I've read the news and see that for some unfathomable reason, a vocal segment of the Democratic populace thinks that John Kerry has what it takes to defeat George W come this fall. I don't think he will have a chance because a significant portion of the midwest and South will say, "Whut the hell is he sayin? I don't want no damn yankee in the whut howse." I'm staking my money on John Edwards. If anyone has seen this guy speak, he's equally brilliant, charismatic and captivating. And tonight he's apparently rocking it out with Hootie and the Blowfish. What more could you ask for in a President? Are there any other Edwards fans out there? I was a member of the Clark contingent but I think he has some work to do before he's ready to campaign for anything.

J

If you'd check the national school rankings, you'll find that midwestern states populate the top third.

As a person from Iowa, which btw picked Kerry (and is one of the more conservative midwestern states), I find it offensive that you assume the midwest is populated by dumb hicks that would find a "Yankee" as a no good carpet bagger. This isn't the Music Man. Here's a brief history lesson, the Midwestern states that were around during the Civil War, fought for the North

I do like Edwards, but in the day and age of instant media we are in, his fresh faced, gee whiz charm isn't going to fly with an increasingly older population. The Baby Boomers aren't ready to turn over the reigns (even though technically he still is in the Baby Boom generation, he was to young to go to 'Nam... a huge touchstone for that segment of the populace.)

John Kerry looks presidential (don't laugh, that's a big factor), he's middle of the road enough to not alientate "Reagan Democrats", and still holds true to the Democratic left. He has a proven track record in Congress, and dammit, he really wants the job. Something I still don't think Gore really did. I have this feeling from Edwards that he's looking for the VP nod.

Kerry actually lit enough of a fire for my parents to get out and participate in the caucuses for the first time since '88. I do think that Kerry can beat Bush, and that is why I'm voting for Kerry in the TN primary. Edwards is a good man, but I think Bush will beat him on the experience platform. If this was 2008, he gets my vote.

Speaking of which doesn't it seem like 2000 election just happened? It's frightening to think that 2008 is that close.

(Edited by Peace Frog at 12:27 am on Jan. 31, 2004)

And as a person from the south, I'm offended that you assume the south is populated by dumb hicks that would find a "Yankee" as a no good carpet bagger. This isn't Hee Haw. Here's a brief history lesson, the Civil War was 140 years ago.

I've been all over the midwest, including Iowa, and I can say from firsthand experience that there are coarse, undereducated people from rural areas there, too (I assume that's what you mean by "dumb hicks"). In fact, there are "dumb hicks" all over the U.S.; they just come in different packages.

I don't mean to pounce on you, but the elitism (whether intended or not) that I sense from people from other regions of the country really irritates me sometimes.

Actually JC I had erased a section about giving the South some credit. The people that are dumbshits are the ones that don't vote (read: "Whut the hell is he sayin? I don't want no damn yankee in the whut howse." ) I meant no offense to South at all. I love living here, I just get riled up (as I see you do) when people start pulling the dumb farmer (or Southerner)card. "You're from Iowa? Potatoes, right?" Drives me nuts. I was defending my turf... I assumed someone would jump in on the South's defense as well. The last thing I want to be is a carpet bagging Yankee. Somethingman is the one that brought up the Yankee thing. I was just pointing out that Kerry wouldn't be a Yankee to a Midwesterner... he'd be an elitist NewEnglander trying to tell us how to run our farms...

It just pisses me off when alot of people here relish in the so called "stupidity". You hear it as an excuse all the time. I heard it in Arkansas and here in Tennessee. You are right, there are uneducated people all over the US, but I've never seen it worn like some warped ass badge of honor like it is in the South.

So as a proud Iowa Hawkeye, please accept my apology on behalf of the Midwestern States. Sincerely, I meant no harm, just defending the homeland. All that said and done, we still put a whooping on Florida in the Citrus Bowl. And for what it's worth, I've become quite the Vandy fan. I figure if I can't follow the Big Ten here, I might as well root for the most Big Ten-like team. One that actually graduates players...

As far as the elitist attitude, I'm the farthest (furthest?) from that... sarcasm filter on) unless of course you count my massively huge catalog of Features rarities and shows that I am intentionally sitting on a depriving this whole board of... (sarcasm off)

(Edited by Peace Frog at 2:12 am on Jan. 31, 2004)

Fair enough, PF. I just misinterpreted your absence of comment about the southern states to mean that you agreed with somethingman's take on their voters.

I totally understand having a sense of pride about one's home region. I know that I have that pride. It just rubs me the wrong way when I hear people make comments based solely on stereotypes.

For the record, my greatest wrath in this matter is reserved for my southern brothers and sisters. I have been known to bop them on the head if I hear or see them "fanning the fire." It's 2004 - we've gotta put that fire out, ya'll.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 4:08 am on Jan. 31, 2004)

Great thoughts JC and PF. I believe it would be nice if Edwards or Kerry beat Bush but it is a slim chance of that happening in my view.

I agree JC...I was watching the CBS sunday morning show and they referred to Kerry as a Yankee and the south as a bunch of confederates. Are we not a united country now? We are supposed to be united when we want to kick some other country's ass, but internally we still have the same old regional crap. I remember when I was 8 years old, I was in N.O. with my grandfather from Michigan and this guy started yelling "You are one of those damn yankees!" I will never forget that, and even at 8 I knew the guy was nuts.
It also drives me crazy when people are regionocentric (is that a word?) The other day I was talking to this guy from NYC that lives in Knoxville and he acted like we were a bunch of morons who didn't know what "culture" was like because we didn't have a subway (not the sandwich shop) or a bakery with "real" cannolis. Which by the way, I still can't find good sweet tea up north and grits???? fuhget about it. damn. someone take this soap box away from me.

by the way. this is not an attack on anyone (p.f. or anyone else) I just felt like ranting. and i love real cannolis.

Well New Yorkers are a whole 'nother ballgame... I will say one thing about the south that may piss some of you off, but it's the truth. The people in the north don't really even give two thoughts about the Civil War or the south in general. With that comes some stereotyping, no doubt, but it's truly the southerners that are still fighting the Civil War and hold the big grudge. I'm not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers, but that's the truth. Of course, Deliverence and Dukes of Hazard didn't do shit to helping y'all with the stereotypes. But the day I hear a northerner berate a southerner as "a no good Confederate" is the day I'll cash it in and say I've seen it all. They just really don't care up there.

Regardless of stereotypes, I loves me some Dukes of Hazzard. My grandmother once dated the guy that wrote Deliverance. She was really Christian and morally-strong, which makes it all the more funny that my family made a trip to the theatre when Deliverance first appeared. I remember my mom retelling the story, and my grandmother saying something dumbfounded, like, "He was always such a nice boy."

(Edited by richarddawson at 11:31 am on Feb. 2, 2004)

How funny. My good friend's mom used to date John Schneider (Bo Duke).

Was this Dukes-era John Schneider or not-so-great, country artist-era? Or, even after that?

Not-so-great, country artist-era John Schneider.

That's still cool though.

Latest Newsweek poll I saw showed Kerry BEATING Bush and Edwards only losing by a few points. I don't think it's a slim chance of happening, my friend.

James Dickey? No shit! He was rumored to be quite the boozer and womanizer. One of my college professors loved to tell the story of going to hear Dickey speak at Vanderbilt and hearing his wife accuse him of adultery from the audience. So, anyway, it's probably a good thing your grandma stayed away.

If she had not stayed away, the course of history could have been forever changed!!!

Edwards will win the democratic nomination.