Mr Obama is probably seeing something in Iowa, that not matter how much free press coverage you have, how many rich friends coming to Iowa to help you, how many millions of dollar his campaign have poured here and elsewhere trying to fabricate a candidate; the reality is that the people who really vote don't buy it. We listen, we hearing them all; but at the end you can't fool everyone. Its become clear to some people after almost a year of campaigning that Obama is dishonest for trying to make us think he has the answer for everything. Suddenly an unknown State Senator with not clear records in his own states or very well known until two years ago and with practically no record in the US Senate (since he has been running for president from day 1, skipping important votes, etc. Unfortunately for him the laws allow the 527 groups and as happening to him when his groups were attacking Hillary this year, the candidate don't have much control over them. he knows it, he is just playing politics, again!
The laughable thing about Obama is that he suddenly has a track record for everything or a clever answer for everything:
Universal health insurance: is not Universal Health Insurance anymore, his plan now is Universal Access.
Lack of foreign experience: but he has "alot of advisers."
Poverty: he has the biggest track record, year right. He only went to Katrina when his friend Oprah was there so he can have a big splash!
Iraq: talked against it when was campaigning for State Senate in a very liberal district in south Chicago, a very calculated move- that he is exploiting now; but when I can assure you if he would have been in the US Senate he would probably have voted "PRESENT" or FOR THE IRAQ RESOLUTION. The fact is that have voted always to fund the war since.
Ira: he skipped the vote, he was a no show so he can attack Hillary for her vote. Again..a calculated political move!
Personal attacks: his campaign set up 2 websites to bring the dirt on Hillary months ago; but when Hillary's campaign tried to set up websites to answer Obama attacks...again, he cried out loud.
The list goes on and on.
Now he is attacking Edwards, a clear sign of desperation!

He will continue doing it and getting away with that so long he continues getting a free ride from the big press and the support of his big powerful financiers behind the scenes. One example of that is Tim Russert announcing on Meet the Press that Obama will be one of his guest next Sunday, very convenient and timing before the Iowa Caucus!

Interesting! I am getting the feeling that Obama is making alot of things up since his record is to slim and he really have no experience in key issues. Quoting from this article, “My attitude is if you can't get your former campaign manager and political director to do what you like then it’s going to be hard to get the insurance companies and the drug companies to do what you like,” Obama told a small group of reporters.
But, wasn't camping in trouble few times this year when he publicly said" he didn't know about this and that when confronted with personal attacks? now he is attacking Edwards for the 527s when he knows very well those are real out of any campaign control, at least Edwards intermediately rejected and called them to stop that now. Have Obama stopped the emails sent against Hillary and Edwards in NH, Iowa, and South Carolina.
I am a little suspicious when a new candidate without a track record is claiming to know everything and above everyone. Sounds to me like a cheap telemarketer or car salesman promising you heaven and earth when you don't know who is behind the scene.

Considering Obama's own flaunting of FEC rules when it came to using his HopeFund PAC to buy endorsements in early Primary states, isn't this a case of pot/kettle?

You guys ever notice that the media portrays things as really attacking, using language suck as "Obama blasted Edwards"....but when you read the actual comments made by the person it's actually quite lowkey and toned down? Seems strange

Good for Obama!

"It’s time for a president to stand up and remind the American people that we have promises to keep---promises to the world, promises to one another, promises to our children and to our grandchildren."

Make a New Year's Resolution for America, with me...

I'm still with Edwards!

Obama is a racist and opportunist. There is NO there...there. An empty suit! He is gaining the title of "Slick Beonics" and will eventually be left behind in the race.

"Suddenly an unknown State Senator with not clear records in his own states or very well known until two years ago and with practically no record in the US Senate (since he has been running for president from day 1, skipping important votes, etc. Unfortunately for him the laws allow the 527 groups and as happening to him when his groups were attacking Hillary this year, the candidate don't have much control over them. he knows it, he is just playing politics, again!"

