Edwards Persuasive Powers (OR; How Sen. John Edwards made his fortune!)

www.overlawyered.com ^ | 1/20/04 | Walter Olson

[harpu]

Edwards' persuasive powers

Having long taken an interest in the career of North Carolina Sen. John Edwards (see Sept. 16, Aug. 27 (talk about bad predictions!), Aug. 5, earlier posts), we are not entirely surprised that the silver-tongued trial lawyer/politician did so well among Iowa Democrats, not to mention charming such commentators as Mickey Kaus (scroll to second "P.P.S." item) and Andrew Sullivan (second item). As we've had occasion to note, before entering politics Sen. Edwards had some of his greatest success representing families of kids with cerebral palsy against the doctors who'd allegedly botched their deliveries -- this despite a steadily mounting pile of research (see Feb. 27, 2003) tending to refute the popular theory that cerebral palsy is commonly caused by obstetricians' conduct during labor and delivery. Last March, in a letter to the editor printed at this site, Mississippi physician S.W. Bondurant wondered whether the press would look into the question of whether Edwards's trial wins were based on sound science. Now reporter Marc Morano of the conservative CNSNews.com takes on that assignment ("Did 'Junk Science' Make John Edwards Rich?", CNSNews.com, Jan. 20). Just to clarify my own views, which are quoted at some length: I don't assert that every lawsuit blaming obstetricians for infant brain damage is unfounded. The problem is that our system gives wide leeway for cases of debatable scientific merit to be filed and then, after a battle of the hired experts, decided by appeals to jury emotion. (& welcome visitors from sites including Kaus (Jan. 20), Sullivan, MedPundit, Blog 702 and many others)

Posted by Walter Olson at 05:06 PM

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[harpu]

And now it's time for some real press scrutiny of how Sen. John Edwards made his fortune

[FormerACLUmember]

Yes, indeed. Edwards made every penny of his cerebral palsy scam millions through a combination of completely fraudulent "junk science" and utterly corrupt North Carolina courts.

Imagine the corruption if he ever gained any more power. Like Gore, he will not carry his home state, which is now wise to him.

[bobjam]

This reminds me of another slick talking trial lawyer who ran for a major office- Bill McBride's failed bid to unseat Jeb Bush. McBride headed the largest trial law firm in the state and raked in huge sums of cash from fellow trial lawyers and activists from across the country looking to unseat Bush in revenge for the 2000 election. McBride did surprisingly well in the polls, well enough to make it a tight race, until the gubernatorial debates. A political debate is not the same as a courtroom performance. McBride's liberal extremism shone brightly, especially after he was asked how he would pay for his proposed spending ideas. McBride finally admitted he would raise taxes- and he plummetted in the polls. By election day, it wasn;t even a contest.

[gov_bean_ counter]

My father was an old school attorney who grew to loath lawyers like Edwards. Actors in the courtroom... not students of the law or reasoned debate.

[Fixit]

Wait til you see Sen Edwards apply his typical tactics to electioneering...

[harpu]

Too funny but...I wouldn't put it pass his supporters!

[Barset]

Thanks for posting this.