What did Johnny Mean?

Former Sen. Johnny Reid Edwards, D-N.C., is raising some eyebrows with remarks he made Sunday in Carroll, Iowa, (LINK) in a meeting with white, elderly rural voters. Edwards was arguing that he would be a more palatable Democratic presidential nominee with whom congressional candidates in contested swing states can campaign. "It’s not just a question of who you like," Edwards said. "It’s not just a question of whose vision you are impressed with. It’s also a question of who is most likely to win the general election. It’s a pretty simple thing. Who will be a stronger candidate in the general election here in the State of Iowa? Who can go to other parts of the country when we have swing candidates running for the Congress and the Senate? Is the candidate going to have to say, ‘Don’t come here. Don’t come here and campaign with me. I can’t win if you campaign with me.’" At another point, Edwards said, "I think it’s just a reality that I can campaign anyplace in America."

At a media appearance, Edwards said (LINK), "I can be competitive in rural America." The suggestion is clearly that Edwards is more attractive to swing and or rural voters than are either Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., or Barack Obama, D-Ill. — a claim I’m not certain is borne out by facts in Obama’s case. But some are interpreting it to mean that Edwards is saying as a white male Southerner he is more attractive to swing voters than either a woman or an African-American. I’m not certain that’s what Edwards meant. What do you think?

– jpt