Of all the candidates he seems the most presidential to me. He also seems the most real. He's got a little of that Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter vibe, but not too much. He's been through the mill a few times and seems to have been toughened and refined by it.

You know what would be a great ticket? Gore/Edwards.

I have to say that I was dismayed at Mr. Shapiro's insinuation that homeschooling was limited only to conservatives who do not want to teach evolution. Homeschoolers are a very diverse population and come from all walks of life...democrats, republicans, liberals, conservatives, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, black, white, you name it. Unfortunately this diversity is not often portrayed accurately in the media.

As a progressive person and supporter of many liberal causes who has also choosen to homeschool her children, I get very tired at seeing homeschoolers portrayed in such a one-dimensional, stereotypical way. We personally have chosen to homeschool for the freedom that it gives us (and yes, we do teach evolution as do the majority of the homeschoolers in the groups to which I belong). We enjoy the freedom to let our children learn on their own timetable and follow their own interests. The freedom to spend more time together as a family. The freedom from the ridiculous trend towards testing and accountibilty that is taking the place of an education that takes into account the individuality of the child.

I applaud the Edwards family for choosing to homeschool their children as a means for keeping their family close during this hectic time. It is a shame that this is seen as such an anomaly by those on the left...there are more of us out there then many would lead you to believe.

Although I am personally a Barack Obama supporter, I believe that Edwards brings a lot to the debate. I am enjoying this political race because it is nice to finally have democratic candidates that are willing to voice their own convictions.

Hello everybody

I love John Edwards's apparent conviction, his focused clarity, open-hearted sharing and his generally very good character. The fact that he has plugged for election reform is to his great credit, since obviously this could be at risk to his own ability to steal office, which unfortunately so many politicians bank on. That is saying a lot right there.

But there is one matter which has me seriously concerned. There are certain things one just does not do. Such as, vote for the Patriot Act. Further, to make misleading statements about something as gravely serious as the matters penned into this unconstitutional law.

http://www.patriotsaints.com/News/911/Conspiracy/IntelligenceKnew/ BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE BACK-UP FILE

At the link above, you can read the open letters of retired FBI agent Ted Gunderson to Bush and Ashcroft, stating that there were repeated and incessant pre-911 FBI intelligence warnings from a colleague who had worked for more than 24 years for the FBI. Every one of his warnings was turned down and he was called an un-credible source, even with his extensive experience and specialty in terrorist matters. So in other words, and Gunderson makes a clear statement about this, there never was any break-down in communication between the FBI, CIA, White House and law enforcement personnel. The "need to fix" this so-called gap is not true. The Patriot Act is based on a hoax, and unfortunately, politicians are carrying on with the misleading statements. It is unfortunate and disappointing to see Edwards doing the same thing.

But more than disappointing, it is in fact worrisome to me when a politician brushes aside the gravely serious matters at stake, referencing the library sneak-and-peek previews as the greatest concern:

www.aclu.org the Patriot Act requires no evidence of wrong-doing or connection to criminal activity, in order for wiretapping to take place. There are warrantless arrests (warrants obtained just hours AFTER an arrest), no access to judge or lawyer or family, gag orders on receipients of National Security Letters (Patriot Act subpoenas), even capital punishment in the absence of Congressional oversight.Those violating the gag order---ie using their right to speak freely----are jailed for six years.

Who is even capable of voting for such a thing? Who is paying for this, with their tax dollars? You and me, folks. Would any of us willingly and voluntarily fund a thug group? Nope. Yet look at what we are doing!

It is with disappointment and reluctance that I must reconsider my support for John Edwards. And I hope that other voters will weigh matters in the balance very, very carefully.

After all, a recent e-mail message from the ACLU, written by former FBI agent Mike German, disclosed that of the 143,000 National Security Letters issued, 53% of them were for AMERICANS (both born and naturalized),and that only 1 single terrorist has been caught as a result of the Patriot Act. Now tell me, is that a "national security" matter? You bet. It is a nation-wide security issue----for folks like you and me. Especially, I would imagine, for vocal folks.

Alas, Edwards is not alone in voting for the Patriot Act. So did virtually all the Senate, except for two lone senators (Byrd, Feingold) and only 1/3 of the HOuse (Kucinich, Woolsey among those who stood firm and "just said no"). Of course, Kucinich and Feingold were both publicly discredited. No wonder! They were trying to uphold their oath of office to protect, defend and uphold the Constitution.

If we have a prayer for ethics in office, we've got to have campaign finance reform. Period.

Please research the facts to your own satisfaction, weigh matters in the balance and choose very carefully who is next in office. After all, once our free speech is gone, we have no way of addressing anything at all.

Thank God for Senator Patrick Leahy's investigation into the warrantless wiretapping.

And I just realized that after reading this interview. So far, he's got my vote. And I hope that if he wins the primary he'll pick Obama as his running mate-- I think that would win him a lot of support, and it would give Obama a chance to get some real experience, which would be great for us all.