Edwards: I can beat McCain

Posted: Sunday, January 20, 2008 3:49 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Edwards, South Carolina

From NBC/NJ's Tricia Miller
WINNSBORO, S.C. -- Edwards portrayed himself as the best candidate to run against Republican John McCain a day after he won the Republican primary here.

"Well, he is starting to look like the Republican nominee,” Edwards said in response to a reporter’s question about McCain, “and I think it's important for us to have somebody to run against McCain who can beat him. And national polls show that I'm the one who beats John McCain in the general election. And second, I think even more important than that, this is a guy who's made central to his political life campaign finance reform. It seems to me we ought to be putting somebody up against him who's never taken money from special interest PACs or Washington lobbyists. Between the three of us, that's me."

Edwards’ response echoes the campaign ads he has been running here on cable. They have appeared much more often than anything Obama or Clinton have been running this past week. The ads feature pictures of Obama and Clinton side by side and asks specific questions like, who’s the only candidate not to take money from Washington lobbyists? Then an announcer says, John Edwards is the only one.

Edwards took questions after his second brief meet-and-greet of the day. He first stopped at a bistro in Newberry; this stop was at the Barn Xpress restaurant and convenience store.

Edwards also admitted that he got his "butt kicked" in Nevada and declined to name primary states where he would need to start winning.

Asked about his lack of support among African-Americans, Edwards blamed "overwhelming massive national publicity" given his two rivals.

"When I get heard in the African-American community they'll understand that I'm the strongest proponent of doing something about poverty, for universal health care, for raising the minimum wage, for a whole group of things that directly impact the African-American community," he said.

In his final stop today, the candidate will attend the NAACP's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at Zion Baptist Church in Columbia.

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Comments

"What I'm going to do is run with everything I've got, fight for the things I care about,” he said. “We have 47 states left. Three have voted so far. So we got a long way to go, and I'm in this for the long term.”

This is funny because Michigan "voted" already but the race had no impact on delegates. That would mean 46 states are left. But then you need to figure in FL. Maybe John should talk to the DNC about including all of the states in the delegate counts so his math works out.

Jill, Seattle, WA (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 3:55 PM)

The GOP contenders will continue to rotate. They will end up in a coDavinvention deadlock. The media needs to put this question to all the candidates, GOP & Dems: Do you have a plan to solve the shortage of organs for transplant? What is it? If not, why not?

David F. Diamond, Memphis TN (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 4:13 PM)

John Edwards is a nice man. But I live in North Carolina and everyone here knows that the reason he didn't run for a second Senate term is that all the polls showed he would lose. He didn't help Kerry carry NC in 2004. Frankly, he just was not that well thought of politically here. So I would say he is living a fantasy if he feels he can actually win the nomination for the Democrats, and then go on and win the general election. It's just not going to happen. I'm a Republican supporting McCain - there is no way Edwards could ever beat McCain!

Trisha, Greensboro, NC (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 4:34 PM)

John is the Democratic Party's only hope. And we'd better wake up and see that, or we are going to have ANOTHER Republican president.

Laura, Baltimore, MD (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 4:35 PM)

John should quit talking up Obama,running Hillary down and run on his own.The hate surrounding Hillary and the whining of the Obama camp caterwauling after every caucus or primary is grating on the nerves.already learning Obama will not be able to handle the neocon dirty tricks.The Huckabees phoned me during the primary here running both Mccain and Romney down---they all will do it as time grows short

HMT-MI (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 4:47 PM)

It would be better off if the next president was a Republican. We can't have those Democrats trying to turn us into a communist nation like they want to.

Ben Johnson, Des Moines, IA (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 4:47 PM)

If Edwards stays in the race, Hillary is assured the nomination. I don't think she could beat McCain - there are simply too many people out there who hate the Clintons, Republicans and Democrats alike. He needs to drop out now to save the country from another 4 years with a Republican in the White House!

Layla, Louisville, KY (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:03 PM)

Obviously Edwards is really the one on crack in the Democratic primary.

Teresa, Spartanburg (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:09 PM)

Frankly, I hope Edwards continues with his bid, as at this point in time, the Dems are about to loose me with a potential vote. A two year senator with supporters as combative and disrespectful as Obama's has no way of uniting this country, and will further splinter it and nothing will get accomplished for another four years, and I most certainly do not want to hear the flack over the Clintons for another term. It is clear that the Democratic party is splintering the way the Republicans did earlier. Here is hoping for more even handed reporting in the news and dealing with each person's bid in a more even handed and fair fashion. This primary season will most certainly go down in the halls of education as a major period for journalistic review and study and I believe that it will be viewed not as one of this field's better moments during this evolutionary stage of communication and technology.