Your anger is palpable. Don't though, let it put you in a position to tell abject lies bcuz a simple search will show you Obamas prolific senate record that rivals Clintons who has been in the senate for 6 yrs. As for being unknown, you cannot be serious. 2004 launched Obama. Since then he has been in the public eye and is more widely known and vetted than momst other senators including former senators and Veep candidates like your guy.
He also had 4000 votes in his state senate.

I am a little suspicious of the pro-Hillary bloggers here; I'm also sick of the self-importance one hears from Iowa voters who in my estimation simply hijacked the system in 1976 when they gave use Jimmy Carter who spent his four years making things easy for Ronald Reagan. Whatever happens this time I think true progressives out to make as our number one task: dumping the Iowa caucuses from the political system and with it the outrageous ethanol subsidies it produces.

Obama again undermining progressives, since 527's are legal and will play an important role in the GE any talk about not agreeing with them is empty and counterproductive. Does Obama think that the Repubs are not going to use them to spread lies and smear the eventual democratic nominee? What would he do them? Give a pretty speech? Bring Oprah? Vote “present”? How does equating unions to swift boaters help the progressive cause? Please note how he consciously avoids to mention that the ads he now criticizes are put out by a union he actively seeked endorsement from.

Obama re Edwards - "I’m not the one who has to apologize consistently for votes I’ve made not standing up to Republicans.”

I have to admit, Obama does make a valid point there. My vote is still going to the one true progressive and REAL Democrat to boot, Dennis Kucinich

You know I have reading about the 527 controversy for the last three days now. If you are an Edwards supporter, how you say your candidate was a fighter when he was a senator for NC when he voted for the China Trade, Bankruptcy Act,and the Iraq War? I know you are smarter than I think you are. Right? You do not start saying you are a fighter against corporate lobbyists and the ethics of Washington and did not do anything about while he was yet in the senate. Its fair game guys. Edwards criticized Obama on health care so now what Obama is saying that now I co-sponsored ethical reform in both state and at the federal level, what makes you(Edwards) all of a sudden think you can change the system better than me?

The thing is that Edwards has gotten a free ride from the media. While they've spent hourse pouring over every single vote from Obama dating back to his time in the Illinois State Senate, I've yet to see anything about Edwards' record.

Even when there was just a single 527 spending for Obama in CA, there were articles about it. If these 527s were doing this stuff for Obama instead of Edwards, you know there would be all kinds of press about it. For Edwards though, it takes Obama saying things like this to get any attention and even then the focus is on him, not Edwards.

Why the double standard?

Everyone keeps talking of experience when it comes to Obama. What I exactly don't want is the same old experienced politicians, we need to change the way these politicians. Experience only going to keep the status quo. Edwards to me seems to be a sniveling little worm. He and Hillary tried to get rid of the "non candidates". Hillary and he dirty, politics and on some issues she is Bush lite ( Iraq and Iran). We need the change and Hillary and Edwards seem to keep politics as usual.

If Hillery lives up to her word she will be 100 times better than Bush. If Obama wins he will likely be much better than Bush. If Edwards wins he will be about as close to the ideal liberal President as we have ever had====if he lives up to his word.
Kucinich would be my ideal but unless he he stands up in a debate and shows himself as a strong leader by asking who picked CNN or MSNBC to decide who were viable candidates and who aren't
and demands equal time he won't win.

Big mistake on Obama's part. He will have a real hard time looking like he is rising above Hillary when he uses the same tactics. Either you play clean or you don't. It is a constant. I hope that he gets called out on it.

I wish that Senator Obama would just go away.

He's not qualified.

Let him run HUD or something for 10 years to prove his bona fides.

If anyone but Clinton, Edwards or Biden wins the election, I'm leaving the country.

~

I could support either Obama or Edwards, but don't like unfair attacks from any candidate and this comes close (not even in the same UNIVERSE as Hillary's downright nasty attacks in every direction, but she's out of my consideration anyway). Since 527s are legal and these ads have not yet run, it would have been better for Obama to remain silent until they did -- and then, with reason, go after Edwards if they were unfair. Still -- if Edwards knew that Obama's former campaign manager was buying ad time for a 527, he might well have spoken up too?? What a candidate is going to do about *unfair,* even untrue, 527 ads run on his/her behalf is a very legitimate issue. We certainly expected/hoped for some effective response from Bush to the Swift Boaters and from Harold Ford's opponent in TN.

