If you had asked me three weeks ago who I intended to vote for in the 2008 Presidential election, I would have said Barack Obama. And I still would. But he's not my first choice.
I'm pulling for John Edwards.
Senator Edwards has, in my opinion, three major pluses that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton do not have:
1-A great populist message-Senator Edwards made his announcement for President from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, a pretty stark backdrop. He perfectly illustrated the "two Americas" theme from his 2004 campaign. Most folks just assume that since New Orleans isn't on CNN anymore, things must be peachy, but it's not. Senator Edwards can bring the other aspect of America-the America where over 40 million don't have health care and almost 40 million live in poverty-into the spotlight. We have a moral responsibility to help those among us who can't help themselves.
2-The Resume-Senator Edwards served six years in the United States Senate, and, during that time, spent time on both the Judiciary Committtee and the Select Committtee on Intelligence. Senator Edwards ran a highly successful campaign for President in 2004 (not quite as successful as he hoped, though), and was John Kerry's Vice Presidential runningmate. He currently heads UNC's Center on Poverty, and has travelled with Jack Kemp to Russia.
3-Electability-Senator Edwards is the mose electable of the frontrunners (and yes, I believe he is in the top tier of candidates, Obama and Clinton being the other two). He is from the South, an area Democrats can't afford to concede to the GOP. I believe John Edwards could bring West Virginia, Arkansas, Virginia, and probably other states back into the undecided column, not to mention other states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Ohio, where the two Americas theme will resonate.
I'll be doing all I can for John Edwards right up until the day he gets sworn-in as our 44th President. Will you?
-Neal
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