The Latest From the Edwards Campaign on Race and Gender

In a Time magazine interview yesterday, Elizabeth Edwards stated:

“The media goes to this very engaging story about a legitimate woman candidate and a legitimate candidate with an African-American heritage, and that drives up their fund-raising numbers,” says Elizabeth, the unfiltered voice of the campaign, during an interview on the bus a week before that speech. “Then the media folks say, ‘See, that proves we were right to focus on these two candidates’ … It’s enough to make you tear your hair out.”

Later, they discuss John Edwards’ take on the issue.

Edwards joins us on the bus, and soon he’s musing on electability too. “I think most journalists would agree that I’m the most progressive, Senator Obama next, and Senator Clinton closest to the center. But I’d be willing to bet that if you ask most Americans the same question, they’d reverse it.” That’s not only, he says, because “she’s a woman and he’s an African American and Ah talk lahk thee-is. It’s simple geography. Ask Middle Americans: You’ve got three Democratic candidates. One’s from New York, one’s from Chicago and one’s from rural North Carolina. Who do you think is most like you?”

Read more.

Also See: “Let’s Play ‘Democrat or Republican’: The Racial Politics Round

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