families have been left the furthest behind," Edwards said. "And nobody's been their advocate."
He has embraced proposals for a rigid public campaign finance system aimed at eliminating big money from elections and called for an education policy that removes "every financial barrier" for students who want to go to college.
(Emphasis mine) Again, I feel these last two points are so vital and necessary to the discourse that will be prevelant in Washington and all over the media over the next 24 months. Many candidates talk about the middle-class. Not many candidates at all talk about the lower-class. This I can only imagine is because politicians don't feel the lower-class has any political capital to offer their campaigns. But it's a HUGE problem in this country which Edwards dares to address and I salute him for it. I could go on with this theme (and perhaps will in another diary) but it seems certain to me that when mass poverty is truly addressed in this country, along with it will be healthcare, education, the economy, the environment, etc.
Edwards also touches upon another monster issue - campaign financing. McCain-Feingold simply did not do nearly enough about this, and until this problem gets some major overhauling, we will continue to have politicians beholden to and preoccupied by big money. In my mind to create a truly progressive, people-powered government, it is essential that an average American who happens to possess deep passions and excellent leadership qualities, could also afford to stage a big for Congress. Additionally, it is necessary to get out of this cycle where the issues behind such big money financing of campaigns, dominates the candidate's abiltity to speak to and actually work toward the change they wish to embody in government.
The article then goes on to note some of the challenges, concerns, and advantages facing an Edwards presidential run:
- Lyndon B. Johnson was the last person to get elected to the Presidency campaigning on poverty issues in 1964
- Edwards lacks the kind of war-chests of Clinton, Obama, etc and has outstanding debt from his 2004 bid
- Edwards doesn't have the DC 'taint'
- He still has major name recognition
- He raised $8.5 million for Democratic candidates
- He has traveled to Russia, China, and Uganda creating foreign policy ties
- He regrets his vote to authorize military action in Iraq
And then there's the speculation that Edwards has a favorable opinion/good numbers in Iowa, but of course the facts of that have yet to be seen. In summation, Edwards appears to be seeking out a truly progressive focus for his presidential race and is raising critical issues, sometimes ignored by more 'mainstream' and 'traiditonal' politicans. How this will all unfold, no one can say, and Edwards will still have a lot to convince the American people. But, in terms of the Progressive voice and message in the 2008 election, it is looking more solid that the pundits, the media, the establishment, and the candidates will hear us and hear us loudly!