John Edwards' chronic lateness no way to win votes: The Swamp

Posted December 26, 2007 10:31 AM

by Frank James

John Edwards must have a strong showing in the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses, a state where he has spent a lot of time since 2004, to have a real shot at getting the nomination, at least that's what much of the conventional wisdom holds.

Given that, it's curious that he has gained a reputation for being late to his events, as the New York Times reports this morning. One might think a candidate in a tight, three-way race would do everything he could to avoid leaving negatives in the minds of voters.

But apparently, that's not the case with Edwards. According to the New York Times:

Like Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson before him, Mr. Edwards nearly always runs late while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.

He routinely begins events more than 45 minutes or even an hour past the scheduled starting time, keeping dozens or, lately, hundreds of people in jam-packed rooms awaiting his entrance.

With the approach of the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3 and the New Hampshire primary five days later, Mr. Edwards, touring the two states at breakneck speed, has been drawing crowds that are bigger, louder and more prone to the occasional standing ovation than ever before.

And while most people who come out to see him are willing to endure some delays, his habit of lateness has alienated others, some of whom say it is just plain rude.

Campaigns keep complicated schedules, with event locations changing as polling and logistics dictating revisions as candidates add appearances or fundraisers to their ever morphing plans.

But it isn't impossible for campaigns to run on time. As the Times story notes, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama manage to show up on time far more than Edwards.

President Bush, as a campaigner, was famously on time. As Robert Draper writes of Bush during the 2000 campaign in his book "Dead Certain":

Hated to keep anyone waiting—always on time. (Actually, almost always early. What was that about?)

It's about a few things. It suggests the candidate is disciplined and discipline is something people expect in a candidate who's asking to assume the awesome powers of the presidency.

It also says the candidate shows a healthy respect for others' time. It goes without saying that voters tend to prefer candidates who go out of their way to show they care about the needs of real people who have things to do.

In this regard, Edwards's tardiness runs the risk of contradicting his campaign's message that he's a fighter for the average person.

There are a lot of average people out in those crowds who might be more convinced by Edwards's message if he didn't make them wait so long to hear his stump speech.

Comments

It's an old political trick to keep a crowd waiting, to let the excitement and anticipation build before the candidate shows up. And it might be working. The last numbers I saw showed Clinton, BO and Edwards in a statistical tie in Iowa. (Notice Frank James trying to put a bad spin on it. That's called desperation.)

I think I'd like to see Edwards take Iowa. Not that i think he's so great, but the arrogance of BO's and Hill's people is really getting annoying. It would be a needed lesson in humility.

Posted by: MJ | December 26, 2007 11:02 AM

Aww, the poor little socialists don't like waiting for a Demoncrat who will no doubt promise to allow them to suck on the governments teet from cradle to grave. Lefty Loons, truly the worst mankind has to offer.

Posted by: Anonymous D | December 26, 2007 11:36 AM

This tells me, he is too much into himself and not the electorate, does he think he is a performer? that's right, he is a politician

Posted by: Gary H. | December 26, 2007 11:48 AM

Yeah. Either that, or maybe they're just happy to wait while "BJ Clinton" finishes his session with a two-year-old intern.

Posted by: anonymous paulo | December 26, 2007 12:24 PM

Anonymous D,

Don't sugar coat it, what do you really think?

Well said really.

Posted by: Joe | December 26, 2007 12:50 PM

Nice try little Johnny D' Wingnut.

You better start spending your time on those crap GOPer candidates of yours who are about as exciting as reading that trade rag of yours.

Posted by: John E | December 26, 2007 1:27 PM

If he makes you wait to see him before he is even elected do you think he'll ever get anything done if elected. You know there is never any disasters or threats to the country which can't wait an hour or two.

Posted by: Kim H | December 26, 2007 2:46 PM

You know there is never any disasters or threats to the country which can't wait an hour or two.

But there evidently have been catastrophes which could wait at least seven minutes...

Posted by: Anonymous | December 26, 2007 3:23 PM

How can a candidate make a case for running a government effectively when the candidate can’t even manage his own schedule effectively?

Posted by: Bruce | December 26, 2007 5:40 PM

Geographically Challenged Dumb Dumb Little Johnnie Dyslin, "the Joseph Stalin of Streamwood" - why do you tell everyone that you only post under the name of "John D", when this proves to everyone that you're a liar?

Posted by: BC | December 26, 2007 6:22 PM

You're hilarious bruce. How was president Chimpy arranging his schedual as New Orleans sunk? Here, take a look:

http://thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline

Posted by: dt | December 27, 2007 1:56 AM

Did you really think that "Anonymous D" was trying to fool anybody when he used his signature phraseology and even included "D" in his post name?

Of course you didn't. You're not that stupid.

Wow. That's quite an obsession you've got going there.

Posted by: MJ | December 27, 2007 6:56 AM