One way to avoid all of this --- caucus for Biden!!

I would just like to see them debate the issues and their solutions with some clarity and detail. This personal campaigning is pure Republican standard fare. Gloss over the issues in favor of personal attacks and generalizations. Bah! Humbug!

What happened to running a clean campaign in which Obama does not make jibes at fellow democrats? Obama is a younger version of the same unscrupulous politicians we have now; he is just more eloquent.

Edwards is a liar; he does not live the ideas he preaches. If he cannot contain his previous manager, how can he control the diverse people of America? Edwards should step aside and leave the presidential hope alone. He should be home taking care of his lovely sick wife; she needs him

agree with QWERTY about Obama - the most suspect thing is hypocrisy from Edwards and Obama -

Obama - wants 527s out when it's during the primaries - but OK to accept their support during the General Election -

Edwards - OK for public financing of campaign during the primaries - but not willing to limit himself to public financing during the General Election.

What is that all about? They should just both accept that they're hypocrites and so should the American public.

I Obama is "attacking" Edwards on his voting records then what is so personal about it? Would not that be a policy issue? If Edwards is "attacking" Obama on health care then it is a policy issue. They both have every right and commitment to us to outline the differences do they not? Obama was not critizing his character, he was "attacking" Edwards for not being committed for not "fighting" his policy for change when he was a senator and because of his record. If you are a supporter of Edwards or Obama, then they need to be man enough to debate the issues, if they cannot then how are going to debate it with the Republicans in the general election?

Obama is just as down and dirty as any other politician, He just pretends he isnt. He also has a habit of just not voting when there is a risk of controversy. Instead he is busy critiquing those who had at least the guts to cast a vote one way or another.

Obama was waiting for the chance to run for president even though he has no experience, capabilities or intelligence to become president. His speeches are words from previous presidents, he is learning foreign policy from former associates of Bill Clinton. I don't even know how he got elected as a senator. Every time he campaigns he always attacking rivals instead of telling the public these are the changes I will make as president. And begin telling the changes. All candidates should tell the public what changes they would make if president and not attack their rivals. Obama and Edwards were the first one's to attach Hillary Clinton when all three started to campaign and that was because she was leading the pack. Then when Hillary started her attack they didn't like it. Obama was attacking Hillary for at least two months, now he is attacking Edwards. He must be very desperate. I wouldn't vote for him if he needed my one vote to win. He was raised a Muslim and its good Kerrey let the dirt out on him. And if Hillary doesn't win the nomination let's hope it isn't Obama. Any one but him. I am a Democrat but I would vote republican if he won the nomination.

Obama was waiting for the chance to run for president even though he has no experience, capabilities or intelligence to become president. His speeches are words from previous presidents, he is learning foreign policy from former associates of Bill Clinton. I don't even know how he got elected as a senator. Every time he campaigns he always attacking rivals instead of telling the public these are the changes I will make as president. And begin telling the changes. All candidates should tell the public what changes they would make if president and not attack their rivals. Obama and Edwards were the first one's to attach Hillary Clinton when all three started to campaign and that was because she was leading the pack. Then when Hillary started her attack they didn't like it. Obama was attacking Hillary for at least two months, now he is attacking Edwards. He must be very desperate. I wouldn't vote for him if he needed my one vote to win. He was raised a Muslim and its good Kerrey let the dirt out on him. And if Hillary doesn't win the nomination let's hope it isn't Obama. Any one but him. I am a Democrat but I would vote republican if he won the nomination.

Edwards' record as a Senator is fair game, but Obama is conveniently ignoring all the things that Edwards has done to raise awareness of, and do something about, important issues since his time in the Senate. Seems to me what you've done recently is more important than what you did years ago. And, nobody in this campaign would be talking about universal health care or poverty if Edwards were not driving key issues.

