I had MSNBC on as I was getting changed after work, thinking I was going to hear about the upcoming GOP debates. Instead, a couple of conservatives were having a man-crush over Fred Thompson — he has great communication skills, they said. It occurs to me that John Edwards could really benefit from Fred Thompson gaining momentum in the GOP primary. That would have the potential to short circuit a lot of the talk about Edwards’ lack of experience. In a couple of essential ways, they would resemble one another — at least in terms of the horse race. They are both one-term Senators whose primary asset seems to be an ability to communicate well. Thompson used his skills to entertain us in the movies while Edwards used his skills to represent those who had been hurt or killed. Both made a lot of money at what they did.
Just a thought.
And of course, Edwards’ work has had no negative consequences for North Carolina health care.
Sounds like a problem with juries being stupid, or the defense lawyers being incompetent. But yeah, let’s blame Edwards. How dare he practice law!
Yeah – let’s just ignore the possibility that he cynically gamed the system with bad science and great histrionics, to his own great profit.
And let’s not look at the consequences of his actions – nothing to see here, move along…especially if you need the services of an OB/GYN or neurosurgeon…
Thompson doesn’t strike me as being as inexperienced as say a Reagan or Edwards in the ways of Washington. He is a former assistant U.S. attorney, served as co-chief counsel to the Senate Watergate committee and worked as a lobbyist on sophisticated business matters for many years, in addition to his on and off acting career. An extensive career as a lobbyist would certainly familiarize someone with the legislative process.
The guy projects a folksy persona, but he is in reality the quintessential Washington insider.
The consequences of *his* actions? Makes it sound like he’s the only personal injury lawyer in North Carolina. Look… either you have a right to have your day in court, or you don’t. Either you have a right to hire an attorney, or you don’t. If North Carolina wants to put the right to have low-cost OB care over the right to have protection under the law, then they can pass some laws that say so. Otherwise, it seems the good citizens of North Carolina are trying to have it both ways. If Edwards “histrionics” and “junk science” were so ridiculous and junky, what mental defect led the juries to not see through it? And why didn’t the defense counter it? North Carolina would be better served if they improved the educations of their jury pool. In the meantime, it is the attorney’s job to advocate for his client.
And how wonderful that this process never results in hugely negative externalities.
(Since that never happens, there’s nothing for Edwards to account for, is there?)
And how strongly the legal profession has supported addressing any piddling little problems that may occur.
That must be why the practice of law has achieved such respect in this county – it has earned it.