Welcome to Wednesday's edition of the Edwards Evening News! As usual lots of news today including tonight's debate, here's the quick rundown:
1. New Hampshire Democratic debate tonight!
2. "Big Change, Real Ideas" winner announded: Kathy Grimes
3. Edwards Statement On Tentative Agreement Between The U.A.W. And G.M.
4. Upcoming events
Read on over the flap ....
1. New Hampshire Democratic debate tonight!
Hope everyone will check out the New Hampshire debate tonight at 9pm Est on MSNBC. If you don't have cable, check out the live stream. Edwards supporters are having debate watch parties tonight throughout New Hampshire in over 50 locations tonight as well as over 40 in Iowa. Elizabeth Edwards talked some about tonight's debate on Hardball:
And tonight Elizabeth will have a special guest joining her to watch the debate: New Hampshire voter Laurie McCray, who won the recent House Meeting Contest.
Feel free to liveblog here as the debate continues.
UPDATES: On the big issue of today regarding the resolution on Iran, Edwards is very clear - he learned his lesson:
Edwards on Iran:
Edwards on Iraq:
2. "Big Change, Real Ideas" winner announded: Kathy Grimes
And not to leave Iowa out, Iowa caucus-goer and Newton resident Kathy Grimes was announced as the winner of the "Big Change, Real Ideas" drawing from the Tom Harkin Steak Fry today. Here's little more about that:
During the Harkin Steak Fry on September 16th, the campaign handed out "Big Change from John Edwards" - large papers coins that gave Iowans the opportunity to write Senator Edwards a message about what change they want for our country. Grimes wrote that she would like to see change on health care. Attendees dropped off the completed coins at the "Big Change for America" jar at the John Edwards for President campaign table, and were entered into the drawing. Additionally, supporters who were unable to attend the Steak Fry were able to enter the contest and tell Senator Edwards their ideas for change through the JohnEdwards.com/Iowa website. More than 1,000 people from across Iowa participated and submitted their ideas.
Here's a bit from the Steak Fry she went to:
3. Edwards Statement On Tentative Agreement Between The U.A.W. And G.M.
John Edwards had been planning on walking with striking UAW workers today to further show his support and further ratcheting up the pressure on GM; he's walked over 200 picket lines so that wasn't really a surprise. Today however, the UAW and GM seemed to have reached a tentative agreement. Here's Edwards' statement on it; note how he clearly realizes how central the issues of universal health care and job security are for union members and all Americans and how the two issues are linked together:
"I am pleased to hear of today's tentative agreement between the United Auto Workers and General Motors. I honor the strength and solidarity shown by 73,000 U.A.W. members who walked the line to get a deal that protects their jobs and honors the standards they have created over decades. This process illustrates that collective bargaining works, and I am happy that both sides are satisfied with today's outcome.
"This settlement highlights the significance of two issues that every worker in America is concerned about – health care and job security. I am encouraged that U.A.W. members have won promises of job security in an era where our government's trade policies are undercutting and exporting jobs that pay living wages. I believe that unionized American autoworkers, if given the chance, can compete with workers from anywhere to produce the most modern and energy efficient vehicles in the world.
"The challenges faced by both sides on the issue of health care remind all of us that our nation remains constrained by our shortsighted approach to securing care for our workers, retirees and families. Until America joins the rest of the industrialized, developed world in providing universal care, we will continue to make our companies less competitive in the global market, and our workers and families will remain at great risk of joining the 47 million Americans who have no health care coverage. I know that America can do better, and I believe that U.A.W. members and retirees join all Americans in wanting real change in Washington that protects good jobs and provides universal health care for everyone."
Like noone else, John Edwards seems to "get it". Although the UAW and SEIU haven't endorsed yet, Edwards has tremendous support among the rank and file - and its not surprising why:
SEIU members voted overwhelmingly in favor of Edwards:
John Edwards: 54%
Barack Obama: 19%
Hillary Clinton: 17%
Undecided: 10%
4. Upcoming events
A heck of a lot going on in the next few days in the Edwards campaign, as usual. Here's just the next couple of days:
MTV/MySpace Presidential Dialogue with John Edwards
Sep 27, 2007
12:00 p.m.
John Edwards will take part in the first MTV/MySpace Presidential Dialogue, moderated by MTV News' SuChin Pak and Gideon Yago as well as WashingtonPost.com's Chris Cillizza. Here's a preview of what to expect.
The entire dialogue event will be webcast live (at noon ET) through both MTV.com and MySpaceTV.com, and will then be rebroadcast on mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, later in the day. For more information, visit think.mtv.com.
Economic Fairness Town Hall
Sep 27, 2007, 5:30 p.m.
Salyards Center for the Arts
100 Main Street
Conway, New Hampshire
Bluegrass Concert with John Edwards
Sep 27, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: The Bluegrass Brothers, Ralph Stanley II, and Former Congressman Ben "Cooter" Jones
NH Community College
Cafeteria, 2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH 03570
Economic Fairness Town Hall
Sep 28, 2007, 11:15 a.m.
Economic Fairness Town Hall and Bluegrass Concert
Littleton community House
120 Main St.
Littleton, NH
Economic Fairness Town Hall
Sep 28, 2007, 1:45 p.m.
Economic Fairness Town Hall and Bluegrass Concert
NH Community Tech College
1 College Drive
Claremont, NH
Small Change for Big Change
Sep 28, 2007, 5:30 p.m.
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #189
1250 Kinnear Road
Columbus, OH 43212
and lastly check out another good review of Edwards' education plan for your reading pleasure along with a good summary.
If you think Edwards is leading the debate on issues in the Democratic primary, won't you help him continue with a donation?