This 527 that Obama is complaining about are union workers--some real big evil folks, huh? Sounds like sour grapes to me, since Edwards has garnered far more union support thatn Edwards. That in itself should tell us something about who is really for the working man. Also, Edwards cannot coordinate with, control, or in any other way involve himself in the activities of a 527 group. He can--which he has done--call for a stop to 527 activities, but he cannot by law influence them. Obama, as an attorney, knows this. He is being very disengenuous, and hypocritical to boot. He's worried now that he can sense the strong support Edwards has in Iowa!

I guess Obama's promise to change the tone of politics - that is, to refrain from cheap shots, innuendo and downright character assassination - apply only to his relations with Republicans and with His Mentor Joe Lieberman. Left-wing Democrats are apparently fair game.

I hope Edwards realizes how Obama is stabbing him in the back. Obama took Edwards help to spread dirt on Hillary while himself looking clean. Edwards should fire that idiot Trippi who is a good friends with Axelrod (Obama's campaign chief)and Trippi was the one who convinced Edwards to take the matching funds.

We have to have a gut for our genders, it's time and she is working hard to acheive this. She is not a cheap shot to come up with the idea to become a president, you have to nurture your experience before you have a real job. to point out someone else is easy than real task.you're going to vote for him because of he young and cute,please do me a favour Iowan, go for the one who work harder to earn it, she deserve it all...LOVE YOU

Ok, so an old friend of Edwards is running a 527 and putting out advertisements that support Edwards. And Ophra, a friend and fan of Obama is stumping for him. Ok. So ok. Where's the beef?

sorry about that...

>>>This 527 that Obama is complaining about are union workers--some real big evil folks, huh? <<<<<

Well, I'm sorry to say, it was another union workers' 527, one supporting Hillary, that put out the flyer attacking Obama and making it look like it came from Edwards. No 'group' can be counted on to be above this apparently - we can only look for the individuals who are. (And turn our back on the individuals who aren't...)

Please when you give your comment, try to be rational, have positive attitude for each candidate. All of them (Obama, Edward, and Hillary) very good guys. The question is who is electibe, change agent and honest to bring about the change we are in need of. In my view every candidate deseve to examn records of his oponent with out being personal. God bless America

As a Democrat I want Obama stopped now. The fact that he has gone negative is good news. It must mean he is in trouble.

He won't win. Obama won't win... mark my words. If he gets the Democratic Nomination, the Republicans will be in the White House for 4 more years. It's a fact.

Please, no more Republicans in the white house.

LOL...I like it when the Republicans get jabbed.

What experience did Bush have to become a president? Hillary's experience is what? Belligerence - Iraq/Iran vote? She has the balls to order a hit on some third world country and murder some innocent family?

Obama is a punk. He can't stand that John
Edwards is righter than he is on Big Insurance, Big Pharma, etc. Obama is the Big Oreo, black when he wants to be and capitalist white when he needs to be.

Don't misunderstand. I'd still prefer Obama to Hillary, but please don't diss John Edwards. He's the true hero to the working class of America. He's the real deal. Obama is a politico-come-lately. He may have some good ideas, but he's still a slave to the Democratic Corporate Class (and Edwards is not). Obama is an image, not a reality.

WOW! A room full of Senator Obama Bashers. Truth be told, I remember in 2004. When Edwards cried foul when the 527 swift boated His ticket. They took out a good American soldier who put his life on the line, and they did'nt care. I have always respected Edwards and would vote for him if he wins the nomination. It is a smart move for Obama to raise the question now. As when the ad comes out it will have less of an impact, and voters will look at Edwards as well. Because everybody knows that he can stop the ad if he really wanted to. It's like Edwards is doing a Senator David Vitter, Preaching one thing and doing another when you think no one is looking.
And by the way.....Senator Obama is more Qualified to run than Edwards or Hillary. He's been in elected office for 11 years, with over 4,000 votes in the State House. And serves on 4 Foriegn Relation Committees and Chairs one of those. Thats more experience than 5 former Presidents that I can name right off the bat. Since Obama is talking Policy and not personal, I'll let the voters decide who's right. But we are
FIRED UP......READY TO GO!

