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Edwards's Southern Strategy
The New York Sun ^ | May 1, 2007 | Tom Schaller

Posted on 05/08/2007 8:52:02 AM PDT by presidio9

John Edwards has predicted he can win in the South in 2008. "I think I have the strongest chance of changing the electoral map," Mr. Edwards told the Associated Press earlier this month. "I think we have a great chance to win, not just Ohio, but to win some Southern states."

Mr. Edwards is right and wrong. A South Carolina native who was educated and now lives in North Carolina, Mr. Edwards has a built-in edge over his fellow Democrats, none of whom is from the South. Yet, even if he finds a way to translate that backyard advantage into the winning the Democratic nomination, it's no guarantee that he will win any of the 11 states of the former Confederacy in the general election — with the possible, notable exception of Florida.

During the first quarter of 2007, Mr. Edwards out-raised Senators Clinton and Obama in North Carolina, his home state. But, according to an analysis conducted by the Washington Post, Mr. Edwards also beat his two major competitors in 13 other states, including five of the other 10 southern states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Though these are red states, their dollars and delegates matter in the Democratic primary as much as those of any other state.

And while Mr. Edwards's strength in South Carolina won't save him if either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama runs the table in Iowa, Nevada, and New Hampshire, it could provide the lynchpin of a primary win should his competitors split the early states. If Mr. Edwards can win even one of the first three states — most likely Iowa, where he has been leading consistently in the polls — South Carolina could

(Excerpt) Read more at nysunpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida; US: North Carolina; US: South Carolina
KEYWORDS: breckgirl; channelsdeadchildren; edwards2008; election2008; electionpresident; elections; fred; howcanifoolem; johnedwards; pinksapphire; silkypony; southernvote
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1 posted on 05/08/2007 8:52:03 AM PDT by presidio9
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To: presidio9

I’ll bet him a $400 haircut he doesn’t pull the South.


2 posted on 05/08/2007 8:56:30 AM PDT by pikachu (Breakfast is the most important beer of the day!)
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To: presidio9

Edwards could win some southern states, He can play the I pulled myself up by my boot straps, I care for the poor working man, good ol’ boy real well on TV.


3 posted on 05/08/2007 8:56:44 AM PDT by Hydroshock (Duncan Hunter For President, checkout gohunter08.com.)
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To: Hydroshock

Well, we saw in 2004, that he and John Kerry lost badly in North Carolina, and the rest of the south too. Even in his home state, his being on the ticket didn’t help in ‘04.

In fact, rumor has it that he declined to run for re-election to the Senate in ‘04 because he was afraid he couldn’t get re-elected.


4 posted on 05/08/2007 8:58:29 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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To: presidio9

John Edwards chose to run for Vice President rather than face almost certain defeat facing reelection.


5 posted on 05/08/2007 9:08:07 AM PDT by preacher (A government which robs from Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul.)
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To: presidio9

The headline makes it sound like he’s gonna burn Atlanta.


6 posted on 05/08/2007 9:10:29 AM PDT by ChocChipCookie (Homeschool like your kids' lives depend on it.)
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To: Dilbert San Diego

Given the voter’s disenchantment with the GOP over the Iraq war and perception they are not benefiting from the booming economy, a populist message such as Edward’s might play strong in South Carolina. Add demographic changes with an influx of half backs from Florida, and continued migration from up east, Hillary or Obama would even make it
close.


7 posted on 05/08/2007 9:11:39 AM PDT by buckalfa
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To: presidio9
"I think I have the strongest chance of changing the electoral map," Mr. Edwards told the Associated Press earlier this month. "I think we have a great chance to win, not just Ohio, but to win some Southern states."

Let's hope he is correct, that he has the strongest chance of all the Democrat contenders. Since he wouldn't change a thing, including his home state, unless the Republicans go nuts and nominate Giuliani, the south remains safe from the Democrats in '08.

8 posted on 05/08/2007 9:12:33 AM PDT by penowa (NO more Bushes; NO more Clintons EVER!)
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To: presidio9

Hey Johnny,....er, Nope, Nunca, Nada, Never, won’t happen,not a chance!


9 posted on 05/08/2007 9:12:44 AM PDT by Bitsy
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To: presidio9
There aint nobody in the South that is gonna vote for no sissy boy queer to be President.

Edwards is a delusional, megalomaniacal, egocentric narcissist.

His entire campaign is a freakin joke. He has no chance whatsoever of being elected to anything anywhere.

10 posted on 05/08/2007 9:16:16 AM PDT by picard (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
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To: presidio9

These guys run for office so they can raise money, even if they know they can’t win. It’s all about the money. Take that away and you may get an honest race. What happens to all that money when they loose?


11 posted on 05/08/2007 9:20:34 AM PDT by RC2
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To: ChocChipCookie
The headline makes it sound like he’s gonna burn Atlanta.

Edwards is no Sherman. I know you didn't mean you took it seriously, but I'll state it anyway; to compare Edwards with Sherman is laughable. And again, I'm not making a comment about you.

12 posted on 05/08/2007 9:21:45 AM PDT by bcsco
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To: Hydroshock

Edwards nor any other demoncrap will win any real Southern states in the next Pres. Election. Their only shot is FL, which has beome a turd world country in part.


13 posted on 05/08/2007 9:26:01 AM PDT by ohioman
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To: Hydroshock

Edwards nor any other demoncrap will win any real Southern states in the next Pres. Election. Their only shot is FL, which has become a turd world country in part.


14 posted on 05/08/2007 9:26:21 AM PDT by ohioman
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To: Hydroshock

Al Gore predicted he could win his home state of Tennessee. Didn’t work out that way.


15 posted on 05/08/2007 9:27:15 AM PDT by Sig Sauer P220
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To: presidio9

I hope Hillary or Obama are stupid enough to put the Pink Sapphire/Breck Girl/Silky Pony/John Edwards on their ticket just like Jon Cary did. Fred Thompson will kick their tail throughout the South and Midwest.


Fred Thompson/John Bolton 2008


16 posted on 05/08/2007 9:39:30 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Nancy Pelosi: The Babbling Bolshevik Babushka from the City by the Bay.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Fred Thompson/John Bolton 2008

Drive 'em zonkers: Lynn Cheney/John Bolton 2008

17 posted on 05/08/2007 9:45:08 AM PDT by ErnBatavia (...forward this to your 10 very best friends....)
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To: Hydroshock
Edwards could win some southern states

Not if his opposition is Fred Thompson.

18 posted on 05/08/2007 10:02:43 AM PDT by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: presidio9

I’m from the south & that man is considered a joke down here. Look at who his running mate was. Yuck!


19 posted on 05/08/2007 10:11:30 AM PDT by lynny (Kandy)
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To: presidio9

I don’t think Edwards has a chance. IMHO, it’s going to be Clinton or Obama. I think he’s got a shot at VP, though.


20 posted on 05/08/2007 10:25:10 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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