Colbert: Why Edwards Lost the Nomination

by: wiretapp

Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 08:28

Both Edwards and Hillary Clinton were on The Colbert Report last night (Obama was too, live from satellite). He was broadcasting (live?) from Philadelphia. Needless to say, the Colbert Report writers had written some hilarious material for both of them.

Clinton came on first, to thunderous applause, and delivered her joke flawlessly and got a great response. Edwards then came on for an even longer cameo and inadvertently showed the real reason he lost the nomination.

The jokes were great. His delivery was AWFUL. It was almost like he didn't even get the jokes. He didn't know where to pause, he didn't know what words to emphasize. It was like a vacuum of charisma.

That is the reason I think he lost the primary so quickly (he faced some strong competition). His policy is dead-on, but his charisma and likability are totally absent. Others have commented about how the media and reporters just don't like him. Someone, I can't remember who, made the comment "Edwards couldn't get the [political reporters] to like him if he personally had sex with all of them." Edwards has the looks to be President, and quite possibly the qualifications and correct agenda, but he just doesn't have the charisma (neither does John McCain for that matter,although reporters do like him, which is why I don't think he's a threat to Obama, Huckabee would have been worse). Its a serious problem for Edwards that he comes off as even more unlikeable than Hillary (although technically has lower negatives). Even when making jokes he just sounded like another empty suit politician.

Jokes bellow the fold:

wiretapp :: Colbert: Why Edwards Lost the Nomination

Here are a few of the awesome jokes (that Edwards screwed up).

Edwards comes on for his Ed-Words segment:

"I haven't figured out which one of these two candidates I'm going to support. On one hand, I don't want to seem anti-hope. On the other, I don't want James Carville to bite me." Then the board behind him read: "Carville hasn't had shots." This was the only joke Edwards actually delivered successfully.

"If we put our minds to it we can end poverty in 30 years" says Edwards. The sign behind him then reads: "Bush Ended Middle Class in 8." Hilarious.

"I want a platform thats consistent than my values," says Edwards. Board behind him reads "universal haircare."

"I will only support the candidate who promises to make me a spy." - Edwards

"I don't know if I've ever mentioned this before, but my father was a mill worker." - Edwards

Obama came on over the satellite and brilliantly delivered a joke where he put "these political distractions" "on notice." Then went on to comment on grizzly bears.

He says something about how he wants health care "for every man woman and child." and obvious swipe at Obama. Overall it wasn't clear want point he was trying to make by being there and not endorsing either of them. Something about poverty, health care, blah blah blah. I wish he would just endorse Obama already. Although I understand the fear of Carville bites :P

p.s. Colbert also had a great interview with Patrick Murphy on the same show, I recommend anyone who missed it try to go watch it.

Cross-posted at Kos

Tags: charisma, humor, jokes, Edwards, Democratic Primary, primary, Colbert Report, (All Tags)

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Colbert: Why Edwards Lost the Nomination | 2 comments

I didn't mean to sound so anti-Edwards (0.00 / 0)

I like the guy and he was my 2nd pick. But he did kinda come off like a jerk on last nights Colbert. I 'get' that he is trying to hold up his nomination to get Obama to endorse "real universal health care" but watching that show I can't help but get the feeling he's being smug and not-helpful by going on show (one which included both Hillary and Obama) and bragging and making jokes about how he won't yet endorse.

Why won't Edwards just endorse the person he thinks is the best candidate?

End this war. Stop John McCain. Cindy McCain is filthy rich.

by: wiretapp @ Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 13:02:02 PM UTC

thanks for the review (4.00 / 1)

I also like Edwards, but for some reason he never won me over. Obviously I would vote for him over Hillary in a nanosecond, but Edwards oftens seems to grate on me when he's on TV. His accent (sorry, southerners) is a bit annoying, and he doesn't give great speeches. I heard his "Two Americas" stump speech in 2004 was great, but I never saw it. His speech at the 2004 convention was a dud, and in this election I just felt like he was old news.

Edwards really should have stayed in the Senate. His decision to pop off one term and becomes a permanent presidential candidate didn't rub well with me. How great would it be to have him still in the Senate! Damn! He'd be a lot more effective there than being a private citizen.

by: existenz @ Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 15:18:05 PM UTC