It seems that many of the responses to this post are from an organized group. Their sentence structure and the points they discussed are uncannily similar and vitriolic.

True, they are execising their right to 'freedom of speech,' which, no doubt, each cherishes, with an understanding of corresponding obligations attached to the exercise.

[Speech should be intelligent and factual. As such, it should not be used to level personal attacks on individuals, even politicians, about whom the speaker may know very little, let alone nothing. Therefore, a mature, responsible, speaker should strive to be well-informed on the topic on which he/she is speaking. In this computer age, there is no excuse for being uninformed. Furthermore, once one has written and sent a response to a blog, as here, that response will be in the blogoshere for all of eternity].

Therefore, based on the standard of discourse in the responses to this post, it seems that, 50 years from now, some of the respondents may be embarrassed to read what they are writing today.

If the current substandard level of political discourse continues in these elections, we will be destined to live with the perceived best of another bad set of choices. As citizens, each of us has a duty to try to prevent it from happening to this great nation. But, in that effort, each of us first has to set aside our petty prejudices.
WintonyMay.

Last I looked America is still a free country and NO ONE can CONTROL someone else. What a communist, ignorant remark Mr. Obama makes. I hope no one feels the right to control anyone EVER in the USA.

Not to quibble, but the bankruptcy reform bill passed in 2005, a year after Edwards left the Senate.
Obama wasn't in the Senate at the time of the vote on U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000, so it isn't known how he would have voted on it.

Ethics reform was only possible after the 2006 election, two years after Edwards left the Senate. As it is, the "Ethics Reform" is rather weak and will change little in Washington.
Obama and Clinton seem to be arguing over who will have the most Clintonistas in their administration. I thought the Clinton era was bad for Progressives, so I am going to have to go with the guy who isn't going backwards to those days.
Obama is just too eager to compromise with the right for me to be comfortable with him. That kind of talk is OK for the Senate, but if you really want to get something done, you go with someone willing to kick ass and take names.
He may have me fooled, but I'm supporting Edwards. He talks the talk. Lets see if he walks the walk.

ALL of you stomping on OBAMA PLEASE SHUT UP, Bring your hatefule closed minded comments to me, leave OBAMA alone.
I'm definitely an OBAMA supporter 110%
i'ts nice to see Edwards trying to run for the pres and stand up for justice,
But OBAMA iS MY PICK. pEOPLE ON THESE FORUMS KILL ME TALKING ALL THAT CRAP ABOUT OBAMA has no experience, Experience at what?? Robbing people, sending people off to die in a BOGUS WAR, Outsourcing millions of American jobs, expensive heating energy bills that squeeze the life out of middle and low class people, or poor health insurance?? What experience are you guys talking about????

Thanks to the extreme liberals and NBC who take upon themselves as king maker as they build a protective wall round the young boy king to be. He is untouchable which is ridiculous. Anyone who goes into politics and does not expect to be criticized or scrutinized needs to have his head examined. The problem when you build a campaign based on idealistic politics of hope and purity, you better live up to the beyond reproach persona which actually translates to the holier than thou morality of the Republicans. And like the Republicans it has come to haunt him and the election has not even begun!!!

Have you heard Chris Mathews on Morning Joe spewing such venom over the presents ad? I just can't believe the deviant parallel he drew with Evita! I could almost see him seething and frothing at the mouth. .Frankly, he should seek psychiatric help for that outburst. Such mentally unstable support is more a liability than an asset. And yes the timely schedule of Meet the Press on the Sunday just before 3 Jan Iowa causus. Do they think that by promoting him this way, they are helping in the civil rights movement or Affirmative Action.? Dr King dreamed that his children would be judged based on their character, ability, capability and morality on a level playing field with every creed or race and not get special privileges based on the color of their skin. Would he approve that his dream speech is used to invoke the sympathy of voters?

You liberals need some mental health counseling. You are definitly the party of prozac.

Kinda touchy I'd say...

John Edwards is our best hope...

Good Luck in Iowa and New Hampshire- It will probably be all over by the time it gets to the West Coast.

