After speaking with John Edwards over the weekend, it struck me how he's the "straight talk" candidate in the 2008 presidential race. Like Sen. John McCain in 2000, Edwards seems to have little interest in dancing around tough issues and finessing his answers. Instead, he seems compelled and driven to speak his mind.
A front page New York Times piece sums up my impressions perfectly: "He is campaigning as a harder-edged economic populist now, which he says represents more a change in tone than in substance. He says he is both more electable and more authentic than Mrs. Clinton, and more experienced than Mr. Obama."
The article catalogs how Edwards "has built some early advantages" in offering bold proposals on the Iraq war, health care and the environment "that are more audacious and more specific than those of his rivals."
"His efforts have paid substantial dividends. He leads in early polls in Iowa and is near the top in New Hampshire surveys. He is ahead of his principal rivals in organizing in the two new early caucus and primary states of Nevada and South Carolina. He has a solid financing base in trial lawyers and antiwar Internet activists, high name recognition and experience on the campaign trail."
Edwards' appearance on Meet the Press yesterday also showed his new style. From repudiating his Iraq war vote to pledging to raise taxes to pay for universal health care, he comes across as a very different kind of politician. It's worth watching.
One sign Republicans are taking his candidacy seriously: The RNC issued a press release yesterday under the header: "EDWARDS TURNS TO THE DARK SIDE; '04 Golden Boy Tosses Sunshine Demeanor For '08 Agenda Of Aggression And Attacks."
February 5, 2007
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