Edwards Warns of 'Corporate Democrats'

by Todd Bennett

Posted by The Associated Press on Thursday via The Associated Press

Thr truth as told by John:

“Do you want to trade a crowd of corporate Republicans that are running this country now for a crowd of corporate Democrats?”

Democrat John Edwards blamed Bill Clinton's administration Saturday for trade agreements unpopular with labor unions and warned against electing 'corporate Democrats.'

The Democratic presidential hopeful, speaking to union carpenters, tied rival Hillary Rodham Clinton to the business interests that unions claim were served by her husband's trade liberalization, to the detriment of workers.

Edwards described the North American Free Trade Agreement as a blow to the middle class that President Clinton put in place while the first lady was failing in her mission to reform health care.

America is ready for leadership. America, is starving for it.

More Rank and File Support for John

Teachers count, from:
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771023019
N.C. teachers group backs Edwards for White House bid
by The Associated Press
published October 23, 2007 11:00 am

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Association of Educators has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' White House bid, the third time the organization has backed one of his campaigns for federal office.
Advertisement

The association, which represents 70,000 educators and retirees in Edwards' home state, said his "comprehensive education plans" will help the Democrat compete in battleground states.
"We think that he is the one person on the ground talking about the pocketbook issues that affect working families," NCAE president Eddie Davis said Tuesday. "John Edwards has a vision."
The NCAE vote to back Edwards took place Monday. The group also supported Edwards in his successful 1998 campaign for U.S. Senate and his 2004 presidential run.
Edwards has proposed a variety of plans to increase teacher pay and reduce classroom sizes in successful high-poverty schools, overhaul the federal No Child Left Behind education law and implement an early childhood education program for all 4-year-olds.
For the past two years in rural Greene County, he's tested a "College for Everyone" program that pays the first-year bills for college students. He wants to take that effort nationwide with an $8 billion program.

Everyday people supporting one of their own.

Down-Ticket Matters

A lot of people seem to forget that we have a great chance at the trifecta next year, which is of course both houses of congress and the White House. John Edwards is a very powerful candidate in terms of running the table on the Republicans, and he knows it:

Edwards pushes electability
Charlotte.com
October 19, 2007
Original Charlotte.com article: Edwards pushes electability
Ten party leaders from across the country said today that Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards would do more than any other candidate to help get Democrats elected in their states.
In a conference call organized by the Edwards' campaign, elected officials from six states touted the former N.C. senator's chances not only to win but to help other Democrats on the ballot.
The call is part of the campaign's effort to sell the electability of a candidate trailing Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois in money and polls.
'For the Democratic Party to nominate a candidate who will not win the general election is obscene as far as I'm concerned,' said Oregon Senate President Pro Tem Margaret Carter.
Democrats have recently all but written off many so-called red states, which include virtually the entire South. Nominees campaign instead in states where they've had more of a chance.
Connie Johnson, minority whip of the Missouri House of Representatives, said another candidate besides Edwards at the top of the ticket would cause her party to continue losing seats in the state.
'This state has been hemorrhaging,' she said. 'If Hillary comes to a state like Missouri, we can write it off.'

I live in Missouri, and I know what she means. The very fact is that John Kerry abandoned my state and other swing tates in pursuit of Ohio. Me before we. John Edwards will be a positive in every state, and knows he needs to be, too. After all, down ticket matters!

John Slams Bill Clinton on Unfair Trade

Bill Clinton was a great President. But, he made mistakes and NAFTA was up there with the worst of them in terms of long-term damage. Here is what John Edwards had to say about the sbject, courtesy of FOXNEWS: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303807,00.html

