EDWARDS SHOULD PROVE HIS POPULISM (LOL!!!)

The Daily Oklahoman ^ | 3 January 2003 | Editorial Staff

[PhiKapMom]

Edwards Should Prove His Populism

2003-01-03

AS HE tossed his hat into the 2004 presidential ring this week, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards vowed he would be a "champion for regular people." Don't we wish.

The handsome, well-spoken 49-year-old Democrat is just the latest politician to declare himself one of the people, a populist who will fight for the little guy in the circles of power.

In reality Edwards is a multimillionaire, his money made as a high-powered trial lawyer. No shame in that, but Americans should be wary if they see television spots of the senator piloting a tractor or chopping wood. We doubt you'll find many calluses on that man's hands.

Still, Edwards will be a formidable candidate, despite Washington whispers he's somewhat lacking in the depth department. In his first term he has earned a reputation as a terrific floor debater and for flailing witnesses in committee hearings. Good looks don't hurt.

As for the issues, Edwards voted for the Iraqi war resolution and advocates a new national intelligence-gathering agency. He says he would put off parts of the 2001 tax cut that haven't phased in yet and has called on fellow Democrats to get spending under control.

As for his man-of-the-people riff, we'll play along just a bit with this challenge: If Edwards really is a "champion for regular people," then let's see him lead the way for real tort reform in Congress in 2003.

That means pushing through limits on monetary judgments in the kinds of civil lawsuits that made him millions. Conservatives have pushed for reforms the past few years, but efforts routinely stall in the Senate, where the trial lawyers' lobby uses folks like John Edwards to block reform.

Likewise, Edwards could prove his populism by championing medical malpractice reform -- tort reform's health- care industry cousin.

In Pennsylvania, a walkout was narrowly avoided by physicians protesting the high cost and limited availability of medical malpractice insurance. Not so in West Virginia, where surgeons at four hospitals have begun a 30-day strike.

The reason doctors' insurance premiums are so high is simple: outrageous jury awards in lawsuits championed by the likes of Sen. Edwards.

The result is less health care for the regular people in America. "Juries willing to award sky-high payouts to plaintiffs poison the well for patients everywhere," the Wall Street Journal editorialized.

Edwards may not know enough about free trade or foreign policy, but tort and medical malpractice reform are two areas in which he's an expert.

He can put his money where his mouth is by voting against his trial lawyer friends on these important issues, lowering the cost of doing business and delivering health care -- improving the lives of the everyday Americans he claims to represent.

[PhiKapMom]

That was my first impression of Edwards and then I saw him speak. I do believe that clinton has tainted the waters for any candidate like him and Edwards gives me the same impression that clinton always did!

If Largent had used the fact that Brad Henry and the Indy Richardson were trial attorneys, he would have been our next Governor. He ran a "nice" race and "nice" doesn't win elections when a RAT/Indy are your opponents!

Pres Bush/Karl Rove will not fall into that same trap of "nice" and I would take that to be bank!

[Fracas]

Hiya, Mom. We're Conservatives! We can walk and chew gum at the same time, so one list is fine by me. LOL.

Some comments about Edwards. His mouth and eyes don't match; the mouth smiles and the eyes are lasers. Then the mouth twists into this little grimace, and suddenly he's Attila the Hun. Remember how he went after Pickering?

He's a trial lawyer dressed up in a lamb suit...dripping mutton juice all over the place.

Notice the little publicity photos we're seeing? Wife and little kiddies. Translation: young and virile. Canoeing. Translation: I care about the environment. And my favorite. The political announcement made in the back yard of his house instead of a formal press setting. Translation: I'm a homebody (even though I hang around the house in a blue suit!).

[Intimidator]

I must say this North Carolinian wishes the 'ambulance chaser' would just go away.

[PhiKapMom]

You have been added!

[PhiKapMom]

Have that same feeling -- the more I learn translates to UGH!

[PhiKapMom]

Good Morning!

Everything you have stated about Edwards fits exactly how he comes across to me!

Looking forward to getting back in the swing of things after a break! Figured picking on Lott earlier this week and now Edwards was a good place to start!

[Wait4Truth]

I saw the Edwards announcement yesterday and was thrilled at how empty and meaningless it was. But then I was "informed" by the major media that his answers were visionary and right on target. Silly me. IMHO, if this guy wins the nomination, he will lose in a landslide to President Bush.

[PhiKapMom]

I cannot imagine having him for my Senator. I wish he would go away and I live in Oklahoma!

[philosofy123]

Edwards need to get together with a plastic surgeon and remove this ugly wart of his face. He has a pretty face, but this wart must go.

[twohoots]

Edwards is so impressed with himself he thinks everyone else is as well, EVEN the REGULAR people. Oh gee, he was the BEST dem NC could offer. He speaks well for his party..... divide and conquer theory. Regular people are people he can not see past his nose!

[Greek]

As a fellow attorney I can speak with conviction in saying that generally, lawyers a miserable lot. Nobody thought Clintin had a chance on '92. I shudder to think this guy could actually win in '04.

[Greek]

...Clinton that is

[MeekOneGOP]

I cannot believe that 2004 is already starting BTW!

I know. Where does the time go, anyway? There must one big corner in the universe where it's all kept, huh?

[Wphile]

I saw some of Edwards yesterday and he gives me the creeps! Even his walk his gross. What's the deal with his hips? Seems they don't move in proportion to this legs or something wierd. Anyway, he started talking and I had the most visceral reaction...I had to turn it off right away. The guy is so GROSS! And women think he's good looking? YUK...he's got that same girlie-man manner of Bill Clinton and is most unattractive.

And what's this nonsense about being a regular guy? Haha...yeah right. Ewwww...he is a sicko!

[PhiKapMom]

Know exactly what you mean about Clinton! Just hope there are no Ross Perot's out there for 2004!

[SoDak]

Good editorial. One of the first things I thought about on election night when it was clear we would have the majority is that now, finally, we might get tort reform.

[PhiKapMom]

That is exactly what I thought as well "creeps" -- couldn't put my finger on it but he reminds me of a skinny clinton!

[mewzilla]

I'd like to see his entire client list. Which may or may not be more than just the people he represented in court.

[Yaelle]

But the consistency is more like he transferred it from "elsewhere." He may be bald below deck.

[SEAL6]

I could be wrong, but I don't believe anybody has ever been elected president out of the senate. Anyone know?