" Why I See John Edwards As A Big Phony "

[Fat Tone]

South carolina's Largest Paper, The State (http://www.thestate.com/editorial-columns/story/139273.html)

Why I see John Edwards as a big phony
By BRAD WARTHEN - Editorial Page Editor

MONTHS ago, I observed on my blog that I think John Edwards is a phony — a make-believe Man of The People.

It’s not so much that he’s lying when he says he wants to help One America — the Deserving Poor, whom he wants to vote for him — get what it has coming to it from the Other America (that of the Really Rich, to which he disarmingly admits he belongs). I think he believes it. But I don’t, and here’s why:

Strike One: Sept. 16, 2003. The candidate was supposed to appear on a makeshift stage on Greene Street in front of the Russell House.

He was supposed to arrive at 4 p.m., but it was past 5 before he showed. When his appearance was imminent, his wife appeared on the stage and built expectation in a manner I found appealing and sincere. Then I saw Mr. Edwards step to an offstage position just behind the bleachers to my left. None of the folks in the “good” seats could see him.

His face was impassive, slack, bored: Another crowd, another show. Nothing wrong with that — just a professional at work.

But then, I saw the thing that stuck with me: As his introduction reached its climax, he straightened, and turned on a thousand-watt smile as easily and artificially as flipping a switch. He assumed the look of a man who had just, quite unexpectedly, run into a long-lost best friend. He stepped into view of the crowd at large, and worked his way, Bill Clinton-like, from the back of the crowd toward the stage — a man of the people, coming out from among the people — shaking hands with the humble, grateful enthusiasm of a poor soul who had just won the Irish Sweepstakes.

It was so well done, but so obviously a thing of art, that I was taken aback despite three decades of seeing politicians at work.

Not enough for you? OK.

Strike Two: Jan. 23, 2004. Seeking our support in the primary he would win 11 days later, he came to an interview with The State’s editorial board.

He was all ersatz-cracker bonhomie, beginning by swinging his salt-encrusted left snowboot onto the polished boardroom table, booming, “How do y’all like my boots?” He had not, it seemed, had time to change footwear since leaving New Hampshire.

The interview proceeded according to script, a lot of aw-shucking, smiling, showing of genuine concern, and warm expressions of determination to close the gap between the Two Americas. Then he left, and I didn’t think much more about it, until a week later.

On the 30th, Howard Dean came in to see us for the second time. Again, I was struck by how personable he was, so unlike his screamer image. I rode down on the elevator with him afterward, along with my administrative assistant and another staffer who was a real Dean fan (but, worse luck for Gov. Dean, not a member of our board). I paused to watch him take his time to greet everyone in our foyer — treating each person who wanted to shake his hand as every bit as important as any editorial board member, if not more so. I remarked upon it.

“Isn’t he a nice man?” said our copy editor (the fan). I agreed. Then came the revelation: “Unlike John Edwards,” observed the administrative assistant. What’s that? It seems that when she alone had met then-Sen. Edwards at the reception desk, she had been struck by the way he utterly ignored the folks in our customer service department and others who had hoped for a handshake or a word from the Great Man. He had saved all his amiability, all his professionally entertaining energy and talent, for the folks upstairs who would have a say in the paper’s endorsement.

At that moment, my impression acquired stony bulwarks of Gothic dimensions.

Strike Three: Sept. 22, 2004. I dropped by a reception held for then-vice-presidential nominee Edwards at the Capital City Club that afternoon. I had stuffed my press credentials into my pocket after arrival so as to mix freely with the high-rollers and hear what they had to say. (They knew who I was, but the stuffy types who want writers to stand like cattle behind barriers did not.) Good thing, too, because there was plenty of time to kill, and there’s no more informative way to slaughter it than with the sort of folks whom candidates want to meet at such receptions.