LAS VEGAS — Democrat John Edwards blamed Bill Clinton's administration Saturday for trade agreements unpopular with labor unions and warned against electing "corporate Democrats."
The Democratic presidential hopeful, speaking to union carpenters, tied rival Hillary Rodham Clinton to the business interests that unions claim were served by her husband's trade liberalization, to the detriment of workers.
Edwards described the North American Free Trade Agreement as a blow to the middle class that President Clinton put in place while the first lady was failing in her mission to reform health care.
"In the 1990s, we didn't get universal health care, which we needed," he said. "We got NAFTA, which we didn't need.
"I think we've been asking the wrong questions about these proposed trade deals," he added. "The question seems to have been, 'Is this trade deal good for the profits of big multinational corporations?"'
Edwards said his administration would ask, "Is this trade deal good for jobs and for working, middle-class America?"
The former North Carolina senator says he would renegotiate the 1993 deal that lowered trade barriers among the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

New York Sen. Clinton said recently that trade agreements, including NAFTA, should be reviewed every five years to make sure "they're meeting their goals or to make adjustments if they are not."
Edwards described the stakes of the presidential race in stark terms, asking the crowd if they want to live in a country made up of "a few rich people and everybody else." He suggested his Democratic rivals would not serve the interests of workers.
"Do you want to trade a crowd of corporate Republicans that are running this country now for a crowd of corporate Democrats?" he asked. "That's not us."
Edwards is depending on the carpenters union in Nevada to help drive turnout in the Jan. 19 caucuses.
The local union and its international endorsed him in August. The union has 12,000 members in Nevada, although many are Republicans or nonpartisans.

It had to be said, and John had the courage to say it. When we neede healthcare, we got NAFTA, and we needed more. More to come...

John Edwards Is A Friend To Women

John Edwards Is A Friend To Women

by Todd Bennett, Sat Oct 20, 2007 at 12:08:56 AM EST
There are times that I get so angry that I can only shake my head in utter disgust, count to ten, and calmly respond to idiocy with good old fashioned fact and class. It is late and I am exhausted, but the duty to rise and defend my candidate knows no schedule, and my desire to stand by a man who spends his life standing by me is not tempered by mere drowsiness. Another diary from a Clinton supporter on http://mydd.com/ has pushed me to this point, and I feel that these are assaults that require response. First the background:

Edwards has the 'right' sort of genitals to win? by areyouready, Fri Oct 19, 2007 at 07:13:12 PM EST
This is hilarious. No wonder Edwards is treated like a clown by mainstream voters...
Though you have to wonder just how strong the Democratic ticket would be there even without Hillary on the ticket.
As others have pointed out, pursuing this line of argument puts Edwards in an odd position, because the unspoken message behind "I'm more electable than her" is "I also have the right sort of genitals." Does the guy running the most lefty campaign of the top tier really want to, as the kids say, "go there"? Apparently so.

Putrid. Nauseating. Unworthy of a good man and a good woman because Hillary is unfortunately reflected upon by this. Still the best way to respond is with truth. And the truth is that a lot of prominent women do support John Edwards, and I do not believe they would if they thought he was sexist. See for yourself: http://www.johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20070717-women-leaders/