William in Ky (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:12 PM)

"The ads feature pictures of Obama and Clinton side by side and asks specific questions like, who’s the only candidate not to take money from Washington lobbyists? Then an announcer says, John Edwards is the only one."
------------------------------------------------------
The answer is; Obama and yourself, fmr. Sen. Edwards.
Please Edwards... Are U going dirty too?

Rep0X (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:12 PM)

CLINTON: I CAN BEAT THEM ALL !

H.R.C. (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:23 PM)

Couldn't beat his way out of a wet paper bag. Holding out for another vp spot??

DCortez, Houston, Texas (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:26 PM)

I feel buyer's remorse coming on already. I hope Edwards can catch a break and get some media coverage.

Mark G, Burke, VA (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:26 PM)

He is done. When raking in only 4%, someone needs to show him the door.

Sean (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:32 PM)

John Edwards would get crushed by John McCain. He has no foreign policy experience and he is a worse flip flopper than Kerry. spare me.

tate (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:33 PM)

Trisha is a liar.

Actually, all of the pre-election polls showed that Edwards would have defeated RICHARD BURR BY 6 POINTS, around 53% to 47%.

In July 2004, last approval rating for Edwards that I saw had him at 54% approval in NC.

The reason Edwards didn't run for Senate re-election, is because HE PROMISED THE NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY that he would not run for both President and the Senate. Since he ran for President, he kept his promise, and got out of the Senate race long before anyone had even CAST ANY VOTES in the 2004 Democratic Primaries.

Maybe Trisha needs to go to UNC-G and get some intelligence before she starts spouting lies about John Edwards.

Actually, polls all campaign long and dating back to 2005 have shown Edwards beating John McCain nationally, with Clinton and Obama both losing to McCain. Polls, also show Edwards defeating McCain in OHIO, with Clinton and Obama losing there.

Trish, Public Policy Polling out of NC, has some polls that you might want to look at in battleground states.

Tell me which Democrat does the best against McCain in Ohio and Florida, and then get back with me.

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com

framecop, Raleigh, NC (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:36 PM)

There's been a lot of talk recently from Clinton supporters about how biased MSNBC, Meet the Press, and even CNN are. Sounds like more whining.

Folks, here are the facts, whether you like it or not. The reason the Clintons get as much scrutiny as they do is because they are ALWAYS spinning and sliming. When journalists question spin, they're doing their job, they're not piling on.

Howard Wolfson, Mark Penn, and Bill Clinton seem to spend 100% of their time spinning stories these days. If members of the media question them, bravo. That's what the 4th estate should do.

Bill Clinton has made such a big deal of the "harsh" treatment his wife has gotten. The reason is that people in the media can never trust what she says. I applaud them for doing their job.

Careful Media Watcher (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:38 PM)

He may not have taken any money from special interest groups, but many people have forgotten that as an Attorney he has taken positions in the past favorable to the insurance companies with respect to people's right to file lawsuits and negligence cases.

Ed Ojeda (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:41 PM)

John Edwards has THE progressive message, and it is a good reason why the corporate owned media machine has not given him equitable air time. Of the three Democrat candidates, he's got the best plan to rescue our Founders' ideal of a middle class controlled country. President Clinton passed NAFTA, ended welfare as we knew it, and played dead for Greenspan. The giant sucking sound has been not only the loss of jobs, but the incessant vacuuming UP of the money of the middle class. This is Reagan's true legacy, and the GOP sanctified him for it. In the 30 years since I graduated high school, the avg income of a high school grad has fallen nearly in half. The income of the top 99.99% has gone up 500%. CEOs rule the peons.

AJ in Wichita Falls, Texas (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:50 PM)

McCain isn't one of ours, what possible deception could you be creating for yourself Edwards??

When the time is right, if we're stupid enough to choose one of the four RINO's, the Dim's will tell you all about who you've chosen...the only prayer we have is to nominate and true conservative.

Find out who the RINO's are in all their glory;

Candidate Research - Know Who You're Voting For ( The Easy Way ) http://tinyurl.com/2sowta

Chip Colo. Springs, CO (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:52 PM)

I'm willing to bet Dennis Kucinich could be the best of the "new GOP." The GOP taking a dive for Queen Hillary.

