John Edwards and Poverty
Presidential candidate John Edwards says, “Americans are looking for strength, idealistic strength” in our leaders. And, he adds, Americans want politicians with “core beliefs” – who are not subject to the whim of polls.
Apparently, John Edwards’ idea of proving to Americans that he has that kind of “strength” is to lead a crusade against poverty. But how much political courage does that take? Is anyone going to disagree with reducing poverty?
And that’s my problem with Edwards.
He has created a political strawman. He claims he’s fighting like hell to do something that takes courage and guts and you’d think, to hear him tell it, he’s put his whole political career at risk by speaking out against poverty. But the truth is he hasn’t taken any risk at all. He’s taken a perfectly safe, uncontroversial, political stand on an issue no one is going to attack him for.
That is not a profile in courage.
If John Edwards really wants to show some ‘strength,’ let’s see him take on some tough issues where he has to get into the fray and take some heat.
To me, John Edwards is not the picture of ‘strength’ – he’s the epitome of the poll driven politician. He finds an issue 90% of the people agree on and comes out and says he’s all for it and, then, claims he’s leading a great, courageous crusade.
But if coming out against poverty is as brave as John Edwards gets – what does that tell us about his qualifications to be President?
John Edwards and Poverty
Presidential candidate John Edwards says, “Americans are looking for strength, idealistic strength” in our leaders. And, he adds, Americans want politicians with “core beliefs” – who are not subject to the whim of polls.
Apparently, John Edwards’ idea of proving to Americans that he has that kind of “strength” is to lead a crusade against poverty. But how much political courage does that take? Is anyone going to disagree with reducing poverty?
And that’s my problem with Edwards.
He has created a political strawman. He claims he’s fighting like hell to do something that takes courage and guts and you’d think, to hear him tell it, he’s put his whole political career at risk by speaking out against poverty. But the truth is he hasn’t taken any risk at all. He’s taken a perfectly safe, uncontroversial, political stand on an issue no one is going to attack him for.
That is not a profile in courage.
If John Edwards really wants to show some ‘strength,’ let’s see him take on some tough issues where he has to get into the fray and take some heat.
To me, John Edwards is not the picture of ‘strength’ – he’s the epitome of the poll driven politician. He finds an issue 90% of the people agree on and comes out and says he’s all for it and, then, claims he’s leading a great, courageous crusade.
But if coming out against poverty is as brave as John Edwards gets – what does that tell us about his qualifications to be President?