Go Read The Krugmeister
Since about six different people sent me a copy of Krugman’s The Edwards Effect, I figured I better let everyone know I’m on it. Now you go read it too.
But Mr. Edwards, far more than is usual in modern politics, ran a campaign based on ideas. And even as his personal quest for the White House faltered, his ideas triumphed: both candidates left standing are, to a large extent, running on the platform Mr. Edwards built.
BTW, since the New York Times links seem to disappear into the ozone after a while, I thought I’d pass along Aaron Swartz’ New York Times Link Generator which translates a submitted page from the Times into something that has a much greater shelf-life.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:34 am
But Mr. Edwards, far more than is usual in modern politics, ran a campaign based on ideas.
Yes. Well. No argument there.
And/But that is probably why he lost.
Don’t get me wrong — you need ideas (good ones) to make something happen. But if you campaign on ideas you will probably lose. People are moved to vote for you for many reasons…but ideas are not near the top of the list. If they were, we’d be discussing who Dennis Kucinich should pick for his VP this summer.
I can see now why Krugman likes Edwards so. Krugman is a writer; writers thrive on ideas.
Your thoughts?
February 1st, 2008 at 11:52 am
I am through with Krugman. He absolutely hated Obama. And he smeared him with lies, just like the Clinton slime machine did.
People linked to Krugman and his take on social security and health care like he was bringing stone tablets down the mountain.
What makes Krugman any smarter then Obama on issues like health care. Obama actually passed bills giving minorities health care as a state senator in Illinois.
What did Krugman ever do. Read Edwards email and say, well that must be it.
Krugman is a lying sack of feces. I don’t care if he is the great liberal hope. He can suck my balls.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Until/unless you get then big money out of politics, we will remain a plutocracy and the gap between the haves and have nots will continue.
Note that of all the politicy initiatives Obama and Hillary stole from John Edwards, banning lobbyists from his inner circle and refusing PAC and lobbyist money weren’t one of them. Obama is surrounded by the big money folks even as he followed John’s lead on refusing PAC cash, and Hillary amassed a fortune from lobbyists.
We will continue to get celebrity candidates and the best people will stay out of politics as long as this continues.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Geeze Ken, is Obama you’re Messiah? Krugman’s critiques of Obama have tackled key points, just as his critiques of Hillary have. I don’t think he’s 100% right, because no one is, but his critique today is something I agree with - even though I’ve leaned towards Obama at times.
Krugman is not a liberal hope. He runs for no office. He’s just a writer with economics and political savvy.
And btw, I think the Obama ad will gain him votes, but I agree with Krugman that the tactic doesn’t make his healthcare plan better than Hillary’s or other plans other Dems advanced.
And if you start negotiating with Congressional conservatives in the middle, you end up with a plan on the right. It’s a mistake that the Clintons already made and it shouldn’t be repeated.