+Kerry Vrs Edwards+

[Conservative Front]

Long read. Take a look at some. Read to the end if you're brave.


KERRY ATTACKS EDWARDS ON HEALTH CARE

Kerry Criticized Edwards On Health Care. "'Most importantly, I do something John Edwards doesn't do, which is make health care available to every single American family,' [Kerry] said. 'It doesn't do a lot of good to just have kids covered and, as often is the case, not have the parents covered, because the kids wind up still not getting to the doctor.'" (Holly Ramer, "Edwards Criticizes Rivals On Children's Health Care Plans," The Associated Press, 10/21/03)

KERRY ATTACKS EDWARDS ON TAXES

Kerry Attacked Edwards On Tax Policies. "In the dwindling days of the Iowa campaign, however, Kerry will also take on two of his main competitors, Dean and John Edwards. He'll challenge Dean, for example, saying that the Iowa caucuses 'don't belong to the special interests; they belong to you. I ask you to vote for answers, not anger,' according to an advance copy of Kerry's text obtained by the Grind. And Kerry will challenge Edwards, promising to close the 'outrageous tax loophole that allows wealthy business owners to avoid paying their Medicare taxes.'" (CNN's "The Morning Grind," 1/14/04)

Kerry Questioned Edwards' Stance On Bush Tax Cut. KERRY: "Also, John Edwards, I notice, voted to give life to George Bush's tax cut, because he voted for the first round of that tax cut. I did not. I always thought it was a pig in the poke." ABC's GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: "He voted against the final package." KERRY: "He voted against the final passage, but he gave it life by sending it to the Republican House." (ABC's "This Week," 2/22/04)

KERRY ATTACKS EDWARDS ON EXPERIENCE

Kerry Attacked Edwards' Maturity And Experience; 'When I Came Back From Vietnam...I Don't Know If John Edwards Was Out Of Diapers Then.' "'In the Senate four years - and that is the full extent of public life - no international experience, no military experience, you can imagine what the advertising is going to be next year,' Mr. Kerry said. With a grin, he added: 'When I came back from Vietnam in 1969 I don't know if John Edwards was out of diapers then. Well, I'm sure he was out of diapers.'" (Adam Nagourney and Jim Rutenberg, "With Hopes Up And Elbows Out, Democrats Give Iowa Their All," The New York Times, 1/19/04)

Kerry Attacked Edwards' Experience. "'I think the American people want an experienced hand at the helm of state,' said Kerry, who has spent 19 years in the Senate compared with Edwards' five. 'This is not the time for on-the-job training in the White House on national security issues.'" (Mark Z. Barabak, "Diverse States May Reshape The Democratic Race Today," Los Angeles Times, 2/3/04)

Kerry Blasted Edwards' 'Lack Of Military And Foreign Policy Experience.' "Kerry took aim at Edwards's lack of military and foreign policy experience while responding to Edwards's comment that both candidates shared similar plans to rebuild Iraq. 'Well, I think he would like it to be that way,' said Kerry, a decorated veteran, 'but I think I have 35 years of experience in international security, foreign policy, and military affairs, and I think that makes an enormous difference here. I think that the world is looking for leadership that is tested and sure.'" (Raja Mishra, "Edwards And Kerry Emphasize Contrasts," The Boston Globe, 2/23/04)

Kerry Mocked Edwards' "Ambitious" Nature After Only One Term In Elective Office. "The veteran senator also questioned the former trial lawyer's pursuit of the presidency after less than one term in elective office. 'And people call me ambitious?' a Globe reporter once overheard Kerry asking an aide." (Glen Johnson, "Once a Rival, Edwards Staying Close to Kerry," The Boston Globe, 6/10/04)

[Conservative Front]

KERRY ATTACKS EDWARDS ON SPECIAL INTERESTS

Kerry Campaign Accused Edwards Taking Special Interest Money . "If Mr. Kerry himself unswervingly took the high road, his spokeswoman, Stephanie Cutter, did not hesitate to rebut the criticisms by Dr. Dean and Mr. Edwards in the sharpest tones. Of Mr. Edwards, Ms. Cutter said: 'If his intent is to remove special interests from Washington, why has he, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, taken more than $11 million from lawyers and law firms?'" (Todd S. Purdum, "With End Near In New Hampshire, A Day For Final Jabs And Last-Minute Pleas," The New York Times, 1/27/04)

Kerry Attacked Edwards For Hypocrisy On Special Interests. "Mr. Kerry made clear ... that if Mr. Edwards tries to tar him as a tool of special interests, he will respond in kind. 'It seems to me there's a huge amount of money that's been compiled in his campaign from one particular area of our economy,' Mr. Kerry said, referring to Mr. Edwards's support from trial lawyers. 'People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones,' Mr. Kerry told MSNBC." (Josh Gerstein, "Kerry Advances, As Edwards Hangs On," The New York Sun, 2/4/04)

