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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on May 4, 2008 1:26 AM. The previous post in this blog was Big McCain rallies planned in Oregon next week. The next post in this blog is Ron Saxton for attorney general?. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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Sunday, May 4, 2008

John Edwards: too nice a guy

The hounds who brought down the Presidential candidacy of my favorite contender, John Edwards, often hectored his supporters about his ego. But truth be told, his ego wasn't big enough.

If Edwards had been more of a self-centered jerk, he would have stayed in the race much longer than he actually did. He would have picked up some more delegates. He might have been in a position by now to decide who the winning candidate would be, and stop the bloody scratch fight that's tearing the Democratic Party apart. He might even have had a shot at capturing the nomination himself in a brokered convention.

If he were still around today, the picture for the Democrats might seem a little brighter. As it stands, however, it's not too bright at all. God help America.

Comments (10)

Absolutely! It was a shame that, growing up in a mill town, that he didn't get into a fight that broke his nose. Seriously, it would have marred his good features, but have made him more authentic as a battler, both in the courtroom and on the stump. Edwards was right about "two Americas. Unfortunately, they coexist within the Dem party today.

I recently re-registered as a Democrat - previously not affiliated with a party - so that I could vote for Obama in the primary. Now I'm thinking "what's the point?". Obama & Clinton have so alienated the supporters of their opponent that John McCain is pretty much a shoe-in at this point.

Money must have something to do with this. How much financial security should he have sacrificed by financing his own losing campaign?

My wife thought John Edwards was the best candidate but then again, she picked me too. My only problem with Edwards was that he didn't eviscerate Dick Cheney in the Vice Presidential debate back in 2004. I was all ready for a "You can't handle the truth" moment and John seemed unprepared for Cheney's attacks. How can a big-time trial lawyer not be ready for that? Maybe he is too nice as you suggest, but it remains a mystery to me and a history-changing disappointment.
As for the campaign today, I can draw on my experience writing jokes about Bill Clinton as he approached reelection. There's usually a comedy take that everyone works off of - with John McCain it's that he's old. I have personally tried to fight these designated hooks at times to no avail, although every now and then, I've actually introduced a minor take to the country with the other comedy writers jumping on board for a week or so. That is a thrill.
With McCain, for example, I think there should be more discussion of the rich-wife syndrome but nobody's buying it. This take sure worked with John Kerry, and though Mrs. Kerry had much more money, Mrs. McCain has beer money. That's funny, right? I think there's a hook there for John McCain. How can he run the federal budget when he doesn't even run the family budget?
The hook in the year before President Clinton was running again in 1996 was that he couldn't possibly win. That's hard to remember but it's true. It was only after the race went head to head with Bob Dole that Clinton's fortunes rose.
Maybe that's going to happen again. I admit it's ugly right now. You realize that Hillary latched onto this Eight Belles horse at the Kentucky Derby? She tried to glum onto it like she was duck-hunting all over again in Pennsylvania. So what happens to Hillary's horse? It came in second, broke both ankles, and had to be euthanized. What's the take going to be on that? First, I'd advise against direct comparisons to Hillary's campaign. You never should go with death references to individuals - that's one of the rules, and there are few.
My take is that Hillary put a curse on this poor animal, just as she has cursed the campaign and the country. I see it like in Young Frankenstein, when the horses neigh at the mention of her name.
I understand the gloom out there - it does feel like a bad stretch right now, but remember, this thing could still sort itself out. There's months of head-to-head campaigning - probably between Obama and McCain. Grieve not everyone - it could be another joke-writing situation like back in 1996. (Although admittedly we get pastors, instead of bimbos - what a letdown.)
Still, I can see Barack returning to greatness on the trail. He needs to stop floating like a butterfly, and start stinging like a bee, and I think he can do that against McCain.
So my advice: Be not bummed out. Enjoy Oregon's time in the national spotlight. Just don't ride any horses when Hillary's in town.

I generally agree about Edwards. But on the up side, the uproar over lapel pins and bittergate and crazy preachers does indeed distract me from thinking about how overwhelmingly destructive the Bush era Republicans have been. Seriously, it never ends. If it weren't for this Obama-Clinton slugfest I don't know how I'd take my mind off of it. I'd have to eat a great big bowl of broken glass for breakfast every day just to get through it.

The Obama campaign proves what an inspirational leader he is. He leads the pack in fundraising and grass roots activism. Neither the Clinton machine nor McCain's wealthier demographic come close. His performance in the campaign alone fills that suit of his perfectly in walking his rhetoric. This is reality. The here and now. Ignore it at our peril.

John Edwards was the only candidate that the Republicans were afraid of. If he ever runs again, I will donate the maximum up front. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both give in part-way to special interests; John McCain sold his soul to special interests and the Republican extremists.

"My only problem with Edwards was that he didn't eviscerate Dick Cheney in the Vice Presidential debate back in 2004..."