It was well past the candidate’s alleged time of arrival, but no one seemed to mind. Then a prominent Democrat who lives in a fashionable downtown neighborhood confided we’d be waiting even longer. We all knew the candidate had a more public appearance at Martin Luther King Park before this one, and no one begrudged him such face time with real voters. But this particular insider knew something else: He had bided his own time because he had seen Sen. Edwards go jogging in front of his house, along with his security detail, after the time that the MLK event was to have started.

As reported in The State the next day: “Edwards was running late, and the throng waiting to rally with him at Martin Luther King Jr. Park took notice. They sat for two hours in the sweltering heat inside the community center, a block off Five Points.”

We were cool at the club, drinking, schmoozing, snacking. So he’s late? What are these folks going to do — write checks for the Republicans?

But my impression had been reinforced with steel girders: John Edwards, Man of The People, is a phony. And until I see an awful lot of stunning evidence to the contrary, that impression is not likely to change.

Visit http://blogs.thestate.com/bradwarthensblog/.

[Globetrotter]

An article pointing out that a particular politician is a phoney...as if that's groundbreaking or something....


http://www.draiochtwebdesign.com/sxc/tut3/yawn_filtered.jpg

[Bman]

That's my take on Edwards as well.. I like what he's saying but something just tells me that he doesn't mean one word of it


I'm not sure what it is.. .maybe just a gut feeling.... maybe just the lunacy of thinking a multi-millionaire is going to be a champion for the poor.

I don't know... but I suspect this newspaper editor is right on the money

[Fat Tone]

I don't know... but I suspect this newspaper editor is right on the money

Me too......he gives a pretty good side of Dean....kinda rubbing it in the eys of the DNC that maybe Dean should have been their guy for VP in 04.

[IBinFarteen]

Wasn't impressed with the phoney, "Aw, shucks" ambulance chaser in 2004 and even less impressed now.
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/2677/edwardscompactgm5.jpg

[Jenna]

Wasn't impressed with the phoney, "Aw, shucks" ambulance chaser in 2004 and even less impressed now.
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/2677/edwardscompactgm5.jpg

That about sums it up

[Globetrotter]

Hey, at least his staff isn't paying to give blow jobs to people in parks...
but that's my take on the whole thing...I find that a bit morally wrong...perhaps you guys are used to that, I don't know...

[Jenna]

Hey, at least his staff isn't paying to give blow jobs to people in parks...
but that's my take on the whole thing...I find that a bit morally wrong...perhaps you guys are used to that, I don't know...

Oh, you never know...maybe that's his way of campaigning...he'll just suck his way into office. Like it's never been done before. Just sayin'....

[Fat Tone]

Here is my attempt to derail the tenth Fat Tone thread in a row.......check it out...TEN....like my thinking Cap ?
http://www.madic.org/people/images/jb_idiot.jpg











...

[Globetrotter]

Oh, you never know...maybe that's his way of campaigning...he'll just suck his way into office. Like it's never been done before. Just sayin'....
Hey, whatever helps your republican candidates get elected in 08..it was, after all, McCains campaign mgr accused of this...and it looks like you guys could use all the help you can get...especially if you still can't get over these $400 haircuts....I mean come on...if that's all you got, you haven't got much, right?
Calling a politician a phoney? That is seriously all you can bring forward....please...

[IBinFarteen]

Hey, whatever helps your republican candidates get elected in 08..it was, after all, McCains campaign mgr accused of this...and it looks like you guys could use all the help you can get...especially if you still can't get over these $400 haircuts....I mean come on...if that's all you got, you haven't got much, right?
Calling a politician a phoney? That is seriously all you can bring forward....please...

Commenting on the author's article...the whole thing is about them being phoney.

[Globetrotter]

Commenting on the author's article...the whole thing is about them being phoney.
Why bother with just Edwards, couldn't that be said of all politicians, why is it people like you and Fat Tone only point out the negatives of Democrats?

