Desiring Machine

The more I pay attention to John Edwards’ campaign the more I find myself impressed by his campaign instincts. It seems that Edwards is running a great campaign. There was a recent stir over the Edwards campaign declining to attend a presidential debate in Nevada hosted by Fox News. This is a smart, savvy political move on Edwards’ part. He loses nothing by making the decision, and forces the issue about the dubiousness of a Fox News debate event. There is no reason to be beholden to the MSM. Edwards was smart to take the lead on the issue and change the non story into a major story. There are many opportunities for the candidates to be heard and there is no urgency given so many debates. Plus it puts the other candidates in a quandry as to how to respond, lest they want to legtimate the joke that is Fox News. Edwards beat them all to the punch. His campaign seems to be firing on all cylinders. Also I like how the Edwards campaign is cutting to the chase on the poverty issues in this country. Edwards is taking the refreshingly frank and honest approach to campaigns and I think it is good for politics and good for the nation. I will watch Edwards with keen interest this campaign cycle.

Another note on the recent “faggot” comment by Ann Coulter. I hate commenting on the likes of her, because she is just in it for the media attention. However, I find it interesting that Edwards is the recent target of all this vitriol and Hillary is not. My theory is that the right is perhaps a bit scared of the Clinton machine. They know that tangling with her campaign machine might be a touch of death. There are a lot of sophisticated operatives in her camp and as such probably command a certain amount of respect among the right wing sludge meisters. Edwards on the other hand seems to be running a good faith, frank, somehwat boyishly innocent campaign image. This makes him suspect among the liars and sludge masters on the right, Ann Coulter being their Queen. The more vicious the attacks on Edwards the more he comes out smelling like roses. Edwards just needs to keep doing what he does best telling the American people like it really is and he will go places. I still think Hillary is the presumptive nominee, but Edwards is the candidate to watch this season. A bit under estimated in my opinion. I don’t make predictions but I suspect it will shake out to a Hillary/Edwards ticket or else Hillary/Richardson, either one will be a formidable force in the general election.

Of course I would love to see Biden go places just for the sheer gravitas of his foreign policy acumen. But that is another story for another blog post…