Edward did speak out on CNN today with Wolf Blitzer...firmly.

[madfloridian]

Since even Olbermann seemed unaware that a candidate had spoken out today on the Iraq bill...here is the CNN transcript of Edwards and Wolf Blitzer. (Edited to below to show correction that Olbermann did mention him.)

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0705/23/sitroom.01.html

He says they should continue to support bills with timetables.

EDWARDS: What I expect them to do is stand their ground, to continue to support bills that have a timetable for withdrawal and to use whatever tools are available to them to prevent a bill going to the president that does not have a timetable for withdrawal.

It's not complicated. That's what the American people want and I think that's what they should do.

More from the transcript.

EDWARDS: I say the president has used this term that he uses over and over -- global war on terror -- as a political slogan. He uses it to justify everything he does -- Guantanamo, the ongoing presence in Iraq, spying on Americans. He uses it to bludgeon people who disagree with him, who dissent and speak out in this democracy against it.

And he doesn't deal with the fact that he's completely devastated our military, both men and women and equipment, during the course of this war in Iraq, made us more vulnerable. And on top of that, he's done incredible damage to the America's moral authority in the world. And it's that strength and moral authority that's required in order for America to lead. That's what the president of the United States has to focus on.

BLITZER: The president has just declassified intelligence, though, suggesting that Osama bin Laden instructed al Qaeda in Iraq to plot attacks against the United States from their sanctuary, from within Iraq.

We're going to be speaking later with Fran Townsend, the president's homeland security director. Don't they have a point when they say al Qaeda in Iraq potentially could represent a huge threat against U.S. interests outside of Iraq?

EDWARDS: Yes, but they created this mess in the Iraq War. And what is Osama bin Laden doing still at large?

ON EDIT: I am told Olbermann did mention Edwards. I did not hear that. I do apologize. I try to be factual.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. KO did mention both Edwards and Dodd as the only candidates

who had come out against the funding bill so far.

[madfloridian]

4. I guess I just caught the comment near the end.

I did not catch that part. Thanks.

[Clark2008]

2. Too bad he didn't have the forethought and vision not to vote

for the damn thing to begin with.

If this were the ONLY time he's changed his mind, I might concede, but he does it all the time. On the PATRIOT Act, on NCLB, on a lot.

[madfloridian]

5. You know what?

You're showing your true colors, and perhaps Clark's "true colors" when so many of you consistently attack one candidate.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I'm a Clark supporter who's leaning towards Edwards

because of his clear antiwar position. If Clark runs I'll reconsider -- but please don't attribute the opinions of some of his supporters to Clark himself. He's beein doing his damndest to stop this thing, working with vets groups.

[madfloridian]

10. Then the pettiness needs to stay off the threads about Edwards

Every time something is posted there have to come the remarks.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Well, there's always a few... but you won't hear it from me.

[madfloridian]

15. Thanks.

:hi:

[ripple]

29. The pettiness doesn't stay off the threads of any other candidate

Edwards isn't somehow immune to fair criticism of his past decisions.

Edwards has the advantage of pointing to the other candidates that hold public office and pointing his finger, saying "I wouldn't do that". In fairness, when he did have the opportunity to cast a vote and even co-sponser a resolution, he certainly didn't carry the point of view he does today. Or, perhaps the public didn't.

Either way, I take Edwards' opinions about other legislators with a large grain of salt.

And I like him, BTW. Not my first choice, but certainly near the top of my list.

[madfloridian]

30. Well, fine with me.

I won't worry about it on threads about others.

[LBJDemocrat]

16. What is it with Clark supporters and Edwards?

It seems that those who are most consistently anti-Edwards are Clark supporters. What's with this?

I for one like both Clark and Edwards, and I'd support Clark over everyone except Edwards, of the major candidates. Is there some serious feud that I don't know about?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

18. Not really. There are a few really vocal supporters for both,

which makes it seems like there's an ongoing feud. But most of us are just happy to have a good declared antiwar candidate (Edwards) and another possible one (Clark).

