I strongly applaud Stoller for this statement.   Democrats never remind the public of this and the disaster Reagan's two terms were for the working poor and blue collar America. As result, Democrats are enabling the canonization of Reagan.  Even the Vatican requires that someone present a case against canonization as Christopher Hitchens did against Mother Teresa.  However, the point is that Reagan made it clear whose side he was on.  And that is what Stoller is getting at:

"We need our own anti-Reagan, our own leader to show that the right-wing turn of the last 30 years is over. We need a leader committed to responsible governance, anti-cronyism, social justice, an expansion of the Bill of Rights to include infrastructure changes, and a humble and morally powerful foreign policy. But governing this way is not a matter of expressing the desire for unity and hope to all Americans, but expressing solidarity with the people who will help create such an America. Those people are liberals. We are the ones who want a different America, and who will help build it and push the right out of the way."      

Well, in the same month John Edwards announced his candidacy for president.  The AP reported,

"Edwards -- who is calling for cuts in poverty, global warming and troops in Iraq -- scheduled his kickoff in New Orleans, still devastated from last year's Hurricane Katrina. He chose the site to highlight his signature concern of the economic disparity that divides America".

And Stoller recognized as much and added:

"And then there's John Edwards. I think Edwards is split. He's spent much of his time working with unions, on the road, in low-key meetings. Elizabeth Edwards has done outreach to bloggers, so there's at least acknowledgment of the dirty hippy crew. He's announcing in New Orleans, which is dog whistle politics on our issues. He knows he was wrong on the war, and feels our betrayal. Unlike Clark, though, I still haven't seen him stand up for us in a real way. I haven't seen him attack McCain, for instance, or go after the politicians who supported the Bankruptcy Bill. I haven't seen him challenge any right-wing interests in a serious way, and so while I acknowledge he's in the ball park, he's not there yet."

Well, it's time to acknowledge that John Edwards has had our backs in this bar fight.  For example, he did not attack McCain who has been week all year.  He did better and went after Giuliani for insulting rescue workers by claiming he had spent more time at ground zero than they had.  Keep in mind Giuliani is running first in the national polls because similar to George W. Bush he desecrated the American flag by wrapping himself with it after 9/11. The traditional media has built this as the sole strength of Rudy. Oh yeah, John went for the jugular.  Politically, these actions are needed now, so blows of this magnitude can be delivered during the general election.  Otherwise, the nominee have to worry the traditional media will label him or her as angry when the criticize their opponents. The other significant moment that stands out in this bar fight is when John called out racists and male chauvinists at a recent debate and forcefully told them he doesn't want their vote.  If this is not the mirror image of Reagan's approach, I don't know what is.  Sadly, Stoller ditched class that day.  However, I don't want to go off on a tangent here because his truant slip was handed to him elsewhere.  Of less relevance, John and Elizabeth have also neutered Ann Coulter, while maintaining their southern civility. Remember this my liberal friends, two respectable people have your backs.

More importantly, John Edwards has demonstrated that the proof is in the pudding regarding the substance of his proposals and actions. For example, his proposal to addressing global warming was favored MoveOn.com members.  His refusal to accept lobbyist money stands in contrast to Hillary who appears to be competing in the Abramoff primary.

On a personal level I know John has my back because he is fighting to end unethical and immoral social inequalities in America. This resonates with me because I come from humble origins.  For example, my dad has spent the last month in Mexico getting major dental work because he cannot afford critical care here in America. This despite the fact that he works 50 plus hours per week doing back breaking concrete work.  My mom had to do this a few years ago.  John's healthcare proposal is appealing because perhaps my parents like many other Mexican-Americans would not have to take "vacations" to Mexico to receive primary health care every 10 to 20 years.  John, has also proposed that college should be free for students who work at least 10 hours per week.  By those standards my wife, relatives, friends and myself would all be free of college loans and firm financial footing.

John Edwards has rolled up his sleeves and fought on our sides this primary season.  As a minority I do not take lightly the candidacy of Obama and Hillary.  However, the challenging station in life that was handed to most of my relatives and friends forces me to vote in their economic best interests.  If you can, watch the debate in few hours and ask yourself, "whom would I want to be on my side in a bar fight?"