The Problem With Edwards

Adding Edwards to the Kerry campaign brings a whole new set of problems for the Democrats. You'll hear in detail from others about John Edwards allegedly sheltering his revenues offshore during his trial lawyer days and about his anti-lobbyist campaign being supported by the trial lawyers. I want to talk about what John Edwards won't bring to the table - substance.

Courtesy of the BBC, we have a few of John Edwards thoughts on things.

On President George W Bush:

"Working people have been shut out by this president because he values only one thing: wealth."

After inheriting a failing economy, President Bush decreased the tax burden on Americans despite heavy opposition from the Democrats. In doing so, he helped jump-start the economy so more people would have jobs. All of the recent advances in our domestic situation are occurring, while we are responding to attacks on our country.

"They have led us from the edge of greatness when Bill Clinton left office to the edge of a cliff."

The edge of greatness? Is Edwards a part of the revisionist attempt to create a legacy for Clinton too? When Bill Clinton left office, we were about to have a big recession and about to be attacked - I'd say we were already at the cliffs edge.

"George Bush has a health care plan - pray you don't get sick."

The Democrats have wanted a national health care plan for years - a Republican gave it to them. Sour grapes.

"The president of the United States has to actually be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, has to be able to do two things at the same time."

Rebuilding an economy while conducting a war apparently doesn't count.

On the war in Iraq:

"For the most part, it's America doing it alone, which I believe is an enormous mistake."

Edwards didn't get the news on all of the abductions occurring to get other countries to end their involvement in Iraq. He may not think the involement of those countries is important, but apparently the enemy does. He also missed the coverage on the great work being done by more than 30 other nations in Iraq. If this is his definition of "alone", then we were alone in GW1, WWII and WWI also.

On himself:

"I hope you agree with me this is still a country where the son of a mill worker can go toe to toe against the son of a president of the United States."

Too bad he isn't "the son of a preacher man." I agree with Edwards on this though, but I also understand why it's that way. Because being wealthy in America is a lot less of an issue when it comes to ability to accomplish something, than the Democrats make it out to be.


"I think most people in this country actually think not having spent your whole life in politics is a good thing."

Then why are they voting for Kerry?

"I think the key is to see things through the eyes of regular Americans. That's a perspective that people are hungry for."

What is a "regular American"? Is someone who makes $100K a year less of an American than someone who makes $30K? If so, why vote for Edwards/Kerry?

On capital punishment:

"I believe the death penalty is the most fitting punishment for the most heinous crimes, and I support it. But we need reforms in the death penalty..."

We have executed nearly 1000 people since 1973 and have aborted nearly 45 million babies. Are we talking abut the same capital punishment?

On health care:

"The issue becomes whether you believe health care is an isolated problem. For those in poverty and the struggling middle class, if one thing goes wrong - if they have a health care problem - they go right off the cliff."

Who believes health care is an isolated problem and what is this thing with cliffs? Health care costs have been rising for a long time, and have been recognized as a serious impact to the happiness, enablement and productivity of Americans in general. This is an issue, which impacts us all. The President has taken a first step toward trying to help an ever growing group of Americans overburdened by health care expenses - the elderly. Instead of working with the Administration to set up an enhanceable starting point, the Democrats fought the measure tooth and nail. You want to make health care more affordable, suggest tort reform and see if we can get the insurance premiums lowered for our doctors. It would kill the support from the trial lawyers though, wouldn't it?

I know many Democrats are excited by Edwards being added to the snooze ticket. But what has changed, really? Die-hard liberals and a few outright Leftists/Marxists are running the Democrat party today. Liberals are the "America is good, but..." people and that isn't going to change just because John Edwards has infused the Democrat ticket with his boyish charm.

There will be no substance - the Edwards/Kerry ticket is still just the Anti-Bush ticket.