Catspawing for another candidate, or just solid journalistic probing? In either case, ABC's George Stephanopoulos gave John Edwards a rough go when the former NC senator appeared on Good Morning America today to announce his candidacy for president.
Steph was on the offense from the get-go: "Back in 2004, you criticized President Bush for exploiting the tragedy of 9/11 by having his convention in New York City. Aren't you exploiting Katrina by announcing your candidacy in New Orleans?"
Edwards didn't respond directly to the exploitation allegation, asserting only that he was seeking to draw attention to New Orleans's plight. And not to himself? At the risk of reading too much into every jot and tittle, I'd say that Steph's formulation "aren't you exploiting?" is considerably more accusatory than would have been "are you exploiting?"
Next from George: "You said last year that you were wrong to vote for the war in 2002. If that's true, why shouldn't Democrats nominate someone who is against the war from the start, like Barack Obama?"
Just two questions into the interview, and already an invidious comparison with Obama. Ouch! Edwards responded that what's most important is "a willingness to be honest, tell the truth, to have integrity and take responsibility for both what they've done in the past and what they'll do in the future." Let's leave aside the specific issue of Iraq for the moment. As a principle, can Edwards seriously be arguing that it's more important to have a president who admits he's wrong than to have one who gets it right in the first place?
Steph, a bit later: "Are you more qualified than Hillary Clinton to be president?"
A direct, seemingly un-dodgeable question. But they haven't invented the question that a nimble trial lawyer like Edwards can't dodge: "That's not my decision to make."
Really? Should you be running if, at the very least, you haven't made that decision in your own heart? And if you're not willing to proclaim it, why should voters believe it? This sounds like a man who doesn't want to burn his vice-presidential bridges.
Steph: "You ran with John Kerry in 2004. After that campaign he told friends that you promised him that you wouldn't run against him in 2008. Is that true?"
Edwards: "Well, I never talk about any personal conversations I had with John Kerry."
Steph: "That didn't sound like a denial." Gotcha!
Edwards rolled with the punches. But give George credit. For whatever reason . . . he punched.
UPDATE: Edwards just made his official announcement, speaking from from New Orleans.. On such a momentous day, the normally able and articulate orator was oddly off his game. He stumbled right out of the blocks: "The reason I'm here . . . actually, the best explanation of the reason I'm announcing here in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans," etc. Huh? He seemed distracted, desultory, nonchalant to the point of not caring. Even the CNN anchor observed that he was "subdued, almost tired-looking."
Adding insult to injury, so uninspiring was the speech that the news networks cut away in midstream. I can understand Edwards wanting to project a down-to-earth image. We won't criticize the blue flannel shirt with the white undershirt peeking through. But there's a happy medium between John Kerry stiffness and the double Ambien dose of Edwards today.
UPDATE, DEUX:
Over at MSNBC, Norah O'Donnell had a Dem and a Republican on to discuss the Edwards announcement. Norah asked Debbie Dingell, who if I'm not mistaken is married to Dem Congressman John Dingell, whether Edwards' entry into the race makes it more difficult for John Kerry to jump in and run against his former VP ticket-mate. Dingell, barely suppressing a smile: "I think John Kerry is one of the more 'challenged' candidates in the primary. He obviously made a big stumble prior to the general election, and I think he's going to find it very difficult to raise money during this presidential campaign cycle." Ouch!
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Come on now boys.. let's pla
December 28, 2006 - 08:50 ET by rimskyCome on now boys.. let's play nice.
This is too funny. George is obviously not buying anything little Johnny has to say. Can't blame him, because this really does sound like, as you say Mark, a man who doesn't want to burn his vice-presidential bridges.
George is just doing his jo
December 28, 2006 - 08:58 ET by dagdaGeorge is just doing his job, which is to denigrate all candidates who are not Hillary. This is what all good Clinonistas' do. George is right on the ball here.
Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. Dwight Eisenhower
Zactly! Snufalufagus is shr
December 28, 2006 - 10:31 ET by mattmZactly! Snufalufagus is shrilly shilling for Hilly. Too bad Edwards is to dull to see that and call him on it. Now THAT would be good T.V.
The MSM is simply watering at
December 28, 2006 - 09:00 ET by Eric TurnerThe MSM is simply watering at the mouth for a Clinton / Obama ticket. They can't wait for those two to make their official announcements.