[Jenna]

Why bother with just Edwards, couldn't that be said of all politicians, why is it people like you and Fat Tone only point out the negatives of Democrats?

And why do you point out only the negatives of the GOP? We can go in circles if you like...

[IBinFarteen]

Why bother with just Edwards, couldn't that be said of all politicians, why is it people like you and Fat Tone only point out the negatives of Democrats?

Because the Dems are more fun to poke fun at.

[Fat Tone]

Why bother with just Edwards, couldn't that be said of all politicians, why is it people like you and Fat Tone only point out the negatives of Democrats?

Dude.......why do constantly try and derail threads with this bullshit ?

[Globetrotter]

Because the Dems are more fun to poke fun at.
Answer the question seriously...you know both sides are fucked up, I post from time to time negative shit about the Dems, but it seems like you, Rebel, and Fat Tone, NEVER post shit negative about republicans. Even when I called out Fat Tone on that fact, asked him to show me one thread where he posted something negative about the administration, or the republican party, he couldn't.
All I'm saying is that your posts/threads would be much more credible if you were a bit more well rounded in your political views.

[Globetrotter]

Dude.......why do constantly try and derail threads with this bullshit ?
Why posts threads that are completely irrelevent bullshit then?

[Fat Tone]

Why posts threads that are completely irrelevent bullshit then?

then why post in them, if that is how you feel ?

Maybe you should write a letter to the editor of The State, South Carolina's largest newspaper, that printed this, as you put it " completely irrelevant bullshit"...?

Quit fucking trolling.

[Globetrotter]

then why post in them, if that is how you feel ?

Maybe you should write a letter to the editor of The State, South Carolina's largest newspaper, that printed this, as you put it " completely irrelevant bullshit"...?

Quit fucking trolling.
Not trolling, just stating a fact, posting about how a politician is a complete phoney, is it even worth it? and why not do the same for republican candidates? Hell, I called you out on it before, and you couldn't step up to the plate, about posting anything negative about the republican party, or the administration.

[Fat Tone]

I'm trolling and it feels great.......


















...

[Globetrotter]

Like I said, you're not able to step to the plate when called out...

[Fat Tone]

Trolling one of Tone's threads, is all I am really able to do, even remotely well.....



















...

[Globetrotter]

...
still waiting for you to step to the plate and show me where you posted ANYTHING negative against the republicans or the administration....My hunch is, you can't....

[Fat Tone]

[QUOTE=Globetrotter;1118371]I....wanna rock and TROLL All Night !!QUOTE]













...

[Jenna]

still waiting for you to step to the plate and show me where you posted ANYTHING negative against the republicans or the administration....My hunch is, you can't....

He posted about Giuliani's daughter just yesterday. Sheesh.

[Globetrotter]

Come on Fat Tone...can't do it can you....

[Fat Tone]

Like a TROLLING Stone....a complete Unknown.














...

[Globetrotter]

Yep no answer...you're a fuckin' sally dude...We talked about this shit via email, remember, I guess you choose to be completely ignorant?

[Fat Tone]

My favorite movie is " Trolling For Columbine "













...

[Globetrotter]

Alright brother, acting like a child instead of answering a direct question really tells me alot about your character...Especially when you feel the need to email me about problems your having on the board with other people...shall we go down that road, or you want to get a bit more serious?

[Bitch]

Alright brother, acting like a child instead of answering a direct question really tells me alot about your character...Especially when you feel the need to email me about problems your having on the board with other people...shall we go down that road, or you want to get a bit more serious?
:add09:Oh by ALL means go down that road.

[Fat Tone]

You've got to....TROLL with the changes !!!!







....

[Fat Tone]

:add09:Oh by ALL means go down that road.

Jump in Sunshine.....why just have but one thread derailer when there is plenty of room for more ?

[Jenna]

Alright brother, acting like a child instead of answering a direct question really tells me alot about your character...Especially when you feel the need to email me about problems your having on the board with other people...shall we go down that road, or you want to get a bit more serious?

