On the topic of Presidential politics (loosely, and pardon the tangent)... I saw Bush in the news today looking like an utter fool getting his groove on at the White House. It was so reminiscent of the drunken Boris Yeltsin trying to bolster his position in the polls. The DNC should play these clips side by side until Bush is finally impeached.

As noted by others, you don't need a message to win. Just simple imagery.

Wish I could go, but unfortunately I have a critical meeting at the same time. I'm sure he'll do great. I always like to hear him speak.

while edwards probably won't be getting my primary vote (due to his pro-iraq war vote, and generally non-descript to poor senate record), i gotta defend his 2004 post-convention activities as well. he was all over the place making headlines in small town newspapers, under the radar--kind of like what he's doing now. i think it was good work.

A question for Edwards:

Do you support marriage equality, or is your position the standard Democratic Hillary/Obama "please don't beat up the gays/lesbians, but because of my personal religious prejudice, their families just aren't as legally valid, worthy or deserving of civil protection as mine?"

Oregon Bill, the best one-page summary of the views on gay rights of the major Dem candidates is found over at Pam's House Blend here.

So, in other words - NO, John Edwards does NOT support marriage equality.

His "culture" (i.e., religious prejudice - and certainly the religious prejudice of the voters he'd like to reach) overrides the American promise of equal opportunity for all.

Guess that makes it THREE Americas... 1. The $400 haircut crowd 2. Those struggling to make ends meet 3. Those not worthy of equal Constitutional civil rights and benefits

No house parties or fundraising for us (since we're what - about "three-fifths" of your standard U.S. citizen?)

Thanks for clearing that up!

I like John Edwards a lot. He is intelligent, articulate, has very good views on most of the issues but he absolutely screams vice-presidential candidate. I think that's why he can't get more notice. He is the absolute perfect veep. I don't think his ego will let him run twice as the veep candidate.

I like Senator Edwards and his message about health care. I think he would make a great vice presidential running mate for someone. My concern is his 400 dollar haircuts twice with campaign money and his home. Someone who is championing the working class and fighting poverty cannot set the example by using campaign dollars for his or her own needs. The home Senator Edwards built is nice, but again it may turn off some voters. Just a concern

Kari, thank you for the link on the candidates responses concerning gay rights and marriage. I actually was fortunate enough to hear Edwards comments on the air. While I do not agree with him, I do believe that he is where most Americans are right now, i.e. many support gay rights, but are not ready to go as far as gay marriage. It is a safe place for him to be and to speak from even if I do not agree with it.

The $400 dollar hair cuts do not concern me, other than the fact that he could have gone to Great Clips and saved a bundle. I cannot deny that he has a great head of hair! But, I will not hold that against him. He is still my favorite candidate. He was my favorite in 2004 as well.

Let's face it. No candidate that will be able to raise the kind of money that is needed to win the White House is going to be "steller". All of them come from money in one way or another. That is unfortunate and this will not change any time soon. However, I think that the Democratic candidates, flaws and all are far above their Republican counterparts.

Breaking news - this just in:

-- John Edwards gets a haircut -- Al Gore lives in a house .... WITH ELECTRICITY!

In other news George Bush wears Oxxford handmade suits costing $9,000 - $14,000. "Mr. Bush was so pleased with the fit of his tuxedo, suit, and topcoat and trousers that he immediately ordered six more garments" a spokesman for Oxxford commented. All the while Dick Cheney filed his taxes again this year, showing that in the last 25 years, Mr. Cheney has worked 20 years in government positions and only 5 years in the private sector - but is worth in excess of $75 million dollars.

But nevermind that ... JOHN EDWARDS GOT A HAIRCUT!!!

Now can we get back to his positions on: -- healthcare -- job creation -- rebuilding of the middle class -- pension reform -- fair taxation for corporations -- eliminate corporate welfare -- end the illegal occupation in Iraq

And no offense, but can we move beyond gays, guns, and god?

I do believe that he is where most Americans are right now, i.e. many support gay rights, but are not ready to go as far as gay marriage.

