Edwards hits Obama for his Reagan statements
Yesterday, we pointed out Obama’s - let’s call it unwise - desire to compare himself to Reagan, and explained why it wasn’t such a great idea. John Edwards unloaded with both barrels, underlining what I find attractive about the idea of Edwards as President.
John Edwards ripped Barack Obama for praising the way Ronald Reagan brought about change when he was President of the United States.
“When you think about what Ronald Reagan did to the American people, to the middle class to the working people,” said Edwards.
“He was openly – openly – intolerant of unions and the right to organize. He openly fought against the union and the organized labor movement in this country. He openly did extraordinary damage to the middle class and working people, created a tax structure that favored the very wealthiest Americans and caused the middle class and working people to struggle every single day. The destruction of the environment, you know, eliminating regulation of companies that were polluting and doing extraordinary damage to the environment.”
“I can promise you this: this president will never use Ronald Reagan as an example for change.”
Again, while I feel it’s unfortunate Obama did this, his policy positions and legislative history still remain remarkably attractive to me, and he’s still “my guy”. FWIW, I like Edwards too - I just think Obama is a better choice, partially because of his attractiveness to centrists. And I still feel that way.
Just no more Reagan comparisons Barack, OK?
Of course Edwards hops on it. He’s in a desperate bridesmaid situation. He needs anything to dull the luster of Obama.
That said, Edwards/Obama was my favorite ticket going way back (ask anyone who asked me). I don’t suppose having it in the other order would hurt any either, but don’t see Edwards doing the Veep thing again. Once bit.
Reagan comparisons are surely unwise, but let’s not forget that Reagan was nowhere near the mouth-breathing, Christofascist warmonger that Bush is. Ronnie would cry foul on most of what those wingnuts who use his name would do to this country. And how.