I don't see why Edwards is going to run. Talk about lack of experience. Geez!
Edwards will be dispensed of
December 28, 2006 - 09:12 ET by truth_missileEdwards will be dispensed of quickly by the Democrat hate machine. I think ol'George has spilled the beans here, it will be a Rodham/Hussein ticket for the Socialists come 08.
The MSM is simply watering
December 28, 2006 - 09:38 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsThe MSM is simply watering at the mouth for a Clinton / Obama ticket.
No, no, no. You have it all wrong. It's Momma / Obama, not Clinton / Obama. We need a Mommy in the White House dontcha know. When you scraped your knee, who patched it up? When your rough-housing got too rough, who broke it up? Who was it that doled out equal proportions of milk and cookies to all? It was Mommy and we need her to fix up this sad old nation. Just ask the MSM.
DSG
Milk and cookies? Oh boy! and
December 28, 2006 - 10:32 ET by FastEdMilk and cookies? Oh boy! and the government cheeze too? And my mortgage, and insurance, and and, my school bills, and other bills too? ooh, ooh and you going to make those bad terrorists go bye, bye? and cure the common cold?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
"But give George credit
December 28, 2006 - 09:16 ET by Gothampc"But give George credit - for whatever reason, he punched."
He sold his soul to the Devil. He's on the Clinton payroll for the rest of his life.
________________________
Gothampc - Winner of Time Magazine's 2006 Person of the Year
Anything to get Over-the-Hill
December 28, 2006 - 09:17 ET by alcatrazAnything to get Over-the-Hillary out of 4th place in the early Iowa polls.
IMHO Edwards will get the nod
December 28, 2006 - 09:28 ET by inquiringmindIMHO Edwards will get the nod. Obama is a paper bag and Hillary is running 4th in the polls. I realise we have a long way to go but don't discount the trial lawyer just yet. Especially when he's not Kerring around that dead weight known as Kerry.
Mark, I'm always happy (and s
December 28, 2006 - 09:22 ET by Chris NormanMark, I'm always happy (and surprised) to see anyone in the MSM "punch" at a Democrat. However, it always is a punch from the left - rarely from the right. Know what I mean?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
I wonder if Johnnie boy had a
December 28, 2006 - 09:25 ET by alcatrazI wonder if Johnnie boy had any clue that this "sucker punch" was coming. I bet in the back of his mind he's thinking just how badly he'd like to kick Gorgi's a$$.
The punch about Obama havin
December 28, 2006 - 09:39 ET by Mark FinkelsteinThe punch about Obama having been right on the war from the beginning was from the left. But the opening crack about exploiting Katrina for purposes of his announcement was just a . . . punch!
Mark, right before I hit &qu
December 28, 2006 - 09:55 ET by Chris NormanMark, right before I hit "Post Comment", I realized that the Katrina thing was an exception, but I thought that the point was still valid - overall - and hated to spoil a good metaphor, by adding caveats. :)
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
It's pretty easy for Obama to
December 28, 2006 - 13:37 ET by Hero SquadIt's pretty easy for Obama to say he was against the war from the start. He wasn't a senator then and didn't have to make tough choices to defend our country.
As for Edwards exploiting Katrina. Had he been down there helping the effort for months - heck, just weeks even - before doing his little press conference, you could argue that he wasn't just exploiting the situation for his own benefit. Traveling down the day before, picking up a shovel and throwing a little dirt for a photo op is contrived and insulting to the people who are there every day trying to bring New Orleans back.
*****
"You've got to turn on evil, when it's coming after you. You've gota face it down, and when it tries to hide, you've gotta go in after it." - Neil Young, 2002
CN - not much of punch, more
December 28, 2006 - 09:43 ET by FastEdCN - not much of punch, more like a love tap, a reminder that the msm (Lsm) has the hots for another clinton, and anyone else just clouds the issue.
Mark, you did leave out the part "New Orleans is still suffering", and us demolibs will make sure the feds make things better! As a good politico, Edwards faild to mention that the state of LA and the mayor of 'orleans, haven't delivered in bringing it back from Bush's deliberate disaster. (forgetting of course the rest of the Gulf states that aren't being covered by the elite msm (Lsm))
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Ed, I don't recall John Edwar
December 28, 2006 - 10:06 ET by Chris NormanEd, I don't recall John Edwards being particularly vocal (or helpful) during the Katrina aftermath - do you? I guess (now) he cast his eyes around for a schtick and they landed on New Orleans. If he wasn't running for President, he'd probably be busy making millions suing everyone left with any money down there.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Here's a thought - wouldn't
December 28, 2006 - 10:26 ET by FastEdHere's a thought - wouldn't it be a hoot if lurch kerry had been a monied Big Easy mucky-muck and edwards sued him for not doing anything to help the "disadvantaged"? But I gues that would have been ketup under the levee.
