Is Edwards genuinely concerned about the poor, or is he using class warfare and populism to become President?

Question

Edwards could be a rich person genuinely concerned about the poor. Or he could be running on a populist theme without genuinely caring about the plight of the poor.

A simple test to determine his genuineness is to look at his record as a Senator.

Did he write any legislation to genuinely try and help the poor? Did he sponsor any and fight to get it passed? Any idiot can vote yes or no. Did he actually do anything to get legislation to help the poor passed into law?

Truthfully I don't know the answer to the question, but if you know, I'd like to hear your answer?

Jennifer5000. The issue is whether Edwards can be believed. Anyone can say anything. Does he have a record to back up his stated beliefs?

Answer 1

He voted yes on this one...
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3201&can_id=21107

...but as for sponsored legislation, there appear to be 203 bills.

I got as far back as 2002 and found a whole lot of "National [fill in the blank] day, week, month bills and some commemorative stamps.

Looks like he is busier talking than actually doing anything for anybody.

Answer 2

I get the distinct feeling that Obama probably knows more (and cares more) about the poor than Edwards. If Obama could succeed in attracting disenchanted Reps like myself, he might win. I just wish he would speak up a little more often. It almost seems like he's already conceded to Hillary.

Furthermore, socialistic programs a la LBJ aren't the answer. Although FDR did do a good job with the CCC. Maybe that should be the model, instead of unaccountable welfare queens.

Answer 3

Probably both. He is a pretty wealthy guy, isn't he.

On the other hand, just because you are successful doesn't mean you don't have genuine sympathy for the poor. Indeed, a true Christian is supposed to have sympathy and caring for the poor. So are true Muslims, true Hindis, true Jews and true Buddhists.

But I think that he spends a lot of time down in New Orleans these days, doesn't he? That's more than you can say most people do, much less Presidential candidates.

Answer 4

Edwards is the typical southern rich boy that tries to profess concern about the poor while ignoring opportunities to do something about it. He will never get far and I hope even Hillary is not dumb enough to put him in the VP spot. Personally I am looking for an Obama surge and nomination. We need fresh ideas from the office of the president not the same old party line.

Answer 5

He's genuinely concerned, as he's made many specific proposals such as increasing the minimum wage to $9.50/hour. The criticisms of Edwards for being rich are simply ignorant:

"John learned the values of hard work and perseverance from his father, Wallace, who worked in the textile mills for 36 years, and from his mother, Bobbie, who ran a shop and worked at the post office. Working alongside his father at the mill, John developed his strong belief that all Americans deserve an equal opportunity to succeed and be heard.

A proud product of public schools, John became the first person in his family to attend college. He worked his way through North Carolina State University where he graduated with high honors in 1974, and then earned a law degree with honors in 1977 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

{...}

In Congress, Senator Edwards quickly emerged as a champion for the issues that make a difference to American families: quality health care, better schools, protecting civil liberties, preserving the environment, saving Social Security and Medicare, and reforming the ways campaigns are financed."

http://johnedwards.com/about/john/

Answer 6

Sorry - Edwards is the biggest phony of the phonies running for President in both parties. Check out this article from the DesMoines Register from yesterday. He rode bike with Lance Armstrong for about an hour and had no helmet hair. For $400, his haircut should have been good enough to not even wear a helmet!

Answer 7

I doubt he actually really cares.
But his resume proves that he atleast wants to change it, caring or not. (Lifelong fight against poverty.)
He also has VERY detailed proposals to combat poverty, so I doubt it's a hardcore political stunt.

But politicians never really care. They raise their salaries almost every year, ehh?!.

And honestly, it's not just populism and class warfare.
The middle class is feeling the crunch due to globalization and free trade agreements, resulting in outsourcing.
(Don't even get me started on energy, education, etc.)

It would be a mistake not to capitalize on the issue of poverty and a declining middle class.

Answer 8

I think he has the potential to care. Most of his relatives are still poor.

Nothing like Bush, that has no concept of how people with less than a Billion Dollars could get by from day to day.

Grrrrr

Answer 9

Looking at the answers, the only example given was his desire for a $9.50/hour Minimum Wage.
The rest of the answers were just emotion.
So I think you got the answer you requested...

Answer 10

I am sure, since he was managing a hedge fund and living in his 37,000 sq ft palace in his off time. That's what I would be doing in my off time if Really cared about the poor.........Yes, he and Mother Teresa, the 2 most compassionate carers for the poor.