John Edwards'08 Blog - For All of Us

An Open Thread

Tracy Russo in Quick Posts
1/31/2008 at 3:16 PM EST

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A Message from John

Tracy Russo in Quick Posts
1/30/2008 at 2:16 PM EST

A message from John:

I began my presidential campaign here to remind the country that we, as citizens and as a government, have a moral responsibility to each other, and what we do together matters. We must do better, if we want to live up to the great promise of this country that we all love so much.

It is appropriate that I come here today. It's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final steps to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but what we do know is that our Democratic Party will make history. We will be strong, we will be unified, and with our convictions and a little backbone we will take back the White House in November and we'll create hope and opportunity for this country.

-John Edwards

Full text of remarks after the jump. Feel free to use this as an open thread...

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An Open Thread

Tracy Russo in Quick Posts
1/30/2008 at 10:14 AM EST

John will speak at 1pm EST from New Orleans.  Make sure you tune in to watch.

This is an open thread.

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Coast-to-Coast

Tracy Russo in Quick Posts
1/29/2008 at 8:22 PM EST

With just one week to go before millions of voters across 22 states head to the polls on Super Tuesday, our inboxes are filling up with the same question: "What can I do, today, to help?"  The answer is simple: Help us engage with tomorrow's voters, coast to coast.  Help us share John's bold vision for America.  

Thousands of you have already signed up to use our online phonebanking tool, which lets you make calls right from your home, any time you'd like.  Whether you've got time for five calls or fifty, your call will be important, so if you haven't signed up already, now's the time to join the effort.

Sign up to connect with voters Coast to Coast now!

If you've already signed up, it's time to step it up!  While there is no shortage of calls to make there is less than a week to make them and we need everyone to pitch in and help reach out to fellow voters all across America!

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Tags: phonebanking, John Edwards, volunteer, activism, action (all tags)

News from Missouri: A Rally in Springfield

Tracy Russo in Missouri
1/29/2008 at 11:41 AM EST

Yesterday Senator Edwards visited the "Show Me" state, holding events in Springfield and Jefferson City.

Check out this report from the Joplin Globe:

Edwards cheered at rally
By Wally Kennedy

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- When Bruce Davidson's 13-year-old son, David, asked him to take him to Springfield on Monday to hear former Sen. John Edwards speak at the Teamsters Hall, he knew he had to find a way to get him there.

Wanting to encourage his son's interest in the democratic process, Davidson said, "There was no way I could say `no.'"

Davidson recently moved his family to Branson from Wisconsin. Davidson said that when he was a young man, he had been inspired by a speech he heard Sen. Robert Kennedy give in 1968.

After hearing Edwards, Davidson was asked to comment on what he had heard. He couldn't. There were tears in his eyes. Regaining his composure, he said: "What impressed me the most about his speech was when he said he hadn't taken a dime from a lobbyist. John McCain can't say that."

His son said: "It was an excellent speech. He said everything that needed to be said."

The Davidsons were among several hundred people who waited for more than an hour in a standing-room-only hall to hear Edwards, the Democratic underdog in the race for the nomination, give a 15-minute speech that was punctuated by applause and standing ovations.

Attending the rally were representatives of Teamsters Local No. 823 in Joplin.

Jim McCall, president of the local, said: "The Teamsters have not picked anyone to back. We intend to survey the members and principal officers after the primaries. We do back Edwards as much as anybody.

"The one thing we like is that he is totally for labor and working-class people. He got his education on a union income. He wants health care for everybody, good jobs, good wages and good benefits."

Edwards attracted a diverse crowd of all ages that included teachers, university students, laborers and veterans. One man, wearing a cowboy hat, stood up with a sign that read: "We know the state of the union. That's why we are here."

Edwards was introduced by Joe Maxwell, former lieutenant governor of Missouri. Describing Edwards as the man who will stand up for working people, Maxwell said: "It's our time to stand up to the corporations. It's our time to stand up to the rich. It's our time!"

Entering the hall to the song "Our Country" by John Mellencamp, Edwards noted that President Bush would deliver the State of the Union address later Monday and that he most likely would talk about his plan to stimulate the economy.

"But his plan will leave tens of millions of Americans out," Edwards said. "It will leave out people who work for a living. We need a president who will stand up for you."

Each time during his speech in which he referred to Bush, the crowd booed and hissed.

Reiterating the central theme of his campaign, Edwards said he comes from a working-class family that "worked to make sure that their children would have a better life and that they would leave this country better than they found it. That is the great responsibility of every generation."

Edwards asked: "Who is going to fight for you?"

