BS: John Edwards

Subject: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:02 PM

If the media had been doing their job, and had ferreted out John Edwards' mistress earlier, Hillary Clinton would be president now.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:04 PM

How so?

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:07 PM

It's just Rig's notion that she'd not had as much competition in the primaries....or something like that.

Politics is full to the brim of "what ifs".

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:30 PM

What, Rigs??? Did John Edwards have somethin' goin' on with Obama, as well???

Sorry, but that's a real stretch here...

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: olddude
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:36 PM

How did it affect Bobert's election as Pres of the Cat?

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:37 PM

Is John Edwards descended from Jonathan Edwards?

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:38 PM

Rigin is just upset that this was a missed opportunity to grouse during the election season.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:39 PM

"... descended from Jonathan Edwards?"

grin...

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:44 PM

"The arrows of death fly unseen at noon-day; the sharpest sight can't discern them."

John Edwards certainly missed seeing this weapon to bring about his political death.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:46 PM

Actually, I reckon that Johnathan Edwards is old enough to be John Edwards daddy... My, my, how time flies when yer havin' fun... 'Er stoned... "Er both...

As fir me havin' a thing with any of 'um, (Edwards, Clinton or Obmaa)??? Nope... I did not have sex with none of them, nor their spouses, nor their sisters, aunt's, uncles, garndmas''' I mean, nuthin'...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: pdq
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:51 PM

...about John Edward's primary campaign: "hair today, goon tomorrow"

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 01:05 PM

John is a sad case.... I actually liked a lot of what he was saying....and I have no doubt he was serious about his political agenda.
I just can't believe he thought he could hide his transgressions indefinitely.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 01:08 PM

"You can run but you can't hide," as Paul Harvey used to say. Being dead he hasn't said much lately.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 01:16 PM

I think it's some time for ...

only time

.


.


ok ... I'm outta here

biLL   :)

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 08:34 PM

"How so?"

            Obama won with the extreme left wing of the Democratic party, leaving Hillary and Edwards to split the majority. If Edwards had been exposed and forced out earlier, Obama's extreme left wing could not have won.
            It was most obvious in the caucus contests where he won mostly with students from college campuses.
            Whoever won the Democratic nomination would have won the general election once Reaganomics struck in the fall.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: artbrooks
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 08:39 PM

Odd, that. Ms. Clinton won the left here, and Mr. Obama took the center. Mr. Edwards was a non-starter.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: artbrooks
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 08:42 PM

In fact, taking a look at the national numbers, if Ms. Clinton had gotten all 4 1/2 percent of the primary votes that Mr. Edwards captured, Mr. Obama would still have won by 4%.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 11:45 PM

Yeah, but that's not the way it works. With Edwards out of the picture, Hillary would have won Iowa and Obama would have been a non-starter.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 11:59 PM

He was saying some very important stuff. But he blew his credibility out of the water. It may blow over in the future, but he'll never get back to the same place where he was before.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 08:14 AM

That's real tragedy of it all. Politically, Edwards was right about his message, and he was the only one talking about it. Now, I suppose, the message will be buried along with the messenger.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: artbrooks
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 08:24 AM

Perhaps you're right, Rig. IMHO, Mr. Obama would have gotten enough of Mr. Edwards' centrist votes to prevent a landslide for Ms. Clinton, and there is no real reason to think that the rest of the nation would have sheepishly followed behind Iowa.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 10:28 AM

"...there is no real reason to think that the rest of the nation would have sheepishly followed behind Iowa."


                They did, though!

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Stringsinger
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 12:15 PM

The message is clear. Edwards typifies it. Those who know how to campaign may be the least qualified to govern.

Why? He made terrible decisions regarding his illicit affair.

Edwards was no different in his personal behavior than JFK (sometimes called Jack the Zipper), LBJ or Bill Clinton. Eliot Spitzer even had a good message but showed bad judgement.

There has been a shift in tolerance for "moral" standards over the last decade.

And we haven't had a decent executive in office since FDR. Even FDR had an affair with Lucy.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 10:38 PM

John Edwards, is just your typical everyday politician, right or left..get over it! Play music!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: mousethief
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 10:44 PM

What GfS said.

Ouch it hurt to say that.

O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 11:40 PM

But you have to come up with words to the song!

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Janie
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 12:16 AM

Perhaps a wee bit more power mad than your everyday politician....or perhaps just not as skillful at protecting himself from the public becoming aware of the excesses of his own ego as seems to be endemic among so many politicians. (Big surprise - gotta have a big ego to endure what is involved in seeking a big office.)

Many, though not most liberal North Carolinians were disillusioned with him within a few months of his election to the Senate. Most, though not all were over him when he resigned his hard-won Senate seat so soon after taking office in pursuit of more power for the sake of power.

I did doubt the sincerity of his message, Bill D, having had occasion to correspond with his office on a couple of occasions while he was Senator on matters related to my work as a social worker. I chalked up the incompetence of his staff to inexperience, but not the disingenious replies.