Kerry Spokeswoman Attacked Edwards For Hypocrisy; Accepting Contributions From 'Special Interests And Lobbyists.' "Asked about the criticism, Mr. Kerry's press secretary, Stephanie Cutter, responded, 'This is an interesting line of attack from the positive campaign of John Edwards considering that his campaign is wholly funded by trial lawyers, which are widely recognized as special interests and lobbyists.'" (Adam Nagourney and David M. Halbfinger, "Kerry And Edwards Square Off As Dean Abandons Campaign," The New York Times, 2/19/04)

Kerry Accused Edwards Of Exaggerating Distinctions And Ignoring Trial Lawyer Money. "Mr. Kerry sought to turn that back on Mr. Edwards by noting the North Carolina senator's reliance on campaign contributions from fellow trial lawyers, blithely suggesting that Mr. Edwards was looking to make the most out of whatever distinctions he could find. 'And I don't think there fundamentally is a difference,' Mr. Kerry said. 'I mean, John has raised almost 50 percent of his money from one group of people in the United States of America.'" (Adam Nagourney and David M. Halbfinger, "Edwards Challenges Kerry Over Who Can Win," The New York Times, 2/27/04)

KERRY ATTACKS EDWARDS AS REGIONAL CANDIDATE

Kerry Said "He Can't Win His Own State." "A moment later, after the interview was over, in an aside that his aides insisted had not been intended for public consumption, Mr. Kerry mocked Mr. Edwards's claim that he was the strongest Democrat the party could put up against Mr. Bush because he was from the South. 'Edwards says he's the only one who can win states in the South,' Mr. Kerry said to a senior aide, David Wade, in a remark that was picked up by a reporter's microphone. 'He can't win his own state.'" (Adam Nagourney, "For Kerry And Edwards, Sharp Exchanges Reflect A Crucial Day Of Voting," The New York Times, 2/3/04)

Kerry Spokeswoman Called Edwards 'Regional Candidate.' "[Embed Becky] Diamond gets Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter saying this about Edwards: 'He's a regional candidate' who has only won in the South. 'He hasn't won anywhere else.' Cutter added that 'Kerry has out-delegated him three to one.'" (NBC's "First Read," 2/4/04)

Kerry's Team Questioned Rivals Campaign Strategies. "'We play everywhere, unlike John Edwards and Howard Dean and anyone else in the race,' said Steve Elmendorf, Kerry's deputy campaign manager. 'The problem these other candidates have is they are not competing in a serious way to get enough delegates to get the nomination.'" (Nedra Pickler, "Democratic Presidential Race Down To Two Men Going Into 'Super Tuesday,'" The Associated Press, 2/18/04)

Kerry Attacked Campaigns For "Cherry-Picking." "'A win's a win,' Kerry said before the polls closed. 'We're doing very well. I'm very confident about where the campaign is headed, very confident. I think you can't run for president cherry-picking states here and there, picking up one or two delegates here and somewhere. You have to run for president nationally, and I think I've been the only one in recent weeks who's been doing that and proving an ability to win in these places nationally.'" (Steven Thomma and Mark Johnson, "Kerry, Edwards Grapple For Victory In Close Wisconsin Primary," Knight Ridder, 2/18/04)

Kerry Campaign Questioned Edwards' Ability To Compete Nationally. "'I compliment Edwards. He is doing a fine job,' said Dennis Mehiel, New York state chairman for Kerry. 'But at the end of the day, we've got a big lead in delegates. I'm just wondering whether anybody's going to have the resources to compete against our candidate in 10 states in two weeks.'" (Nick Anderson, "Second Sits Fine With Edwards This Time," Los Angeles Times, 2/18/04)

Kerry Team Accused Edwards Of Running 'Regional' Campaign. "'We're not sure what John Edwards is going to say now that he hasn't had the opportunity to say in the last 18 debates over the last 10 months, including just last week in Wisconsin. We welcome a debate with John Edwards, but the reality is John Kerry is running a national, not regional, campaign, and we prefer to spend the next 10 days crisscrossing the nation talking and listening to as many voters as possible,' said Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter." (John F. Harris, "Edwards Undaunted By Tough Task Ahead," The Washington Post, 2/21/04)

KERRY ATTACKS EDWARDS ON TRADE

Kerry Denied Strong Distinction From Edwards On Trade. Kerry noted "that Edwards wasn't around when Congress approved NAFTA in 1993. 'He wasn't in the Senate back then,' Kerry told reporters. 'I don't know where he registered his vote, but it wasn't in the Senate.' Kerry ... denied that Edwards had a trade policy more committed to labor rights or environmental protections. 'We have the same policy on trade,' Kerry said. 'Exactly the same policy. He voted for the China trade agreement, so did I. And we both of us want to have labor agreements and environment agreements as part of a trade agreement.'" (Nick Anderson, "Edwards' Track Record On Trade Has Lane Changes," Los Angeles Times, 2/19/04)

