Elizabeth Edwards: "John is not in favor of a military draft. Never has been."

[Sapphire Blue]

NOT a draft

John is not in favor of a military draft. Never has been. When he was in the Senate and in the 2004 campaign, he proposed a national community service program for high school students, modeled on the program at the public school our older children attended. The habit of public service is one that we want to encourage. Whether that means that high school program or a national public service program for all of us -- even those out of high school -- we know we need to think about it, to get all Americans committed in a real and meaningful way in making America as strong and as compassionate as we can. He saw on the Gulf Coast what committed Americans can accomplish, and he dreams big about how much more we could do.

Join me at http://blog.johnedwards.com

by elizabethedwards on Tue May 22, 2007 at 06:08:17 PM PDT


http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2007/5/22/20657/9795/175#c175

[Lobster Martini]

1. I thought he meant public or community service rather than a draft...

The actual quote is somewhat unclear: "One of the things we ought to be thinking about is some level of mandatory service to our country, so that everybody in America -- not just the poor kids who get sent to war -- are serving this country..."

It does not say "mandatory military service," but you wouldn't know that from the headlines.

[Inspired]

2. Of course he's not in favor of a draft.

Why some choose to put a negative spin on a national call for community action is beyond me. John and Elizabeth Edwards are inspiring.

[elocs]

3. I am undecided, but there are some right here at DU who put a negative spin on it.

Evidently you build up your own Democratic candidate by trying to tear another one down.

[Sapphire Blue]

12. So true.

"Evidently you build up your own Democratic candidate by trying to tear another one down."

Despite all their efforts, it just doesn't seem to work, does it?

[venable]

20. there are people here who just despise Edwards

for reasons having nothing to do with the man himself.

The spin every single thing he says. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.

[wakeme2008]

4. I am tired of ANY DEM calling for a DRAFT...

It is the Repug War Machine that needs it and I do not want Dems BLAMED for it

Go for Edwards.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. So Who Is Supposed to Fight His Wars?

"As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I firmly believe that the issue of Iraq is not about politics. It's about national security. We know that for at least 20 years, Saddam Hussein has obsessively sought weapons of mass destruction through every means available. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons today. He has used them in the past, and he is doing everything he can to build more. Each day he inches closer to his longtime goal of nuclear capability -- a capability that could be less than a year away. " - John Edwards, showing Presidential judgement

[w4rma]

7. Obama and Hillary tacitly supported the IWR-2007.

Obama and Hillary waited until it was safely passed to vote.
Obama and Hillary did not say one word against IWR-2007 until it had been passed and they voted.

Obama said, before Bush began his veto threats, that he would support a bill with no restrictions. And today that's exactly what we have.

If President Bush vetoes an Iraq war spending bill as promised, Congress quickly will provide the money without the withdrawal timeline the White House objects to because no lawmaker "wants to play chicken with our troops," Sen. Barack Obama said Sunday.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/1/135422/4038

And this is all while Bush's and Republican approval is in the toilet and Edwards is strongly speaking out against it and the majority of the nation (rather than 10% of the nation) is opposed to this war.

That is way things stand in the present day.

[MannyGoldstein]

8. Be Serious

You're comparing apples and roadkill, and calling the roadkill an orange.

[w4rma]

9. I am life and death serious. And I am talking about the present. The way things are now. (nt)

[Sapphire Blue]

10. Hi Manny! Thanks for kicking this thread!

Transformational Change For America And The World - JOHN EDWARDS for PRESIDENT 2008

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

"I'm proposing we set a national goal of eliminating poverty in the next 30 years." - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Silence is Betrayal - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Ending Poverty in America

[Czolgosz]

14. There are a few in this forum who will re-hash any right-wing nonsense to tear down a Democrat.

But I'd have missed the thread if it hadn't been troll-kicked.

[Sapphire Blue]

15. Yes, there are.

Those :kick:s do keep a thread visible, don't they? :rofl:

[waiting for hope]

23. He does that so well,

doesn't he? I had replied to him earlier on another thread to "get a life, move on and find a candidate you can support" .... it's somewhat sad, isn't it?