Edwards Gains Support From Prominent Women Leaders Jul 17, 2007 12:13 PM
Elizabeth Edwards speaks at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Washington, DC - As Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards spoke at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund today about Senator John Edwards' commitment to improving the lives of women and families, numerous women leaders endorsed Senator Edwards for president. These leaders believe Edwards is the best candidate to put a Democrat back in the White House and protect women's rights. In May, the campaign launched Women for Edwards, http://johnedwards.com/women/ to organize women around the country who support Edwards.
The following women endorsed Edwards for president:
Belinda Biafore, Vice Chair, West Virginia Democratic Party (WV) Cindy Burney, Assistant Prosecutor, City of Bay St. Louis (MS) Maureen Byrne, Community Activist (ME) Laura Edwards, Co-Founder, Lillian's List (NC) Lisbeth "Libba" Evans, Former Chair, NC Democratic Party; former Co-Chair, Women's Campaign Fund (NC) Adelaide Gomer, Park Foundation Trustee (NY) Susan Good, Co-Chair, California Democratic Party Rules Committee and Member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board (CA) Carolyn Honeycutt, Former President North Carolina Democratic Women (NC) Kate Jacobson, Community Activist (MS) Natalie Jayroe, New Orleans Community Activist (LA) Pam Johnson, Board Member of the MS Women's Coalition (MS) Kate Knox, Founder of EWomen and EMERGE Board Member, Attorney (ME) Nancy Larson, DNC Member (MN) Debbe Leftwich, State Senator; Co-Chair, Oklahoma Women's Legislative Caucus (OK) Christi McCoy, Community Activist (MS) Wendy R. Mullins, Community Activist (MS) Mary Jo Neville, DNC Member (MD) Muriel Offerman, DNC Member (NC) Mary Pallant, Chair, Ventura County Commission for Women (CA) Elisa Parker, Vice Chair, Tennessee Democratic Party (TN) Carol Peterson, DNC Member (NC) Nancy Quarles, Former State Representative (MI) Melanie Taylor, Community Activist (NC) Doris Vaccarella, Former Chair, MS Federation of Democratic Women (MS)
Additionally, the supporters below joined Women for Edwards.
Stella Adams, NC Fair Housing Center Executive Director (NC) Linda Bolon, State Representative (OH) Jennifer Brady, State Representative (OH) Kathleen Carney, 8th Congressional District Chair (MI) Liz Carpenter, Austin (TX) Kimberly Chiapetto, Floyd County Democratic Chair (VA) Pam Cooke, Board Member, National Stonewall Democrats June Deadrick, Community Activist (TX) Melissa Diaz, Former DNC Hispanic Media Director Marie Donigan, State Representative (MI) Trina Ellis Erwin, Michigan Women's Caucus Vice Chair (MI) Hope Evans, Chair, Northwestern University Students for Edwards Chair (IL) Joan Flynn, Macomb County Commissioner (MI) Sherry Freeman, Delta Township Trustee (MI) Shirley Frye, Community Activist (NC) Lois Hill, Mount Clemens City Commissioner (MI) Diana Keller, Wyandotte Democratic Club President (MI) Christine Koch, Clinton Township Democrats (MI) Kathleen Law, State Representative (MI) Elizabeth Lenhard, Vice President, Warren Woods Board of Education (MI) Maria Mannarino, Lathrup Village City Councilor (MI) Colleen McGlynn, Chief of Staff to Senate Majority Leader Fred Barry (MA) Laura Miller, Former Mayor of Dallas (TX) Paula Pierson, State Representative (TX) Lana Pollack, Former State Senator, Environmental Leader (MI) Melissa Price, Vice President, Young Democrats of North Carolina (NC) Sarah Roberts, Macomb County Commissioner (MI) Diane Saxe, DNC Member (MA) Valencia Seay, State Senator (GA) Ann Sheinwald, Rockport (MA) Karen Dulaney Smith, Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees (id purposes only) (TX) Trisha Stein, Former Executive Director, One Michigan (MI) Melanie Tate, President, Kentucky College Democrats (KY) Kathy Tocco, Macomb County Commissioner (MI) Theresa Trujeque, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, Clinton Interior Department (NM) Sylvia Trujillo, Community Leader (DC) Mayra Uribe, Community Leader (FL) Meredith Vivian, Vice President, University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
For more information, please contact Colleen Murray at 919-636-3203.

This is only a part of the tale. There must be a reason so many powerful women support him. Well here is his platform on women's issues from his site, along with quotes from female supporters: http://www.johnedwards.com/women/