Kerry Campaign Mocked Edwards' Sudden Focus On Trade. "An e-mail from a Kerry spokesperson reacting to Edwards' trade/economic speech yesterday jibes, 'Below is John Edwards MAJOR economic address, where he promises to reward work and to create opportunity. There's one thing missing from this speech: TRADE. Apparently, cracking down on unfair trade practices and promoting fair and balanced trade was not a priority to John Edwards just eight months ago. Mr. Johnny Come Lately on Trade!' Another Kerry e-mail actually picked apart Edwards' proposals." (NBC's "First Read," 2/20/04)

Kerry Labeled Edwards 'Mr. Johnny Come Lately On Trade;' Accuses Edwards Of Inconsistency. "In an e-mail labeling Edwards 'Mr. Johnny Come Lately on Trade,' the Kerry campaign pointed out that Edwards did not highlight trade in a major economic speech last year. A separate Kerry memo accused Edwards of changing his mind four times on fast-track, noting that Edwards 'voted FOR the China trade deal, even while acknowledging that he thought jobs would be lost.'" (Raja Mishra and Anne E. Kornblut, "Trade Issue Close To Home For Edwards," The Boston Globe, 2/20/04)

Kerry Team Insulted Edwards For NAFTA Focus. "Kerry's aides acknowledge that they waited too long to respond. 'We should have set the facts straight. Yes,' said spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter. 'Edwards has talked more about NAFTA in the last three weeks than he did in his entire career.'" (Ron Fournier, "Front-Runner Kerry's Bad Habits Return," The Associated Press, 2/21/04)

Kerry Attacked Edwards' Limited Senate Experience To Defend Against NAFTA Criticism. "Kerry shot back [on Edwards NAFTA criticism]: 'Well, Senator Edwards is trying hard to draw a distinction there, I know. But he wasn't in the United States Senate when we argued over NAFTA. If he's going to blame me for NAFTA, then I hope he's going to give me credit for the single-vote passage of a deficit-reduction act that created 23 million jobs.'" (Raja Mishra, "Edwards And Kerry Emphasize Contrasts," The Boston Globe, 2/23/04)

Kerry Accused Edwards Of Shifting Views On NAFTA And Voting Record On The Issue. KERRY: "On trade, there is no difference between what John Edwards would do today and what I would do today. And to listen to John try to carve out this - what I think is sort of a protectionist point of view in the past, actually is not documented by the record. John Edwards has been in the Senate for five years. He's talked more in the last five weeks about trade than he has in the entire five years. The fact is that he didn't vote in the 1994 election when he had a chance to vote about trade. He didn't talk about it, against it, in his election in 1998 when he ran for the Senate. And he went to The New York Times last week and said that he thought that NAFTA, in fact, was good for the prosperity of our country." (CBS/New York Times Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, New York, NY, 2/29/04)

[Conservative Front]

KERRY ATTACKS EDWARDS ON NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING

Kerry Campaign Accused Edwards Of Attacking And Running From His Record. "'Edwards promised to run a positive campaign,' one Kerry campaign statement read, noting that Mr. Edwards had voted for the China trade agreement. 'But now Edwards attacks John Kerry and runs from his own record.'" (Adam Nagourney and David M. Halbfinger, "Kerry And Edwards Square Off As Dean Abandons Campaign," The New York Times, 2/19/04)

KERRY'S MISCELLANEOUS ATTACKS ON EDWARDS

Kerry Advisor Suggested Edwards Should Drop Out Of Race. "Of the Senator [Edwards] nipping at Kerry's heels, a senior Kerry advisor poses a counter query, 'The question is how many times you can come in second before you realize you didn't come in first?'" (ABC's "The Note," 2/18/04)

Kerry And Edwards Quarreled Over Backgrounds. "Edwards and Kerry also argued ... over whether Edwards' working-class upbringing gave him a better understanding of families that lose jobs. 'If where you come from was a qualification for being president, we'd never have had Franklin Roosevelt or John Kennedy,' Kerry said. Edwards responded by saying: 'I have lived with the same problems when I was growing up that most families live with every day. Because of that, I understand their problems on a personal level.'" (Rob Christensen and John Wagner, "Contest Comes Down To A Duel," The [Raleigh] News & Observer, 2/19/04)

Kerry Accused Edwards Of 'Grandstanding.' "[Kerry] also took a rare jab at Edwards for suggesting ... that the two men hold a debate in this state before its primary ... 'Sounds like a little grandstanding to me,' Kerry said." (Patrick Healy, "Even In Victory, Kerry's Caution Is Seen As Risky," The Boston Globe, 2/25/04)

