When Iowans ask me why I think John Edwards is the best candidate in our very strong field, I always mention his stands on the issues first. Not only has Edwards released the most specific universal health care plan that could conceivably be adopted by Congress, he has advocated detailed, progressive policies in many other areas of critical importance.  

Edwards has made substantive policy proposals the centerpiece of his campaign. This is the single biggest improvement over his 2003/2004 campaign, which, in typical David Axelrod style, focused more on his inspiring personal story (son of a mill worker, first person in his family to go to college).

I don't mean to suggest that other Democrats haven't put good ideas on the table. For instance, I like a lot of what I've seen coming from the Dodd campaign, such as his national service plan, and Richardson's energy policy is quite ambitious.

But Edwards has on balance offered more detail on more issues than his rivals. This leadership is great for his campaign and for Democrats generally.

Why do I like Edwards' attention to policy details?

1. The policies themselves are quite good.

As I mentioned in my front-page MyDD post last week, the Edwards plan to provide universal health care has been praised by many people who follow this subject closely.

The campaign website's issues page is filled with good progressive ideas for moving this country forward. And just as important,

2. Edwards is not afraid to put his ideas front and center in the campaign.

Sometimes I run across the following assertion on the blogs: Edwards is foolish to offer so much detail, he's just painting a big target on his back. He's setting himself up for attacks coming from the GOP and allied interest groups.

Most often this line of argument comes from Clinton supporters, which is not surprising. Hillary herself has said repeatedly that she learned from her own health care reform fiasco that you need more than a good plan, you need a political strategy.

Apparently that strategy is to say as little as one can get away with during the campaign.

That makes for an inspiring message, doesn't it? Translation:

Vote Democrat--we have great plans we are scared to share with you, but take it from us, we've got an awesome political strategy to get them enacted.

Seriously, I can't think of a better way to reinforce the "Democrats stand for nothing" meme than for prominent Democrats to say they are scared to propose concrete solutions to big problems, because doing so would not be a savvy campaign strategy.

If we are going to take on the Republican message machine, we need to not shy away from telling people where we stand.

3. Edwards is showing that Democrats have more to offer the country than criticism of the Bush administration.

The right-wing hate machine has made much of Democrats' alleged negativity. And it's true, we're pretty angry, because like the bumper sticker says, if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

Although I enjoy a good anti-Bush rant as much as the next liberal, I want the primaries to focus the public's attention on who is offering the best solutions for our country's problems.

That kind of debate would not only play to Edwards' strengths, it would also show voters that Democrats will give them more than slogans and passionate rhetoric.

4. You can't claim a mandate if you don't tell the voters about your plans.

I don't think I need to belabor this point. Everyone in our field has been planning to run for president for years and has had plenty of time to put together a policy shop. It is simply not credible to say, I'll hire people to work out the details for me once I'm in the White House.

Pledging to enact universal health care without specifying how this can be done and paid for (as Clinton and Richardson are doing) would leave the next president in a weaker starting position with Congress.

5. The Edwards policy agenda gives me confidence that if elected, he would aim very high.

Democrats have the best opportunity for realignment I've seen in my lifetime. We won't get there by nibbling around the edges of our country's big problems.

No doubt Congress would not magically approve all of Edwards' proposals in their current form.

But I have great confidence that Edwards is going to push for bold change and not give half the game away before horsetrading with Congress even begins.

The president needs to start negotiating from a very strong position, not from the compromise he or she might need to settle for during the first year.

Look at George W. Bush. He didn't give up on the tax breaks that weren't passed in the 2001 tax cut bill. He kept asking for more every year. He kept pushing for his horrendous energy bill every year without watering it down. It took him until 2005, but he finally got almost all of what he wanted.

John Edwards has the guts to advocate for big change, along with the communication skills to make the case for progressive policies and the will to fight for those policies. For those reasons, among others, he has earned my support.