MetaChat - "it is time to ask the American people

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09 July 2007

"it is time to ask the American people to be patriotic about something other than war." An interview with John Edwards about science and how he'd proceed on some of these issues if elected. Kind of a nice, interesting niche interview on something other than the usual hot-button topics.

post by: occhiblu at: 13:49 | 13 comments

It is a nice interview, but he calls people "geeks." What is he, some kind of bully?

posted by Hugh Janus 09 July | 14:02

Thanks for that, occhi. It's nice to see someone giving clear, specific answers for a change. I like Edwards a lot.

posted by jrossi4r 09 July | 14:22

It's nice to see someone giving clear, specific answers for a change.

Isn't it? I actually started to wonder if I was just too dense or ignorant of the topics to recognize if he was soundbite-ing.

Which is still a possibility, of course, but it did feel like he had a handle on what he was talking about, actually cared about the issues, and had some actual plan for proceeding.

posted by occhiblu 09 July | 15:15

What jrossi said. I enjoyed this quite a bit.

posted by CitrusFreak12 09 July | 15:44

It didn't seem sound-bitey. Except for the "Policy should be science driven; science shouldn't be politics driven" quote. Which is a good one.

He stated his opinion clearly, defined his goals and laid out his plans for achieving those goals. It was A+ public speaking 101. Can't ask for more than that.

Plus, I'm a little extra in love with his wife for taking on Ann Coulter the way she did. Rock on, Elizabeth.

posted by jrossi4r 09 July | 15:47

Okay, y'all can go ahead and kick my cynical ass now, but....

The interview was conducted by email. It was most likely written (well) by an aide.

Not that it's not a good one. I'm just skeptical that it's really John Edwards expressing his inner thoughts on scientific topics.

Bah. Humbug.

posted by mudpuppie 09 July | 16:08

Well, I assume aides write most every politician's speeches and craft most pre-made responses too, so I'm not sure it's all that different from a speech. I mean, you're probably right, but it's still nice that it's coming from his campaign at all, from whatever level, I think.

posted by occhiblu 09 July | 16:11

::kicks mudpuppie's cynical ass::

posted by CitrusFreak12 09 July | 16:16

...but it's still nice that it's coming from his campaign at all, from whatever level, I think.

I can accept that. :)

posted by mudpuppie 09 July | 16:21

::pinches mudpuppie's cynical ass because I had the same reaction::

But I thought it was an interesting read. I have printed out this NYTimes transcript of Obama, Edwards and Clinton chatting with CNN.

I hate this election more than I've hated any of the ones I've been eligible to vote in, but I want to believe someone will change something. I don't believe anyone will, but it would be nice to believe.

posted by crush-onastick 09 July | 16:26

Thanks, crush, that was interesting.

posted by occhiblu 09 July | 16:49

Yes, thank you, crush.

posted by box 09 July | 17:02

Well, I vote for his aides. And given that science policy is rarely based on a president's own (c'mon) opinions, it is his choice of aides (or advisors) that makes the difference -and the law. So, he gots some good aides. On some scientific topics at least, climate change specifically.

posted by carmina 09 July | 22:35

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