Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Edwards is Out
Fmr. Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), the most improved candidate for president in 4 years, as Normon Solomon rightly called him, has left the race. He announced this decision, as he announced his decision to run and put the poor first, in the 9th Ward of New Orleans, still devastated from Hurrican Katrina--over 2 years ago. I thought Edwards should drop out after Nevada because he could no longer win and because I was afraid he would siphon off progressive votes from Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). Edwards clearly drove the progressive agenda in many ways (especially since the media silenced Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who is now struggling to retain his seat in the House). Obama's platform and rhetoric have taken on many of Edwards' themes--and I think it has made Obama a stronger candidate against Clinton and a candidate more worthy of the office of the presidency. Obama clearly has both progressive and cautious tendencies (as do most of us) and a mix of advisors. I think Edwards gave him the courage to keep pushing in the progressive direction--and I hope he continues to do so now that Edwards has dropped out.
There are rumors of a movement in the Obama campaign to select Edwards for Atty Gen. should Obama win the presidency. I hope they are true. Edwards would be a great Atty Gen. and would bring his record as a trial lawyer and his strong pro-labor and pro-civil rights agenda to that office. You can bet your bottom dollar that he would not hesitate to call waterboarding torture and to prosecute anyone who tries it!
Whatever happens, I wish the best for John and for Elizabeth who is still struggling with breast cancer. Keep fighting for the poor, John--in whatever you do.
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2 comments:
Edwards would be a great AG, but I'm still hoping to see him as VP.
Well, Chris (Sandalstraps), a VP usually doesn't have much of a job. (Cheney being the huge exception--and very negative.) Remember Bill Clinton winning over environmentalists with the line, "I've got Al Gore and they don't?" Well, then Gore wasn't allowed to touch environmental policy.
Then, too, VPs have difficulty running for Pres. themselves, later. They cannot get out of the shadow of their former bosses (e.g. Gore with Clinton) without seeming to trash them. An AG is a very visible role.
As AG, Edwards could do far more to shape policy than as VP. But I am sure he's on Obama's shortlist of VP candidates--as are Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) (although I think Richardson would be a better Sec. of State).
Edwards may decide to do the Carter and Gore thing: stay outside political office to hold all officeholders accountable. Carter did this on human rights with the Carter Center. Gore has done this with global warming. Edwards could, as a free agent, keep pushing all officeholders on eliminating poverty. There is more than one way to make a difference in the world.
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