An Agenda For American WomenBuilding One America means ensuring that women can make choices in their lives with dignity and can participate in our society fully, as equals. The reality of women's lives today is still something far less. They are expected to do more, and they receive less. That's not right." -- John Edwards
American women still face greater challenges in the workplace and greater responsibilities at home. They make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, and mothers--particularly single mothers--do even worse. Women are 48 percent more likely to live in poverty. More than 17 million adult women lack health insurance. Millions of working women struggle to balance their jobs with the needs of their families. John Edwards believes that--to build a larger, more secure middle class--we must do more to strengthen families, help women succeed at work and protect women's rights. [Census Bureau, 2007]
Economic SecurityHelping Women Balance Work and FamilyTwo-thirds of mothers are working, most of them full time. More and more families are caring for their aging parents. But our workplace and public policies have not kept up with this new reality. Edwards will:
Give women time off when they need it by requiring businesses to offer seven paid sick days a year. Edwards will expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover more workers and help states offer paid leave so parents will not have to choose between their families and their paychecks. Create a Great Promise early childhood education program for every four-year-old. For younger children, he will expand the child care tax credit and create a Smart Start initiative to improve child care quality and affordability. Help families caring for their parents by expanding access to home health care, creating more choices for long-term care and offering respite care to provide caregivers a break. [Gerson and Jacobs, 2004; New America Foundation, 2005; KFF, 2006]Securing Women's RetirementWomen are more likely to depend on Social Security for most of their retirement income, even though their annual benefits average only 70 percent of men's. Edwards will help women and other Americans increase their retirement savings by offering a new Get Ahead credit that will match families' retirement savings up to dollar for dollar. He will also examine ways to modernize Social Security to compensate women who pay less into Social Security because they are caring for children or other family members instead of working. [IWPR, 2003]
Ending Poverty within a GenerationFifty-six percent of the nearly 37 million Americans living in poverty are female. John Edwards has called for an end to poverty within 30 years, through policies rooted in the core American values of work, opportunity and responsibility. He has proposed an ambitious set of goals, including lower taxes for low-income working families, 1 million stepping stone jobs, new housing policies to promote economic integration and other initiatives to promote education, savings and strong families. To help the 100 million out-of-school children--the majority of whom are girls--around the world, he will lead a worldwide effort to educate every child. [Census Bureau, 2007; UNESCO, 2005]
Raising the Minimum WageWomen are nearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers. A woman with two children working full-time at the $5.85 federal minimum-wage lives nearly 30 percent below the poverty line. Because the recent increase to $7.25 by 2009 is too little, too late, Edwards will give 8 million women a raise by increasing the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2012 and indexing it to increase automatically. [BLS 2007, Lovell 2007]
Women's Equality and Civil RightsProtecting Women's Right to ChooseThe decision about whether to become a parent is one of the most important decisions that a woman can face. Edwards believes that she should make it with her family, her doctor and in the context of her religious and ethical values. He will protect and defend the right to choose and reverse the damage that has been done by President Bush's anti-choice agenda.
Fighting Workplace DiscriminationEdwards supports the Paycheck Fairness Act to strengthen the remedies for sex discrimination and deter wrongdoing. He will expand resources for female entrepreneurs through his new REACH Fund and by prioritizing the needs of women-owned businesses in existing programs. Edwards will also strengthen enforcement at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and will restore and expand women's right to fight workplace discrimination by overturning the Ledbetter decision that limited women's ability to challenge unfair pay.
Ending Violence Against WomenAchieving full equal rights for women includes the right to be free of violence everywhere. Edwards supports efforts to fully fund the Violence Against Women Act, which provides resources for crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and continuing education to law enforcement and the courts. Edwards will also aggressively support political and economic rights for women where they do not exist and supports efforts to reduce violence against women and children around the world.
Women's HealthGuaranteeing Health Care for Every Woman in AmericaTwo-thirds of uninsured women fail to get the care they need because of its cost. For example, while more than 40,000 women die from breast cancer every year, more than half of uninsured women have not had a mammogram for two years. Edwards will take on the big insurance and drug companies and guarantee true universal health care for every man, woman and child in America. His plan requires employers to cover their workers or help pay the cost; makes insurance affordable for middle-class families through new subsidies and purchasing pools; creates a choice of competing plans, including a public plan and--once insurance is affordable-- requires individuals to get insurance. [Census Bureau, 2007; KFF, 2005; ACS, 2007]
Strengthening America's Research AgendaMore research is needed into the diseases that affect women disproportionately, such as breast cancer, other types of cancer and HIV/AIDS. Edwards supports doubling funding for key priorities at the National Institutes of Health and supports the innovative Department of Defense breast cancer research initiative. Edwards will lift also restrictions and increase funding for embryonic stem cell research, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines to prevent human cloning.