Kerry Faulted Edwards' Assertions On Attracting Independents And Republicans. KERRY: "Can I to speak to that?" BROWNSTEIN: "Please." KERRY: "Because there's nothing, nothing in the returns in 18 out of 20 primaries and caucuses so far that documents what John Edwards has just said. I won Independents and Republicans in Iowa." KING: "You mean he's not telling the truth?" KERRY: "There's nothing that documents what he just said. I'm just telling you that I won Independents, and many Republicans crossed over and registered as Democrats for the first time to say, 'I'm voting for you in this race.'" BROWNSTEIN: "It is also true, though, that your vote share among Independents..." KERRY: "Let me just finish." BROWNSTEIN: "... was lower than among Democrats in virtually every state there's been an exist poll." KERRY: "Let me just finish. I won in Tennessee, and I won in Virginia. And the test of this - I've heard John Edwards himself say this. John has said many times, 'We got to stop stereotyping the people in the South.' The people in the South believe the same things as people in the rest of the country." (CNN/Los Angeles Times Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate, Los Angeles, CA. 2/26/04)

Kerry Accused Edwards Of Looking For Differences That Didn't Exist. "'I know he's looking for some differences because you need them,' Kerry chided Edwards at one point." (Tom Raum, "Kerry, Edwards Find More Common Ground Than Differences In Debate," The Associated Press, 2/27/04)

Kerry Attacked Edwards For Avoiding Question. "Kerry chided Edwards for declining to say - after being repeatedly pressed - whether he regretted his vote for the congressional resolution authorizing war with Iraq. 'You [were] asked a yes-or-no question: Do you regret your vote?' Kerry said." (Mark Z. Barabak and Michael Finnegan, "Kerry And Edwards Pointed And Polite In Lively USC Debate," Los Angeles Times, 2/27/04)

EDWARDS ATTACKS KERRY ON PAYING FOR PROPOSALS

Edwards Attacked Kerry On Unreliable, Deceptive Campaign Promises. "One thing, though, I want us to be very careful about, you know, I listen to candidates talk about health care. They say, 'Oh, we're going to cover 97 percent. Everybody is going to be covered. All the kids are going to be covered. We're going to give you all these tax cuts for the middle class, and oh, by the way, we're also going to balance the budget in the next four years.' It's just not the truth. People need to know the truth about what we can afford and what we can't afford. They have been listening to this talk over and over and over for years. It's part of the reason they are so cynical about politics." (Sen. John Edwards, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2/15/04)

Edwards Bashed Kerry For Inability To Pay For Proposals. "[S]enator Kerry has consistently said that he can pay for all the things that he's proposing and substantially reduce the deficit, I think I've heard him say cut it in half, in his first term. Well, The Washington Post ... just analyzed his proposals, and its the same old thing. Here we go again. In fact, in fact, he overspends, in terms of being able to pay for all of his proposals, he overspends by $165 billion in his first term, which means he would drive us deeper and deeper into deficit. My point is very simple about all this. This is the same old Washington talk that people have been listening to for decades. They want something different ..." (Sen. John Edwards, CBS News/The New York Times Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate, New York, NY, 2/29/04)

EDWARDS ATTACKS KERRY ON POVERTY

Edwards Accused Kerry Of Ignoring Issue Of Poverty. Sen. John Edwards On Sen. John Kerry: "There are multiple differences on economics. One, the difference in our personal stories. Two, I'm the person who's focused much more on what has to be done for the middle class. Three, I have not heard him talk about poverty. I doubt if it would be a priority." (Jonathan Alter and Arian Campo-Flores, "'I Talk About Things People Care About,'" Newsweek, 3/1/04)

EDWARDS ATTACKS KERRY ON IRAQ/NATIONAL SECURITY

Edwards Disagreed With Kerry's Remarks On Regime Change For United States. The Des Moines Register's Thomas Beaumont notes Kerry "stood by" his call for regime change in U.S., but notes Edwards "disagreed with Kerry's use of the same term employed" to refer to "removing President Saddam Hussein from power" saying, "That would not be the language I would use." (Thomas Beaumont, "Kerry Defends Remark On U.S. 'Regime Change,'" The Des Moines Register, 4/7/03)

Edwards Slammed Kerry As Inconsistent. "Edwards, on ABC's 'This Week,' was asked about Kerry's explanations of his vote for the resolution authorizing President Bush to go to war in Iraq. 'He's not been clear to me,' Edwards said. 'I think he's said some different things at different points in time. So I think there's been some inconsistency.'" (Dan Balz and Paul Schwartzman, "Reinforcements Rally For Frantic Final Push," The Washington Post, 1/26/04)