Gene Raliegh, NC (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:53 PM)

Trisha,
I am an Edwards supporter who is quite discouraged now. But I don't understand what your comment tells me about this race. What you say may be true. But it still may be true that neither Clinton nor Obama can beat McCain.

I really want to elect a Democrat to the White House. It doesn't hurt in my book that Edwards is a real Democrat and a Populist. I have trouble supporting a candidate who talks like a Republican when it comes to both domestic and foreign policy. Bottom line, as Granny D of New Hampshire put it, "She's a very nice lady, Mrs. Clinton. All bought and paid for."

So while John Edwards does seem to have alienated some of his former supporters, he does embrace the Democratic platform and he does represent a rejection of corruption and cronyism and

he can beat the likely Republican nominee.

Lane , Ann Arbor (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:13 PM)

John is the Democratic Party's only hope. And we'd better wake up and see that, or we are going to have ANOTHER Republican president.

I disagree, considering he's been lagging in every poll so far...I think a ticket of Clinton/Obama (if Barack doesn't get the nomination himself) would beat anything the RNC throws out there. And yes, despite the bickering, I think that it is possible because I think the DNC would be afraid of losing all the new growth and momentum--not to mention his reputation as bridge-builder "across the aisle" -- Obama has brought thus far if he is excluded from the general election's ticket. HRC is stubborn but not stupid, although I doubt SHE would accept VP...

T. Lessane, Chicago IL (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:20 PM)

I'm already sick and tired of the back and forth BS coming from Obama and Clinton. They are on a collision course to ruin the Dems in November. The best choice is and always has been John Edwards.

Edwards 08

David, Chattanooga, Tn (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:25 PM)

It's the MSM that is derailing John's campaign!If Mr Edwards pandered to corporations like all the other canidates he would have been covered equally!Since he is fighting the corporations and not accepting lobbyist money and would not allow them in his administation...then of course they give him little or no coverage!Now is the "Fifth Estate" doing it's job to be fair and balanced?

Shelly,Aberdeen,Wash. (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:31 PM)

Senator Edwards is indeed the best suited D to take on any R their party chooses. Indeed it is the press that has annointed Obama and Clinton.

Alice (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:31 PM)

I have listen to obama and seen him and deep in my mind and heart i know that no matter what the clinton s' do, he is going to be the next Preseident of the united States of America. There haven't been a candidate that have cut across so many race to bring a country together. if he is not worthy of being our g our President then anone else would only bring us more of what we don't want. a country without a leader that represent the people.

kite yorke, new york (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:38 PM)

Senator Edwards is indeed the best suited D to take on any R their party chooses. Indeed it is the press that has annointed Obama and Clinton.

Alice (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:42 PM)

the clintons are racist and for too long rides the backs of blacks for their own selfish ego and agenda. .you have only to listen to words of mr clinton to know he don't care about blacks but their their vote. to go so far as to use blacks as their proxy to attack obama is typical. we have moved from Vernon Jordan and Jessei Jacksons to Bobby Johnson and Charles Rangel different time no different ploy.

kite yorke, new york (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:43 PM)

The Peoples candidate, therefore the Unions candidate is John Edwards, keeping the promise to America!

Real change on Real Issues, John Edwards for America.

The first to stand with the strikers and proclaim he wouldn't cross a picket line, even for a debate. That's huge, considering he isn't the Corporate candidate like Clinton and Obama, so they aren't pushing him at us, like Obama who has received record breaking coverage and the most positive coverage since the studies have been conducted.

Vote for the peopless interest, voter for the workers, John Edwards has the most backing by Unions. He doesn't just talk. He walks a great walk. He was in NOLA rebuilding her. He campaigned state by state to increase minimum wages. He fights against injustices and spoke out against the injustices of Jena 6...not claiming he was too busy.

VOTE for the American promise.
Vote for John Edwards!

blue (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:45 PM)

Barack Obama and John Edwards each have several polls to point at that suggest they would be the best to take on and beat McCain. Hillary does not.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:52 PM)

No thanks, don't want the Breck girl as president. Amanda Marcotte was about all I could take of the moonbats around him...it's a good thing she's gone.

Socialism is a failed ideology, you just have to wonder why people like Clinton, Edwards and Obama are still trying to sell it.