His sex life and marital problems are none of my concern, except as they reflect his actual moral fiber. How he attempted to deal with the revelations, over time, however, is a much greater reflection of his moral fiber, or lack there of. He cared about issues of poverty from a fairytale perspective, grandiosely invisioning himself as a "savior."

Let me be the first to say I am a bit of a prude on these matters. However, I was not a John Edwards fan to begin with because I did not beleive his interest and commitment to economic justice for the poor and working class was sincere to begin with. I suspect the aide who wrote the book is no prize either.

Back to the original premise of the thread - I don't think Edward's primary candicacy ultimately had any effect on who won the Democratic primary. As difficult a time as Obama is having, I think he is ultimately going to be more effective than Hilary Clinton would have been, because I do think he has real moral force behind him and is willing to speak truth to a greater extent than most in his position. He may not end up being politically successful during his term in office, but I think he will over-all influence this country and this government in a positive direction - which may not be apparent until the historians get ahold of it.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 12:59 AM

Janie: "I chalked up the incompetence of his staff to inexperience, but not the disingenuous replies."

Well, if he picked his staff, just who gets the blame for incompetence? When you're the top guy, and something goes wrong, ultimately, it's your fault.

Janie: "His sex life and marital problems are none of my concern, except as they reflect his actual moral fiber."

Though I agree with you, to a point, if you are going to be disloyal to your life's partner, in which you have children with, why should you have trust that he is going to be loyal to his constituents, or even anything he claims to represent??

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Janie
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 01:56 AM

Actually, GfS, we are in very close agreement. He was rather obviously not loyal to his constuents when he abandoned his senate seat. I didn't like many of his votes once he reached the Senate, but his voting record clearly was better, from a liberal perspective, than the reactionary Rublican alternative. One would have to know NC politics to really know what a battle it was to elect a non-Jesse Helms senator, and the sense of betrayal when he vacated the seat so quickly, in pursuit of even greater power. I doubt the "common good" sincerely factored into his decisions at any point along the way.

I can grant a newbie a learning curve regarding organizing staff and getting a handle on administrative details. Blatant double-speak is another matter.

His brief tenancy as Director of the Center on Poverty, Opportunity and Work was clearly a place holder while he organized to run a presidential campaign. He picked up some soundbites and a little "fluffy" knowledge during his stint, but nothing else, and, as best I can tell, simply used that agency and that office to launch his campaign.

I don't like the guy. Never did. He is no better and no worse, I am sorry to say, than many, many other politicians and people hungry for power first, and for the good they may be able to do with that power, 2nd.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 02:06 AM

Janie: "I don't like the guy. Never did."

Actually, we are in complete agreement, there!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 11:43 AM

Actually, it seemed to me that Edwards spent most of his time during the campaign attacking Hillary because he viewed her as the front-runner. He damaged both Hillary and himself, leaving Obama as the only man standing.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 12:29 PM

I am beginning to think that I badly misjudged him. I liked much of what he said, but it seems I didn't look closely enough at the context and his record...etc.
(he was never my 'first' choice, but he seemed bright and was mouthing all the right platitudes)

I guess just knowing he was a top-notch criminal defense lawyer should have tipped me off to investigate his sincerity....*wry grin*

Makes me sad that he treated both a wonderful wife and the electorate with such disdain.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 01:17 PM

I wonder what he would have done--or what the public would have done--if he'd been elected president.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Janie
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 07:54 PM

Well Bill, it may be that I am harder on the guy than he deserves. I see him through the lens bitterness, as do many of my liberal North Carolina cohorts - dating to his resignation from the Senate.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 12:51 PM

I supported him. I remember Janie did not. Next time I will pay attention to you, Janie. :)

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 01:15 PM

Ebbie: "I supported him. I remember Janie did not. Next time I will pay attention to you, Janie. :)"

I never liked him, told you that during the 'election', as well. Why is it,Ebbie, that your instincts have been....ummm...so compromised? We love you, Ebbie!.. but in so many ways you've been off the mark. You may choke on your coffee, at this one, but anything I can do to give you input, I'll be happy. I know I've offended a few of the stubborn ideologues..but, as time goes on, and more is revealed, I've been correct..though those who hold a stiff party line talking points, have attacked me at every turn. Hey!..I'm on your side!!!

As us musicians say to each other..."C, don't B flat, B sharp, but B natural"...winkin' at ya'

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 05:05 PM

Guest far from Sanity, I have evidently not made myself clear to you. My apologies. I have meant to get across to you that it will be a long, long day before I go to you for counseling, You , sir, are not fit.

As for my being wrong so often- ha! I sneer in your face.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 05:08 PM

Wrong again!

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 05:31 PM

It is possible that you don't recognize the flaws in your understanding, mindset, approach and methodology, so I'll grant you that. However, I most definitely would not advise anyone to consult you. And in this opinion, I am not kidding.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 06:27 PM

Its okay, I wasn't offering my counseling, just merely suggesting that you get your shit together.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 06:36 PM

As fir gettin' one's shit togethe??? Ebbie has consistently been more a person of "grace" than anyone here in Mudburg... Grace is the ulimate measure of one havin' his or her shit together..