Edwards Attacked Kerry For Underestimating Threat Of Terrorism And Iraq Policies. "Senator John Edwards, who like Kerry voted to authorize the war, subtly accused Kerry of understating the threat of terrorism against the United States in his remarks. After Kerry said there was 'an enormous question about the exaggeration by this administration' on its evidence against Iraq, Edwards picked up on the comment, saying: 'It's hard for me to see how you can say there's an exaggeration when thousands of people lost their lives on September the 11th.'" (Anne E. Kornblut, "Rivals Aim At Kerry," The Boston Globe, 1/30/04)

Edwards Insulted Kerry's Iraq Answer As '...Longest Answer...Ever Heard To A Yes-Or-No Question.' "After Kerry delivered a lengthy response to a question about whether, having voted for the resolution authorizing war in Iraq, he felt responsibility for U.S. casualties, Edwards said, 'That is the longest answer I have ever heard to a yes-or-no question.'" (Dan Balz and David S. Broder, "Edwards Challenges Kerry In Debate," The Washington Post, 2/16/04)

Edwards Attacked Kerry For Allowing Campaign To Focus On National Security Over Economic Issues. NEWSWEEK: "Are you saying that part of the choice between you and Kerry is a choice between a fall campaign on national security versus one based on economic issues?" EDWARDS: "Yes. I wouldn't make the point so sharply, because national security is so important. But why in the world would we let George Bush determine the terrain of the debate? Senator Kerry says he can go toe-to-toe with George Bush on national security, but as one of the reporters said at the last debate, that's dead last on the list of issues voters care most about. The first thing people ask about are jobs and the economy. The second is health care. The third is Iraq and national security." (Jonathan Alter and Arian Campo-Flores, "'I Talk About Things People Care About,'" Newsweek, 3/1/04)

[Conservative Front]

EDWARDS ATTACKS KERRY ON HEALTH CARE

Edwards Accused Kerry Of Misleading Voters On Health Care. "Though Edwards didn't mention any of his other opponents by name, his campaign distributed a statement accusing Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt, Kerry and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut of misleading voters about how many children would be covered under their plans." (Holly Ramer, "Edwards Criticizes Rivals On Children's Health Care Plans," The Associated Press, 10/21/03)

Edwards Attacked Kerry's Honesty On Health Care. "First of all, if I can get the truth-o-meter out here again for just a minute. John Kerry, you are not the only one who has a plan to bring down the cost of health care. I have a very clear plan about how to do that." (Sen. John Edwards, The Des Moines Register Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, Des Moines, IA, 1/4/04)

Edwards Said Cost Of Kerry's Health Care Plan Was "Dramatically Higher" Than His. EDWARDS: "I would say two things. Based on the objective studies that I've seen, my plan covers 21 million, approximately; his covers 27 million, if I remember the numbers correctly - it's in the high 20s, I remember that much. So there is some difference between us. But his cost is dramatically higher than mine. And not only that, I think this is part of our health care problem - and by the way, I cover every single child, which Senator Kerry does not do. I mandate coverage. And that's, of course, the issue with my plan that people will challenge, but I think we need to cover every single child. We need to treat it like public education. But my plan is affordable and doable. We will be able to attract the support we need to get my plan actually done, so we don't spend 15 or 20 years debating this issue." (ABC's "This Week," 2/22/04)

EDWARDS ATTACKS KERRY ON BACKGROUND

Edwards Emphasized Modest Upbringing As Proof That He's More Representative Than Kerry. "I honor his service in Vietnam. In 1969, I was sitting around a kitchen table with my parents trying to figure out how we would pay for college like so many Iowans do every single day. And that is a difference between me and Senator Kerry." (Sen. John Edwards As Quoted In Adam Nagourney and Jim Rutenberg, "With Hopes Up And Elbows Out, Democrats Give Iowa Their All," The New York Times, 1/19/04)

Edwards Attacked Kerry For Lacking Specific Agenda And On Background. "[T]he middle class, John Kerry talks about the middle class. He's concerned about it. I've laid out a very specific agenda about what we should do about it. ... [H]elping people save, helping them invest, helping them to buy a home, cracking down on predatory lenders and credit card companies. The same thing is true, my view about how we change Washington. You know, do something about lobbyists, do something about the revolving door. I have not heard John Kerry talk about any of those things and I think there are real policy differences between us. There are also background differences that voters will just have to choose from. I mean I come from a working class family in the rural South. And there's certainly strengths associated and I think it makes me a strong candidate in parts of the country that are very hotly contested." (ABC's "This Week," 1/25/04)

Edwards Portrayed Kerry As Academic Elite Unable To Bring About Change. "Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina says that Kerry, after being in Washington so long, can't bring about real change. And in a dig at Kerry's background, Edwards says the concerns of poor Americans are 'not academic for me. I've lived it.'" (Matt Stearns, "Kerry's Big Link To Big Money," The Kansas City Star, 2/8/04)