"I believe in John's deep and profound commitment to the issues that matter most in women's lives. From health care, to Iraq, to poverty, to our environment, I know John is the most effective national messenger for the values we share and I have complete confidence that--with our help--he will win the White House and improve the lives of women everywhere."
- NARAL Pro-Choice America President Emeritus Kate Michelman

"Too many women are not getting the health care they need. John Edwards is the only candidate to outline a specific plan to provide universal coverage and I'm proud to be part of a campaign--the only campaign--with a detailed plan to cover all Americans."
- Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

"I am proud to endorse my friend, Senator John Edwards. He has always stood to fight for real change in women's lives--working tirelessly to raise the minimum wage, end poverty and guarantee universal health care."
- Former New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid

"John Edwards has laid out detailed proposals to strengthen families and help working women. John understands the need to prioritize families through good public policy that recognizes the contributions of America's women."
- South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin

This is but a sampling of his wide ranging support among women, and an indication of the kind of "Pro-Woman" platform we can expect with an Edwards' Presidency. Folks, from this point forward I vow to fight the fire of lies with the water of truth. I do not know for sure John Edwards will win the Presidency, but I know I can sleep at night with him as my choice. My heart knows political joy because I did not compromise. After all these years, compromise has gotten old. If you feel as I do visit http://johnedwards.com/ and learn how supporting him means you do not have to compromise anymore. (Partially Cross-posted on http://mydd.com/ )
Find this and more at: http://waveofblue.blogspot.com/ Progressive blog in support of John Edwards!
Tags: Edwards, Women, Platform (all tags) :: Add Tags to this Entry

Edwards on Trust

by Todd Bennett

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel via The Associated Press: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-edwards-trust,0,7371678.story Edwards Says Trust Key in Selection

ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Wednesday that voters should think about who they can most trust when trying to decide between him and his rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. "Having a great politician is fine," Edwards said. "That's not what America needs right now." He said the most important thing is not a candidate's stance on health care or other issues, but honesty, sincerity and trustworthiness after two terms of President Bush.
"I'm a different candidate," he said during a stop at a volunteer fire station. "The most important thing is to have a president that you trust. Forget politics for a minute. ... What we've seen happen in the last six or seven years is the utter destruction of trust between the president and the American people."

Remember what John has told us: this is an election, not an auction. The people own the White House.

North or South, Edwards Does Great With Labor

by Todd Bennett


Mass. SEIU Endorses Democrat Edwards
Posted by The Associated Press 9 hrs ago via The Associated Press

“I am very proud to have the support of the SEIU Massachusetts State Council”
The Massachusetts council of the Service Employees International Union on Thursday joined 10 other state chapters endorsing Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. ' record on health care.

'John Edwards understands the everyday struggles of working families and without question John Edwards would be the best labor president in the history of the United States,' Rocio Saenz, president of SEIU Local 615 in Boston, said in a statement.
SEIU decided last week against making a national endorsement in the Democratic presidential primaries, but gave individual state chapters the option of doing so.

A Democrat's Democrat. Labor's best choice.

Oklahoma is O.K. for John!

by Todd Bennett


Democrats, Labor Leaders Endorse Edwards For President
Posted by roboblogger 13 hrs ago via KTUL

Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields has joined state labor leaders in endorsing Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards in Oklahoma's presidential primary next year.

Rural America still does matter.

Dean leads in Iowa, N.H., polls show

by Todd Bennett

Jan 10, 2004 Howard Dean holds a slight lead in Iowa with just a week to go before the state's Democratic presidential caucuses and is maintaining his dominant position in New Hampshire, campaign polls out Saturday found.
In Iowa, the former Vermont governor was at 30 percent, with Dick Gephardt at 23 percent and John Kerry at 18 percent, according to the Los Angeles Times poll of likely Iowa caucus goers. John Edwards, a North Carolina senator, was the only other candidate in double digits, at 11 percent. http://dir.salon.com/story/news/wire/2004/01/10/dean_polls/index.html

No, I did not forget what year it was. I was just pointing out that John Edwards actually gained 21 points in the last week leading up to the caucus. 21 points! Actual results: 2004 Results

