Kerry & Edwards Are Running Close in Wisconsin

[Guest Cerebus]

Kerry, Edwards Running Close in Wisconsin   

 

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

 

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry (news - web sites) tried to hold off a strong challenge from rival John Edwards (news - web sites) in the Wisconsin primary on Tuesday, with the race too close to call as early results trickled in.

 

The stronger than expected showing by Edwards, a senator from North Carolina, was likely to extend the race to find a challenger to President Bush (news - web sites) to at least the March 2 "Super Tuesday" round of 10 contests in big states like New York and California.

 

But former front-runner Howard Dean (news - web sites) might not make it that far, as he appeared headed to a poor third-place finish that could knock him out of the race.

 

Kerry, a four-term senator from Massachusetts, has dominated the race so far with 14 wins in the first 16 contests. But with just over 10 percent of the vote in, Kerry and Edwards were running neck and neck.

 

For both Dean and Edwards, the primary in Wisconsin was a final chance to slow Kerry's surge before "Super Tuesday," when a sweep could finish off his opposition and put him close to the number of delegates needed to clinch the nomination.

 

The primary could be a final stand for Dean, who soared to the top of the polls and broke party fund-raising records in 2003 before crashing in January as Kerry surged.

 

The former Vermont governor had promised Wisconsin would be a make-or-break state in his fight against Kerry, but backed off that pledge in recent days while sending a flurry of conflicting signals.

 

Dean will return to Vermont to re-evaluate his candidacy if he loses amid signs that he could pull the plug. Campaign chairman Steve Grossman already has bailed out, declaring that a Dean loss in Wisconsin would mean "the race would be effectively over."

 

Edwards, who administered one of the two losses suffered by Kerry, has promised to push on to March 2 in hopes he will pick up momentum in a one-on-one matchup with Kerry.

 

Kerry contrasted his approach of running in all of the states holding contests to Edwards' decision to run in selected states.

 

"You can't run for president cherry picking states here and there. You have to run nationally," Kerry said. "I think I've been the only one in recent weeks who's been doing that."

 

All three candidates hustled for last-minute support as voters headed to the polls. Kerry campaigned with former rival Richard Gephardt, the congressman from Missouri who dropped out of the presidential race after a poor showing in the first contest in Iowa.

 

Kerry blasted Bush's record on jobs at a rally with leaders and members of the 19 unions that backed Gephardt but have now crossed over to support him, lamenting the administration's "creed of greed."

 

Kerry said Bush had failed to live up to his commitment to firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel and other union members who sacrificed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

 

"I'm tired of these politicians who show up when the bagpipes are wailing and the flags are at half-staff and they talk about heroes in America," he said. "And then when they go back to Washington, the flags are at full-staff again and the bagpipes have stopped playing, they forget."

 

Edwards made a morning stop at a diner in Milwaukee, shaking hands, urging voters to get to the polls and stopping to autograph a waitress's check pad before making a quick trip to Madison, the state capital.

 

"Today is a critical day," Edwards told students in Madison, site of the University of Wisconsin. "Please go to the polls. Touch everyone you can today. Get them to the polls."

 

Edwards says he has the money to compete into March and will focus on states like Ohio, Georgia and New York that have suffered serious job losses.

 

Kerry, whose campaign was given up for dead six weeks ago, already has the support of more than one-quarter of the 2,162 delegates needed to win the nomination in July and has more than his remaining rivals combined. (Additional reporting by Thomas Ferraro, Patricia Wilson, Jim Loney)

 

Well it was fun while it lasted, but it looks like this is now a two man race, neither of whom is Howard Dean. I'd be interested to see who Dean decides to back (if anyone at all).

[BX 0]

He's stated that he prefers Edwards over Kerry, so I imagine he may endorse Edwards.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Big, big surge from Edwards. I'd really like to see him do well on Super Tuesday, because I find him infinitely better than Sam Eagle.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

He's stated that he prefers Edwards over Kerry, so I imagine he may endorse Edwards.

