Welcome to the Edwards Evening News! As usual lot of news today on a range of issues including speaking out strongly on Iraq, New Orleans, lobbyists, and his trip to Georgia along side former President Carter.
- "Tough truths must be spoken." - John Edwards in today's USA Today article
- "No timetable, no funding. No excuses." - Edwards on Iraq
- "This is a national disgrace." - Edwards on New Orleans (while Bush celebrates success)
- "In tune with American opinion" - Gallop on Americans agreeing with Edwards that lobbyists should be rejected.
- "A candidate whom I really admire" - former President Carter praises Edwards in Georgia
Join over the fold to read more...
1. "Tough truths must be spoken." - John Edwards in today's USA Today article
The USA Today had an excellent article today covering Edwards' recent speech in New Hampshire and how how Edwards is using his campaign to speak out boldly on important issues, even bolder than the 2004 campaign. But its not an angrier Edwards we are seeing, its a more determined Edwards:
"I'm the same person I've always been, very positive, very optimistic by nature. And I always speak true," he says in an interview. "I see some truths that need to be spoken, and I do see the need for real, specific, substantive change."
and its not just about the Two Americas that exist now, but how to get to the One America we all want:
His campaign bus is painted with the slogan, "Fighting for One America." This time around, he says, "I want to make the transition from identifying the problems to reaching real solutions."
and people like what they are seeing and hearing:
Katherine Delanoy, 75, of Keene, who plans to vote for Edwards, says his environmental platform is comprehensive. "He really seems to think about the issues," she says. "This world is in crisis and people just don't recognize it."
2. "No timetable, no funding. No excuses." - Edwards on Iraq
Edwards released a strong statement today on the latest reports that Bush intends to (what a surprise!) ask for even more money for Iraq, $50 billion added on to the pending $147 billion supplamental request. Bush seems to be hoping that Congress will once again give him a blank check:
"Now we learn that the president is so confident Congress won't stand up to him in this fall's funding decisions that he's actually going to increase his request to fund the surge by another $50 billion—on top of the original $147 billion supplemental he requested. Let there be no doubt, this money will fund a failed Bush strategy in Iraq that that has failed to reduce the average level of sectarian violence in the country.
So what should Congress do? Its simple really, do what they did before and make it stick:
"Enough is enough. When Congress comes back next week, they should stand firm and make their position clear: No timeline, no funding. No excuses.
Its time to end funding for the war, and start funding the withdrawal and
bring our troops home to the heroes' welcome they deserve.
Cheers out to mcjoan for recognizing Edwards and Dodd's leadership on this today and TomP for laying out clearly Edwards positions on use of Congress's funding powers.
3. "This is a national disgrace." - Edwards on New Orleans (while Bush celebrates success)
While Bush seems to think things in New Orleans are going just peachy and "he understands", after 2 years we know more than ever what an outright lie that is (thank you Councilmember Midura!). And Edwards rightly called Bush on it:
" If George Bush's government were as good and decent and focused as the people of New Orleans, whole parts of the city would not still look like the storm just hit. This is a national disgrace. While President Bush continues to fail New Orleans, the American people and the residents of the city have not. Almost all of the progress that's been made has been the work of the proud residents of the city and generous Americans, working without and often in spite of the federal government. Our government needs to support their efforts and help get New Orleans back on its feet. And we need to do everything possible to make sure this never happens again."
Feel free to learn a bit more on John Edwards bold ideas on how to restore New Orleans and ensure this type of thing doesn't happen again.
As most people already know instead of a talk show or a raucous rally, Edwards chose to launch his presidential campaign in New Orleans. Lets remember what he is calling on Americans to do - to stand up:
4. "In tune with American opinion" - Gallop on Americans agreeing with Edwards that lobbyists should be rejected.
According to a recent Gallup poll released today, the vast majority agree with Edwards that its time to end the game and reject lobbyist money that infiltrates and infects our democratic process.
It appears that presidential candidates are closely in tune with American public opinion when they decry the influence of lobbyists and vow to avoid taking lobbyist money. Asked about acceptable ways for candidates to raise money, more than three-quarters of Americans say that raising campaign money from contributions made by Washington lobbyists is unacceptable, putting it at the bottom of a list of six ways for raising money.
and while lobbyists "are people too", most Americans don't seem to feel too sympathetic:
Furthermore, two-thirds of Americans say that candidates who accept money from Washington lobbyists cannot change the way things are done in Washington, and overwhelming majorities say that candidates -- and Hillary Clinton in particular -- should not accept money from lobbyists.
The poll shows acceptance rates for various types of campaign financing, for example:
Individual contributions made by citizens
93 Acceptable
7 Unacceptable
The candidate's own savings
92 Acceptable
7 Unacceptable
and then we get to Washington lobbyists:
Contributions made by Washington lobbyists
23 Acceptable
75 Unacceptable
1 No Opinion
23%! Even the Commander Guy has a higher approval rate.... Once again the people are way ahead of the politicians on this issue, just like they are on any number of issues. And John Edwards is standing right there with them challenging Washington to change its ways and remember who its supposed to represent.
5. "A candidate whom I really admire" - former President Carter praises Edwards in Georgia
Lastly John Edwards was in Georgia today with former President Carter at Georgia Southwestern State University. Carter had some strong words of support for Edwards' issue-driven campaign to transform America:
"I can say without equivocation that no one who is running for president has presented anywhere near as comprehensive and accurate a prediction of what our country ought to do in the field of environmental quality, in the field of health care for those who are not presently insured, for those who struggle with poverty," Carter said.
He didn't (and probably wouldn't for any candidate) say the word "endorsement", but its hard to ask for much better than that from the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president. "Without equivocation" aren't words one chooses lightly. Call it whatever you want, those are some strong words of support from someone who doesn't mince words.
And thats the news for today, hope you enjoyed it! As a diary prize for reading this far, check out CarolinaGirl's latest:
Kids for Edwards - the very best of Iowa
Enjoy!