Maybe you need to lighten up, GfS, and maybe spend a little more time going back and reading and rereading what Ebbie has posted here going back long before you tunneled in 'cause you got it all wrong here...

She needs couseling from you like a drowning man needs a drink of water...

Nuff said...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 11:25 PM

Danged. Perhaps as a result of my growing up in a large family, I can't let it rest there.

GfS, I don't apologize for my opinion- I do apologize for my intemperate language.

And if that doesn't let me rest easier, I'll be back. :)

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 11:29 PM

Ebbie: "I don't apologize for my opinion- I do apologize for my intemperate language."

GfS: Accepted...maybe it's just the times, that are on people's nerves...sleep well.

Regards,
GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 11:47 PM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 08:02 AM

Now that's better...

(((Sigh)))

B~

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 02:39 PM

Of course, the question is: how is John Edwards sleeping?

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 03:52 PM

Rigs: "Of course, the question is: how is John Edwards sleeping?"

.....Or his family!

When one takes an oath, as in marriage, for 'better or worse', sickness an in health, keeping to one's self, till death do you part....and your wife puts her trust and faith, in you and in your strength, to keep your word...and you betray that.......He probably isn't even thinking how his family is sleeping! Only his next conquest for self gratification!

Neither does a politician give a rat's ass about the people that trust him, when he disregards the oath of office he takes!

If you can't keep your word...don't give it! You, whether a public servant, entrusted with the people's faith, who voted for you, or a spouse, where the unquestioned faith in you is generated by those who LOVE you, as part of their lives, break your oath to them, you ARE a low-life piece of scum, and should be living in shame for the rest of your days!!

And I'm also sorry, for all those on here, who have had that happen, to them, in this life, with a former spouse! As far as public servants, we are watching it go down, every day that we live!

Sing and play your hearts out, and bring this corruptness to an end!!

Sincerely,
GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 04:06 PM

"If you can't keep your word...don't give it!"


            Okay, I'll bite. Then how do you get elected?

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 05:03 PM

Good grief. After an orgy of commas, GfS has succumbed to exclamations!!!

By the way, to my mind a promise differs somewhat from an oath.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 05:38 PM

Ebbie: "By the way, to my mind a promise differs somewhat from an oath"


Ebbie, In that difference, which do you feel easier to break?


Koapectate, anyone?...(wink),

Wishing the Best!
GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 05:49 PM

If you don't know the difference, GfS, let me enlighten you:

If one believes in a Supreme Being, an oath is sworn to it.

A promise on the other hand, is given in the belief one has at that time that it will be possible to keep it.

You get to decide which one is easier to break.

Incidentally, your snideness gets wearisome after awhile.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 06:56 PM

Ebbie, I wouldn't think either should be broken, after all, part of the deity lives within us...... don't you think?

Oh, and by the way, am not, or was not being snide with you.

Easy.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 07:18 PM

Why are so many in the USA fixated by the sex lives of politicians?

But I am amazed to see that Americans do indeed have a sense of irony, contrary to much world received wisdom.

Obama - "extreme left wing"! ROFLMAO! Some Americans are just SO insular.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,999
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 07:35 PM

"Why are so many in the USA fixated by the sex lives of politicians?"

Because many voters feel they're the only ones being fucked by those same politicians. They're more surprised than actually fixated.

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 07:47 PM

Well. I hate to say anything negative about anyone and, in essence, I am not... I am repeating something that Tom Ashcfroft from NPR said a couple weeks ago about John Edwards...

Tom said that during the campaign he was eent to cover Edwards and watched the ralley and was thinkin' that Edwards really had the crowd in the palm od his hand and was looking forward to the ineterview after the event... Then when it came time for the one-on-one Edwards, in Tom's opinion, was a real jerk... Okay, maybe not that word but close...

Hey, I liked Edward's stand on poverty... I hate it that that discussion has fallen victim to the campaign... It was an important one that is long overdue...

Just thought I'd throw that in in case anyone else had heard that "On Point"...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 10:24 AM

Ashbrook?

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 10:35 AM

Guess 999: ""Why are so many in the USA fixated by the sex lives of politicians?"
Because many voters feel they're the only ones being fucked by those same politicians. They're more surprised than actually fixated."

Surprised?..hmmm....Think of it as this guy is hitting on a chick, and telling her how much he 'loves' her, and how she is so 'far out', beautiful, and how much he's going to 'do for' her....The chick is captivated, and has come a way, being convinced, because she was somewhat skeptical at first......Then another chick comes along, and in front of the both of you, starts spouting off all the bullshit lines that he used on her!....How people feel about John Edwards, is like how that chick feels slapping the shit out of him, getting up and walking out, with a great, but mixed feeling of relief, and dignity saved!

Not paying politicians much credibility, and keeping my dignity, and integrity,

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: John Edwards
From: Riginslinger
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 04:10 PM

This is why we have a Tea Party movement, and why it is getting so much traction:


http://townhall.com/columnists/ByronYork/2010/02/08/why_the_media_ignored_a_scandal