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John Edwards and His Populist Appeal

 

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'The Sleeper': Readers of our profile of the strategies of John Edwards's campaign respected his hard work and triumph over hardship, but said we should vote based on policies, not "on the everyman quality that's so appealing." One physician complained that after suing doctors and contributing to the high cost of medical care, Edwards "now wants to charge back into the mix and save us with universal heath care." But others thought his expertise as a trial lawyer might be an asset. "It is too seldom that we have an advocate of his magnificent negotiating skills."

On 'A New American Holy War': "With Mike Huckabee's surge in popularity, at least I can feel he's sincere about his faith, if a bit naive science-wise. Seeing Mitt Romney's courting of the religious right, I can't help but wonder what he really believes."
Ron Clearman, Pinson, Ala.

Edwards ' s Sleeper Campaign
Thank you for showing that there are three, not two, front runners in the Democratic presidential field ("The Road Warrior," Dec. 24). John Edwards may not make as sexy a story as the first viable black candidate or woman candidate, but Edwards is the real Democrat in this race. He may look soft, but he is a man who has fought the corporate goliaths and won. He has endured personal tragedy and persevered. He rose from a humble background and wants everyone to have the same chances he had. This is someone I want as my president. Isn't it funny how the Southern white guy is the one real progressive among the top three?
Jill Cozzi
Washington Township, N.J.

Your cover story on former Senator John Edwards told me about his family and his college years, and much about his campaign strategy. But if I based my decision for Edwards solely on your article, I would know only that he's a populist and a skilled campaigner. I'd certainly have no notion what his specific ideas on welfare or foreign policy are, or how he intends to implement those ideas. More policy information would be helpful as I make my voting decision.
Athena Dalton
Longmont, Colo.

It is obvious that John Edwards truly is a hard worker and has been successful in his endeavors. But this is true of the majority of candidates running for president. The electorate must consider whether the skills that candidates learned throughout their careers will lead to success in the presidency. As the most challenging issues that lie ahead for the next president include improving foreign policy, health-care reform and restoring the middle class, Edwards's success as a trial lawyer will provide little in terms of preparation for these tasks. The "populist" fa?ade and rolled-up-sleeve appearance that he sports cannot disguise a career built on multimillion-dollar settlements against health systems and corporations. The net result of his career success has been to further undermine the appropriate allocation of health-care resources.
Leonard Johnson
Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.

Threatening Conversion
I was quite disturbed by Lorraine Ali's article about Justin Fatica, the self proclaimed prophet who is hellbent on "raising up warriors for the Lord" ("For the Love of Christ," Dec. 24). If he were yelling about UFOs, he'd be labeled insane. If he were yelling about Islam, some might call him a terrorist. Instead he's yelling about Jesus Christ. And there are parents who willingly allow this to be perpetrated on their children? Screaming at a girl until she's on the verge of tears? Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's how Jesus would have handled it.
Arthur Morison
Ellsworth, Maine

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Member Comments

  • Posted By: observant kate @ 05/08/2009 4:50:30 PM

    The article in the current issue of Newsweek, "The Path of a Pandemic," is fascinating./ My only question is, "Why in this time of everything global, don't we have an interpolforssssssssssssss health issues? It is frightening to think that there are many bad bugs out there causing isolated ccases that no one knows about because there is no central [popint to which these are reported. Where are the World Health Organization and the u.n. HILE SALL THIS IS GOING ON?
    Kae Hentges, MSPH

  • Posted By: Carolina Gal @ 01/24/2008 2:02:20 PM

    I also have every confidence in the American people to walk the walk after they're done talking about all of the issues that affect them. Yes, John Edwards sued doctors but you're living on Mars if you think that was a major contributor to the high cost of health care. Let's take a look at the exhorbatent charges for procedures, lab work, and just seeing your doctor for a 10-minute visit. Having been married to a hospital administrator, everyone should know the appalling hidden costs in hospitals and doctors' practices that get transfered to us patients - employee cell phones that also are allowed for personal use, car leases, trips to exotic places for conferences multiple times a year when a web-conference would do on some occasions, free food 24/7 in the doctor's lounge, country club memberships, maintenance on executives homes by hospital groundskeepers, etc. We need someone heading up our country that isn't impressed with a title or a bank account balance - but who instead wants to really get the job done.

    And if more people voted for who they truly want, instead of who's likely to win, we'd finally end this cycle of mediocre politicans doing a half-assed job while eating out of the hand of every lobbyist and PAC that can fill Washington..

  • Posted By: jroedl @ 01/11/2008 9:31:53 AM

    Yea I agree but too many poeple are going to vote for Obama beacause he's black or Hillary because she's a woman. Poeple also want to vote for whomever is already "out front" as they don't want to waste a vote on someone who is consistantly in third place. There are many voters ouu there that simply are not educated on politics and issues and just vote for a recognizable name. I have listened to John Edwards and believe him to be the best candidate but he has win the majority

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