Editorial - August 2003

Too early to write off Edwards’ bid

Published August 15, 2003

Many pundits here and nationally are writing off Sen. John Edwards’ presidential campaign as that of a failed novice. They could be wrong.

Edwards is not a front-runner, lagging behind the pack in many polls that give former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts the lead. But these Democratic primary races can be very close, and surprising.  Kerry and Dean might be good picks for a New Hampshire primary, but they may not look that appealing to more moderate Democratic voters, especially in the South. Dean’s high-profile anti-war position is bound to alienate many moderate voters. Kerry is a substantive candidate with an impressive resume, but he comes off a lot like the Massachusetts Kennedys who have never been popular in the South. That leaves Joe Lieberman, Rep,. Richard Gephardt,  Florida Sen. Bob Graham and Edwards. Forget the rest of the field.

Lieberman fits the mold as an establishment candidate with views conservative enough to reflect moderate voters. But he comes across dull, more of a consensus reader than a leader. He is also identified with Al Gore’s failed campaign of 2000. Gephardt also fits the moderate role to some extent, and he does have a lot of friends in the South. His weakness: the spector of a has-been. He’s run before and lost.

Graham got into the race late and remains a wild card, though potentially an appealing candidate if he is not written off as a loose cannon. His message on the issue of war makes a lot of sense: we should be fighting terrorists instead of focusing all our energy on Iraq.

   E J. Dione of the Washington Post Writers Group recently likened Edwards to Bill Clinton in his detailed policy speeches outlining moderate programs on kitchen-table issues. And, a lot of middle class voters can identify with the North Carolinian who came from a working class background and went on to make a successful career for himself.

His message is carefully crafted and could eventually deliver large numbers of votes from working-class Democrats, as Dionne reported last week.

Edwards’ view is that Bush’s policies amount to a transfer of the overall tax burden away from holders of wealth and toward those who live on paychecks.

Condemning what he called “Bush’s war on work,” in a June speech at Georgetown University, Edwards drew a clear distinction.

 “I believe America should value work. He (Bush) only values wealth. He wants the people who own the most to get more. I want to make sure everybody has the chance to be an owner.”

 Edwards has his work cut out for him. Indeed, even a return race for the North Carolina Senate could be difficult in the Tar Heel state where arch-conservatives like former Sen. Jesse Helms thrive. But he looks and  sounds like a solid contender for the Democratic nomination for president.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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