BTW, :kick: and a :thumbsup: and A GREAT BIG :bounce:!!!!

:hi:

[karynnj]

30. This was not IWR 2007

Also, had it failed, the war wouldn't have ended. Congress would have needed to pass something.

[Clark2008]

17. Don't you love how he goes back a day, a week, an entire senate

career later and tries to change what he meant or did or said?

He said this:

"One of the things we ought to be thinking about is some level of mandatory service to our country, so that everybody in America _ not just the poor kids who get sent to war _ are serving this country," he said.

And he thinks folks won't think it's about a draft?

Then, of course, there's all those votes and comments favoring wars in Iraq and Iran...

(BTW, I have no declared primary candidate; therefore, my comments are without any motivation other than I think Edwards isn't the right choice).

[chimpymustgo]

6. Thanks for clarifying the other thread brought to you by the letter *ss.

There is some questionable mental stability involved here.

[Sapphire Blue]

11. You're very welcome.

:rofl:

[Blackhatjack]

13. K & R -- I posted in the other thread my personal knowledge of the High School program you mention..

There is a negative hit squad of posters here that twist and turn phrases against Edwards, because they cannot attack his positions.

Thanks for posting this thread Sapphire!

[Catchawave]

18. I added a comment also about the program my

kids were involved in at their private high schools.

[Blackhatjack]

22. I caught that! .....And it was a good one! n/t

[Catchawave]

25. Small World! (rather respond to you here :)))

My middle child (mentally challenged) qualified for the NC State Special Olympic Games when we were stationed in Camp Lejeune in the early 80's...which were held in Raleigh!

Oh wait..there's more....THE MARINES were volunteers too! We need a lot because it usually requires one on one. I may be on to something...is volunteering for the the Marine Corps AND Special Olympics AT THE SAME TIME unConstitutional ?
:sarcasm:

[Blackhatjack]

28. IMHO Volunteers always get back more than they give.... and they are better people for it

Honestly, how can you put a price tag on that experience?

My son attended the same school as Wade Edwards, and community service has always been an integral part of the program.

IF only there were some way to get ADULTS to engage like this, we would have better citizens --and I suspect more Democrats!

[Catchawave]

29. Volunteerism is truly from the heart...

to this day, my kids keep giving back :loveya:

[Czolgosz]

24. Thanks for bring that point over to this thread.

[Catchawave]

26. You're very welcome....

Whew, huh? I just don't understand some "minds" on DU, I should hide and ignore, but that worries me more.....this is the best place to keep up with current RW spinning and head explosions...LOL.

[jberryhill]

16. If you are drafted, you get a FREE HAIRCUT!

Have you seen the size of an army recruit's HOUSE?

[venable]

19. K&R - anyone who listens to Edwards w/out hatred understands

that he has always made it clear what public service is. It is clear and unequivocal.

I think it's a great and needed idea and I am so impressed that he has the courage to float things like this, in spite of the fact that there are so many out here that want to seize it, misrepresent it, and try to sink the idea just because Edwards name is attached to it.

They are like fleas on a dog, and he's well past worrying about these people. He says what needs to be said.

[Czolgosz]

21. The haters don't want to listen. If Kucinich drops out, I'll probably support Edwards.

[venable]

27. And if Edwards drops out, I'm on Dennis' team.

It's interesting that the most consistent and unequivocal anti-war voice (Dennis) is so supportive of Edwards (and vice-versa), yet the Edwards haters keep telling us that Edwards is the blood-thirsty murderer.

What does Dennis know about Edwards that the haters here don't? Quite a lot, I'd imagine.

[Blackhatjack]

31. If Edwards becomes President, there will be a place for Kucinich in his Administration....

... I would expect Kucinich to wield significant power, most likely in a Cabinet Level Position.

Edwards and Kucinich agree on so much --but that gets glossed over by many anti-Edwards posters.

[Catchawave]

32. I've always supported Dennis's

Department of Peace :grouphug:

[Donald Ian Rankin]

33. Committed and conscripted are antitheses

Getting Americans committed to improving their country, and forcing them to work for it against their will, in ways not of their choosing, are not the same thing, and are indeed arguably opposed goals.