I'd like to think the boost from Dean supporters would greater the number of people turned off by a Dean endorsement, but I'm kind of convinced all those Dean supporters we heard about 4 months ago aren't supporting him anymore.

[Styles 0]

He's stated that he prefers Edwards over Kerry, so I imagine he may endorse Edwards.

I'd like to think the boost from Dean supporters would greater the number of people turned off by a Dean endorsement, but I'm kind of convinced all those Dean supporters we heard about 4 months ago aren't supporting him anymore.

Exactly. For all the Tyler blabber about motivating young, disenfranchised voters to get involved with politics through the web, they were too lazy to show up when it counts, at the polls...

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Yeah, because all of those record turnouts mean nothing and owe nothing to the Dean movement.

 

How about that Joementum?

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Oh hell, I'll admit Dean made improvements where they showed up: Online.

 

He's now dropped, btw. I like all the Edwards interviews I saw all over the morning shows and that the news in general (although I don't watch "fair & balanced" news unless I have no other choice) are now portraying it as a two-guy race instead of a sweep.

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

Yeah, because all of those record turnouts mean nothing and owe nothing to the Dean movement.

I didn't know being so loathsome that record numbers of people turn out to vote for someone else was considered to be a positive quality.

[Styles 0]

Yeah, because all of those record turnouts mean nothing and owe nothing to the Dean movement.

 

How about that Joementum?

I love how you get all defensive and snippy with me by saying "Jomentum" every time I mention how Dean flamed out.

Every one of your posts was practically a verbal blowjob of Dean, I simply stated I prefered Lieberman out of all the Dems and was disappointed he dropped out. I didn't work on his campaign. I didn't put him in my sig. I didn't once insinuate he had a chance in hell of winning. All of which I could fill a file of you for Dean. And I sure as hell wasn't worshipping the guy's jock like you did for Dean. In fact, I'm proud that I stuck with my convictions rather than hopping onto the bandwagon of a sideshow politician fad. So you can save the "Jomentum" comments because it means nothing to me. I was somewhat disappointed that Dean didn't win because I think the debates with Bush would have been grade A entertainment to watch Dr. Jeckyl do his rabies routine in contrast to Bush's calm, Presidential cadence. But, now I'm very satisfied Dean lost, mostly because you have egg all over your face. But go ahead, keep being a pretentious jackass, that's what you're good at!

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Look, I'm not going to stoop down to your level and start a flame war over this. Go ahead and flame yourself if you want.

 

You're allowed to have whatever stupid, hateful, and irrational opinion you want, and there's nothing I can or would want to do about it. But if you're trying to bait me into a flame war about this, you're going to be disappointed.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

But if you're trying to bait me into a flame war about this, you're going to be disappointed.

I'd say he succeeded.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

[MrRant 0]

Come on Tyler... fire back... IN ANGER~! or at least YEAARGH~! at him.

[Styles 0]

Fine, but that doesn't stop me from posting Howard Dean: The soundtrack. http://www.deangoesnuts.com/

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Okay, whatever makes you feel special, but how about we discuss something of relative importance instead of mindlessly trolling?

 

With Edwards' strong showing in Wisconsin, I think it's relatively plausable that he could have set himself up for a big Super Tuesday, which would, effectively, let him back into this race. If you go over to the Edwards blog--if a blog is any indicator of support--there seem to be quite a few of the former Dean supporters now shifting to the Edwards camp. As I stated above, if even 1/3 of the Dean supporters had broken to the Edwards campaign last night, Edwards would've won Wisconsin. There is very little of a chance that the Dean supporters--which are far more numerous than you people are giving them credit (he WAS second in delegates before he dropped out)--would choose Kerry over Edwards, so what do you guys really think about this race at this point?

[Jobber of the Week 0]

As an Edwards guy who knows a lot of Dean people in California I think it's looking good. I think the analysts are underestimating Edwards' trade message in California. Silicon Valley has been decimated by outsourcing.