Right on. Most Americans fail to see their gay and lesbian friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors as fully human like themselves, due the same rights and responsibilities still guaranteed every American citizen in the US Constitution.

And if you're not gay or lesbian, you're in a "safe place." You're comfortable. After all, your family is protected. You're a real person, a full citizen, offered the complete list of guaranteed civil rights. Your children are safer, and you're valued more, legally, because you matter more. Your family counts.

Those other kids, those other families, with gay and lesbian parents - now my priest/minister/imam/rabbi tells me they aren't worth as much, as Americans, as mine. Their families should perhaps have some rights (let's call them "gay" rights) - but full American equality? Actual citizenship? Like me??!

Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled that so many Blue Oregonians can look past this utter dismissal and devaluation of their friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers by all the major Presidential candidates, with their terrific hair, and vote for someone who will likely move this country forward after years of sliding back.

But Edwards/Obama/Hillary all advocate a lesser legal status for some Americans and their families, for no justifiable reason.

Someday we'll have a leader who works for equality and change. But it ain't Edwards.

And no offense, but can we move beyond gays, guns, and god?

Hey you're right - it's much easier to forget about 'em.

And if you're not gay or lesbian, what's the big deal anyway? (Just move to Canada or someplace that actually offers equal civil rights for all)

I want to WIN this election - and we cannot piss off the Christian crowd this time... And the guy's from South Carolina, for crying out loud! They'll just shoot him if he considers African-Americans - I'm sorry, I mean women - wait, I mean gays/lesbians - fully human and deserving of the same civil protections as me.

Sorry about the gun reference (but no god!). Can we move on please?

Jeff- Regarding your question of why Edwards?- For starters he is a southern Democrat who talks openly of his faith and can speak the language of southern and rural voters more than any other Democrat. As we have seen from 40 years of Electoral history, that is, I think, a huge plus for a Democratic nominee. Edwards is still progressive, though, and labor unions and healthc are advocay groups love him. When Hillary and Obama ducked the "is homosexuality immoral?" question, Edwards answered by saying he didn't think it was.

Edwards has been through a presidential and vice presidential campaign that have seasoned his already good political skills. He almost won Iowa last time and is ahead there in the polls.

Any number of politicians and commentators have mentioned Edwards as the candidate who is really talking about issues and has laid out specific policy proposals on issues like health care and Iraq. For example, Bill Bradley recently praised Edwards on Tim Russert's Sat. night show, as did Greg Kafoury, Nader's #1 Oregon supporter. (At the same time, Kafoury was very critical of Clinton.)

Hillary and Obama are celebrities, but I don't think that a Chicago or New York Democrat(Hillary is both) can win nationally. They also seem to be talking in vague generalities compared to Edwards. Biden has a lot of foreign policy credibility, but seems to talk about Iraq and little else. Biden has yet to gain traction, as do the others.

Someday we'll have a leader who works for equality and change. But it ain't Edwards.

Right now, it's Eliot Spitzer.

Yes! He's cool. It actually can be done...

Bill: Did I say "forget?" Nowhere in my post did I say "forget". I said "move beyond" as in multiple issues. Look at the canidate as a whole - not just a one-hit wonder.

People need to stop this knee-jerk reaction of eliminating canidates based on the MSM issue of the day. The current administration has left us high and dry with regards to healthcare, the environment, reproductive rights, gay rights, immigration, unions and workforce protections, education, and the list goes on. Granted I may not like or agree with every issue, but I'd like to see us all moving in the right direction.

But for the record, I would vote for a three-legged dog with a bad eye before I would vote for another republican in this life time.

Kari:

And unlike Karl Rove (whose firing he demanded today), Senator Edwards is appearing at a free public "town hall" style event.

Bob T:

Apples and grapefruit, Kari. An advisor to a President has little reason to hold such a forum while someone needing votes does. Jeez, Kari, what a bonehead comparison!

Bob Tiernan

But for the record, I would vote for a three-legged dog with a bad eye before I would vote for another republican in this life time.

Me, too!

But I'm not donating any money, hosting any house parties, or getting all that enthused about any candidate who doesn't believe my children and my family deserve the same guaranteed American legal protections as his or hers.