Lynn Thomas, Streamwood, Illinois (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:54 PM)

Republicans might really want to be careful about not nomination McCain. Two new polls released this week-end have Democrats winning in Virginia and Kansas (two VERY red states) against all Republicans but McCain who crushes both Obama and Clinton and who runs 15% better than his fellow GOPers. Link to polls: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2008/01/catching-up-on-some-forgotten-polls.html

Daniel, NY (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:06 PM)

Do you obammaites ever read any other sites other than first read?Your hate rhetoric is a joke on other sites.The way you go after both the clintons and vow to vote republican or not vote if bo is not elected is becoming a drag on the party.You are fitting right into Karl Roves pudgy hands.You do not have to hate Hillary and Edwards in your zeal to dominate the discussions.Just admire Ob and vote for him--unless you are closet repulicans?

HMT-MI (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:36 PM)

This is true!! Only Edwards beats all the GOP candidates, including Mccain!

Hillary gets tanked by McCain in match-ups!!!

Time to wake up, democrats!!!

kenshin (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:59 PM)

Oh John, no you can't, and McCain is not the one who will win, so there, Mitt will get the nod but then mitt won't win the general, evangelicals hate the mormons even though they are the same thing, believers in their own importance.
Dems rule this year, even Obama would win against these guys.
The real losers-the media, who has lost the trust of many americans, corporate infotainment is the cause of all our perceived problems, Today on the TODAY show I learned that we all love infomercials, not some, all of us love them, I laughed so much my stomach hurt, where do they get this stuff? Oh yeah they make it up!

Da Vinci, not here, but there (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:59 PM)

I actually think Edwards' biggest problem is his total lack of humour. Does that man ever laugh?

Hillary is Brilliant

Hillary 08 and 12

Martin (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:04 PM)

Alice: Sorry, Clinton is who the repubs are afraid of most.

Sean (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:04 PM)

Here is the truth - there are people who support Edwards, people who support Obama, people who support HIllary and then people who will vote AGAINST Hillary. If she is the nominee, the Republicans will win, no matter who he is. Edwards can not win against anyone, not this time. Not against the first potential woman or African American candidate. If he wants to help the Dem. party, he needs to drop out and hope that Obama is the nominee to pick him for VP candidate. Edwards is quoting a poll from CNN back about 7 or 8 months ago that showed he could beat McCAin when McCain was just about washed up and Guiliani was the front runner. And Obama does not take money from PACs or lobbyists, Edwards even said that in the debate last week so he knows that. He's mud-slinging now against both Obama and Clinton and I don't know what his strategy is. He's whining about media coverage, but he's not showing enough in the polls or primaries/caucuses lately to warrant more coverage.

I think Edwards needs to relax a little and rethink his life's direction with his wife being very ill.

Angela - Hollywood, FL (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:14 PM)

If the Republicans nominate McCain, how is someone like Hilary with such a high negativity is going to win? I think Barack with his huge independents and moderate Republicans support has a best chance of winning against McCain. Against Mit or Hukabee, Hilary would probably do better.

Mike, Land O Lakes, FL (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:14 PM)

Current Poll from Rasmussen Reports. This is updated weekly. Notice that even Richardson has been eliminated. Check back later this week to see the most recent poll. Edwards has done better than everyone else this entire election season.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/favorables/election_2008_democratic_candidates_running_in_2008_presidential_election

JoCr, Iowa (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:54 PM)

You all just don't get it yet do you? We need a strong President right now, one that knows the ropes of the world, not just our wonderful country. Experience, trust in government and a willingness to go against Congress to stop this wrongful spending. John McCain can beat Hillary or Obama, that is why they are so afraid of him right now. Just watch all the dirty politics that will come from them now. I am older than John McCain and if you look at a population chart, you will see that we are a graying nation now. Our problems are also the problems of the young, the non-white, the poor, the unemployed, and we want them fixed . We have children and grandchildren waiting for this country to return its promise of "The American Dream", start it by voting for John McCain and he will start us on the right path to realize it.

Marty CR Iowa (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:58 PM)

HMT-MI,
In fact, when you see comments that are signficantly anti-Clinton you may indeed be hearing from Progressive Republicans, former Republicans, and Independents. People have no respect for the Clintons because they don't show respect for educated Americans; so little of what they say is candid and so much is spin.

