John Edwards Campaign Responds on the Military Commissions Act

Yesterday, I wrote an article questioning why the John Edwards for President campaign, which prides itself so highly on maintaining the high moral ground of American democracy, has failed to give any explicit opposition to the Military Commissions Act, a law which the New York Times editorial board likens to the Alien and Sedition Acts that threatened the integrity of American liberty early in our nation’s history.

I’m pleased to say that Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of John Edwards, has read the article and left a positive comment at its base, indicating that the Edwards for President campaign is indeed opposed to the Military Commissions Act. Further, she pointed out that, without using the name of the Military Commissions Act, John Edwards has declared his opposition to any legislation that undermines the Geneva Conventions.

I mention this today because the response of Elizabeth Edwards indicates some very positive things about the John Edwards for President campaign. First, it’s a good sign that the Edwards 2008 campaign is online reading what people who aren’t Washington D.C. insiders have to say about John Edwards and the important issues of the day. Secondly, the way that Elizabeth Edwards responded, without rancor or demands that my somewhat critical article be removed from view, shows me that the John Edwards campaign really is dedicated to the health of free speech.

As a result, I’m inclined to think much more highly of John Edwards now than I did before. I’m also more likely to give the Edwards campaign a small benefit of the doubt when I write about its activities in the future. It’s these kind of qualities that we need in the White House, to help heal the damage caused by years of nasty politics under George W. Bush.