Edwards v Obama . . . Ding!

David Traver · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 01:59 am Post subject: Edwards v Obama . . . Ding!

I saw Obama on Meet the Press today. He was flat, slow speaking, and he looked dead tired. I got the feeling that he was saying in very measured terms everything that he needed to say to thread a very fine needle. He was in defensive mode. What did he stand for? Who cares? I was profoundly unimpressed. I thought this would be the guy, but I was wrong.

In contrast, today I saw Edwards on Real Time. He was up, fresh, and on the move. He was not threading a needle, he was not defensive. He kicked ass. Not only did he have his tone right, he was ten times sharper than Obama. It was a stunning comparison of processing speed and emotional honesty, with Edwards far ahead.

I could not imagine Obama negotiating anything. On the other hand, Edwards was bright and fast and could handle anything from a labor negotiation to a peace treaty.

Message for Mr. Obama. Ding! You're done.

Watch for Edwards to do very well indeed in the primaries.

For more information about the utility and power of such snap judgments see: http://tinyurl.com/2cxsql Blink: the Power of Thinking Without Thinking. I highly recommend this book.

David Traver · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 07:22 pm Post subject:

On the other hand . . .

MikeWalters · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1315 Location: Cincinnati OH

I've been an unabashed fan of Obama since I watched his keynote speech at the Democratic convention. I have heard others compare him to Adlai Stevenson. The comparison was not intended to be a compliment. He is cerebral, and he is honest in his responses to questions (in the same way McCain used to be honest before he sold his soul). Obama is not afraid to tell a listener an uncomfortable truth.

When I hear John Edwards, I think I would have supported him when I was twenty. Now that I am almost fifty, I find his opinion that he wouldn't need to compromise with Republicans to get results to be naive. Edwards seems to think he can achieve national health insurance without listening to the G.O.P. or to the health insurance industry. It would be nice if that were possible, but as Hillary learned, it isn't possible. Bill Clinton had as close to a mandate on this issue in 1992 as you could possibly have. He won the election (against a sitting President) with an explicit promise to enact a health insurance bill within 100 days of his election. He still got rolled.

My opinion is Hillary is going to steamroll both Edwards and Obama . But Iowa could change everything.

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 09:01 pm Post subject:

Sure is a fun one to watch, regardless of outcome. Iowa is getting more important by the day, according to the pundits, anyhow. It's nice to have three strong, interesting candidates on the Democratic side; however it comes out, the winner is going to be tested and ready for the fall campaign.

David Traver · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 01:23 am Post subject:

Hopefully Ms. Clinton learned her lesson about not planting softball questions at press confernces after getting caught doing it twice last week. At least the staffers that did it were not federal employees or former prostitutes.

"It's what George Bush does." http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/11/12/politics/horserace/entry3490433.shtml

I don't want another George Bush. Do you?

David Traver · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 01:07 pm Post subject:

Does anybody know the name of the District Court Judge that Edwards referred to last night? I'm talking about the one with the courage to stand against segregation in South Carolina when Edwards was a child, even though that stand required the District Judge to travel to and from his home with armed guards.

That story should remind us all not to be bureaucratic and self-serving, but to be dynamically engaged as lawyers for the public good.

Edwards made me proud to be a plaintiffs' lawyer in that moment.

Edwards at a campaign stop..

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

The mag is a rag with little or no valid reputation but I would say the chance for a VP slot for Edwards is indeed slim :twisted:

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/exclusive_john_edwards_love_child_photos/celebrity/65258

David Traver · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 07:03 pm Post subject:

Which is worse, the lie, or repeating it?

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

I just provided the link and I am not sure if it is a lie and I gave it the weight it deserved.

I just have some personal feelings about it. I had a diagnosis similar to Mrs Edwards - perhaps worse at the time. We put our lives on hold and my wife and I made the decision to fight the disease. I was just suspicious at the time of people who made other decisions. It was just mostly personal I suppose. It seemed to me a matter of ambition but that was my value weighted opinion.

I gave no value judgment and if it is true I have nothing but the greatest sympathy for Mrs Edwards and if not true I merely provided the link and gave my value weighted skepticism.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/08/07/the_pressure_on_john_edwards_t.html

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

My apologizes. I should have trusted your judgment. Of course you were absolutely correct.

He admitted the affair today.

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

Saw that - the 2 Americas boy is going to make the admission now that he is caught.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12405.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12402.html

I just got in from going with my wife who is having some medical tests run.

Speaking of a wife the respect I lost for John I gained for his wife - not sure when she got the diagnosis but that is reverent.

When I got my cancer diagnosis my RN of a wife said that I would be her patient and we would drop everything else as a family and his wife is in the place I was.

I am just disgusted he would do what he did and I have gained respect for you for admitting he is a jerk - at least I feel he is a jerk - IMHO.

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject:

Lack of vision and a compulsion to lead. That's a bad combination.

Thank God he did not get the nomination. The last thing America needs is another adulterer as President.

But most of all I feel so very sorry for his family.

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

I guess this is an update from ABC just online. Got a cold and could not sleep and let my wife sleep in (it is her birthday today) so I have been online reading the news.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9621231

It is interesting timing and not unexpected news.

Not just an adulterous person but also he was not not having the forethought to use a condom.