This just became a liiiiiiiiiiiiiitttle too kindergarten for me...

[Bitch]

Jump in Sunshine.....why just have but one thread derailer when there is plenty of room for more ?
Cool because you totally flipped your lid last week so I figure I must play SOME role in whatever it is globe is referring to.


Got some popcorn?

[Fat Tone]

Cool because you totally flipped your lid last week so I figure I must play SOME role in whatever it is globe is referring to.


Got some popcorn?

So an assumption on your part that the thread is about you....again ?


Surprised I am......not.

In the sense that Globe isn't going to post any of the emails that went back and forth, nor will I.........

If you think I flipped my lid........what is it when you are the vitriolic laden maiden of board ? I didn't feel the need to handle you as I did, until you stepped in and started calling me names, for no reason.

There are quite a few emails, from many board members about that thread........no reason to post them, for a few reasons, one of which being that I don't have a sadistic vendetta to make you feel worse ( I think you are smart and funny sometimes actually ), and two, they were personal.

So, again, care to add anything to this guys op ed, or are you an a mission to derail ?

[Bitch]

So an assumption on your part that the thread is about you....again ?


Surprised I am......not.

In the sense that Globe isn't going to post any of the emails that went back and forth, nor will I.........

If you think I flipped my lid........what is it when you are the vitriolic laden maiden of board ? I didn't feel the need to handle you as I did, until you stepped in and started calling me names, for no reason.

There are quite a few emails, from many board members about that thread........no reason to post them, for a few reasons, one of which being that I don't have a sadistic vendetta to make you feel worse ( I think you are smart and funny sometimes actually ), and two, they were personal.

So, again, care to add anything to this guys op ed, or are you an a mission to derail ?
Oh round 2 eh? LOL

Hey FT you're right I did assume that part of it involved me but you just confirmed it. LMAO

The bottom line is you lost your fucking mind that day. It happens. Not that I expect you to man up to it. I'm sure I could match you in pms and greens. Not emails because unlike you, apparently I didn't waste as much time on it. In fact, I amused myself by continuing it ONLY because you continued to make yourself look like an ass.

But guess what FT, you keep using these elusive other people as your 'excuse' and as some sort of 'prize'. This is the second time you have gone down that path. The only reason I even bothered to mention that I had received the same was in response to you because you somehow seem to use those to think you are right. Guess what...even if I didn't have any of those 1)I would have never brought them up first if you hadn't and 2) their opinions and comments don't make me anymore right than I was without them. I don't need others spurring me on to know when I'm right. Nor do I need validation by anyone on a message board. Too bad you do. I use to think you had more substance than that.


Now as far as Edwards - I have no issue with him. He's far less slimey than say Hillary or Rudy. As far as what will happen though I'm still convinced that Hillary will win. She has the money and the power and the GOP candidates are ALL struggling big time.

[Fat Tone]

Oh round 2 eh? LOL

Hey FT you're right I did assume that part of it involved me but you just confirmed it. LMAO



I was actually speaking of the thread, but I believe I mentioned in the shitstorm thread the other day, that other board members were discussing their nature of " fed up to here with your bullshit " in emails...



The bottom line is you lost your fucking mind that day. It happens. Not that I expect you to man up to it. I'm sure I could match you in pms and greens. Not emails because unlike you, apparently I didn't waste as much time on it. In fact, I amused myself by continuing it ONLY because you continued to make yourself look like an ass.


So again.....it's fair to say, based on your accusation, that you have lost your mind, fairly regularly...almost daily on this board. You didn't waste much time on it ? I mean, you stopped posting on it, basically when I did.....and I am pretty sure that there are not many board members who are " fed up with my shit ", as I am not one to dish out vitriol, even on a semi regular basis....much less daily. Ya know, it happens, not that I expect you to woman up to it.


