I guess when it comes to political candidates, there’s not much middle of the road.
At least that’s how it feels today when it comes to the John Edwards campaign.
Today, I received an E-mail (you know, those wonderful, “personal,” computer-generated messages) that featured this YouTube clip from the campaign trail.
I was floored as I listened to the woman speaking to Edwards about her health and life situation, being the single mother of four teenage children, battling breast cancer and trying to find the money to pay for her treatment and pay for college tuition for four kids.
Even more surprising was Edwards’ response. He promised this woman that, if he becomes President of the United States, he will fight with all his power to make things better so that others would not ever be in her situation, having to choose between supporting her family and paying for medical treatment.
And then, what really made me blink was this — Edwards said that while he would fight the good fight, he would not be able to promise her that he could actually change things.
I thought, “Oh my God — the truth!”
Because that’s what he spoke. So many candidates promise us the sun and the moon and the stars and say what they think we want to hear. But to have a candidate actually speak the truth — that no matter how strongly they feel about changing something, they can’t actually promise that they can make it happen — well, that just knocked my socks off.
Is it possible for the other candidates to make a pledge that they will do the same thing? Yes, tell us what you’re passionate about and what you think needs to be changed and how you’ll work as hard as you can to make it happen.
But we’re adults. And we’re smarter than you give us credit for. We remember out junior high civics classes and that whole three branches of government thing.
Yet, somehow, many of us are still swayed by the silvery words and pretty promises that candidates make when they want our votes.
I think we should let them all know that we’re not falling for it this time. And that we want the same kind of straight talk that John Edwards was able to muster, at least for one day.
August 29th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Love ‘em.
In this age where the (whatever his name) Craigs of the world act boldly above the law with arrogant immunity, it’s refreshing to hear a candidate acknowledge the truth.
August 29th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
I drove by a local campaign sign today that had the candidate’s name and a banner that read “protecting neighborhoods.” I kept picturing a bunch of White men sitting around a conference table trying to come up with that slogan, regardless of the candidate’s passions or intentions.
I’m a cyncial little blogger
Glad you posted this. I’m a JE fan.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Straight talk. I love it.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I’m so glad to hear that. Honesty is refreshing in politics and isn’t that sad?
August 30th, 2007 at 8:54 am
yay!! a moment of honesty. let’s hope for more.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:12 am
And this is why I love the Edwards.
I don’t want candidates to promise me the moon and the sun but I do want to believe they’ll try their hardest to make a difference.
August 30th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
And he has an awesome wife. And he’s cute if only he’d lose the Anchorman hair.
August 30th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
You know, I thought I saw a pig fly by my window this morning …
August 30th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Straight talk is what trips my trigger, for sure. Much more believable than nothin’ but sunshine & roses…
August 30th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Every time I hear or read about something John Edwards said, I am impressed. It’s too bad he’s seen as a distant third in the Democratic race. Of course, there is a lot of time left before November 2008.
September 1st, 2007 at 11:02 pm
I agree, what engages me about both John and Elizabeth Edwards is that they actually talk straight! yes, they are for real. And that would be quite a refreshing change to have that in the White House! As you can see, I am also a JE fan.