| In lieu of watching the train wreck last night know as the South Carolina Republican debate, I had the opportunity to attend a John Edwards fundraiser in downtown Fort Worth last night.
Let me say how great it is to finally have a prominent candidate running for the Democratic nomination for president come through Cowtown. It’s been a long time, too long in fact.
I’ve seen John Edwards a number of times now and I must say that I like him a lot. Out of all the candidates I’ve met thus far in Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, and Edwards, I would say I lean towards the son of a mill worker. Don’t take that to the bank as an endorsement either, it’s nothing more then a straightforward opinion based on my interaction with the three I’ve had the chance to meet.
I find Edwards’s cordial, passionate, full of positive energy, and focused on the issues he cares most about (poverty, Iraq, and health care). I feel a genuine desire on his part to really correct what he felt was a bad decision in authorizing the War in Iraq, but of course that is an easy thing for him to do considering he is not in congress anymore. That said, I think it is genuine, he really felt like he made a bad decision. And I love the fact that he admits his mistake, isn't that refreshing after seven years of George W. Bush and his, “I can’t think of any mistakes I’ve made,” attitude? |
| I like Edward’s health care plan, I like that it is mobile and can move with you. He claims we can pay for the $90-120 billion program by reversing the Bush tax cuts, but I do wonder if too much time has passed to reverse them without a dramatic shock to the economy. That said, I think it is the best plan out there. For someone who grew up without insurance, and whose parents have never had health insurance, I'm pleased to see an initiative such as this.
It was neat to see a number of donors that I’ve never seen before, mostly trial lawyers of course. Former Speaker of the House Jim Wright was also in attendance. I hope these trial lawyers don’t continue and sink their money into national campaigns, but also consider sinking some dough into local Democratic efforts too. We at Mid-Cities Democrats will always welcome a check.
It’s a long primary season and I hope I have the opportunity to continue and interact with the candidates some more. Until that time my allegiance is neutral and my focus is on building a grassroots foundation that will support candidates with a political machine, complete with money, in order to win elections. |
