I just reviewed national election polls, all taken in December, and John Edwards leads the field of Democratic front runners in the national polls when put up against all potential Republican rivals.

He beats Giuliani (+2.7%), Huckabee (+14.3%), Thompson (+13.3%), Romney (+16.5%), and McCain (+3.7%).

With regard to Clinton, McCain would beat her handily (+5%), and she barely squeaks past Giuliani (+1.8%).

Obama fairs much better than Clinton in national polls (he beats all except McCain, who he ties) -- but again Edwards surprisingly does the best against all Republicans (he's the only candidate who, if the election were today, would beat them all). You can find these poll results here.

In fairness of full disclosure I admit I like Edwards more than the rest. He is driving the policies of all the other candidates. Clinton and Obama have fashioned nearly ALL of their policies after Edwards (don't take my word for it, this came from NY Times columnist Paul Krugman in his December 26th interview on the Charlie Rose show). This begs the obvious question -- why not elect the guy who thought up those policies? Who can be trusted more to carry them out?

Obviously Republicans love the fact that Edwards, while hanging in at a close third in the Democratic primary race, remains third all the same? I can't for the life of me understand why.

When you look at his idea's he's clearly the most exciting candidate in most of our lifetimes Admittedly his charisma could probably use some work; but didn't we just try the "who would rather have a beer with" method of voting? Look how that worked out for us.

John Edwards voted for the China Trade Agreement, and the Fast Track legislation for the President to implement. Now look at the mess we are in...

I just double checked your claim & this is true. However, Hillary has a similar record (she supports NAFTA & MFN status for China ... and she defended outsourcing jobs to India) & Obama voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act? An FYI while some of the second tier candidates might have more aggressive stances on trade issues (and I agree with you on this issue btw) I'm sticking with candidates with a shot of actually winning this thing.

Whose your choice for pres?

vote_progressive wrote:I selected Ron Paul on the Republican primary ballot. If he's not on the General Election ticket, I will leave the selection for President blank. The DEMOLICANS have made this a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. I'm not going to support the further destruction of this nation.


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A vote for the lesser of two evils is a vote for evil

John Edwards is a smiling, rich, idiot politician that just pretends he cares about the poor, working class, and middle class. Nuff said.

Now that wasnt very nice Mr Niceman

For me its between Ron Paul and Edwards... Huckabee and Romney, both of them, playing their "my god trumps your god" game makes me want to hurl...

This is true. I find it difficult to believe any smiling politician when they say they will look after the interests of a class that their own class is in conflict with. As far as I know, really the only presidential candidate this year that associates with the middle class is Dennis Kucinich.

If you know of any poor, highly intellectual candidates with a frown pasted on their face .... please let me know? I'm not sure what you base the assumption that Edwards "pretends" to care about the poor / working class on? As a Senator he's been rather consistent in his advocacy of the poor. Moreover, it's not like the guy is a blue blood or anything like that -- he made his money the good old fashioned way, by suing people ...

Of course Kucinich (who admittedly is hard not to like) doesn't have a chance. If I thought he did I'd support him believe me ... however, the more I learn about Edwards the more I like him as the best "realistic" alternative. Don't get me wrong, I like Obama as well -- as long as it isn't Hillary (not for any other reason but another Clinton or Bush smacks of dynastic progression .... like the Julian - Claudian's).

Perhaps, with the exception of poor, Dr. Ron Paul (although maybe he can be considered poor in comparison with the other Republican candidates).