But guess what FT, you keep using these elusive other people as your 'excuse' and as some sort of 'prize'. This is the second time you have gone down that path. The only reason I even bothered to mention that I had received the same was in response to you because you somehow seem to use those to think you are right. Guess what...even if I didn't have any of those 1)I would have never brought them up first if you hadn't and 2) their opinions and comments don't make me anymore right than I was without them. I don't need others spurring me on to know when I'm right. Nor do I need validation by anyone on a message board. Too bad you do. I use to think you had more substance than that.

Bitch......quick, get over yourself....really.



Now as far as Edwards - I have no issue with him. He's far less slimey than say Hillary or Rudy. As far as what will happen though I'm still convinced that Hillary will win. She has the money and the power and the GOP candidates are ALL struggling big time.


Cool....to the thread...

In retrospect....I am far more impressed with Howard Dean, as the op ed posits, than I am with Edwards. Very simply because Dean is what he is...no if's ands or buts...heart on sleeve. Ya know ?

I think Dean as the VP candidate would have probably put Kerry in the driver's seat for the election. The combo of Kerry/Edwards proved to be a " they are no better than what is already in office " kind of vibe......Dean was invigorating, and it goes to show just how much his own party sabotaged him by allowing the Arghhh moment to be perpetuated.....they fucked him.


Same with Gore, he chameleoned for each crowd, as Hillary has done a few times already.

I guess ultimatley, a smarmy president can be such, I just don't wanna see it.

Globe has mentioned a Bloomberg Ahnuld ticket......IO think I could be interested in that.....although I don't know if Ahnuld can be a VP candidate or not.

[truthbtold]

Answer the question seriously...you know both sides are fucked up, I post from time to time negative shit about the Dems, but it seems like you, Rebel, and Fat Tone, NEVER post shit negative about republicans. Even when I called out Fat Tone on that fact, asked him to show me one thread where he posted something negative about the administration, or the republican party, he couldn't.
All I'm saying is that your posts/threads would be much more credible if you were a bit more well rounded in your political views.

:add40: :add40:
damn globey maybe if the dems get the fairness doctrine reinstated they can hire you to monitor the airwaves and ensure all are equally bashing all!!
geesh grow up and stop worring about what I post and don't post, I have nothing to do with this thread and YOU!

[Strike4ce]

Oh round 2 eh? LOL

Hey FT you're right I did assume that part of it involved me but you just confirmed it. LMAO

The bottom line is you lost your fucking mind that day. It happens. Not that I expect you to man up to it. I'm sure I could match you in pms and greens. Not emails because unlike you, apparently I didn't waste as much time on it. In fact, I amused myself by continuing it ONLY because you continued to make yourself look like an ass.

But guess what FT, you keep using these elusive other people as your 'excuse' and as some sort of 'prize'. This is the second time you have gone down that path. The only reason I even bothered to mention that I had received the same was in response to you because you somehow seem to use those to think you are right. Guess what...even if I didn't have any of those 1)I would have never brought them up first if you hadn't and 2) their opinions and comments don't make me anymore right than I was without them. I don't need others spurring me on to know when I'm right. Nor do I need validation by anyone on a message board. Too bad you do. I use to think you had more substance than that.


Now as far as Edwards - I have no issue with him. He's far less slimey than say Hillary or Rudy. As far as what will happen though I'm still convinced that Hillary will win. She has the money and the power and the GOP candidates are ALL struggling big time.

You really are a STUPID FUCKING CUNT!

ITS ALWAYS ABOUT BITCH!!!! WHAT A CUNT!!!:happy_01:

[Bitch]

You really are a STUPID FUCKING CUNT!

ITS ALWAYS ABOUT BITCH!!!! WHAT A CUNT!!!:happy_01:
Again with the stalking.

When was the last time I posted to you first? You just lurk and when you do pop up you just post that I'm a cunt.


You really should seek help.

[Strike4ce]

Again with the stalking.