(sorry, this whole demolib catfight is making me giddy)
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Sharks, like Edwards, don't c
December 28, 2006 - 11:07 ET by Chris NormanSharks, like Edwards, don't care on who they dine, although they seem to enjoy the taste of business money over gigolo's (even with ketchup!), any day...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Oh, so they'd look like this,
December 28, 2006 - 11:11 ET by FastEdOh, so they'd look like this, at the table? - http://www.pritchettcartoons.com/illustration/firm_color.jpg
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Ed, all I got was a "Pag
December 28, 2006 - 11:45 ET by Chris NormanEd, all I got was a "Page no longer available". Sorry I missed a good picture. I snooze and lose all the time...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Try this: http://www.pritchet
December 28, 2006 - 11:56 ET by FastEdTry this: http://www.pritchettcartoons.com/lawyers.htm
'tis a b/w instead of color, but same pic.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Ed, Got it. Thanks. That's gr
December 28, 2006 - 12:01 ET by Chris NormanEd, Got it. Thanks. That's great. I wonder how Edwards keeps his dorsal fin from poking out the back of his coat - lots of duct tape? Is his campaign song going to be the theme from Jaws? :)
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
"Who's fighting?" "Right now the women." "That's the worst."
December 28, 2006 - 09:37 ET by acaiguana"Who's fighting?", asked the cop.
"Right now the women", replied the party organizer.
"That's the worst", said the cop and drove away.
Actual experience at a Christmas Party in 1974.
Change up.
Who's fighting?
Right now the Democrats among themselves.
That's the worst.
Drive away.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Ya can't win if ya don't play."
That's the worst. ACA - I'd t
December 28, 2006 - 09:47 ET by FastEdThat's the worst. ACA - I'd think that's the best, but let THEM drive away, 'cause right now they're driving me nuts - but it will be fun to see what they actually do during that first 100 hours!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Well, they've spent all this time since the election whining...
December 28, 2006 - 09:49 ET by acaiguanaWell, they've spent all this time since the election whining about having to do the budget.
He, he hee.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Ya can't win if ya don't play."
oh geogr'ie
December 28, 2006 - 09:47 ET by foolnomorethis is going to be" Great theater" since matti'e was caught falling all over "ambulance-'edward's" and georg-la'clinton water carrier ,, is on the manure wagon already to discredit any "body's" that happen to be still alive to say anything towards the,,lady pillager'
George and Johnny
December 28, 2006 - 09:51 ET by allanfWe now know that George is fully on board the Hillary machine. Perahaps a cabinet post awaits?
As for little Johnny, he will soon not be allowed to play with the grow-ups. Aunt Hillary and her friends in the MSM will soon send Johnny back to his room.
Was Johnny's universal health care remark intended as a slap at Hillary? Or is it just his mouth running again?
John Edwards is the new, imp
December 28, 2006 - 10:07 ET by donsalesJohn Edwards is the new, improved, kinder and gentler Howard Dean on the campaign trail......he will garner early support from the caucuses in Iowa and elsewhere sending chills up the spine of the Clinton machine......LOL!!!!!!
He has a lot of horsepower as the "not Hillary" candidate in the mix who completely overshadowed that frenchman John Kerry during the last election...remember, as a successful trial lawyer, Edwards knows how to pull at the heartstrings of stupid people (the majority of Americans these days); or at least those who believe they are downtrodden (the majority of Americans these days); or those folks who believe the government owes them a significantly higher standard of living (the majority of Americans these days)......
George is simply showing his true colors as a Clinton hack rather than an objective broadcast journalist......anybody surprised??????
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
I can understand the cynicism
December 28, 2006 - 10:09 ET by Roger the ShrubberI can understand the cynicism from all of us here at NB, having seen George wear his DNC armband every time he appears on television, but, perhaps, even though he is a Clintonista, he was actually doing his job as a "hard-nosed" journalist?