Lessee, Silky tried to distance himself from Iraq, but voted for the resolution to go to war. Ergo; he's a hypocrite. Strike one.

Silky ham-handedly tried to throw Cheney under the bus regarding his gay daughter, but just looked like a total ass instead. Strike two.

Silky was for NCLB, then he was against it. Silky was for the Patriot act, then he was against it. Ergo; flip-flopper. Strike three.

Silky isn't as smart as Cheney. Period. It seems manipulating juries is easier than running for VP.

>tried to distance himself from Iraq, but voted for the resolution to go to war. Ergo; he's a hypocrite. Strike one.

At least he acknowledged that it was a mistake, unlike Hillary Clinton and Jeff Merkley (HR2).

>ham-handedly tried to throw Cheney under the bus regarding his gay daughter, but just looked like a total ass instead. Strike two.

He was being gracious, for God's sake. John Edwards has no issues with Dick Cheney's gay daughter.

>was for NCLB, then he was against it. Silky was for the Patriot act, then he was against it. Ergo; flip-flopper. Strike three.

Some people never learn from their mistakes, or even acknowledge them (see above).

I loved John Edwards as a Presidential candidate and I especially loved Elizabeth Edwards as a potential First Lady. I am still pining for them to rescue me from the Hobson's choice at the top of my ballot.

"It seems manipulating juries is easier than running for VP."

Are you accusing him of fixing jury verdicts?

Or are you deliberately confusing the words "manipulate" and "PERSUADE"?

Unless he's cheating, he can't control what the jury decides to do in the deliberations room.

Move to Saudi Arabia if you don't like the American civil justice system.

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In Vino Veritas

Robert Mondavi Solaire, Cabernet 2005
Castello Monaci, Liante, Salice Salentino 2006
Ricardo Santos, Malbec 2006
Quinta da Espiga, Tinto 2006
Charles Smith, Holy Cow Merlot 2006
Charles Smith, Boom Boom Syrah 2006
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Santa Rita, Cabernet Reserva 2005
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2007
Gloria, Douro, Tinto 2002
Bogle, Petite Sirah Port, Clarksburg 2005
Cardwell Hill, Pinot Noir 2004
Silkwood, Red Duet Cabernet-Syrah 2004
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006, 2007
Osborne, Solaz 2004
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Reserva 2005
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2004
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills 2004
Hannah Nicole, Red 2004
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2005
Protocolo, Red 2005
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2006
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1996
Kirkland, Roogle Shiraz 2004
Garda, Classico Chiaretto
A to Z, Oregon Pinot Gris 2005
I Giusti & Zanza, Nemorino 2006
Treana, Marsanne-Viognier, Central Coast 2005
Fife, Syrah, "Stanford" 2000
B.R. Cohn, Silver Label Cabernet 2005
Marques de Casa Concha, Cabernet 2005
Santi, Sortesele Pinot Grigio 2006
Al Muvedre, Tinto Joven 2006
Layer Cake, Shiraz 2006
Gritti, Ca' Andrea, Umbria red 2005
Altos de Luzon, Jumilla 2004
Thomas Leithner, Zweigelt 2004
Cain Cuvee NV 3
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot 2003
Meridian, Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2003
Paringa, Shiraz 2005
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2005
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2003
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2005
Kris, Pinot Grigio 2006
Silvan Ridge, Pinot Gris 2006
Fife, Mendocino Syrah, "Stanford" 2000
Castle Rock, Cabernet, Paso Robles 2005
Willakenzie, Pinot Gris 2006
The Show, Cabernet 2005
Essencia Valdemar, Rioja Rose 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills 2004
Beaulieu Vineyard. Napa Valley Cabernet 2004
Irony, Cabernet, Napa Valley 2003
Rosenblum, Petite Sirah, Heritage Clones 2005
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Barefoot Chardonnay
Kana, Syrah 2004
Castell Salegg, Chardonnay, Alto Adige 2004
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Gold Note, Fair Play Zinfandel 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet 2003
Ponzi, Pinot Noir 2004
Red Diamond, Merlot 2003
Mateus, Rose
Benton Lane Pinot Noir 2004
Penya Cadiella Vins de Comtat 2003
Kamiak, Cellar Select Red 2003
Anselmi, San Vincenzo 2005
Rubrato, Aglianico dei Feudi di San Gregorio 2004
Le Grand Noir (Black Sheep) Cabernet-Shiraz
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2005
Los Vascos, Cabernet, Reserve 2004
Jackaroo, Shiraz 2003
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Crozes Hermitage Syrah, "La Jalet," 2001
Paul Jaboulet Aine, Cotes du Rhone, "Parallele '45,'" 2003
Rolf Binder, Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003
Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Woodbridge Chardonnay 2005
Barnard & Griffin, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2004
Quinto do Carmo, Alentejano Red 2000
Forefathers, Alexander Valley Cabernet 2001

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Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt

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