When was the last time I posted to you first? You just lurk and when you do pop up you just post that I'm a cunt.


You really should seek help.

Poor ole BITCH is being "STALKED" again.:add09::add09:

[Bitch]

Poor ole BITCH is being "STALKED" again.:add09::add09:


By all means continue. Considering nearly half of your last 25 posts are about me, I'd say you have a serious problem. Seek help.

Funny but YOU tards are the ones making it all about me....oops.

[Strike4ce]

By all means continue. Considering nearly half of your last 25 posts are about me, I'd say you have a serious problem. Seek help.

Funny but YOU tards are the ones making it all about me....oops.


Actually, you're the one making it all about you. Thats your goal here. It's always your goal in threads. You attack and then someone attacks you and then its all about the "POOR OLE CUNNY"

Someone is Stalking me! Help me KR!!!:add09:

Its all about "BITCH".:add09:

[Bitch]

Actually, you're the one making it all about you. Thats your goal here. It's always your goal in threads. You attack and then someone attacks you and then its all about the "POOR OLE CUNNY"

Someone is Stalking me! Help me KR!!!:add09:

Its all about "BITCH".:add09:


I had quit posting to this thread because it was pointless. Yet you come along just to call me names a couple days after I'd posted in it. You seriously need to seek help if you're that obsessed with me.

The mods really can't do a heckuva lot when it comes to 'powers' they can move threads, close threads and delete posts. That's about it. No worries Strike. Stalkers arent tolerated here though so you may wish to reconsider your obsessive creepy habit of following me around...

[Strike4ce]

I had quit posting to this thread because it was pointless. Yet you come along just to call me names a couple days after I'd posted in it. You seriously need to seek help if you're that obsessed with me.

The mods really can't do a heckuva lot when it comes to 'powers' they can move threads, close threads and delete posts. That's about it. No worries Strike. Stalkers arent tolerated here though so you may wish to reconsider your obsessive creepy habit of following me around...

STALKING AGAIN? You "STALK" truthbtold in every thread, but thats ok cuz your "BITCH".

LOOK AT ME I'm BEING "STALKED!"

[Bitch]

STALKING AGAIN? You "STALK" truthbtold in every thread, but thats ok cuz your "BITCH".

LOOK AT ME I'm BEING "STALKED!"

Nope I don't. i rarely post to her first and i certainly don't follow her to threads just to post about her.

Keep going strike - pretty sooon all of your last 25 posts will be all about me.

:add09:

[Fat Tone]

Not sure if this was posted yet....so maybe not new thread worthy....but AHA !!!! (http://michellemalkin.com/2007/08/13/john-edwards-definition-of-charity-murdoch-book-money-went-tohis-daughter-and-political-aide/)

Ah, Silky Pony. He’s the gift that keeps on giving. According to Politico (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5345.html), naughty John Edwards wasn’t telling us the whole truth about where all his Dirty Filthy Fox News Funds (http://michellemalkin.com/2007/08/03/john-edwards-silly-silly-pony/) for his coffee table book, “Home,” went:



Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards recently defended taking a lucrative book contract from a publisher controlled by Rupert Murdoch — whose News Corp. empire Edwards has sharply criticized — by insisting that “every dime” of his $500,000 advance went to charity.

Left unmentioned by Edwards, however, was that Murdoch’s HarperCollins paid portions of a $300,000 expense budget for the book to Edwards’s daughter and to a senior political aide, Jonathan Prince.

Every dime, huh?


“Every dime of the money they gave to me has gone to charity,” Edwards told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer earlier this month, suggesting News Corp. was trying to “silence” him because he opposes media consolidation. “This is a personal attack in response to me saying something that is not personal: I do not believe we should consolidate the media.”

His spokesman, Eric Schultz, said the charities include Habitat for Humanity and College for Everyone. Edwards did not mention the previously unreported fees to Prince and to Edwards’ daughter.