 

I was afraid Bush was going to take more free potshots but it seems his people were caught expecting an early nomination

[Styles 0]

Edwards can not appeal to mainstream America. And the last thing the DNC wants is a divided party, there is strength in unity. Edwards talks about two Americas, one for the wealthy and privelaged and the other for the common folks....which one are YOU part of, John?

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

After looking at Edwards' positions more closely, there DOES seem to be a major focus on the outsourcing issues. While it hasn't necessarily made a huge dent quite yet (after all, he's only won one state), I'd bet that his trade positions in general--in addition to the aforementioned IT jobs outsourcing--will gather him quite a few votes in the manufacturing states, too.

 

With the latest Gallup poll putting Edwards, too, up 10 points on Bush, it's starting to look a little rosier on this side of the aisle.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Edwards can not appeal to mainstream America. And the last thing the DNC wants is a divided party, there is strength in unity. Edwards talks about two Americas, one for the wealthy and privelaged and the other for the common folks....which one are YOU part of, John?

Considering he grew up poor and worked his way up, he has every right to say that.

 

Unless you've got some evidence beyond anectodal RNC lines, please stick to just mindlessly trolling and leave the analyses to the people who understand politics.

[Styles 0]

Edwards can not appeal to mainstream America. And the last thing the DNC wants is a divided party, there is strength in unity. Edwards talks about two Americas, one for the wealthy and privelaged and the other for the common folks....which one are YOU part of, John?

Considering he grew up poor and worked his way up, he has every right to say that.

 

Unless you've got some evidence beyond anectodal RNC lines, please stick to just mindlessly trolling and leave the analyses to the people who understand politics.

Ok, Mr. Political Science major, you have me bowing before your clairvoyant political senses...oh right...Well, I guess you THOUGHT you knew what you're talking about! (Fun Hint: You stop flaming me, I stop flaming you! Yaaargh!)

I've posted this already, but it sums up perfectly the problem with John Edwards, poster boy for the "blame someone, anyone for my problems-exploit good people through lawsuits that benefit lawyers and drive our doctors" attitude that America suffers from. It's over a year old but still relevant:

 

Malpractice Suits Driving Out Doctors

 

If you haven't yet heard of Sen. John Edwards, the junior Democrat from North Carolina, you soon will.

 

Elected in 1998 over the stodgy conservative Lauch Faircloth, Edwards is a rising star, sporting boyish good looks, a populist message and a handsome Southern drawl.

 

People magazine named Edwards America's "sexiest politician," and a gushing Nicholas Lemann recently profiled him in the New Yorker. He's considered by some to be the Democrats' best hope for knocking off George W. Bush in 2004.

 

Edwards largely funded his own Senate campaign with a $20-50 million fortune he earned as a trial lawyer, winning huge medical malpractice and products liability claims.Some (including Al Gore's 2000 campaign staff) might consider Edward's career path a liability to his aspirations for higher office.

 

But Edwards doesn't.

 

Should he run for president, Edwards intends to wear the trial lawyer label conspicuously and proudly. On Meet the Press last Sunday, Edwards told host Tim Russert he built his considerable estate "representing people who were in very difficult places in their lives and trying to give them a shot. And I'm proud of what I did …"

 

Edwards might want to rethink his strategy.

 

The United States increasingly faces a health care crisis. Many doctors, faced with ever-mounting malpractice insurance premiums, have gone out of business. Others are retiring early. Some are moving to states that have enacted tort reform, while rural states without significant tort reform are losing doctors hand over fist. Their poorest citizens can't find medical help where they need it. Trial lawyers like John Edwards are a big reason why.

 

Huge awards in malpractice lawsuits over the years have caused many insurers to abandon medicine. Others have had to raise premiums to rates that effectively prevent doctors from staying solvent. Obstetricians — the most likely to be sued — have seen premiums increase from 20 to 400 percent in the last few years. Some have had their policies cancelled altogether. The trend has hit general surgeons and emergency room physicians too.