Jogi: Your comment was dead on. I agree completely.

Capemh: Experience can still mean something, if you do the job right. Your straw-man argument of 'Bad Experience vs No Experience' is just that, bull. There is a third option, it's called 'Good Experience'.

Obama started out strong, but its becoming more and more obvious that he's just not up to the task, in more ways than one.

Hillary's only in it for herself, and might as well be a republican.

If you think either of these two 'bought and paid for' fools can solve the multitude of problems facing this Nation, you're a fool yourself.

Edwards is the only one I wouldn't have to hold my nose to vote for, and I've already put my money where my mouth is.

Make that radlib1 and Antoin, not Jogi and Capemh.

Sorry for the confusion. I actually agree with Capemh's post.

Although we could certainly do worse than Obama and Edwards, neither's voting history is as progressive as Kucinich's. Why settle for second, third or fourth best when there is the perfect People's Candidate running?

All of this is just politics. It's political bickering before an election. Positioning. Just trying to get a few last-minute votes. The real question is, who will be looking out for ME? Answer: Edwards

The only man that should be president is Joe Biden. He is the most experienced, the most intelligent, the most deserving man running for president. I don't know why he is not in the top 3. I would appoint him president if I could. He is a great man. I would trust him with my life.

TO Those people that wrote O'BAMA is stabbing Edwards in the back i SAY WHAT cartoon HAVE U BEEN WATCHING. If you go back and look at most of the debates this year since early summer you'll see how Edwards was alwasy playing uo OBAMA subtly because he had an angle or underlying agenda.
I specifically remember his complimentary remarks about O'BAMA saying that he (Edwards) was wrong for voting for the IRAQ war and O'BAMA was right for opposing it. He also complimented BARACK for not taking money from PAC or Federal Lobbyist as campaign funds in front of everybody at another debate. EDWARDS has throughout the entire campaign played up O'BAMA because he wanted to tear down HILARY. He was trying to show that he had an honest face in the race by latching on to a candidate that people already see as honest. So EDWARDS needs to be looked at carefully

I am a strong Democrat and feel that of all the Candidates for President, Edwards is the only one.

I think he truly is a people's President.

I personally believe Obama is the best candidate. People should not listen when the media exaggerates what a candidate is saying. Listen to the candidate not the narrator. It is obvious that Hillary is full of it. She's a liar. She is a candidate for President, and is under investigation for illegally tapping peoples phones for her own personal benefit. Then at the nationally televised Democratic Debate, she actually stated that she respects a persons privacy."

Obama's recent turn to ugliness and bitterness over this 527 ad issue shows what a fraud his "Politics of Hope" campaign really is. Setting aside the proximity of the Iowa caucuses, what an unfortunate time of year to go so negative.

Why is Obama bringing this on now? Perhaps its because he see Edwards not Hillary as the real threat in Iowa.

Please learn the facts before you start blabbing off falshood.
EDWARDS has always had a subtle motive in this campaign. He was pilling on the criticism on HILARY and trying to latch himself on to BARACK as an honest face because O'BAMA is a new face in this game and people already see him as that.
If you recall correclty, it was EDWARDS who started the first criticism of BARACK after HILARY started slipping in the polls in IA & N.H
Now don't get me wrong, I like EDWARDS but I knew it was not going to be long before he would start talking DOWN on OBAMA. So why can't OBAMA swing back?/ ARE U SAYING IT'S ONLY RIGHT FOR ONE CANDIDATE TO SWING TRASH AND NOT THE OTHER??
Leave OBAMA alone, he is not the villian

It begs the question whether or not a candidate could sue a 527 to stop them from putting out advertising on their behalf that the candidate is opposed to? In other words, if a 527 is using Edwards' name and likeness does he have the right to stop them? Yes the 527 does have First Amendment rights, but does a candidate's right to run and manage their own campaign override the 527's when the 527 is seemingling in favor of the candidiate?

