New Face Or Old Hand For Democrats? (Edwards)

Boston Globe ^ | 1/8/03 | Scott Lehigh

[Maceman]

HEN WAGERING on the Democratic presidential nominee, the fresh face on the national scene has usually been a fair bet. Witness Jimmy Carter. And Mike Dukakis. And Bill Clinton.

But as the Democrats begin Campaign 2004, these questions loom: How fresh is too fresh? Has the age of terrorism placed a premium on gray hair - and put a pox on the sort of fortysomething boy wonder that Bill Clinton was in 1992?

[TexasNative2000]

"....if it's clear that Saddam Hussein is not in the process of disarming, we ought to be willing to use military action."

Willing to use military force and actually using force are two different things, Senator Edwards.

[alloysteel]

Remember a couple of years ago, when the media was bantering about a new word, gravitas, of every occasion in reference to George W. Bush? About he didn't have it, it was an important ingredient, et cetera, et cetera. As it turns out, Dubya had gravitas to spare, and had plenty left over to supply it to the entire rest of the nation.

Well, the same charge could be applied to John Edwards, who just seems to be a playtime dandy, an older Ashton Cutcher (Michael Kelso on "That '70's show"), and without any very well developed sense of priorities. I do not doubt, he is sharp as all get out in a focused debate. He may not even need cue cards. But his thinking is strictly one-dimensional.

[Congressman Billybob]

For a solid analysis of the "leading" Democrat candidates for President in 2004, take a look at my latest UPI column, "Three Anti-Endorsements" at the first link below. I won't put it up on FR until it's on the UPI wire, sometime tomorrow.

It deals primarily with Senators Lieberman, Kerry and Edwards. I know the first two personally for more than 40 years. I know Edwards by profession, having substantial experience with big-ticket plaintiffs' attorneys.

Congressman Billybob

Click for latest column on UPI, "Three Anti-Endorsements" (Not yet on UPI wire, or FR.)

As the politician formerly known as Al Gore has said, Buy my book, "to Restore Trust in America"