The Politics of Change vs. the Status Quo

The three Democratic frontrunners in the presidential primary faced off last night in Manchester, New Hampshire.  After an initial period of caution, Senator Hillary Clinton went on the attack against Senator Barack Obama, accusing him of holding three different positions on health care, of voting for the Patriot Act after saying he would vote against it, and of failing to offer a federal health insurance plan that would cover everyone without exception.

Obama was unruffled.  He explained the rationale for his position on health care.  But then Senator John Edwards stepped in and argued that while he and Obama were agents of change in the contest, Clinton had distinguished herself as an agent of the status quo.  Edwards said:

"We [Edwards and Obama] have a fundamental difference about the way you bring about change.  But both of us are powerful voices for change.  And if I might add, we finished first and second in the Iowa caucus, I think in part as a result of that.  Now, what I would say is this: Any time you speak out powerfully for change, the forces of the status quo attack.  That's exactly what happens," Edwards said, clearly identifying Clinton with the status quo.

In a second clear reference to Clinton, Edwards said, "I didn't hear these kinds of attacks when she was ahead."

Watch this exchange.  It was the highlight of the evening.