Safire: The Edwards Surprise

The New York Times ^ | 02/18/04 | William Safire

[per loin]

The Kerry debacle in Wisconsin leaves the media in a delicate situation. The story that they refuse to acknowledge exists, except to say that it has been debunked, almost threw Wisconsin to Edwards, despite predictions that Kerry might win the state with a majority.

So far, Susan Estrich is the only talkface on TV that I've seen with the balls to state that the Dems are running in secret backroom terror over the Kerry sex scandals. To admit now that the scandals are having effect is for the media to admit how much power they have lost to the internet.

[Redcoat LI]

Sentor Sleazeball is hearing footsteps.
I wonder if that non-story about the woman he did not have an affair with influenced the Wisconsin voters.
It would be a shame if the liberal media ignored that story for nothing.

[Pokey78]

All of the talking heads keep mentioning "if other things pop up" in reference to Kerry. They know something that we don't.

[LADY J]

"For a serious man running for a serious job, Kerry has not made a policy speech since December, when he was nobody."

Could it be because he has no policy speech to give! He is still a nobody - except in his own mind.

I love the reference to the RATS.

[Notasoccermom]

"So far, Susan Estrich is the only talkface on TV that I've seen with the balls to state that the Dems are running in secret backroom terror over the Kerry sex scandals. To admit now that the scandals are having effect is for the media to admit how much power they have lost to the internet."

Last few times I have heard Susan speak it was in giddy tones over John Edwards.

[per loin]

Yup, and they are keeping it quiet as long as they can.

[per loin]

She does seem to know that Kerry, as a candidate, is among the walking dead.

[LADY J]

"Last few times I have heard Susan speak it was in giddy tones over John Edwards."

Susan seemed pretty sure of a Kerry/Edwards ticket on Fox a short while ago.

Where does that leave the hildebeast I wonder.

[.cnI redruM]

Kerry is a Potemkin. A put-up job. The most frightening thing he could face would be actually winning and having the buck stop at his desk. I'm not sure why he even wants the job. It must be some sick form of inertia.

[Shermy]

It was a stab in the back.

If he felt that way, he could have waited for Wednesday.

Dean might support Edwards...

And Kerry ever more forced into a Clark's well-lubicated arms...

[Dolphy]

I have been told that the perpetually sour, Eleanor Clift, has also said that the story has legs, female legs.

The force of Edwards' rise is proportional to the force that is behind him. The man just a few short months ago, when he was in the low single digits, said his campaign was right where he wanted it to be. Now how is that if he didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve and needed only to hang around until the others imploded? How is it that the virtually unknown Senator nabbed the endorsement of the largest newspaper in Iowa? Who is it that really planted the female intern story? Seems Edwards' goal is to use his Clinton-like southern charm and his behind the scenes ruthlessness to be the last man standing. Edwards was Bill Clinton's boy long before most of us knew who Clark was.

[terilyn]

You really do post the best stuff!

[okie01]

Grossman was a Clinton operative, correct?

What has been set up, methinks, is Edwards/Clinton. But the bet is hedged by Kerry/Clark.

Still, though, I'm inclined to believe Clark may be running his own operation -- separate from, and probably antithetical to, the Clintons'.

The Democrat frontrunners have been successively shot from behind. A by-product will be the extended relevance of the Democrat primary season -- a Bush-bashing extravaganza, with wall-to-wall media coverage and cheerleading (a no extra cost option).

Nor is there yet a target for the GOP to fire back at. The flanks of these oh, so vulnerable targets are thus protected by the gauze of uncertainty.

There is a masterful political operation going on here...

[okie01]

"They know something that we don't."

Or, just as likely, they suspect the same things we suspect.

[Jeff Chandler]

My hunch is the bimbo stuff was a shot across the bow from the Clinton, who want Hillary as veep. If Kerry goes along, the Clitons have the media stay mum. If not...

[okie01]

"I'm not sure why he even wants the job. It must be some sick form of inertia."

Kerry is looking for forward to stationery that says "The Oval Office". He lusts to enter the room to the strains of "Hail to the Chief".

He wants to ride "Marine One". Then lord it over the press on Air Force One. He wants Camp David, as an option to Nantucket.

He looks forward to flipping the switch and turning on the national Christmas tree.

But, as for doing any of the actual heavy lifting, he'll have a staff for that. And, of course, the UN...

[Shermy]

There is a masterful political operation going on here...

I think there's a lot of incompetence, bad decorum and gamesmanship. don't give 'em too much credit...

[meema]

bunp to finish reading later

[.cnI redruM]

Yeah, it must be the fancy, white ecru, POTUS stationary.