 

In Mississippi, where annual premiums for OB/GYNs can range from $40,000-$110,000 (far more than many doctors in the state make), physicians are fleeing in droves, leaving poor, rural women without doctors to deliver their babies. One medical school in Nevada had to close because no insurer in the state would grant it coverage. In parts of Florida, malpractice premiums for individual doctors can exceed $160,000.

 

In Edwards' home state of North Carolina, health care costs are also soaring. Consequently, awards in malpractice cases have grown too, as compensatory damages necessarily reflect current health care costs. Of course, higher damages mean higher insurance premiums, and higher insurance premiums in turn lead, once again, to higher health care costs.

 

It's a nasty cycle, and all the while, malpractice lawyers continue to siphon off generous contingency fees, sometimes as much as 30 percent.

 

Prominent Raleigh trial attorney Mark Holt told North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in a 2000 article that "… when you go against a medical provider, how much can be paid hinges directly on the amount of insurance coverage."

 

In 1997, a botched childbirth resulted in a state record $23.5 million award, setting off a runaway train of jury malpractice awards in North Carolina. John Edwards was the plaintiff's counsel. He broke his own record that same year with a $30 million award.

 

North Carolina avoided Mississippi's dearth-of-doctors fate by putting caps on punitive awards with a law that took effect in 1997. Mississippi has yet to enact any such tort reform, and continues to lose doctors.

 

Some doctors and hospitals have found a solution to insurance costs by requiring patients to sign waivers submitting any claims to private arbitrators. But trial lawyer lobbyists are trying to nix that remedy, too, and have begun to push Congress for anti-arbitration legislation.

 

This lobby is closely tied to Edwards. According to the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call, 86 percent of the $1.39 million raised by Edwards' recently formed political action committee came from fellow trial lawyers. Roll Call writes, "No other Congressional leader or potential presidential contender has such a heavy reliance on a single industry for their leadership PAC."

 

Additionally, Edwards was a chief co-sponsor of the "Patients Bill of Rights" legislation. The Edwards-sponsored version of the bill would have permitted patients to sue health care providers for punitive damages in federal court — allowing lawyers to circumvent state court caps on punitive damages like those enacted in North Carolina. The Employment Policy Foundation estimated at the time that the Edwards bill would result in 56,000 new lawsuits per year, a $16 billion increase in health care costs, and nine million more Americans with no health care coverage at all.

 

Trial lawyers, of course, loved it.

 

Edwards' background wouldn't be so important to his presidential ambitions if he weren't so blatant about mischaracterizing it. He talks about "helping the helpless," but in fact, he built his fortune and paved his way to politics chasing doctors out of the medical profession. Lots of those "helpless" people he mentions live in low-income areas without access to the health care they need.

 

Radley Balko is a writer living in Arlington, Va., and publisher of The Agitator.com

[BX 0]

Are you implying John Edwards and his ilk are behind the wheel of the healthcare crisis? That's laughable. If you want to point fingers, point them at the HMOs and the AMA, which keeps prices so fucking high in the first place.

 

poorest citizens can't find medical help where they need it.

 

If the poor can't afford medical help, why does it matter whether the doctors are there or not?

 

If that article (from the Agitator, no less) is the basis of your qualms against Edwards, well you'd better start waving his banner. Here is the link to an online store: http://www.demstore.com/cgi-local/SoftCart...s/products.html

[Styles 0]

Bullshit. If there weren't so many frivelous malpractice lawsuits the premiums wouldn't be so high. It's directly related. Hmmm, who set the standard for these astronomical claims?

 

In 1997, a botched childbirth resulted in a state record $23.5 million award, setting off a runaway train of jury malpractice awards in North Carolina. John Edwards was the plaintiff's counsel. He broke his own record that same year with a $30 million award.

Wow, 30 million, breaking the record for the state set by....oh, him. And set off a domino effect.

Edwards has no choice but to publicly campaign for tort reform, but considering he already made his obscene millions it's a pretty shallow gesture. And the trial lawyer community still overwhelmingly supports him, and if there's one group you don't want special interests to be controlled by, it's them.

