Thoughts on John Edwards...
So John Edwards announced yesterday that he is seeking the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. I wish the man luck. I think he's damned smart, his heart is in the right place, he gives a helluva stump speech and has more charisma in his sleep than John Kerry would even after a few martinis (or whatever he drinks). Of course, being president isn't just about charisma or good looks (Edwards is movie star handsome) and I like that this candidate is calling for an increase in community service and cuts in poverty, global warming, and troops in Iraq.
But here's the rub: Edwards didn't mention gay rights on Thursday. And further, during the 2004 campaign both he and Kerry said they opposed same-sex marriage. Edwards also said he opposed amending the U.S. constitution to ban it, arguing the issue should be left up to the states.
That is just chicken s***! You gotta take a stand on this AND on the ban on gays in the military. These things are WRONG and are a non-issue on countries like Great Britain. He's playing it safe on the hot-button gay issues. Typical. His likely rivals for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, have yet to announce. I will be waiting to see if they take any pro-gay stands.
I'm not holding my breath.
Greg Hernandez has covered the entertainment industry for the Daily
News since 2001. He's considered a bit odd by some for his obsession
with box office numbers, has been known to camp out near the kitchen
at premieres for first crack at the hors d'oeurves, and Greg's never
seen a red carpet he didn't want to stroll down.
Comments
Yeah, you can't have the candidates hedging on this issue. I can't believe that Hillary and Obama are gonna punk out on this one. Guess we'll have to see the campaign unfold. I heard Edwards' speech and interview last night, and I've got to say, it doesn't look good. Having only one term in the Senate and now not being in government, he's got a big deficit to overcome. And if Obama gets in, it's pretty much all over for everybody but Hillary. ... And you know the pressure's there, and Obama's getting in. I don't know what his or Hillary's records are on the subject, but this is an issue -- a human rights issue -- that the Democrats should be all over.
Posted by: Steven Rosenberg | December 29, 2006 10:40 AM
I think Edwards is great but I just don't know what has changed since 2004 except that he is two years older. The more I think about the Dems in 2008, the more I think the nomination is Al Gore's to lose: he was robbed in 2000, has been consistently right on Iraq (unlike Hillary), and will not have a problem with either cash or name recognition... I wrote a story on this at www.minor-ripper.blogspot.com
Posted by: Minor Ripper | December 29, 2006 12:29 PM
okay,
hate to be rude, but give me a break. he just started running. what do you want him to do.
and as for the poster who says he or she doesn't know what he has done since 2004- you know, that's what the internet is for. look it up.
finally, he ran as vp which meant he wasn't running in 2004, kerry was.
peace
craig
Posted by: akaison | December 29, 2006 09:41 PM