I do envy your ease in "moving beyond" this issue... but then you apparently aren't targeted by religious prejudice, and are comfortably enjoying all your basic rights.

Spitzer for President! (he doesn't need $400 for haircuts, either...)

Someday we'll have a leader who works for equality and change. But it ain't Edwards.

Oregonbill,

You are talking to the choir on this one. I am gay and am more liberal than most. However, I am also a realist. If people stay home because one particular liberal candidate is not liberal enough on gay marriage, then WE LOSE. Period. Conservatives lose when liberals show up to the polls. The rely on us staying home and being frustrated.

Nearing middle age, I get pretty frustrated at decades of demonization, stigmatization and the devaluation of all of us. It is entirely unfair, but it will not change over night.

Realistically, I believe that equal rights for GLBT citizens will come via the states first. Once a majority of the states have equal rights for all of their citizens then this will translate into truly national changes.

Is this my preference? Absolutely not! But, I realize that equal rights on a national scale will not likely happen in my lifetime. It is sad, but I fight for those that will follow me in the hopes that the next generation will not face the discrimination that we do now.

If people stay home because one particular liberal candidate is not liberal enough on gay marriage, then WE LOSE.

I'm not staying home.
I'm voting for Eliot Spitzer (or that three-legged dog with a bad eye)

But again, I'm not donating any money, hosting any house parties, or getting particularly enthused about any candidate who doesn't realize that my children and my family deserve the same guaranteed American legal protections as his or hers.

There are consequences (and should be) to dehumanizing your fellow Americans, and backing religious prejudice against our kids and families. How are you going to reach that "next generation" that "will not face the discrimination that we do now" without standing up for your rights today..?

But nevermind that ... JOHN EDWARDS GOT A HAIRCUT!!!

Now can we get back to his positions on: -- healthcare -- job creation -- rebuilding of the middle class -- pension reform -- fair taxation for corporations -- eliminate corporate welfare -- end the illegal occupation in Iraq

And no offense, but can we move beyond gays, guns, and god?

Hey Scott in Damascus,

Again I like John Edwards, but if we want someone to really fight for the middle class and working class, we have to practice what we preach. Again independant voters get turned off by folks such as John Kerry, "snow boarding in Sun Valley." talking about fighting for the working people of this country. Images of John Kerry windsurfing off the coast of Nan Tucket still give people a good laugh. How many folks would be inspired by that? How many working class folks can afford a mansion and $400 hair cuts? Before you slam me I want to win as bad as the next person, but lets be real a basketball court in your house and one of your two biggest messages is fighting POVERTY on your campaign?

I do not look at the Republican Party and George Bush to lead on any issues, I do not look at President Bush as someone who cared about working people. I always thought he was in the pocket of big business and corporations. Does that make John Edwards better because he does not spend as much money as President bush, lets be real its called Hypocrisy! I think Howard Dean has a better term for it, "Republican Lite"

Edwards is rich, but he did not "come from money." He earned it, through acknowledged brilliance at defending the downtrodden. I don't remember anywhere in the American Dream where we say millworkers' kids have the opportunity, through their own hard work, to become millionaires AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE TO LIVE LIKE MILLWORKERS.

Y'all sound like commonists with your mouths full of sour grapes.

Ditto to whar Kari just posted. In '88, Jesse Jackson won the Deep South primaires. Does anyone think he would have carried SC or any other state in the general election? Dukakis won the Texas primary, largely with hispanic support, but was creamed in Texas in the fall even with Texas's Bentsen on the ticket. Appeal to primary voters often doesn't always translate to the general.

Voter preferance is laregly about cultural issues. That is why southerners Carter and CLinton were able go beyond our black base in the south and win white voters, not a majority , but enough to win with a black/moderate white Democrat coalition. I do not feel that Hillary or Obama could do that.

<h2>I'll have to alllow that I was not overly impressed with Edwards in the debate last night. "Overally calcualting" is the most common criticism. Debates have never been his strongest format, though. He is much better with speeches and town halls.</h2>