Sheesh! Guess no one passed the word to them that the mainstream media is supposed to be ignoring John Edwards, because The Fresno Bee just urged Democrats and independents to vote for him in California's February 5 Democratic primary. More below the fold.
The Bee split their endorsement, of course, between Democrats and Republicans, advising readers to support McCain on the GOP side. Guess they realize, too, that a McCain-Edwards match-up offers voters the best choice.
The Fresno Bee's editorial
The Bee says that Edwards
. . . offers a much-needed vision that recognizes the hope and promise of America. It's a view that includes solidifying the plight of working families and others in the middle class.
In other words, the same constituency that has suffered under "an administration that has catered to the well-connected and powerful."
If you saw the debate Monday night (and if you didn't, welcome back from Mars), you know that both Clinton and Obama, while pledging to end the war and withdraw American troops, were pretty vague on the "when" and the "how". The Fresno Bee liked John Edwards specificity.
Edwards has a realistic plan for withdrawing this nation from the quagmire of the Iraq war. He has proposed reducing troop levels by 40,000 to 50,000 immediately and then withdrawing all "combat" troops in 10 months. He would station about 10,000 troops in neighboring countries to serve as "quick reaction forces" if al-Qaida attempts to make Iraq a safe haven.
Two more points of prominent concern to Californians (and the rest of the country):
They like that Edwards supports a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants that would not constitute a "gift" or a "free ride", but would entail paying a fine and learning English.
He supports a balanced immigration policy that recognizes the need for an agricultural guest-worker program that would enable farmworkers to "come out of the shadows."
And they like his
$25 billion economic package that would invest in clean energy, expand unemployment benefits, help states that are cash-strapped and establish a "home rescue fund" to keep homes out of foreclosure. His plan could grow to $100 billion if the economy doesn't turn around.
Score a good one for John Edwards. And remember, the opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.