I have to agree with Corky. Headlines are utilizing 'attacking' language to describe otherwise 'not-so-colorful' commentary. That's polarizing, not unifying. You would think at a juncture like this in America's course of history, a more serious, more earnest attempt at keeping the lines of communication fairly clear would be made by Big Business, Big Media, and agents of politcal discourse and governance altogether. But, unfortunately, we live in society armed with a winner's mentality and a undying hunger for the dollar bill...which consequently adulterates our democratic process. So, harsh words and even harsher headlines are here to stay.

I also agree with Corkey regarding the way the media frame headlines. The Media FRAME Headlines and the double talking news host and anchormen use these debates to creat discord and confusion like this is a title fight for a middle weight belt.
It's really ashame what this country has regressed to. Everything is alwsys marketed for the highest ratings or advertisement so in a sense the BIG CORPORATIONS and special interest that both BARACK & EDWARDS talk about are really shaping the campiagn.

Untill Obama can prove that Edwards instigated a particular 527 ad or charge, he needs to grow up and live with it. Edwards did ask that the ads be stopped. Alternatively, we can attribute all the mud thrown at the other candidates by those who support him as a reflection on his character. My preference is Biden, one of the few qualified candidates in this field of Dem and Repub pygmies.

WintonyMay, people are too emotional, sometimes too ignorant, to understand your point. People will let their passion drive them to say anything about someone they dislike. On every election, you feel dispair when your candidate loses. However, you learn that life can continue afterwards. If only we could use some rationalization, we would think before we start throwing bombs of insults at others. The man suggested that the other candidate's past votes do not live up to rhetoric. Is he accurate in his assessment? If so then this is a policy, not personal attack. I would agree that he must be feeling John Edwards is gaining support. Does that mean he does not have to show some contrast? He wouldn't be in the race then. Wise up, people! If you are racists who believe a black man should not be getting so close to the presidency, please say so. To the decent ones who simply are passionate about their respective candidates, I'd say be rational in your posts. You want to look back 20-50 years from now and not look or sound like jerks or fools.

Edwards is pathetically hypocritical in his use of 527 ads. As usual, he talks the talk, but does not walk the walk - as with $400 haircuts, and hedgefund largesse. He wants to have it both ways. This is no populist, just another slick politician who has figured what to say to dupe the people for personal ambition and wealth. You would expect 527 dirty politics from the disreputable Clintons, but shame on Edwards for joining them out of desperation. Obama is the only true leader for change. He's been brilliant on Iraq, Iran, and all the major issues - not like Hillary, Edwards, and the other flip-flopping dems.

How convenient for Obama criticizes the 527s that are stating the real facts about his flowed health care plan, or his foreign relations experience. They are not telling lies, they are stating the facts and the true hurts or become inconvenient when you have tried with money and a celebrity campaign to portrait who you really aren't. Obama was silent when his PAC was pouring money in NH, Iowa and other early states, he was silent when the personal attacks hit Edwards first and then Hillary; but when they try to defend themselves they were called to political, cold, calculated, same old 90s, etc. The problem that I have with Obama now is that he is showing some arrogance, cockiness, and he really started sounding on those stump speeches like Jessie Jackson 20 years ago or Carter before that (as much as I personally like Carter). Obama is trying to portraying himself as the messenger of the truth and change. Well my friends I don't going to vote for a leader I don't even know has the capabilities, experience, knowledge, wisdom and independent enough to be the President in difficult times. He should go back to the US Senate and really work hard for his ideas and issues that impact people in that way pretty soon he can show us all he have worked hard and has what it takes to be the leader of this great nation. He needs to change his habit of voting "present" or sneaking around the senate at the last minute to cast a vote that will give him political cover later.

Third party ads are the responsibility of the third party not the canidate. The canidates cannot control them. I like Obama but I think he is wrong on this. Telemarketing companies are sometimes hired to get the message out also. Having worked for a telemarketing company before I know how sneaky the third parties ads and messages can be. I think the third party is wrong to do this for sometimes it actually hurts the canidate they want instead of helping them.