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. I don't care any more. Let's stop arguing about the IRW and get SOMEBODY to stop the war.

If Edwards can head up a good solid antiwar candidacy then he's my guy. It won't be Hillary, and Obama hasn't commented yet either.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

21. HRC is apparently going to vote for the war

Obama silence suggests he will follow suit, but I am still holding out hope for him.

[Cha]

27. But, hillary isn't a war hawk..

one of her supporters told me that this week. :(

[waiting for hope]

12. Let's see - Patriot Act....

SUNSET PROVISION - look it up.

I'll give you some links....

http://www.cdt.org/security/011011senate.txt (hint, it's lengthy, use you Find Feature with Edwards as your keyword)

Here's another in a nutshell:

http://dotpeople.com/archives/000034.html

[draft_mario_cuomo]

20. It is 2007, not 2002

As far as changing minds goes, at least Edwards didn't go from praising Bush and Cheney at a Republican fundraiser in 2001 (when both parties were courting Clark to run for office in Arkansas) to running for the presidential nomination of the other party just two years later...

[Critters2]

28. But there was that little incident where he sponsored the IWR. nt

[ShortnFiery]

3. Good. I'm thinking about switching from Obama to Edwards.

Perhaps the top two front runners are way too cautious? Perhaps that's how they will lead the country? :scared:

If Obama doesn't speak out soon, I'm going with John Edwards! :-)

[illinoisprogressive]

23. He told the reporters he wanted to read the bill first before he made an official statement.

totally in character. Obama likes to have his information and think before deciding. He is not rush off on a tanget.

[CTLawGuy]

31. READ THE BILL????

If he can't make his decision in 10 seconds, he's useless :crazy: :crazy:

Seriously people wait and see how he votes, I know i am.

[RevCheesehead]

8. Yes, he did!!

The first Dem candidate to do so.
All others are followers, IMO.

[waiting for hope]

14. He's been the first

on so many issues - the rest have to wait until their spin dr's have given it some love.

[RevCheesehead]

9. Keith DID mention Edwards, and Dodd...

closer to the end.

[babylonsister]

13. I saw Edwards on CNN and liked everything he said; and FWIW, I

also heard KO mention him and Dodd.

[madfloridian]

19. I edited it as soon as I found out. Please accept apologies.

I edited.

[madfloridian]

17. CNN Video from this afternoon...Edwards and Wolf.

http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/politics/2007/05/23/blitzer.edwards.interview.cnn

If it doesn't show you may have to click it to remove pop-up blocker.

[illinoisprogressive]

22. I saw that. I especially like the look on his face when Blitzer asked him something.

It was regarding terror and the look was great.

[rodeodance]

24. I heard Edwards today and thought he did just fine!

[Straight Shooter]

25. For the first time since the race began, I am leaning toward a candidate.

John Edwards. I watched the interview with Matt Lauer, and I was impressed with Edwards, except with his too-easy agreement that the Dems caved. Never let the other side frame the debate or you've already lost.

I listened very closely to Edwards and I think he's on the right track about this illegal war. It has to end. All the doom and gloom scenarios are not necessarily true about what will happen if we leave. It's just getting worse and worse and worse.

I'm going to pay real close attention to Edwards ...

[Cha]

26. Good smack downs from Edwards to the little

gop shill, woofie.

"BLITZER: The president has just declassified intelligence, though, suggesting that Osama bin Laden instructed al Qaeda in Iraq to plot attacks against the United States from their sanctuary, from within Iraq."

HOw factual is this? Or did they come up with it as they do everything..i.e. from their Big Lie Tank?

Was there even any "al qaeda" in Iraq at that time?

[Enrique]

32. what he says makes no sense

he's answering in hypotheticals, as if he doesn't know about the compromise. It seems to me a slick little logical trick. Asked, what about the compromise (which already happened), and he answers as if it's something that might or might not happen.

[jsamuel]

33. um, it hasn't been voted on yet

It is still possible for Dems to vote against it.

But anyway, what the heck does that have to do with anything?