The results were very similar to that indicated by last minute polling, but were a surprise compared with weeks earlier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Iowa_Democratic_caucuses
Candidate
No. State Delegates
Percentage
Potential National delegates
John Kerry
1,128
37.6
20
John Edwards
954
31.8
18
Howard Dean
540
18.0
7
Richard Gephardt
318
10.6
0
Dennis Kucinich
39
01.3
0
Wesley Clark
3
00.0
0
Uncommitted
15
00.5
-
Source: Des Moines Register

That is 50 plus percent of Iowans who decided in the final week! Hillary need not pop champagne just yet. And John might just have a surprise for those who would write him off.

Count em! Ten State's SEIU Chapters Endorse Edwards!

by Todd Bennett

While the news of the Iowa SEIU chapter endorsing John is great, once again there is more to the story-from The Caucus of NY Times: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/seiu-labor-groups-in-10-states-endorse-edwards/?hp

October 15, 2007, 4:07 pm
S.E.I.U. Labor Groups in 10 States Endorse Edwards
By Steven Greenhouse
Not only did John Edwards receive the endorsement today of the Iowa state chapter of the service employees union, but he also has garnered the backing of nine other state chapters of the S.E.I.U, including the biggest prize of all, the S.E.I.U. council in California, which represents 650,000 workers.
Democratic officials said that Mr. Edwards would also receive the endorsements of the Service Employees International Union chapters in several other states with sizable memberships — Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and Washington.
The S.E.I.U. is considered extremely politically active, and these 10 state councils that endorsed Mr. Edwards represent 1 million workers, or more than half its national membership.
Last week, the executive board of the national S.E.I.U. decided against endorsing anyone — a move that many saw as a disappointment for Mr. Edwards, who has aggressively courted that union. But the union’s executive board decided that the S.E.I.U.’s state councils could make their own endorsements. The Edwards camp saw that as a big plus because it expects to receive far more endorsements from S.E.I.U. state units than the other candidates will receive.
“California S.E.I.U. members know that John Edwards will be the best labor president in the history of the United States,” said Sal Rosselli, president of the biggest S.E.I.U. local in California. “His proposals are far and away the best among the candidates on the issues that matter most to working Americans.”
Trying to maximize momentum for Mr. Edwards, the S.E.I.U. state councils in the 10 states coordinated their endorsements for Mr. Edwards. The union councils in Idaho, Montana and West Virginia were also going to endorse him today, a Democratic official said.
With regard to Iowa, the Edwards camp said the state council endorsements would help Mr. Edwards with foot soldiers, phone banks and getting union members to attend that state’s caucus.
Under the S.E.I.U.’s rules, if the union’s Illinois State Council endorses Barack Obama, the Illionis S.E.I.U. will not be allowed to send political activists to Iowa because that state has already endorsed a different candidate, i.e. Mr. Edwards. But when the California State Council endorses Mr. Edwards, it will be allowed to send activists to Iowa because that state’s council has endorsed Mr. Edwards.
Senator Barack Obama also won two endorsements, of the S.E.I.U. council in his home state, Illinois, as well in Indiana, his campaign announced.
Although Mr. Edwards trails far behind Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in national polls, he is neck and neck with them in Iowa. Indeed, the Edwards campaign has made no secret that it is putting a lot of resources in the early states in an effort to achieve an upset victory to help give it momentum in other states.
Far more than any other candidate, Mr. Edwards has staked his campaign on labor endorsements. He has marched on scores of union picket lines and moved quickly to endorse one of labor’s main goals: universal health coverage.
He also has the endorsements of the carpenters, the mine workers, the transport workers and the steelworkers.
Whether the union endorsements put Mr. Edwards over the top in Iowa or prove to be a dud, as they were for Richard Gephardt in Iowa in 2004, remains to be seen.

They fail to mention that Gephardt was a dud in no small part to his "Rose Garden" support of the war, something John should have no trouble with, now that he has clearly distinguished his antiwar stance from the other Democrats. If the media will not treat John fairly, we will have to BECOME the media!

