Still Voting For John Edwards

I'm voting for John Edwards in the February 5th California primary. I'm more certain of this now than ever before. I'm told that my continued support for Edwards's candidacy, like the candidacy itself, is either an egomaniacal fool's errand, racist, a betrayal of the Democratic party, or all of the above.

I'm even told the candidate who espouses the progressive politics I hold dear is grounding Senator Obama's ascendancy. While I don't pretend to speak for everyone who supports John Edwards for President, I can say that if Edwards jumps off the ballot before California, Barack Obama is not, at present, my second choice. Anyway, Edwards's continued presence in the race is keeping everyone honest.

Edwards has sharpened his '04 pitch into a more pointed indictment of those responsible for the widening gulf between the Two Americas. Edwards paired his critique with a set of policy proposals that are in line with the progressive agenda (with the shameful exception of same sex marriage, but I've no doubt Elizabeth Edwards will right his ship on that one). The proposals are more generally liberal and forward thinking than any other candidate taller than 4'5".

Further, Edwards staked out positions on Health Care, on the Environment, on Education, before both Obama and Clinton. He has already had a measurable impact on the Democratic party, by showing the big money candidates that not only would it be okay for them to advocate UHC and the like, it would be politically dangerous for them to hold out much longer. He did it first, and he did it best (the MSM myth of indistinguishable differences between the candidates is shattered by actually reading the materials respective campaigns have written). The next president will not have the luxury of a campaign competitor to test the waters or think up creative new initiatives to push them to keep up.

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Since then, and long before it, we have been asking for Democrats to stand up and fight on core principles. To be unafraid and be correct and let that be the winning strategy. We have decried the corporate coup d'etat that has been working its way through the federal government for decades but has culminated unabashedly with the current administration. And when a candidate comes along who speaks to these issues exactly, he is turned back for being too angry, or somehow insincere. People seem to question Edwards' sincerity or persona, but barely any of his ideas.

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I do not believe in abstract notions of Change. I do not believe in watering down our ideals to be more palatable to Republicans who have shown what might charitably be described as disdain for poor people, minorities, women, the middle class, the U.S. Constitution, and the American community. I do not believe bipartisan compromise can be brokered on Health Care for all, on quality Education for everyone, on a revolution in how we approach the energy or global warming crises. I do not believe there is any compromise to be had on a woman's right to choose, on the Gay and Lesbian right to be considered full citizens and human beings, on the government endorsed disintegration of inner cities and rural communities. I do not believe in preemptively caving to the politics of total self-interest to make things more palatable for G.O.P. leadership.

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But we do not have to settle for watered down. The candidacy of John Edwards offers the opportunity to take the Bush backlash and translate it into a mandate for more than just change. I want more than just change, I want progress, and I believe it's there to be had. That's why I'll be voting for Edwards on February 5th. It's not about race, gender, or symbolism. It's about ideas, ideals, and principle.

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