Pinning Hope to Plans

Early on, before the barrage of media reduced each candidate running for president to a trendline, my wife and I went to early campaign events for all the candidates, save for Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich. Prior to that, when Dave Loebsack was running for Congress, I was inspired by Barack Obama and John Edwards, who both came to Iowa City to offer their support to Dave.

At that time, I liked the message of hope that both candidates carried, that we could cross the divides of America and do well for ourselves by doing well by those who have made do with less. This populist message resonated well with me then and it does even more so today, particularly as all the campaigns settle into caucus headcount mode.

There were three deciding factors that caused my wife and I both to support John Edwards; one completely emotional, two, we think, rational.

The emotional part is attached to John and Elizabeth's decision to continue the campaign after it was learned that her cancer was back and inoperable. I thought about my own life and what I would do if faced with the same choice. My wife Betsy and I agreed that we would likely have gone after a dream that we both shared, just like the Edwards. We find it extraordinary that they have been so open with such a personal issue that, quite frankly, was very risky to admit, given the inevitable dissection in the press and the suspicious nature of the voter.

The second reason we both have found ourselves supporting John Edwards is that he came equipped with plans. Whether it was health care, the environment, energy policy, dealing with poverty, or ending the war in Iraq, he was the first out of the gate with solid plans that anyone could look at and decide as to their value. He has plans for rural America, for education, and labor. If you haven't read his comprehensive Plan to Build One America, please do.

He continues to be the leading light with regard to supporting the veterans with PTSD funding and strengthening the VA. As he said a couple days ago, "Let the world know that the fight for a greater America begins today. For universal health care, ending poverty, honoring our veterans, reclaiming our democracy, and ending the war in Iraq. For opportunity, equality, justice, and the idea of America.

“This is the moral test of our generation. We can meet it. We will meet it.”

Finally, the third reason we support John Edwards is that he is not afraid to change course when he has better information. Our current President has shown us all that staying the course is a perilous thing to do, particularly when the justifications are dishonest. We need a President who will be honest with us and tell us what our part is in making the hard decisions. I find John Edwards to be that kind of person.

I see no reason to denigrate the credentials of any other candidate. All have their strengths and weaknesses, John Edwards is no exception. However, what I encourage you to do is to think beyond what happens in Iowa on January 3rd to what will happen after August 28th when the Democratic standard bearer is chosen and September 4th when their Republican counterpart is chosen. Who will be the best representative of our party?

At this point, I have decided to be a precinct captain (Iowa City 17) for John Edwards--a duty I take very seriously. It is my hope that those of you who are reading this will make an informed decision for yourself, as I did, and I hope you will support John Edwards.