Most people who run for office don't want to be issue candidates. They want to win, not move the conversation. John Edwards wanted to win but he exited as an issue candidate.
Paul Krugman bids Edwards a fond farewell by explaining how Edwards actually did move the conversation. All that effort and sacrifice had good effects on the Democratic Party. Now maybe, it will have good effects on America, indirect though they may be.
Krugman does miss with this:
It’s true that Mr. Obama has tried to work some populist themes into his campaign, but he apparently isn’t all that convincing: the working-class voters Mr. Edwards attracted have tended to favor Mrs. Clinton over Mr. Obama.This should have been true. Edwards was the candidate who gave the working class a seat at the table, and he did get some union support because of it. But the truth is that Edwards was more popular with liberal, educated, relatively affluent white guys like me, and there just aren't enough of us to win any vote.
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3 comments:
Just so you know, people like me who grew up in a household with a stay-at-home mom and a factory worker father who has gone on strike twice also support (and still support) Edwards. I think there is still life in his campaign and the supporters made up of all classes and from all demographics are still voting for him on Tuesday.
My husband and I have never completed a college education, we have one child and know what it'slike to work in a factory and make less than $10/hour. he appeals to us as well.
BASTA! THE WARS ... ONLY IN WORLD PEACE
GOOD SUNDAY
. Who ..... Still look at the world with the eyes of a child amazed
Who .............. Sa open their hearts to love ..
Who ... Unfolded its wings to discover new heavens and not satisfied the quiet life ...
Who knows .... listen to the words and even more silence ...
Who ..... Always has time for a hug ...
Who .... Experienced pain and for this reason loves life more ...
Who knows ... smile with eyes and hearts know why the price of tears ..... women like me, the first fairs of wrinkles because speak of a life lived full hands ... and men who know how to love for what they are ...
Who ... Has his heart wounded but never tires of travel to the island that is not ...
Who ........................ Has a crazy dream in the tray ...
Who ... No longer dreams but does not give up and try again ... and finally ...
Good day my prejudice souls ... That life is gentle with us and with the people you love ...
TO ALL YOU HAPPY SUNDAY.
sabrina, thanks for your comment. I hope you'll keep them coming. I thought about voting for Edwards anyway, as I did for Howard Dean in 2004, but this year I'm really looking for someone who will transform the way we're governed. Edwards was our best chance at that because he knew it would be a knock-down drag-out fight, but he's out, so I'll be voting for Barack Obama. Still, I understand what you're saying by sticking with Edwards, and it's a message that Washington and the economic establishment need to hear.
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