Why should Edwards' Senate record be ignored?

Edward had a solidly centrist/conervative record in the Senate with regard to many issues In fact, he voted against the interests of the poor and working class when he voted for bankruptcy "reform". I like what he's saying now, but I'm not about to ignore his Senate record. It's one things to change some of your positions; it's another to change so many of them, and to change the fundamental of one's governing philosophy. Now he stands against corporations. Where was he from 1998-2004? Yes, I know he's from a conservative state, but most people here don't excuse DINOs wherever they're from, and there have been dem Senators from states just as, or more, conservative who have better voting records than Edwards.

I won't vote for any candidate in the primary who voted for the war, period. I made that committment in 2003, and apologies aren't enough to sway me: If I knew, if over half dem reps knew, and nearly half dem senators knew, there's really no excuse. But it's not just the IWR vote. Edwards voted for bad bankruptcy "reform" bills, and for Yucca mountain, etc. He's done a near 180 over the years, but that's just not enough for me.

Some voting record factoids:

2002 Edwards supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 55 percent in 2002

2003 Edwards supported the interests of the Arab American Institute 20 percent in 2003.

2001-2002 Edwards supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 60 percent in 2001-2002.

2001 Edwards supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 50 percent in 2001.

2002 Edwards supported the interests of the Eagle Forum 33 percent in 2002.

2001-2002 Edwards supported the interests of the Concerned Women for America 25 percent in 2001-2002

2002 Edwards supported the interests of the American Coalition for Ethanol 100 percent in 2002.

2003 Edwards supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 37 percent in 2003.

2001-2002 Edwards supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 68 percent in 2001-2002.

2001-2002 Edwards supported the interests of the American Land Rights Association 20 percent in 2001-2002.

2000 Edwards supported the interests of the Family Research Council 50 percent in 2000.

2003 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation's position, Edwards received a rating of -1.

2003 Edwards supported the interests of the Peace Action 40 percent in 2003.

2002-2003 Edwards supported the interests of the Citizens for Global Solutions 53 percent in 2002-2003.

2002 Edwards supported the interests of the Peace Action 20 percent in 2002.

2001-2002 On the votes that the Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, a point system was established for both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, total possible points range from a high of +1 and a low of -5. In the House, points range from +6 to -6. The Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel assigned Edwards a score of -3.

2000 Edwards supported the interests of the Council for a Livable World 63 percent in 2000.

2003 Edwards supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 50 percent in 2003.

2003 Edwards supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 65 percent in 2003.

2002 Edwards supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 70 percent in 2002.

1998-2002 Edwards supported the interests of the Center for Security Policy 50 percent in 1998-2002.

2001-2002 Edwards supported the interests of the CATO Institute--Center for Trade Policy Studies 17 percent in 2001-2002.

1999-2000 Edwards supported the interests of the CATO Institute--Center for Trade Policy Studies 40 percent in 1999-2000.

http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=21107

* Yes, I cherry picked. Edwards has a fine record on choice, and by and large supported Unions in his career, but I'm trying to make the point that he was not a liberal for the 6 years he served.
** If Edwards in the nominee, I absolutely will vote for him, and work to get out the vote for him.

if you're an Edwards supporter, let me ask again, why shouldn't his Senate record be taken into consideration?

I believe Edwards to be a decent man and if he somehow gets the nomination I will vote for him but his time in the Senate was not very appealing to me.. It would be interesting to post the same information on Hillary. I believe the Hillary Haters might be a bit surprised..

co-sponsoring the IWR, but that people might not be aware of other aspects of his Senate record. It's just interesting to me how the people who espouse that he's very progressive, don't want to deal with his decidedly NOT progressive Senate career.

I hope that I dont have to stay home on election day

to stay home.

It is reprehensible that people just repeat what the candidate says without checking his facts.
He is attempting to change his spots--to become Kucinich-like as a populist. And people are buying it.

but that doesn't change his lousy votes over 6 years. And I don't think he's nearly as electable as DUers think he is.

Maybe here on DU but not for Democrats in general.

But if he's the nom, you better believe that the repukes will go after him for his massive flip flopping.

will go after anyone on ANYthing.

Not one of our current candidates is immune from the repukes going after them full tilt. If they can't find anything, they'll make it up.