Des Moines Register: Edwards Of Today Different Than 2004
The Des Moines Register has a piece on the changing political style of John Edwards — and notes how some Iowa Democrats view the changes as being politically driven. It's not the sort of press Edwards should want to get from the state's largest paper, which endorsed him in the 2004 caucus.
"Four years ago, the fresh-faced then-North Carolina senator defended his support for the Iraq war, prescribed a gradual approach to health care reform and told Iowa caucusgoers not to expect him to criticize his fellow Democrats running for president," the paper writes. "Today, he calls his Iraq vote a mistake, embraces universal health care and regularly attacks party front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York."
Comments (17)
Blue in IA wrote on November 30, 2007 9:08 AM:Did anyone, other than Kucinich, call for UHC in 2004? My memory is that it was a very different political time, and voters were focused on different issues.
Kevin Hayden wrote on November 30, 2007 10:28 AM:Sounds like the dmr is following the lead of the msm. No two campaigns are identical because issues change and campaigners grow more adept, usually.
But the dmr wants a race between Hillary and Barrack so they're writing about John Edwards changing rather than offering anything substantive to demonstrate whether he's doing a good job or not.
Non-specific vague attacks like this are hard to counter, too, because there's no real data to attack. It's like using a wiffle bat to swing at ghosts.
Personally, I think Edwards has run the strongest campaign of all of them, taking the lead on numerous initiatives from his healthcare proposal to the boycott of the Fox News debate.
I hope Iowans can see through this weak editorial attempt to make a mockery of the entire primary rocess.
Kevin Hayden wrote on November 30, 2007 10:29 AM:Did my last comment go through?
Will wrote on November 30, 2007 10:56 AM:Actually, I think the piece is largely favorable to Edwards.
DTM wrote on November 30, 2007 11:17 AM:I think the tone of the piece was perhaps unduly negative, but the issue is obviously legitimate--Edwards is not in fact running the same sort of campaign as he ran in 2004. Of course, that doesn't mean he won't do as well or better as he did in 2004, but he does have to convince people the changes are warranted.
Keith wrote on November 30, 2007 11:43 AM:This is not going to help Edwards one bit. For whatever reason, the media only has room for two candidates, and at this point, it's Obama and Clinton.
Maybe he should get his hair cut at Super Cuts or something....
journalschism wrote on November 30, 2007 11:53 AM:Any chance to knock Edwards, TPM will take it. And the Des Moines Register is going to endorse Obama. This Edwards jab is the preamble to that endorsement.
Kevin Hayden hit it on the head.
And Keith, you're an a**hole for even mentioning haircuts.
Ummmm wrote on November 30, 2007 12:21 PM:"Four years ago, the fresh-faced then-North Carolina senator defended his support for the Iraq war, prescribed a gradual approach to health care reform and told Iowa caucusgoers not to expect him to criticize his fellow Democrats running for president," the paper writes. "Today, he calls his Iraq vote a mistake, embraces universal health care and regularly attacks party front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York."
Erm... is a single word of that incorrect? No, seriously, just one single word? I'll wait.
/me taps foot
No? Then how, exactly, is this an "attack", Edwardsers?
journalschism wrote on November 30, 2007 12:51 PM:Memo to Ummmmmm:
No matter how much the MSM says it, pointing out policy differences are NOT attacks.
votenic wrote on November 30, 2007 2:53 PM:2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll
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Results Posted Every Tuesday Evening.
colonpowwow wrote on November 30, 2007 3:32 PM:Is it just me or does anyone else notice that the Edwards supporters on TPM are all teetering on the edge of incoherency? I don't think their hearts are in it anymore.
If it makes you feel better, Edwards is doing about as well as his polling indicates (sorry, not much comfort, I know).
I think he's doing a great job of hanging close in Iowa. He has to beat Obama or he's essentially out of it - beyond his ability to attempt to be a spoiler.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on November 30, 2007 8:56 PM:If you have survived the last four years and have not been driven hard to the left . . . You are insane (Yes, that specifically includes both Clinton & Obama).
While Edwards is less polite than four years ago, Edwards spent the last four years trying to grok the American political system and generate solutions for some weighty issues . . . He is four years older . . . Frankly, if his campaign were the same I'd be worried. The shift shows enlightenment and is a good thing.
The Register SNAFU'd this one.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on November 30, 2007 9:38 PM:Golly colonpowpow,
Edwards supporters are no less coherent than before . . . You may wish to broach medication levels with your personal physician . . Provided that your Obama-care did not leave you without coverage or your Clinton-care is too expensive because the insurance company that was mandated to underwrite your policy refused to negoitate its price . . .
Arch wrote on December 1, 2007 3:23 AM:I think it is great that he is more into the politics. After all, he is running for President.
In 2004, Edwards seemed soft and wishy-washy; like he was just glad to participate. This year, he acts like he actually wants to win. It is kind of like a team making the playoffs for the first time. The first year, they are just glad to be in it. The next year, they are hungry for more.
I do not see this as a negative.
Arch.
Bigsky in Iowa wrote on December 1, 2007 10:40 AM:Having a different nuance this go-'round could be mistaken for political expediency (like the DMR wants to view it) OR it could be taken as an acknowledgment that the issues and priorities are different now vs. then... I'm OK seeing a candidate keep his/her eye on the ball and I'm really OK with a candidate who identifies the issues AND brings SPECIFIC, constructive proposals to the table so I can evaluate them and compare them to the other candidates.
The DMR, while the largest paper in Iowa, isn't the voice for much of the state. It's struggling to remain relevant in Iowa beyond the city limits. Once you drive 10 miles in any compass direction from the center of the city the smaller local papers get much different with their editorial policy.
Frankly, I enjoy seeing someone get a little fire in their belly concerning the future of the country, bring a little heat to their mission... for now I'm gonna equate that Edwards intensity to a passion to move the discussion and the country in another direction. A direction 180 degrees from the "Oh, I have a plan just like that too" oatmeal Clinton keeps spoon feeding us.
Anonymous wrote on December 1, 2007 5:05 PM:6 years ago, Dennis Kucinich was pro-life, Barack Obama accepted PAC and lobbyist money, Hillary Clinton supported NAFTA, Howard Dean supported invading Iraq, Al Gore supported deregulation, etc...............
Most Democratic politicians are more liberal than they claim to be. The American voter (or media) won't let them be themselves. The Des Moines Register liked John Edwards better when he was a poll driven disciple of Bob Shrum. I like the real John Edwards better.
tozeki wrote on December 14, 2007 4:25 AM:I hope the wonderful people of Des Moines organize and boycott the Des Moines Resister over dumping Kucinich.
