[Smurf-316]

Edwards Fights to the Finish



DES MOINES -- For the final days in the Iowa contest, John Edwards has shed his blue jeans and open-collar shirt and put on a suit and tie -- and a pair of brass knuckles.
Often the forgotten man in Iowa's three-way Democratic battle, Edwards is on the move. Independent analysts see his support firming up. Advisers to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama believe he might win the caucuses on Thursday -- although their views should be discounted because both Clinton and Obama would rather see Edwards win if they can't.
Four years ago, Edwards closed out Iowa in a rush. Had the campaign gone on a few more days, he might have won the caucuses. His second-place finish was almost as surprising as John Kerry's victory.
Nobody in the race here understands the rhythms of campaigns any better than Edwards and nobody is more ruthlessly focused on closing the deal than the former trial lawyer and senator. This time he's trying to make it all the way, knowing that he cannot afford to lose here on Thursday night.

One Edwards supporter, departing after a big rally in Des Moines on Saturday night, said he hasn't heard a message as passionate or strong since Bobby Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign.
Nice clothes aside, Edwards has turned street-fighter for the final stretch run. His message can be boiled down to a single word -- "Fight!" -- which he repeats over and over and over and over again: Fight. Fight. Fight. Fight.
Edwards has rolled out anecdotes he never used in the past to make it all the more personal. They conjure up images that hardly square with his slight frame and good looks. He was, as he now explains, a brawler as a kid, taking on bullies the way he later took on corporations and insurance companies as a trail lawyer.

The enemy he sees is corporate America and corporate greed. His message seeks not to unite America but to finish what he describes as "an epic struggle" against forces that are, literally, killing America -- destroying jobs, holding down wages, putting ordinary Americans out of work or denying them medical care.

"You need somebody in the arena who will never back down," he says.
His language is over the top. He casts the challenges facing America in terms of morality and immorality. Speaking of tax policies that have encouraged companies to send jobs overseas, he says, "This is insanity -- I mean complete insanity."
The rich have an "iron-fisted grip" on democracy and won't let go through negotiations. "Anybody who suggests that we don't have an epic fight on our hands is living in Never-Never Land," he says.
He condemns wealthy corporate CEOs and "paid mercenaries" in Iraq with equal fervor. They are destroying the future of America.
"When will this stop?" he cried out at a rally in Knoxville, Iowa, on Saturday.

None of this bothers Edwards. He knows what the critics say but he couldn't care less. He doesn't believe those attacks have hurt him. He believes he is connecting with the anger and unrest that many ordinary Americans feel about the state of the country and especially the way Washington works. He promises not to fix the system but to blow it up.
That message is strong brew and not for everyone, but it has found a following. Edwards is counting on enough Iowans -- those in the small towns and rural areas especially -- to buy into it to put him over the top on caucus night.

[hrdman2luv]

I agree smurf..........Anybody but Huckleberry.

[BIGJ]

Originally Posted by hrdman2luv

I agree smurf..........Anybody but Huckleberry.

I like Huckabee and I am a Democrat support Obama above all things.

The reason I like Huckabee because he isn't apart of Washington/ Rush Limbrugh Machine. Do I disagree 60% of Huck's platform? Yes I do, but Huckabee is someone who can sit down with a Democrat like myself and talk things over. What really won me over with him is that he told the truth about Bush's Forgien Policy.

Which Republican would sit down with someone like me and find solutions to problems? Ron Paul wouldn't because he want to bash people over the head with Constitution. Rudy wouldn't because he is another Bush. Duncun Hunter would ingore me. Romney wouldn't because he is the male verison of Hillary. Fred wouldn't.

[Kalamity Jane]

The best thing that could happen to anyone would be a head bashing with the Constitution...Huckabee is another Bush...literally...not to be trusted and with little regard for the Constitution. Not something that recommends him in my book.

KJ

[Smurf-316]

Originally Posted by Kalamity Jane

The best thing that could happen to anyone would be a head bashing with the Constitution...Huckabee is another Bush...literally...not to be trusted and with little regard for the Constitution. Not something that recommends him in my book.

KJ

[Kalamity Jane]

Here is some information about contributions and money spent in this election round...notice there are three Democratic presidential candidates who owe NOTHING and only one Republican candidate who owes nothing...and the meme is that Democrats aren't good with money...These are interesting stats...

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Political Forum Link.

Banking on Becoming President

After nine months of fundraising, the candidates for president in 2008 have already raised about $420 million. This presidential money chase seems to be on track to collect an unprecedented $1 billion total. By some predictions, the eventual nominees will need to raise $500 million apiece to compete--a record sum. To find out where all this money is coming from, explore the options to the left. Year-end reports are due to the Federal Election Commission by Jan. 31.

Check it out....

KJ