Al Gore Might Run, But John Edwards is Running

by Todd Bennett


There are a lot of us breathlessly anticipating Al's decision on whether or not to run. I myself support a Gore/Edwards duo as my "dream" ticket. I have sent Al correspondence, and have encouraged others to as well. And as of yet, he is not running.
What I have found, is a man who is running that is eminently qualified to run this country. A man who puts us before the establishment. A man who has dedicated his life to helping the less fortunate in this world. His name is John Edwards. John Edwards believes in most all of the things that Al does, except that he is running! Like a lion chasing his dinner, John traverses the country taking on the corpratists and lobbyists, and advocating progressive causes.

What I have also realized is that for every minute we pine for Gore, Edwards suffers. He suffers in terms of donations, structure and endorsements. And he suffers for a man who not once this calendar year has expressed an interest in running. Sure I would be thrilled if Al got in. But if ifs and buts were candy and nuts most any day could be Halloween. There is little time left for ifs and maybes. Not when we KNOW we have the most progressive major candidate running for President and the time is running short for him to gather momentum.
So you know, John Edwards on the issues is as close to Al as you can be, without being Al! Take a gander at Edwards on the environment: http://johnedwards.com/issues/energy/

A New Energy EconomyAchieving Energy Independence & Stopping Global Warming Through A New Energy Economy
During a press conference in San Francisco, Calif., John Edwards speaks about his energy plan, Iraq, and universal health care. The League of Conservation Voters, which has not yet endorsed a candidate for president, described Edwards' plan as the "most comprehensive global warming plan of any presidential candidate to date."
"Senator Edwards' plan demonstrates that he understands the magnitude of the challenge before us and the need for bold leadership to meet it," LCV President Gene Karpinski said.
"Our generation must be the one that says, 'we must halt global warming,'" said Edwards. "If we don't act now, it will be too late. Our generation must be the one that says 'yes' to alternative, renewable fuels and ends forever our dependence on foreign oil. Our generation must be the one that accepts responsibility for conserving natural resources and demands the tools to do it. And our generation must be the one that builds the New Energy Economy. It won't be easy, but it is time to ask the American people to be patriotic about something other than war."
Edwards believes that with American ingenuity and resolve we can turn the crisis of global warming into an opportunity--ending our dependence on foreign oil and creating a new energy economy that embraces innovation, brings rural communities back to life and creates new, good-paying jobs.
The Edwards Plan halts global warming, achieves energy independence and jumpstarts a new energy economy by:
Capping greenhouse gas pollution starting in 2010 with a cap-and-trade system, and reducing it by 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, as the latest science says is needed to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Leading the world to a new climate treaty that commits other countries--including developing nations--to reduce their pollution. Edwards will insist that developing countries join us in this effort, offering to share new clean energy technology and, if necessary, using trade agreements to require binding greenhouse reductions. Creating a New Energy Economy Fund by auctioning off $10 billion in greenhouse pollution permits and repealing subsidies for big oil companies. The fund will support U.S. research and development in energy technology, help entrepreneurs start new businesses, invest in new carbon-capture and efficient automobile technology and help Americans conserve energy. Meeting the demand for more electricity through efficiency for the next decade, instead of producing more electricity. I love the part of "most comprehensive global warming plan of any Presidential candidate to date". Of course, healthcare is a big issue too, so check this out: http://johnedwards.com/issues/health-care/
"More than any of the presidential candidates, John Edwards has come up with a specific and plausible plan that provides for health care coverage for all Americans."
Nicholas KristofThe New York Times
John Edwards has a bold plan to transform America's health care system and provide universal health care for every man, woman and child in America.
Under the Edwards Plan: Families without insurance will get coverage at an affordable price. Families with insurance will pay less and get more security and choices. Businesses and other employers will find it cheaper and easier to insure their workers. The Edwards Plan achieves universal coverage by: Requiring businesses and other employers to either cover their employees or help finance their health insurance. Making insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs. Creating regional "Health Care Markets" to let every American share the bargaining power to purchase an affordable, high-quality health plan, increase choices among insurance plans, and cut costs for businesses offering insurance. Once these steps have been taken, requiring all American residents to get insurance. Securing universal healthcare for every American will require the active involvement of millions of Americans.
