I've made some very cutting remarks about John Edwards. I've questioned his credibility and his political skills, although I've never gone as far as to write an anti-Edwards diary as I have done for Hillary Clinton. In fact, I've offered praise for him where it is well deserved, such as in this diary:
Isn't this a great idea? Does not this make more sense? The Edwards campaign has determined how much they need to run an effective campaign operation. They set an appropriate number to meet that challenge. The standard for Q2 success should be: Did they meet this goal, or not?
It really does not matter if Edwards, Obama, Clinton, or Richardson come in first, second or third. What matters is achieving their campaign goals. We won't know which strategy is correct until the voting is done. So Obama coming in first does not represent a victory over Senator Clinton, any more than Howard Dean raising the most money in 2003 meant victory over John Kerry. The only reason this is a competition is because the numbers are kept secret.
John Edwards is on to something here, much as Sen. Barack Obama was on to something last quarter with his "number of unique contributors" ticker. Simply putting the numbers on the web will go a long way towards ending at least this one facet of the spin game.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I praised John Edwards' honesty in this diary:
John Edwards supported the Iraq War. If he was misled, or if he let his political future guide his decision is beside the point. He has apologized about it publicly and let it be known that it was a big mistake. I believe him.
He has also said a great deal on how the next President must be honest. I couldn't agree more, I and thank him for being honest about his mistake. I still support Senator Obama, but I can respect a man who plays it straight.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
In fact, in one of my very first diaries I've written on this particular blog, I offered this:
I think these two guys represent the base of the Democratic party. I hope one of these two is the nominee. Will Hillary win the nomination if the left is divided? Full disclosure: I am an enthusiastic Obama supporter.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I'll admit I have made some cutting remarks here and there, but never any hit diaries, and nothing particularly vicious against Edwards.
I've offered praise for his strong stands on positions, even though many of them are different than past positions. He's has helped move the debate in a progressive direction, as it should be. I have praised him for being a decent family man (very important to me). To be balanced,I have questioned his political acumen. I have questioned his record as a true Progressive. I'm not apologizing for any of that. What I am apologizing for is how I have treated many of you, the Edwards supporters.
Sometiems I've accused some of you of being bigots. Sometimes I've accused some of you of lunacy.
Sometimes I've accused some of you of having your heads in the sand.
Sometimes I've just been downright rude, as I am wont to do on occasion.
All this, I admit, was a mistake. We are all working towards the same purpose: ensuring a progressive majority in this country. I think we all want the same thing and simply disagree on who can get us there. That is, however, no reason to go "there." I am sincerely sorry, and will do my level best not to do any of the above mentioned things again.
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