Thank you Julian, very good comments.
And to the other guy that says be rational in our post. I'm not quite sure where you're coming from in your comments but let me say that I'm trying to get people to see that since the early part of the summer when the debates kicked off JOHN EDWARDS (who I do admire) had a different aim and that was to pile on as much negatives on CLINTON because she has indeed been the front runner. But guess what? she not the front runner in these early states anymore. EDWARDS is trying to capitalize on that by now going after OBAMA saying that OBAMA can't meet with the BIG COMPANIES AND REPUBLICANS to make change. OBAMA did not start this war, it was EDWARDS. I'm from Illinois and I know what OBAMA has done here since the mid 90's when BILL CLINTON was still in office. OBAMA is a real good candidate and for the people, just Like EDWARDS say he is.

I am amazed and still can't understand the hype about Obama. I have been a Democrat and have voted in every election for the last 16 years and I like many in Chicago or in Illinois can't believe what the national press, big media, and celebrity money, with the well oiled republican machine (attacking Edwards first and Hillary..well always)while avoiding any open attack on Obama. C'mon, ask anyone here in Illinois, not to the some of the Obama followers that are started to sound like "cult followers" no offense intended; ask the Democrat here any question about any of the real issues they can identify Obama with our state adn they will not be able to answer, the reality is that we voted for Obama because he was the Democrat candidate for Senate and Alan Keyes the Republican candidate wasn't even living in Chicago. After he was elected to the US Senate all we hearing is about his books, television show appearances, how much money is making now, the scandals the Sun Times bring back always about his friends that have been indicted, his ties with the big companies in Illinois, etc. To us in Illinois, all that Obama's incredible talent, records and readiness to be President is new really.
Who is the real Obama? I am sure is not the one we are seeing lately, thats not the one we knew or know in Illinois.

Edwards is a liar and a cheat as he desperately runs in this his sequel to the white house. He protested these 527 negative ads and agreed to be against them yet he allows them because they are in his favor. Obama is right, Edwards is weak and pathetic and has no leadership and he should no more be president of the United States than he should be of the student council.

To Antoin, -- are you really from Chicago, if so where do you live? how long? I was born here and have been a Democrat forever, voted for Daley always and last vote for Senate was for Obama; but frankly I casted my vote not because he was this grandiose individual; but because he was the candidate of my party. Before 2004 very few people knew about Obama and you know it, right? He was not our first choice for the US Senate and he was running 3rd in that election, right?
If we are talking about leaders and honesty, let's don't try to inflate common normal decent people to a higher level they are not just yet that would be risky and naive.
I voted for Obama before for the US Senate and I doubt it I will vote for him for President or again for his US Senate reelection.

Hey guys, don't waste to much energy in Barak HUSSEIN Obama, he will never win. Imagine having the amount Ayatollahs, Sheiks coming to his inauguration!...wait, that probably wont happen, he will hide them in the same way he is hiding during this campaign his closets friends from south Chicago, Jackson, Sharpton and other. I haven't seeing Jessie in any of his rallies?
Obama is a joke!

To July
Yes I am from THE CHI as we call it here bron and raised. I can respect the fact that you will not use your vote for OBAMA, you do sound sincere. And I really like your comments where you said prior to 2004 the most people around the nation was not aware of who OABAMA is. OBAMA has been our state senator for 8 yrs before he was elected US senator. I remeber hearing the radio ads on V103 (if you are familair with that station) when he 1st ran for state senator back in the mid 90's then won a re-election. Plus I a former colleague of mine from NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV used to work in the OBAMA office at the state level. OBAMA is well liked here and of course you know the DALEY family really likes him, even though I can't stand the DALEY family.
OBAMA has always been well loved here because people really see him as honest, smart, articulate and sort of unblemished. I remember going up to Milwaukee way before OBAMA even was in the US. SENATE seeing citizens ffrom Milwaukee wearing OBAMA buttons supporting him and they didn't even live in the CHICAGO.

MIKE
Go find some business, OH and I can assure you OBAMA is nothing like
"MESSY JESSIE JACKSON" MESSY JACKSON is a lying studdering fake opportunist cheating on his wife out of wedlock baby having fool, OH and a preacher LOL