"So this is a smart, serious proposal. It addresses both the problem of the uninsured and the waste and inefficiency of our fragmented insurance system. And every candidate should be pressed to come up with something comparable."
Paul KrugmanThe New York Times
"John Edwards came out with the most comprehensive plan for healthcare."
-- Andy Stern, President, Service Employees International Union
"John Edwards has made a serious and thoughtful proposal to address the growing health care crisis. His innovative plan offers practical steps to lower the high cost of health care, improve the quality of care and provide coverage for all Americans."
-- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (MA)
Full health care plan can be found here: http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care-overview.pdf Pretty substanstial stuff. John is also and by far the best candidate for the struggling American family: http://johnedwards.com/issues/working-families/
Standing Up For Working Families"I believe we cannot go on as Two Americas--one favored, the other forgotten--if we plan to stay productive, competitive and secure. I want to live in an America where we value work as well as wealth. I know that together we can build One America - a place where everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream." -- John Edwards
In America today, families are working harder to get by. Over the last 20 years, American incomes have grown apart: 40 percent of the income growth in the 1980s and 1990s went the top 1 percent. The top 300,000 individuals now make more than the bottom 150 million. Thirty-seven million Americans--including more than 9.3 million of working-age--live in poverty. The result is Two Americas, one struggling to get by and another that has everything it could want. [EPI, 2006; Saez, 2007; Census, 2006]
John Edwards believes we have to build One American Economy--where everyone has the opportunity to work hard and build a better life. He will restore respect for work to our tax code and cut taxes for working families. He will overhaul our weak labor laws to give workers a real right to organize.
Strengthen Labor Laws: Unions made manufacturing jobs the foundation of our middle class, and they can do the same for our service economy. That's why Edwards has helped more than 20 national unions organize thousands of workers over the last few years. Union membership can be the difference between a poverty-wage job and middle-class security. Federal law promises workers the right to choose a union, but the law is poorly enforced, full of loopholes, and routinely violated by employers. Edwards supports the Employee Free Choice Act to give workers a real choice in whether to form a union, and making penalties for breaking labor laws tougher and faster, so unions can compete on a level playing field and the right to join a union means something. Edwards also supports banning the permanent replacement of strikers so unions can negotiate fairly. Enact Smarter Trade Policies: Trade deals need to make sense for American workers, not just corporations. Edwards will make sure any new trade agreements include strong labor and environmental standards and will vigorously enforce American workers' rights in existing agreements. He will also expand trade adjustment assistance to do much more for the workers and communities that are hurt by global competition and reform our international tax code to remove incentives for companies to move overseas. Make Work Pay: Edwards will increase the reward for working by raising the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2012, tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for adults without children and cutting the EITC marriage penalty. In 2001, a $1 increase in the minimum wage alone would have lifted an estimated 900,000 people out of poverty. [Sawhill and Thomas, 2001] Protect Prevailing Wages: Edwards pledges to protect the Davis Bacon Act, which ensures that workers on federal construction projects receive the local prevailing wage. The Act prevents contractors from slashing wages in order to win federal contracts with low-ball bids. It was shocking when President Bush intervened to keep workers from earning a decent wage after Hurricane Katrina, but we must be vigilant every day against abuses. Help Families Save and Get Ahead: Half of American families say they are living paycheck to paycheck, and three out of 10 American workers have not been able to save a dime for their retirement. Edwards will crack down on abusive lenders by creating a new Families Savings and Credit Commission to protect families and with strong national laws against abusive and predatory credit cards, payday loans and mortgages. Edwards will create Work Bonds to help families save and invest, providing financial safety nets for hard times. Work Bonds, a new tax credit of up to $500, would help low and moderate-income, working Americans save for the future. [MetLife, 2003; Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2006]

We have to understand this one fact, people: Al might run, but John is. The Prom is almost upon us. Time for us to choose a date before one is chosen for us by the corporate media. Time to choose John Edwards.