I'm not insinuating that Edwards did anything illegal, or even wrong. This is America, if you find a way to make millions, good for you. But Edwards and his ilk have been a DETRIMENT to the GOOD of society. People don't want to become doctors, especially OB/GYNs or surgeons anymore because if there is any complication, whether their fault or not, they will be sued for millions (the lion's share going to the lawyer, I don't think anyone would argue that many of these people deserve compensation, but how much is too much? And why on Earth does Edwards need 30 million per claim?). Less doctors means less choices, and the one's that remain are forced to take out huge insurance claims to protect themselves, which leads to...higher cost for the patients! It does no one but the lawyers any good.

Again, I am not insinuating Edwards is a bad man, but I don't think someone who's actions have ultimately hurt out nation should be leading it. And America will agree if he is the nominee.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Your source is still theagitator.com. I could post any number of articles from rabidly anti-Bush sources, too, and you would probably discount them just like I'm discounting this. As will (and do) most Americans.

[Styles 0]

Your source is still theagitator.com. I could post any number of articles from rabidly anti-Bush sources, too, and you would probably discount them just like I'm discounting this. As will (and do) most Americans.

Go ahead, Tyler, completely ignore the points of the article (which I found in the Foxnews archives actually but included the original source so you didn't say I made it up or something) in favor of questioning the source. I'm assuming you can't disclaim anything in the article (which I see absolutely no bias in whatsover), and are taking the cheap way out without acknoledging it. Anything else would have been better: "The article makes some good points, but I can look past Edwards past, respect his positive message and truly believe he is sincere in his campaign promises, give him a chance." Look I just gave you a very mature response, but I guess "I don't know how to discuss politics" and should leave it to you, oh clairvoyant one.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

No, actually, I have plenty to dispute about the validity of the article, including the fact that--as you so eloquently passed over it--Edwards IS campaigning on tort reform and has virtually turned his back on the trial lawyer lobby. I can bring up any number of things that Bush did in his past and disavowed prior to his candidacy, and none of them will be a factor in this election, either (including the aWol issue, trust me).

Edited February 19, 2004 by Tyler McClelland

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

I'm hoping and expecting Edwards to take a handful of states on Super Tuesday, preferably at least one or two of the big ones. The fact that my Florida primary vote could actually still mean something is a welcome surprise.

[Guest MikeSC]

Edwards can not appeal to mainstream America. And the last thing the DNC wants is a divided party, there is strength in unity. Edwards talks about two Americas, one for the wealthy and privelaged and the other for the common folks....which one are YOU part of, John?

So, if Edwards gets absolutely slaughtered --- does that mean Dean's support did its thing for him?

-=Mike

..."In other news, Howard Dean gave his support to breathing. Death by asphyxia has skyrocketed since the endorsement"

[Styles 0]

Edwards IS campaigning on tort reform and has virtually turned his back on the trial lawyer lobby. 

Well isn't that special? I'm glad he waited to aquire an obscene fortune that set and broke his state's record for payouts before taking that position.

 

I can bring up any number of things that Bush did in his past and disavowed prior to his candidacy, and none of them will be a factor in this election, either (including the aWol issue, trust me).

 

Whether Bush went AWOL or not during Vietnam holds no relevancy to American life. The prevalence of malpractice lawsuits, record numbers of doctors being driven out of practice, rising medical premiums that makes healthcare so expensive and finding a doctor to perform certain risky procedures harder than ever does have an effect on mine and every American's quality of life.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Edwards hasn't publicly recieved Dean's support. Simply his supporters.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Edwards can not appeal to mainstream America.

Go ahead and start naming the Presidents in the past few decades who weren't rich white men. I'm listening.

 

And the last thing the DNC wants is a divided party, there is strength in unity.

 

Would make sense if they were attacking each other. They aren't. They're being mostly friendly while presenting two opposing approaches to the same issue that many Democrats believe are both better than how GW is approaching them.