one, two, three...Edwards Doesn't Exist.

never gonna happen.

Another excellent move from Edwards. He's positioned as the populist candidate by contrasting himself with GOP candidates, not his fellow Dems. At the same time he makes listeners wonder where the other Dems stand on economic justice.

His actual tax proposal is considerably more modest than the rhetoric, but the rhetoric opens the way for a real discussion of economic fairness -- something that has not been heard from Dems for many election cycles. Open frontal challenges to Reaganism have been pathetically scarce among "leading" Dems until now.

He's going with a powerful but risky strategy. We can look for the MSM and its wingnut allies heating up the haircut-level attacks, as well as a revival of the old Reaganist "socialism", "class warfare", and "politics of envy" bullshit. I think the next poll on enthusiasm for candidates may have Edwards shooting to the top among Democrats. He's the only "major" candidate whose campaign might actually make a difference in American political perceptions. As far as I can see, he's the only Dem other than Kucinich offering Americans a chance to vote for real change.

Dave, I would highly suggest reading The Economist's July 21st - 27th issue.

It has a really good article on Edwards, and his ability to drive the populist agenda into mainstream Democratic policy.

Although he's often ignored by the media, he's apparently already brought a lot of change to how the candidates (as well as some legislation) tackle social problems.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur.

Come visit PROJECT: Lucidity.

Greg,

It's funny every time you say it, but it's pretty fatalistic as well. I know in your own way you are trying to make this not the case.

It is a damned shame that the guy with all the ideas, passion, and clearly defined positions isn't taken seriously by the MSM clowns. Here's hoping they get a pie of substance right in their collective pusses.

The facts indicate that there is a growing economic divide in the United States exacerbated by unfair government economic and labor policies which are not only immoral but also unconstitutional because the government is constitutionally required to "promote the general welfare" not just that of the elite.

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I've heard that they think he's sort of phony, which is obviously silly.

I've often wondered why the media dislike this guy so much. I have trouble putting it down too much to his populism. Maybe that can make them uneasy.

Nobody I have ever heard spell it out more bluntly than Chris Matthews. Matthews searched vigilantly for any sign of class warfare in a Democrat that would make waves.

Fine to give a world of tax breaks to billionaires but bad, bad, bad to do the same to low wage workers. In fact very good to really soak the lowest wage earners for the mythical Social Security fund while using the money for general expenses. Not even a tax really.

Populism has always been despised by the elite.

Why should that be news to anyone?

Best, Terry

Yeah, Edwards seems to be the Wesley Clark of 2008.

Investments to the masses probably means something you had to thing long and hard about.

Romney can put his money in a lead-pipe safe CD or money market and get 12.5 million in interest alone at a measley 5%.

If Romney got a typical stock market return of 11% - he'd get ~30 million a year on average in capital gains.

not really hard work I think.

Excellent, I think the odds are looking good for Romney to be the Republican nominee (not least because we'll spend that personal fortune to buy the nomination), so softening him up now is a good start. Plus the one thing Mitt's never flip-flopped on is representing the interests of the wealthy.

And the MSM - writers, editors, producers - are a big part of the elite.

--poligirl

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

No chance they've got the ballot box rigged. If one suggests that it's important to get the paperless vote stealers out of the polls then one gets jumped by the all so reasonable defenders of electronically rigged elections. The only good thing about that I suppose is one can identify the establishment mouthpieces when they defend those programmable vote stealing machines.

Too true too true... Let's make it an unassailable landslide... Maybe that would work...

What can I say but I am a political optimist... And a girl can dare to dream... :D

--poligirl

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

I think he's phoney, not one doubt! wouldn't it be something if Edwards told Americans:

"Since I thought my taxes were too low, I told my accountants: 'from this day forth, you will ensure that I pay 25% of my income in taxes and you should no longer use tax breaks to push the costs of government onto the middle class.'"

honestly, we don't need laws to make taxation fair! instead, worried citizens could file long form!

To boldly go...

Republican slogan for Romney in 08;

"Mitt Romney, when too much is never enough."

Cue picture of Mitt slightly smiling, in shirtsleeves, cuffs rolled up.

It's not just silly, it's over-the-top ironic.

it's not just the media -- how much do his fellow Democrats like him? After all, these are the folks that will have to make or break his agenda. His Senate record isn't outstanding. He never rose above the crowd or showed natural leadership ability. According to Washington-speak, Kerry and Edwards aren't even speaking anymore, and Kerry has a lot of influence. It's a fair question.

Greg's right. I mean, can we just get on with the country's future already and skip ahead to the soap opera?

And to think that people believe folks in the media have an unfair view of Edwards.

With the deficit the Federal government is running, which will get a lot worse when the baby boomers retire and the Federal government is going to have to repay the Sociel Security Trust Fund with the money it borrowed from it and spent, any proposals for tax cuts even for middle income groups is fiscally irresponsible.