Edwards Attacked Kerry's Experience. "'I think Howard Dean and John Kerry have good hearts,' Edwards said. 'They want to do the right thing. ... But I think it matters to have lived it, and I have lived it.'" (Ronald Brownstein, "Kerry Takes Hits In Debate," Los Angeles Times, 2/16/04)

Edwards Said Choice He Gives Voters Was Different Than Kerry. "I've been looking forward to the time when this is a two-person race and people will focus on Senator Kerry and myself. It now appears that we're very close to that place and maybe already there. And so this is the moment I've been looking for. I believe if that happens, the choice that I give voters, which is different than Senator Kerry, is somebody who comes from them, who understands the problems that they have in their life, who understands what the loss of a job means, who has both trade policy and tax policy that will work for all Americans and not just a privileged few. And I think there are real differences between us." (CNN's "Larry King Live," 2/17/04)

Edwards Highlighted 'Differences' From Kerry On Background. "'I want people to know what the differences are between us,' Edwards said [of Kerry]. 'I mean I come from a different background than he does. I have new, fresh ideas about how we can change Washington.'" (Nick Anderson, "Second Sits Fine With Edwards This Time," Los Angeles Times, 2/18/04)

Edwards Attacks Kerry's Ability To Relate To Working Class Voters. "Edwards and Kerry also argued ... over whether Edwards' working-class upbringing gave him a better understanding of families that lose jobs. 'If where you come from was a qualification for being president, we'd never have had Franklin Roosevelt or John Kennedy,' Kerry said. Edwards responded by saying: 'I have lived with the same problems when I was growing up that most families live with every day. Because of that, I understand their problems on a personal level.'" (Rob Christensen and John Wagner, "Contest Comes Down To A Duel," The [Raleigh] News & Observer, 2/19/04)

Edwards Attacked Kerry's 'Privileged Upbringing' And His Ability To Represent The Working Class. "Edwards fired the first shot ... implying that Kerry's privileged upbringing made him less skeptical of the free trade deals opposed by many working-class voters. 'We have very different records when it comes to trade. And my position on this is driven by my own personal experience,' said Edwards, who was born into a working-class family. 'I have seen the effect it's had on families and on communities.'" (Raja Mishra, "Edwards And Kerry Emphasize Contrasts," The Boston Globe, 2/23/04)

Edwards Said Washington Crowd Doesn't Get It. "When Omar Alexander told the senator about losing his job after 34 years, Mr. Edwards told him the story that he has used almost daily on the campaign trail. 'What you are describing is something I have seen over and over and over,' Mr. Edwards said. 'In fact, my father worked in a mill and I saw what happened to the families involved when the mill in my hometown closed. And, you know, this is something that crowd in Washington just doesn't get.'" (Rick Lyman, "Edwards Focuses His Efforts On 3 Promising Constituencies," The New York Times, 2/25/04)

EDWARDS ATTACKS KERRY
ON BEING WASHINGTON INSIDER

Edwards Attacked Kerry As Washington Insider Unable To Bring About Change. "[Edwards] took a swipe at Kerry when asked who was more qualified to bring change to the nation. 'The question is whether that change can be brought by somebody who spent most of their life in politics and in Washington,' said Edwards, a first-term North Carolina senator who made his fortune as a trial lawyer." (Ron Fournier, "Democrats Spar In N.H. After Iowa Jolt," The Associated Press, 1/20/04)

Edwards' Campaign Associates Kerry With 'Failed Washington Politics.' "The [Edwards] document, which aides confirmed was part of a 50-page packet they distributed earlier this month, instructs captains to describe Howard Dean as an 'elitist from Park Avenue in New York City.' It says John Kerry 'can't claim to change America because he has been part of the failed Washington politics for too long.' (CNN's "The Morning Grind," 1/22/04)

Edwards' Campaign Memo Bashed Kerry As "Washington Insider." "'In order to beat [President] Bush, we need a nominee who can win Southern states, not another New Englander or Washington insider who loses every Southern state,' the [Edwards] memo reads, referring to both Dean and Kerry." (CNN's "The Morning Grind," 1/22/04)

Edwards Attacked Kerry As Out-Of-Touch Washington Insider. "'There's a fundamental question here ... that has to be decided by voters in this country, Democratic primary voters, which is, first, do we need real change in America and real change in Washington, D.C.?' Edwards said. 'Then the second question is, do you believe that change is more likely to be brought about by someone who has spent 20 years in Washington, or by someone who's more of an outsider to this process, somebody who comes from the same place that most Americans come from?'" (Mark Z. Barabak and Michael Finnegan, "Kerry And Edwards Pointed And Polite In Lively USC Debate," Los Angeles Times, 2/27/04)