A man in the crowd said: "John Edwards."
Edwards shot back: "You got that right, brother. It's central to everything I want to do."

Edwards then launched into a litany of things that he said are wrong with the country and how he would fix them. He said the richest nation on the planet has "dysfunctional health care." He said he has proposed a universal health-care plan that would cost $90 billion to $120 billion a year, and would be paid for by removing the tax cuts that he said Bush has given to the rich.

"We've got to do something about this public-schools mess called No Child Left Behind," he said. "We need to treat our teachers with dignity and respect again. Instead of punishing schools that do not do well, we need to give them the resources to do well."

He said protection of the environment and proactive steps with regard to climate change could create a million new jobs in the United States.

"We want a president who believes you can be patriotic about something other than war," he said, adding that he would end "this mess of a war in Iraq" in his first year as president.

Colleen Murray, media spokeswoman for the Edwards campaign in Missouri, said about 1,000 people attended the rally. She said Edwards would leave Springfield on Monday night for a rally this morning in Tulsa, Okla. He will make a campaign stop later today in Jefferson City.

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On the State of the Union

Tracy Russo in News
1/29/2008 at 12:17 AM EST

Tonight, Senator John Edwards released the following statement in response to President Bush's State of the Union address:

"The president tonight renewed his call for an economic recovery plan. But the plan he and Congress have offered leaves out tens of millions of Americans who need help the most. This plan would take months to have any impact, and the people I meet everyday on the campaign trail do not have months to wait. These people are hurting now and need this help now. Over the past seven years, typical workers' paychecks have failed to keep up with inflation, millions of families are facing the loss of their homes to foreclosures, health insurance premiums have doubled, and families are spending $1,000 more a year on gasoline. The State of the Union may be interesting political theater, but until we find bold solutions to the challenges facing the country, we will be stuck with the same old small, Washington answers.

"And in the chamber of the House of Representatives where the president speaks, even though this Congress stopped listening to him a while ago, they will still applaud and cheer him. The truth is that Washington is out of touch with what's happening across the country. Between now and January of 2009, Democrats must stand up to this president, stand up for what's right, so he does not continue to forget about the middle class in this country."

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Working On Rural America from New York City!

Drew Schimmenti in News
1/28/2008 at 3:25 PM EST

We are thrilled to welcome Drew to the John Edwards blog and congratulate him and his brother on their winning entry in the My Vote, My Voice" contest! - Tracy

My name is Drew Schimmenti.  My brother Neil and I were the winners of the My Vote, My Voice contest sponsored by the Edwards campaign.  We entered a thirty second video that was directed at rural America.  Our intention was to acknowledge the diminishing conditions being experienced in rural America, and to empower fellow Americans to vote to repair them.  

We were thrilled that our video was chosen to air as a TV spot for the campaign.  The campaign called and informed us that we would travel to New York to work on the ad.  We were told that we would have an opportunity to work on the television version of the commercial as well as attend the David Letterman Show where John Edwards would be a guest.  

I had thought the official ad would be a representation of our original version; a concept to use as a stepping stone.  I was wrong.  We arrived at a studio to work on the ad and were informed by the production team that they planned to honor our work in its entirety.  We were stunned.  I guess shouldn't be though.  This speaks to everything John Edwards and his campaign want for America; creating "one" America where we all have a voice.

After completing work on the ad (watch it above!), we left to watch John on The Late Show with David Letterman.  John handled himself great and again proved his depth as an individual goes beyond an enviously immaculate head of hair.  We thought he stole the show.

The night ended at a small function where John spoke to us about the campaign.  We had not known about the event beforehand, and could not have asked for more.  John spoke so candidly about the campaign, but more importantly, America.  He answered our questions in a straight forward and honest manner.  It was democracy in its purest form.

We would like to thank the Edwards campaign for everything, and John, for representing America's voice.  

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Your Voice Will Be Heard

Tracy Russo in Quick Posts
1/28/2008 at 10:22 AM EST

Yesterday Senator Edwards sent the following message to supporters across the country...

Dear Friend,

From the very beginning, our campaign has been about one central thing: giving voice to millions of Americans who have absolutely no voice in our democracy.

If you are worried about your health care or, like 47 million other Americans you have no health care, your voice will be heard in this campaign.

If you're one of 37 million Americans who wake up every single day, worried about how to feed and clothe your children and living in poverty, your voice will be heard in America -- and it will be heard in this campaign and we will speak and fight for you.

If you're worried about being able to pay for your child to be able to go to college and being able to pay for tuition and books, your voice will be heard in this campaign -- and it will be heard in America.

If you're one of the forgotten middle class, working and struggling just to pay your bills, worrying every single day about what may be around the corner, we will give you a voice in this campaign.

