New Rules: John Edwards

I really have no idea if this video will stay up. Also if something of better quality comes along I shall add on but, in the meantime, here are Bill Maher's New Rules for Aug 29, 2008:



I have made no secret of my early support for John Edwards here or on the now defunct wanderingdonkey.com. I have posted on this earlier here and with the video of his Nightline interview. You can believe the guy or not. That's fine. The choice is up to you.

I was really happy that Bill Maher, libertarian stalwart, though he has been leaning liberal as well the last few years, call out the Democratic Party on their exclusion of this populist. They need populists for Jefferson's sake!

Look. What he did was really crappy. Really crappy. I would not expect, nor could I expect to be forgiven by my wife or my circle of friends or family for what he did, were it myself.

Nevertheless, his wife has come to terms with this! (I won't say forgive because I can't find her using this word.) She has stood by him.

Why?

Well, the guy is undeniably attractive. And, assuming he actually believes in the causes he actually champions, he is their greatest champion.

I can only assume she actually believes in him just as the rest of us would like to believe in him. Why aren't we taking her lead?

The poor, as Bill Maher suggests, are getting the short shaft in this election. This is because of him and because of his absence.

It was his issue. Hillary and Barack are afraid to touch on the subject because it was his issue. They are afraid of the potential taint.

Meanwhile, it is those most in need who lose out.

Leave it to a self-described Libertarian to point out that the Democrats are failing to use what Bill Maher described as, "the strongest voice on poverty since Robert Kennedy."

Ouch! That does sting. And it stings all the more because he's right.

Heck, you could even describe the guy as the greatest Democratic populist of the last thirty years before Barack Obama.

I listened to this man, four years ago, in person, in Mentor, Ohio, my current hometown. Until then, I had liked him. Afterwards, I wanted to elect him president. He wasn't running for that spot, but, I figured he would have a shot by that point, in either four or eight years. He is that magnetic in person.

He spoke to the hopes, and yes, the fears, of ordinary Ohioans and Americans at a time when the economy wasn't even as scary as it is now. Maybe that was the problem.

Now, the Democratic Party has tossed him aside, as he tries to rebuild his life and credibility.

I agree. His credibility on the issue of poverty has not suffered incredibly. Having him speak, as well as his wife, would have brought a whole range of issues not adequately adressed at the convention into focus. You could have dovetailed Elizabeth with healthcare VERY nicely.

Anybody who has ever been within five feet of this man knows he will return. He is just too charismatic. Heck, Gary Hart has returned, this guy may have even more to offer.

I know the scandal was real fresh. But I agree with Bill that the Democrats missed an opportunity here, and the poor of this nation lost a voice, because of one man's mistake.

I look forward to a time when John and Elizabeth can put all of this behind them and continue to speak for those with no voice in this country.

Comments welcome,

Pat McGovern

Sphere: Related Content