EDWARDS ATTACKS KERRY ON ELECTABILITY

Edwards Claimed He Can Compete Nationally; Strengthen Democratic Ticket. "[Edwards] said: 'The question is, who on the top of the Democratic ticket can go every place in America and campaign with the candidates and strengthen their ability to get elected?' He added, 'In Georgia, do you want John Edwards campaigning with you? Do you want Howard Dean campaigning with you? Do you want John Kerry campaigning with you?'" (David M. Halbfinger and Randal C. Archibold, "Ignoring Other Candidates, Kerry Turns Focus On Bush," The New York Times, 1/22/04)

Edwards' Campaign Memo Bashed Kerry As Someone Who Loses Every Southern State. 'In order to beat [President] Bush, we need a nominee who can win Southern states, not another New Englander or Washington insider who loses every Southern state,' the [Edwards] memo reads, referring to both Dean and Kerry." (CNN's "The Morning Grind," 1/22/04)

[Conservative Front]

Edwards Questioned Kerry's Electability. "At one point, Mr. Edwards expressed doubt that Mr. Kerry could defeat Mr. Bush in a series of swing states that could decide the election next fall because of some of the votes he has cast over the years. ... 'I would concede that Senator Kerry may have an advantage in New Hampshire,' said Mr. Edwards, who represents North Carolina. 'I would not believe he has an advantage over me any place else. I think I have the advantage in these other places.'" (Adam Nagourney and David M. Halbfinger, "Edwards Challenges Kerry Over Who Can Win," The New York Times, 2/27/04)


There's a whole lot more but I think you get the idea. Congrats if you read the whole thing though. opinions?

[Sirius]

It's beautiful isn't it, two people who have different views on key issues in the election. They will bring all of their ideas to the table, and work on the ones that will help eveyone, and not just a few. ahh the beauty of a President, and a Vice President who have their own independant opinions on how things should work.

If these two get elected into office, (please god save us from Bush), I wish i could be there to hear them trying to come up with new ideas, and bringing there different views under the microscope. Would make for a interesting, and growing 4 years.

[Conservative Front]

Well I can see where you are coming from. and I can tell you didn't read much of what I had to say. For starters it was Partisan attacks against each other and the attacks where relentless. Personal Id rather have a President and Vice President who for the most part argee with each other, Id rather not have the President and the Vice President arguing over key issues that are going to affect my life. If they can't agree on issues then nothing will be accomplished with these 2 in office. Kerry is waffling this he picked Edwards because of his Crisma not because they agree with each other. Read through more of what I had to say and tell me if you really want these two in control of the white house. It would be an every day Cat Fight over Everything unless of course do to Edwards inexperience he's just a puppet and can't make up his mind on his own he just looks good telling Kerrys ideas.

[Sirius]

Ya know, you voted for a guy who had even less experience in politics than Edwards, the same guy who thought a sandwich was the Prime Minister of Canada. I have so many repots on what edawrds, Kerry, Gephardy, and Clark, those were the 4 I was most interested in. I don't need to read anymore. i really do want these two in office, and you want to know why? Because I feel if I voted for Bush in the next election, I would be voting against my conscience, and I just can't do that.

[Defiant Noquisi]

Whats so "brave" about reading campaign vomit? Im sure Edwards had a few things to say about Kerry too. Im with Sirius. They can bring both to the table and maybe cover more ground. There isnt anything "new" about campaign dirt.

Just to even things up, theres no love lost between Bush and McCain either. We can always post all that campaign babble too.

[MetalMilitia]

Personal Id rather have a President and Vice President who for the most part argee with each other

Yeah, or one has his arm up the others *** so far we have a puppet and a puppeteer. Ever notice Dubya doesn't speak while Cheneys' drinking water? Check that shit out.

I did get a kick out of the fact that less than a few months ago, Kerry was ripping Edwards apart, calling him "young" or "inexperienced" and mocking his age at every speech. Then what does he do? He goes and picks him for VP candidate! Oh the Irony!!! It just doesn't look good to do something like that ya know?

-MM-

[dutchie]

Can we PLEASE take back on the electional throttle, people?

I REFUSE to let Armageddon Online to be used as a vehicle for either Bush or Kerry propaganda. This is NOT the place to do that.

Please go to a politics-only forum to do whatever it is what you want to do, but DON'T DO THAT HERE.

[MetalMilitia]

Yeah, I think a link to the article would have sufficed...

-MM-

[DontBeAfraid]

But guys.... This is the politics forum at AA, and well... The elections are a big deal, politically. I dont know why you wouldnt want to discuss it. There isnt going to be much else in the news for a little while and almost everything political that does happen will have little some effect on the election.

I can understand you not being interested in them dutchie, since you're not from america, but many of us are.....

[dutchie]

For exactly the same reasons I gave in the other thread, DBA:

• this kind of debating nearly always ends into a dirtthrowing frenzy;
• this forum is NOT about Bush vs. Kerry;
• This forum is NOT Exclusively American (personally I could not care less);
• All threads are repeating the same dribble OVER and OVER again - it's BORING!!