And if you're one of the extraordinary men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States with pride and honor and served this country patriotically, and you're not getting the health care you need or deserve, your voice will be heard in this campaign. If you're one of the 200,000 veterans living in America who every night go to sleep under bridges, in shelters or on heating grates, your voice will be heard in America.

That's why this campaign moves on to February 5 and "Super Tuesday" when millions of Americans will cast their vote and help shape the future of the Democratic Party and, most importantly, help shape the future of America.

Thank you for standing with me as, together, we take this campaign to the Democratic Convention, to the nomination -- and then to the White House.

Your support as we move forward means that the voices of millions of voiceless Americans will be heard.

Sincerely,

John Edwards
January 27, 2008

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South Carolina Primary Open Thread

Tracy Russo in South Carolina
1/26/2008 at 11:07 AM EST

The South Carolina Democratic Primary is today.  If you are in South Carolina, click here for more information on where to vote.

John and his parents, Bobbie and Wallace, in front of his first home in Seneca, South Carolina.

If you'd like to help us contact voters in South Carolina today, head over to johnedwardsphonebank.com and sign-up today! We'll be contacting potential Edwards supporters until the polls close at 7:00pm EST!

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South Carolina: "Grown Up" and Back Home

Tracy Russo in South Carolina
1/25/2008 at 12:23 PM EST

Via AP:

A day before voters go to the polls, the former North Carolina senator joked with several hundred people at a restaurant in the northwestern part of the state, making light of the clash between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. He said he had considered asking the two to have dinner with him at a relative's house.

"Then we had the debate on Monday night in Myrtle Beach ... and we saw all of the petty personal bickering," Edwards said. "That may be the way they do politics in New York, that may be the way that they do politics in Chicago. But South Carolina's better than that."

It's that same message that is echoed in our newest South Carolina spot:

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Urgent: Stand Up for the Constitution

Mathew Gross in Diaries
1/24/2008 at 2:48 PM EST

Senator Edwards sent the following email to supporters this afternoon.

When it comes to protecting the rule of law, words are not enough. We need action.

It's wrong for your government to spy on you. That's why I'm asking you to join me today in calling on Senate Democrats to filibuster revisions to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that would give "retroactive immunity" to the giant telecom companies for their role in aiding George W. Bush's illegal eavesdropping on American citizens.

The Senate is debating this issue right now -- which is why we must act right now. You can find your Senators' phone numbers here or call the Senate Switchboard at 1-(202)-224-3121.

Granting retroactive immunity is wrong. It will let corporate law-breakers off the hook. It will hamstring efforts to learn the truth about Bush's illegal spying program. And it will flip on its head a core principle that has guided our nation since our founding: the belief that no one, no matter how well connected or what office they hold, is above the law.

But in Washington today, the telecom lobbyists have launched a full-court press for retroactive immunity. George Bush and Dick Cheney are doing everything in their power to ensure it passes. And too many Senate Democrats are ready to give the lobbyists and the Bush administration exactly what they want.

Please join me in calling on every Senate Democrat to do everything in their power -- including joining Senator Dodd's efforts to filibuster this legislation -- to stop retroactive immunity and stand up for the rule of law. The Constitution should not be for sale at any price.

Thank you for taking action.

John Edwards
January 24, 2008

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Say Hello Not Good Bye

Marline in Action
2/12/2008 at 3:27 PM EST

It's not over until it's over, remember that little saying.  Well it's true.  I know many of us were very saddened when we were told this will be the last day

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Q: What (not who) should Edwards endorse? A: IMPEACHMENT

franya in Action
2/12/2008 at 2:00 PM EST

That's right. Impeachment, plain and simple.

The future of the country is much more dependent on the impeachment of Bush and Cheney than it is on whoever Edwards endorses as Democratic nominee. Change is needed, but given the current choices, we all known the election will only bring about cosmetic change. That is, unless impeachment happens first.

Today, John Conyers, House Judicial Committee chair, says he is finally willing to consider launching impeachment hearings against Cheney. Being a party Democrat, he wants to hear the political arguments first: he knows the legal grounds very well. Let's not pass up this opportunity!! Millions of people around the world are counting on us.

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endorsement

dbmc in Quick Posts
2/12/2008 at 1:23 PM EST

don't endorse either - it will not be easy for either of them to win.

John is the only one that could win.  And would have but we had to fight the national media!

