a dream or a song: FDR Was So Much Better Than JFK

on HuffPo they had a quite interesting lede that pleased me greatly because FDR is like my favorite president ever. It was from an interivew entitled "Edwards Next Potential FDR, Obama Next JFK" (though everyone is seemingly the next JFK) Read the comments on that article as well-they're fun:

Ronald Reagan was pretty much the master at that [appealing to emotion] wasn't he?

Ronald Reagan, FDR, and Jack Kennedy were three of the greatest communicators that we've had in the White House ...What made them great was, first of all, their ability to be multimodal in their communication. They talked about their vision for America, they talked about their story of America, and they gave America a sense of what they thought it could be.

Number two, they all principally used "moving towards pleasure" strategies instead of "moving away from fear" or "pain avoidance" strategies. In other words, they held up an ideal of what we wanted to move towards as a country and made us proud of ourselves.

Number three, they communicated emotion and always used story and emotion to pass along information.

[snip]

In the current crop of Presidential aspirants right now, who stands out in terms of communication skills?

John Edwards is a brilliant communicator. Barrack Obama is a brilliant communicator. I think Edwards has the potential to be the next FDR and I think Barrack has the chance to be the next John Kennedy.

I kinda wanted to do a Presidential Showdown but FDR would’ve won that in a walk (no offence intended.) I mean he courageously fought through Polio, was elected 4 times, led the United States through the Great Depression, instituted programs that benefit and have benefited Americans for generations, was married to a truly inspirational and ahead of her time woman and guided us through the darkest times during World War II while JFK was elected due to a rigged election, got us into Vietnam, failed at the Bay of Pigs, started a program that diverted money from the poor to Outer Space, had numerous affairs and was hated enough for someone to invent a magic bullet to shoot him with.

FDR helped people, JFK helped them to dream bigger.

Also JFK* was a young charismatic overrated junkie so…I guess that comparison fits. And I guess that means that Barack’s brother will be the sh*t.

A Moment with Bobbie and Wallace Edwards (they are so cute!)

Anyway on to John Edwards news as John continues to build a rather large and diverse coalition with news of two more recent endorsements:

New Hampshire Freedom To Marry Coalition Endorses John Edwards

The John Edwards for President campaign today announced the endorsements of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and its executive director, State Rep. Mo Baxley. The group cited Edwards' commitment to equal rights and fighting discrimination in all forms.

"I am proud to announce both our group's endorsement, as well as my personal endorsement, of John Edwards for president," Baxley said. "We took a long look at all of the candidates, we met with many of them, and in our judgment, John Edwards' sincere commitment to battling discrimination and ensuring equal rights for every American is unparalleled. He and his wonderful wife Elizabeth have spent their entire lives fighting for those without a voice and standing up for what is right. John Edwards will be the kind of president we can trust to stand up for everyday Americans."

"I am proud to have the endorsements of Mo and New Hampshire Freedom to Marry," Edwards said. "NHFTM has done outstanding work advocating for LGBT families in New Hampshire. I am committed to equality for all Americans -- discrimination of any kind is morally wrong. I believe that all Americans should have the same freedoms and the same responsibilities."

NHFTM is a statewide LGBT education and advocacy organization whose work on behalf of LGBT families has raised awareness of LGBT issues. NHFTM made its decision to endorse John Edwards after considering all candidates' policy positions, voting records and their campaigns' outreach to the LGBT community. They met with candidates and contacted leaders in the gay community in their home states as well as the other early caucus and primary states.

John Edwards opposes discrimination in all forms. He supports the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell as well as the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. He supports equal rights for same-sex couples and believes that all Americans should have the same rights and responsibilities. As president, he will expand hate crimes legislation and will prohibit job discrimination.

Edwards Receives Endorsement From Iraq Veteran And Activist Sergeant John Bruhns

Today, Senator John Edwards received the endorsement of Sergeant John Bruhns, an Iraq veteran and former legislative representative for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. Bruhns enlisted in the Army after 9/11 and served in Iraq for a year in the battalion hat took part in the first day of the invasion.

"As someone who served in the U.S. military honorably for eight years I am saddened by what has come of America," Bruhns said. "It is absolutely heartbreaking to go overseas to fight a war just to come home to see your fellow Americans unemployed, in debt, down on their luck, and living hand-to-mouth. The American people are ready for a complete change from what we have lived through with the disgraceful and tragic presidency of George W. Bush. We need a president that will respect and fight for the rights of all Americans.
My ideal candidate will:

- End the war in Iraq
- Only use war as a last resort
- Provide hope & optimism instead of encouraging hate & fear
- Restore America's standing in the world community
- End the division here at home
- Finally end partisan claims to patriotism and troop support
- Place the interests and wishes of the American people as their # 1 priority
- Have the courage to stand up to special interests groups and party orthodoxy
- Stop the outsourcing of American jobs
- Be a strong advocate for universal health care
- Work hard for environmental protection
- Be part of the solution not the problem
- Admit when they are wrong and make the necessary corrections

"I strongly believe that John Edwards is the best candidate running for the presidency of the United States," Bruhns continued. "I believe that he will be strong at home and abroad. I believe that he has the best plan to end poverty, protect American jobs, and restore hope to the middle class. Most importantly, I believe wholeheartedly that he will end the war in Iraq and that he would never send our brave men and women in uniform into harms way unless it is absolutely necessary."

"I am honored to receive Sergeant Bruhns' endorsement," said Senator Edwards. "His commitment to serving our country should serve as an example to all of us. I look forward to working with him to expand economic opportunity at home and to restore America's moral authority in the world. Together, we can create the better America we believe in."