[DontBeAfraid]

So whats so wrong with a little dirt? Its how campaigns are run. The same thing happens in sports threads.
The forum isnt bush vs kerry but the elections are and the elections are a big deal.... Even in other countries.
I agree about people making new threads for the same debates.... They really should just add on to ongoing discussions.

I just dont think its fair to shut down the election talk now that there are more conservative voices.... For as long as I can remember MetalMilitia has been posting anti-bush threads and now its finally a debate and not just one side of the fun.

[dutchie]

There's everything wrong with dirt throwing. Maybe in your country things are done that way, in mine they're sure as hell not. As far as political colour is concerned: by know you should realize that - if you consider yourself to be not conservative - I am about a 1,000 miles more left to center than anyone on this board. But that does not mean I am so biased I would shut up any conservative.
I am not shutting down a good debate between left and right, far be it from me. If people are however resorting to cheap rubbish then I will, without hesitation. More power to me, heh heh heh (he grinned sadistically, rubbing hands)...

[MetalMilitia]

For as long as I can remember MetalMilitia has been posting anti-bush threads and now its finally a debate and not just one side of the fun.

GUILTY AS SIN... is it too late to plead the fifth?

It only happens once every 4 years, and I expect this year will have many ups and downs. I expect one of the following things to happen right before, or leading up to the elections.

1. ) OBL will be captured
2. ) WMD will be 'found'... more like planted and refound.
3. ) A new Terror Attack on American soil

I'm not gonna stop myself from posting about something that could effect the elections, HOWEVER, when I come into the forums and theres nothing but rhetoric and election stuff it makes me sad to see what's on the way.

-MM-

[Conservative Front]

A Puppet? I think you've got it all wrong here. Look at Edwards all he does is shout Kerrys campaign because he looks good doing it He makes up for Kerrys lack of personality. Edwards is a complete inexperienced puppet plus a Trial lawyer that made him Millions when he won a case about Cerbial Ballzies (i know its not spelled right) which was later debunked and proven that the children didn't even have Cerbial Ballzies. But anyways Edwards merely does whatever Kerry tells him too do simply because Edwards looks good vomiting Kerrys speech.

---end response to MM---

I totally agree Dontbeafraid, Because to me the Elections are very important and theres always dirt in politics always.

---end response to DontBeAfraid--

[substand]

CF- i find it funny myself, all the attacks kerry/edwards made against each other when they were competing with each other... this is politics though, and it is to be expected... However, its not the first nor last time it will happen... even the great ronaldus magnus (hero of conservatives) and Bush 41 ran against each other in primaries and Bush 41 called reagan's plan "voodoo economics..." Bush was still vice pres...

Dutchie, it may be boring to you and others... but even though this site isn't solely politics, this section of the board is.... and even though the whole section may not involve election politics in america, this thread does. I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, but why care about a single thread that has everything to do with politics in the political section of the msg board, even if it were a discussion of Uraguay's politics? Further, whether we like it or not, the US presidential election affects the world a helluva lot more than say, Paraguay's politics (to give another random South American example) so given that, why not let it proceed? At the very least, it doesn't matter and everyone will ignore it except for those who care.... I guess this might be compared to capitalism (even in the sense of democratic socialism) in that the private market (the posters who are interested) will determine whether or not the thread goes on (or the product is profitable).

[dutchie]

Substand, your post makes total sense to me, and I thought I had made myself clear about this: I have not one problem with clashing of opinions, or a good political debate.

I will however start moderating when the discussion sinks to a level where it becomes sheer dirt throwing, or hatemongering. I take it you can see the reason in that.

It's experience that dictates me to forwarn you all. It is absolutely not my intention to shut anyone of any particular political colour up.

[substand]

Substand, your post makes total sense to me, and I thought I had made myself clear about this: I have not one problem with clashing of opinions, or a good political debate.

I will however start moderating when the discussion sinks to a level where it becomes sheer dirt throwing, or hatemongering. I take it you can see the reason in that.

It's experience that dictates me to forwarn you all. It is absolutely not my intention to shut anyone of any particular political colour up.

I think you made most of it clear, but I only took "offense" (not really offence, much less than that but i cant think of the word i'm looking for right now) at that one bit and for some reason felt the need to argue =)... hope you'll forgive me...

mudslinging is not needed, but as i think someone said above, it tends to happen... i think you said it doesn't happen in your elections... but it does in our, hence all the BS about "bush skipped service 30 yrs ago" "kerry is a war hero who faked all the stuff he won medals for" and other things... many times it gets ridiculous... however i personally consider the recent stuff fair game... 5 yrs ago is one thing... but 30+ yrs?

in any case, i certainly see the reasoning behind it, i just chose to ignore it in my previous post... my apologies =)

[Defiant Noquisi]

Thanks for clearing that all up because I was getting a little concerned the more I read.