Instead of noting that those people (Indies, liberal Repubs) could be the swing votes that give a Dem candidate the White House, many lifelong Democrats appear to be saying, "well screw those Independents and progressive Republicans, we're going to nominate her no matter what." That's fine. Righteous indignation can be admirable.

Just realize that the GOP is in disarray. The ONLY thing that will resuscitate the party and mobilize the base is a Clinton on the Dem ballot in the fall. It has nothing to do with her being a woman. It has everything to do with people having seen again and again the destructive and divisive lengths that the Clintons will go to to grab power.

Many Dems refuse to admit it but nominating Senator Clinton is an act of political suicide for the party. Why torpedo the chances of finally getting some sane changes in our Iraq policy for the sake of some people (Dems over 55?) being able to say they flexed their muscles. Just to get a woman in the White House? There's a brilliant bench of Senators and Governors who could be powerful picks in the next few Presidential cycles. Trying to force Senator Clinton through this time is near-sighted and will be counterproductive ultimately.

A former Republican who might vote Dem in the Fall (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 9:20 PM)

To the woman who said John Edwards is on crack.. you must be on crack, ( to even bring up the subject). The people who support Obama are the ones on crack or whatever they are on.. you all are pathetic. Do you want to be converted to MUSLIM? LETS VOTE FOR AN AMERICAN. OK?

MJL (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 9:31 PM)

John....I think you better think about what you are doing...Elizabeth is sick..go home and be with her as long as you have her...you will regret it...You can not win...it is over for you...face up to it John....You are just not a viable candidate for President any longer...sorry but it is true......

Becky (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 9:38 PM)

To the former Republican who might vote Dem in the fall...Don't tell us democrats how to vote...go back and be part of that group that can't even get a clear leader!!! GO HILLARY!!!!

HILLARY 08 (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 9:41 PM)

Interesting comments. Now to the facts, with the US in a recession caused by a Republican President don't look for any of the Republican candidates to change the course. Now America has already had a black President. If Senator Obama wins he will be the second. If Americans wont to clean up the mess that's been made Hillary is the only candidate. Edwards has some great points but over all he lacks the ability to be President. No one seems to remember he didn't make it to be the Presidential candidate it was John Kerry. Life is so easy to figure out. When a person wants something but doesn't get enough education or experience they then call most likely their Mom for advice. Yes when a kid falls and hurts himself he calls his Mom. A woman is the one people call but for some reason I read comments that Hillary isn't a good choice.
Well we have in the Democrat candidates race for President the Mod Squad, one White, one Black and one Blond.
I heard Senator Obama compairing himself to Dr. King in a struggle. One would hope Obama would first learn about the Civil Rights Movement before putting himself along side Dr. King. Just being black isn't enough as Obama didn't know or involve himself in the struggles of the pass or the present. It sad when a black candidate doesn't know as much as a white candidate when it comes to the subject of Dr. Martin Luther King. Mrs. Obama thinks just being back means a black vote, that's so old and in the pass. As I said Bill Clinton was the first Black President, if Obama makes it he will be the second.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:04 PM)

Something that concerns me is the photo of Obama refusing to place his hand over his heart while on stage during the Pledge of Alligence to the United States of America. This man is running for President of the United States of America. The media is only giving him positive coverage and no one is making this public. Please stop thinking with your hearts and push him through because he is the first African American to make it this far. Please, just tell the truth so the American public has the proper information to make an informed and intelligent vote. There is much more information the public should know about Mr. Obama. Just type his name in the computer and start reading. PLEASE GIVE FAIR MEDIA COVERAGE TO ALL THE CANIDATES.

L.S. Deleon Tx (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:30 PM)

I am hopeful that despite all the media coverage Clinton and Obama are getting, Americans wake up and realize that John Edwards is the only viable Democratic candidate up against any Republican. As successful as Clinton and Obama appear in Democratic races, a lot has to do with how much the other is disliked. What happens to all the voters that are do or die Clinton or Obama supporters? If their candidate doesn't get the nomination, will they vote for a Republican in November? I personally don't know who I would vote for come November if Edwards isn't the nominee. It won't be Clinton or Obama, that's for sure! I'm sick of Clinton's glass ceiling feminist self-pity party and of Obama's "cumbaia" let's all unite and get along theme with lack of substance.

SM, Vermont (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:35 PM)

Will ROMNEY@6'2" select THOMPSON@6'7" only ??? issue.

jj (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:43 PM)

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