The Atticus Defense

John Edwards is being attacked left and right by the GOP for being a trial lawyer by profession. The attacks are targeted mostly towards the burbites and small business owners who go postal over anything related to making a buck.

There is a simple retort that I would use if I were John Edwards. I would come out strong and reply:

Yes, I was a trial Lawyer before being elected to the Senate. I spent years fighting for justice. I spent years trying to be Atticus Finch.

Now, Edwards or his speechwriters could say it in a much better way than I could, but that is the gist of what could hit home.

Atticus Finch is one of the best characters in 20th century literature and film. Whether you visualize Gregory Peck facing down a racist mob or you take Harper Lee's character directly into your imagination, no lawyer has more honor, more dignity, or more grace.

It may not be best for Edwards to say this himself, but many of his advocates could wield this meme out on the airwaves and in the Blogosphere.

Now, if you want be a bit more edgy, then one phrase comes to mind:

I'm Atticus Finch, bitch.

That might work well for David Chappelle, but I don't know if I would use it on the campaign trail.