Sibel Edmonds is a former FBI translator whose whisteblower lawsuit (based on allegations praised by various members of Congress and others) was dismissed because of the "state secrets doctrine." This is the doctrine in which exposure of governmental f-ups is deemed more dangerous than letting them continue. Or, so it seems in this case.
"There are faces of old people and young people, voices of native North Carolinians in southern drawls and voices of naturalized citizens with their foreign accents. There are people in fancy clothes and others dressed in overalls. Each has exactly the same one vote. Each has exactly the same say in the election. There is no place in America where equality means as much as in the voting booth. ...
"Soon I will be voting. It is a responsibility and a right. It is also an exciting national experience. Voters have different backgrounds, dreams, and experiences, but that is the whole point of voting. Different voices are heard. ... I know that someday I will bring my son with me and introduce him to one of the great American experiences: voting."
-- Wade Edwards (16), who died in a car accident a few weeks later
The Republican response, other than the suggestion that he was Kerry's consolation prize pick,* announcement was that Sen. Edwards is "a disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal." I myself raised the issue to those who supported Edwards' run for the presidency that the guy doesn't have much governmental experience under his belt. I didn’t like the fact Gov. Bush did not have much experience, and the times would have made Edwards’ inexperience if anything a bigger problem. The fact he is a vice president pick tempers things some, but still does suggest that some idea of a Kerry Administration's potential cabinet (including perhaps Sen. Biden and others) is now ever more valuable.
All the same, "unaccomplished" is a stronger term. It is also not true. The biography of John Reid Edwards appeals to the emotional desire of a voter, including this one, for their candidate to have a truly "American" life. Truly a product of working class people, mill workers, his ability and ambition led him to able to achieve the American dream. A dream touched with tragedy, again something a voter likes (somewhat sadistically) to be there to humanize the candidate in some fashion. If John Edwards sometimes comes across as a bit too good to be true, a bit too phony, recall his enthusiasm is not just political fakery.
And, his wealth came from a true public service -- fighting for those injured, sometimes horribly so, by the dark side of American capitalism. For this, a local story lists as "anti-Edwards" these groups: National Association of Manufacturers, insurance companies, hospitals, oil, asbestos companies, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The final group traditionally was friendly to Republicans and the leanings of the others to Bush and company are pretty obvious. A campaign concerned with, for instance, a patient's bill of rights, and Republican attempts to limit their right to sue, probably isn't too concerned about this. He will get some flack for being connected to trial lawyers, helped by the fact that people forget why the lawyers are there in the first place.
[The duo's concerns about the rights of citizens and experience in the legal system might suggest some hope for those concerned about the state of the Bush Administration Justice Department, as well as judicial appointments such as this one.]
John Edwards is downright corny about proclaiming his faith in democracy, including of the jury box, as well as the need for the government to assist the people in their "pursuit of happiness." This is the sort of positive enthusiasm (and simple basic messages, to be honest) that the people (again, this includes to some extent myself) actually enjoy, which President Bush used to his advantage for years.
It is not quite Kerry's style, one reason why he is known not to be too comfortable with the guy. The fact he looked at the big picture, not just his own feelings, is to Kerry's credit. Past presidents such as Lincoln, FDR, JFK, and Reagan knew a thing or two about co-opting opponents into their administrations, including those who balanced things out in various ways.
George Bush turned 58 yesterday, a fact that was little noted in the news yesterday, especially once the announcement was made. Let's hope this duo makes sure that that he celebrates next year as a private citizen.
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* A new ad, the sort of which I am so upset that I don't get to see given that I'm in Kerry country, suggested their guy Sen. McCain was his first choice. This might be true, though its bite is harmed somewhat by the fact that McCain has made a good amount of statements honoring Kerry. As noted yesterday, he also praised Sen. Edwards in part for his eloquence regarding the tragic death of his son Wade. This lack of consistency or um nuance by the opposition seems almost lawyerly (Edwards) or Kerrylike in character, or at least the stereotype versions thereof. It is almost downright "disingenuous." The "liberal" label is btw getting a tad old, and tarring Edwards with it should be a bit tougher.