January 21st, 2008
09:41 PM ET
15 years ago
Schneider: Edwards' skillful response
MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - John Edwards just gave a very skillful answer on a question that could have been a trap. He was asked about the historical candidacies of both Clinton and Obama, and what role gender and race will play in this year's election. He provided a convincing answer - that he isn't going to try to meddle in the process people use to choose a candidate - that sounded above the whole race-gender fray that has dominated that back-and-forth between Obama and Clinton of late.
- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider
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I'm going to make calls for Edwards – you all can too: just sign in at his website. It's kind of fun. I'm in Wisconsin and I hope he can hold out against the shocking lack of media coverage -even tonight when they report he's back in the game – and then just go on to Clinton and Obama without covering Edward's comments.
Let's just keep speaking up and see if we can get louder...
John Edwards is the BEST CANDIDATE out there. If people would look beyond the hype of both Obama and Clinton and see that John is the most honest, perfect candidate that we've had in 30 years. Please give John a chance and listen to his words. He is doing this for you. Vote for John!
I agree with Julie Lesko. If CNN could be bold enough to present coverage
that was really balanced and fair, the revenue wouldn't be the issue and we could have a president that really deserved to be president no matter how much money he or she had to spend. America is over-ridden with special interest.
John deserves his voice being heard.
I agree whole heartedly that the media has ignored Edwards. It's Clinton and Obama ALL the time. He really is a populas candidate. Why people black and white can't see that he is a fighter for all people I'll never know. The media owned by the large corporations don't want him and they will shove Hillary and Obama down our throats until we vote for one of them.
John Edwards won the debate tonight! He remained above the bickering, stated his positions, and spoke passionately.
John is not getting media coverage because he is a threat to them! He's against large corporations (of which the media is) and they truly feel threatened by him.
John will stay in the race and he will win – he has the fight, determination and passion to win this presidential race. He's exactly what this country needs – most people just don't realize it yet.
Once again Obama refuses to pledge allegience to the flag of the United States of America. There are pictures of this with others on stage and he has his back to the flag ,both hands by his side as the others pledge allegience. Think about this............Is this really who you want to lead the greatest nation in the world. Not me. I fought for that flag and Obama denies it. He wont ever get my vote.
John Edwards is the working mans president. Make it official and elect the man who works for the working man.
I pray Edwards make it to the primary. I feel he is speaking from his heart. Watch out world if he is president. America will be on top again.
Right on, Edwards! I think the American public is tired of the bickering between Hillary and Obama–and they can see through the hyped media coverage and stand up for what they–and John Edwards–believe in. Maybe they're taking cues from their corporate bosses and ignoring the one person they know will threaten their jobs–JOHN EDWARDS!
All the candidates have much to offer but Obama and Hillary are getting all the attention-and corporate money-because they're "newsworthy." No doubt he's ignored because he attacks the very corporations who own the media outlets. Look how they treat their own writers who create the shows that produce all the advertising revenue!
Thank goodness Edwards has the courage and conviction to stand up to the powerful lobbyists and coporate moguls-of course that's why he's being ignored. I'd rather have a candidate with more substance and sincerity than just sizzle.
Edwards says what he thinks-and you know exactly where he stands, unlike some politicians who tell people what they want to hear in catchy sound bites. GO EDWARDS 08!
John Edwards showed his political smarts tonight. Everyone has attacked him on personal issues like his hair & his expensive home; so what? No one has attacked him on the issues! The issues are what should matter & John Edwards got his issues out front tonight. The Viewer Meter was highest in approval every time John Edwards spoke. Imagine that, he made sense....Go John Go! Take FL!!!
Edwards won this debate hands down, Obama and Clinton going back and forth, and John was cool through the whole debate..Super Tuesday is just around the corner and I hope Mr . Edwards takes Missouri.
John Edwards is awesome! Does anyone remember his VP debate with Dick Cheney 4 years ago. John won that debate with so much vigor and finesse. John Edwards is not marginal nor third runner up. John Edwards is the only candidate, I believe who will bring victory to the Democrats in November, and subsequently real change to America. The other two so called "front runners" have attempted to imitate & adapt their campaign lines and sound bites so much so that they sound like Edwards more and more. Edwards is the real deal, earnest, authentic, and substantitve. He is succinct and matter of fact. When will the democrats wake up and realize no victory is possible without an Edwards ticket.
The media attention lacking for Edwards is highly suspicious. John Edwards deserves more or equal coverage as the other candidates. The more America hears and sees John Edwards, the more I believe they will vote for him in November. The DNC should wake up and reign in the sex and race candidates, and recognize Edwards as their front runner, charismatic and presidential.
John Edwards is the only candidate who has the depth to understand the complexities of what we're up against after eight years of Bush. What a shame that the media is strangled by their corporate ownership (i.e. GE -= NBC, MSNBC, etc...) so that he is completely ignored and they have deliberately made this a two person race – between the two LEAST qualified candidates! The problems facing our country are much too serious and this election is much too important to make it about the "novelty" of electing the first black president or first woman president. We must have someone who consistently speaks his conviction and passion – and that person is John Edwards. To me, it is no contest. God bless us all if John Edwards isn't the Democratic nominee. If either Hillary or Obama win the nomination, it is guaranteed that John McCain will be the next president, Iraq will continue "for 100 years", and we can forget recession – we will all be sinking in the next Great Depression.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs. Period. Poverty top of agenda.
Edwards won the debate. He was the best. Both Hillary and Obama fight all the time. Obama stumbled badly in his speech. He used to do better.
Good show John Edwards. It's pretty sad that they tried to trap the only white male in the democratic primary with a race/gener question, which ninety percent of the time is a question there is no right answer to. It seems to me that the only one who is able to stay out of the race/gender debate is the only one that isn't using their gender or race as a CRUTCH. Seriously, Clinton and Obama can't even stop bickering long enough to answer a single debate question properly. Edwards said it best when he asked how that kind of behavior is going to help someone or address any of the countries problems. It won't, and obviously these other two candidates can't stop doing it. Edwards can. Vote for John Edwards despite the media blackout of positive coverage for him!!!!
You know what will happen now don't you?
After Edwards commanding performance there will be a bump up in the polls followed immediatly by another media black out. Then his polls will tank again. Mark my words it has happened this entire campaign. When the American people are actually allowed to hear Edwards they respond, The media is protecting their interests by the 2 person race. Edwards is a possible spoiler and they know it! The Corporate media will do anything in their power to usr their power to either silence Edwards by lack of coverage or mantra like tell the public he is just not viable, and the sheeplike American people hear it enough it becomes truth in their minds. It is a brainwashing tactic and very BushRove&co like, because it works! The American people have to wake up and realize they are being played!!!Say NO the the medias framing this as a 2 person race. It just ain't so!!!!
Edwards 2008 The Peoples President.
A vote for John is a vote for yourself and to sending in a champion to fight for" We the People"...
Obama and Clinton are better speakers than Bush by a long shot, but don't you think this country is ready for a president who can respond to the press and rest of the world in an intelligent and eloquent manner? John Edwards, thank you.
Hillary is the only candidate that can win in November. She's strong and proves her point.