Edwards: Running out of Rhetoric, Turning up the Twang

The following is reprinted here with permission of the author,
James Richardson of the RNC eCampaign.

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Now I’m a Southern guy, so I can appreciate a southern accent — but does that constitute electability? If so, I may have a future in presidential politics (so long as Senator Clinton doesn’t find my Kindergarten journal and coloring book). Am I the only one who thinks the ultimate sign of desperation on the campaign trail is the necessity to resort to one’s accent? At recent town hall events, namely in New Hampshire and Iowa, Democrat Presidential candidate John Edwards is attempting to garner supporters, donations, and caucus goers because he said “The last two Democratic presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, both talk like me.” It seems to me like this tactic is about as useful as a pogo-stick in quicksand. What ever happened to meaningful debates and substance

More below the fold.

Let’s review the playbook for the Democrat Presidential candidates (they’re all using the same one; I think they just give them away at MoveOn rallies) Step 1 — Blame Bush; Step 2 — Blame Bush; Step 3 — Shake things up and blame Cheney; Step 4 — “Accidentally” list endorsements who aren’t endorsing you (This one’s for you Senator Obama); Step 5 — Claim originality; Step 6 — Whip out that Southern twang (Yes, I’m talking to you too, Senator Clinton).

Oh, and John Edwards may ”sound” like Presidents Clinton and Carter, but I wonder if they get $300 haircuts too?

If Senator Edwards continues on this track I expect to see his next campaign video featuring tunes from “Gone with the Wind.”