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endorsement

rprp2 in Arguments & Analyses
2/12/2008 at 12:43 PM EST

I fervently hope that Edwards does not make an endorsement in the remaining primaries.  He should say that both Clinton and Obama would be a great president and he should concentrate on advancing his (our) agenda.  Neither Obama nor Clinton shares that sensibility enough although she comes closer.  Somehow Obama is seen as the more liberal of the two and he simply is not.  We have to work to move them toward the economic and social justice articulated by Edwards.

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Long term plan: INSTANT RUNOFF BALLOTS!!!

peoplefirstgal in Quick Posts
2/12/2008 at 12:30 PM EST

*Altruistic millionaires do not grow on trees.  
*We need to make it safe to vote for an Independent party candidate--that's basically the platform John Edwards promotes.  
*Imagine if all those Nader votes hadn't had to have been thrown away--the registration list purge by the Repugs would not have worked, would it?
Instead of going to Gore or Shrub or into the waste basket, the Nader votes would have gone to something more in keeping with the voter's intent.
And it would have happened relatively 'instantly' without all the legal fees, etc., frat boy stormtroopers invading W Palm Beach offices, etc..
*This would widen the parameters of allowable debate embolden true Democrats, restrain Repug nutjobs,

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TELL SENATE NO TCOM IMMUNITY!!!

BigMediaFearsJohn in Action
2/12/2008 at 11:52 AM EST

The bill is stalling in the senate.    There was a REASON the FISA bill was passed 30 years ago--to protect voices like ours 30 years ago. The phone companies pretend they're not cowards, that they are patriots.  But note--when this war had bankrupted the FBI to the point where they could not pay the bills to these pig companies---the companies pulled the plug!  And the FBI admitted that this action of the companies had hurt active investigations!
Don't doubt for one minute that they're spying AS WE SPEAK on everyone involved politically. CALL JOHN CONYERS AND EVERYONE ON JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND SAY YES WE CAN IMPEACH CHENEY NOW--LIKE CONYERS SUGGESTED 2/11/08!

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Gore Has No Plans to Endorse

ET in News
2/12/2008 at 11:50 AM EST

This is an interesting bit of news.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Gore_wont_ endorse_CNN_says_0212.html

I know this is not going to get voted up before the blog goes off the air, but it certainly would have provoked some discussion.

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The Voice of John Edwards

Karita Hummer in Quick Posts
2/12/2008 at 3:53 AM EST

John Edwards is our standard bearer.

Senator Edwards, we need your voice, because it conveys the most profound of messages: that this country is here for the common good and that everything we do should be toward that end.

Senator Edwards, you diagnosed our problems correctly and your remedies are what we need.  It is that vision we must aim for ceaselessly.  

Let us keep hearing from you, because the Country is in the greatest need for your sense of common purpose and common good.

Continue in a guiding role for us all.  

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Karita and Paul Hummer
Edwards Democrats
San Jose, CA

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Tags: John Edwards, Election 2008, Primary (all tags)

Keep This Discussion Alive

hollywoodextra in Action
2/12/2008 at 3:40 AM EST

Make the remaining candidates accountable.  Remember Ralph Nader?  He started naderexplore08.org/ the exact day Edwards suspended his campaign.  No, of course you don't have to vote for Nader;  he is only exploring a candidacy.  

Go to his web site, drop him an email and tell him you want him to start a blog site just like the one our man John Edwards hosted.  And John, don't let anyone rush you to a decision regarding Obama or Hillary.  We expect you to be smart, first.

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JRE is meeting with Obama today?

MelB in News
2/12/2008 at 2:09 AM EST

Someone my have posted this already, from todays NY Times

"Determined to stem the tide, Clinton turned to a longtime confidante to manage her operations while the campaign acknowledged that she made a private visit to North Carolina this week to seek the endorsement of former rival John Edwards. Obama was planning his own meeting Monday with Edwards, who confidants said was torn over which candidate to back"

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Cl inton-Campaign-Manager.html

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WHERE HAVE ALL THE ETHICS GONE, LONG TIME PASSING...

libbyliberal in Arguments & Analyses
2/12/2008 at 2:01 AM EST

It is amazing the number of people who confide to me now how close they were to volunteering and working for John Edwards. I do believe them.  And it makes me sad and wistful and FRUSTRATED.

I was listening to CSpan a bit today.  Listening first to Senator Feinstein who seemed so grounded and sensible, making her bid for an amendment for the judicial process to explore the worthiness of immunity for a compromised telecom company.  Kind of an apologist for the naivete of the telecom companies it seemed, though not as much as the Republicans I have heard this week.  

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Edwards Makes Decision

Andrew6565 in Quick Posts
2/12/2008 at 2:00 AM EST

John Edwards Decision on whether to actualy endorse either Clinton or Obama, has been reported in the press.

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