I mean, with the Dems in power in Congress, it is only a matter of time that a pecking order is established among the Left. And, God forbid, anyone who dares to go against Shrillary.
This is an interesting turn of events, indeed!
That John Edwards is a viable
December 28, 2006 - 10:42 ET by buddycThat John Edwards is a viable candidate to democrats is a national disgrace. John ("I speak with the dead) Edwards is not qualified to hold the office of President.
Women of this country should be ashamed. His selection as VP by Kerry would be comparable to McCain selecting Bo Derek as his VP. She has, at least, as good of qualifications as Edwards for the job.
But what is more important here is that the democrat big wigs are continuing their smoke filled room manner of picking their candidate. For those of you who forgot that is exactly how they chose their candidates in the past. They didn't want Dean so they got the media to kill him. They don't want Edwards so they are using the media to kill him off early. George deserves NO CREDIT at all. he is a hack. He simply does what the Soros Hillary wing of the party tells him to do.
Buddyc --Edwards
December 28, 2006 - 11:47 ET by misterbillEdwards-- Although I am a dyed in the wool conservative and a Republican, when I first saw Edwards I thought he might be a refreshing change from the yapping politicians of yore (esp Dems). After watching him for a while, I realized that he was a Billy Crystal candidate (remember the old Sat night live) "You look Goooood!". There was not a lot of difference between him and many other democrats except he had less experience. It was a minor Obummer experience. He has excellent "stage presence" and will win over a lot of people on his appearance but there uis no substance. Hillary's org will crush him.
Stephanopoulos
December 28, 2006 - 10:47 ET by iveseenitallRight. Looks like Stephanopoulos, the unctuous little twerp, is in the tank for Hillary. Won't see him asking her any "tough" questions. Not that I care that he gives a hard time to a con man like Edwards who "channels" to dead babies in order to enrich himself.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Now there's an idea - little
December 28, 2006 - 11:25 ET by FastEdNow there's an idea - little steph asking BIG hill, "Any thoughts about the 'other women' and your husband?"
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
On Fox News this morning Kira
December 28, 2006 - 10:56 ET by Prester JohnOn Fox News this morning Kiran Chetry was interviewing Edwards and noted how a local TV station did a split screen comparing the poverty of New Orleans and Edwards' multi-million dollar mansion and how he would handle those kind of comparisons. Edwards made some lame comment about how that sort of thing happens in politics and that what really is important is what is in a person's heart (!!!???)
One thing that caught my attention though was how he stated a couple of times how people need to stop worrrying about what the guvment is going to do to help and to just get out there and help themselves. Now whether or not he is serious about that is to be seen, but it was a rather refreshing comment from a Dem.
If Edwards didn't quit the US
December 28, 2006 - 11:21 ET by Senior ChiefIf Edwards didn't quit the US Senate, he might have a chance...maybe. At least he will have 6 years Senate "experience" in his belt than Barack Hussien. Quitters don't win and winners don't quit. So then Edwards is a quitter and a loser- that's what Steph (the wanna be Tony Snow of the White House) wants to show America. "Why should we vote on a sure loser".
Chrissie 'Spittle' Matthews d
December 28, 2006 - 11:55 ET by bigtimerChrissie 'Spittle' Matthews did the same trip on Edwards not too long ago...the plan is in the bag with the leftists....Edwards is out if they have their way...it is Obama/ Clintoon or vice versa...either way it is going to be interesting. (Or he is hoping for another VP ticket with Obama)....anything is possible, long way to go yet.
I love how the left eat their own....live!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Good thread! I just don't u
December 28, 2006 - 12:21 ET by rimskyGood thread! I just don't understand why Edwards would go through all this without knowing there was going to be a payoff.
"I just don't understand
December 28, 2006 - 14:27 ET by acumen"I just don't understand why Edwards would go through all this without knowing there was going to be a payoff."
Even the very-wealthy-set-for-life need a hobby.....
Cat fight......
December 28, 2006 - 14:24 ET by acumenCat fight......
Seems odd to me that George d
December 28, 2006 - 14:47 ET by RunningBeerSeems odd to me that George didn't spend more time talking about Hitlery. It's great to see him bashin' Edwards but that's not the norm when MSM interviews ANY dim. Usually they just elevate their fav while just tap dancing with the underdog.
If the Republicans are smart they may want to sit back and watch this cat fight escalate into an all out - public can't stand it anymore - war. May pay off big over the next few months?