John Edwards: We cannot replace a group of corporate Republicans with a group of corporate Democrats

[LBJDemocrat]

"The choice for our party could not be more clear. We cannot replace a group of corporate Republicans with a group of corporate Democrats, just swapping the Washington insiders of one party for the Washington insiders of the other.

The American people deserve to know that their presidency is not for sale, the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent, and lobbyist money can no longer influence policy in the House or the Senate. "

...

"I have a bold plan to finally guarantee true universal health care for every single American and cut health care costs for everyone. My plan will require everyone -- business, government and individuals -- to contribute something to reach universal coverage. And I am honest about the cost: $90 to $120 billion a year, and I'll pay for it by repealing the Bush tax cuts for families above $200,000. If we end the game in Washington, we can finally have a health care system that treats the health of all our people with equal worth."

...

"Trade policy is all about corporate profits for big multinationals and not at all about lifting workers' wages or creating American jobs."

...

"It's time we put our economy back in line with our values. Let's restore fairness to our tax code by insisting on a simple principle -- nobody in the middle class should pay higher taxes on the money they make from hard work than the wealthiest pay on the money they make from their investments. Let's restore opportunity and responsibility to our trade policy by requiring that every new trade deal puts workers and wages first. Let's reward work by strengthening unions, raising the minimum wage, cutting taxes on working families and with a national commitment to end poverty within a generation.

And let's support our troops and end this war in Iraq. We should immediately withdraw 40-50,000 combat troops immediately and have the rest out in about a year. And when President Bush refuses to act, Congress should use its funding power to force him to act. "


http://johnedwards.com/news/speeches/20070823-hanover-speech/

The only other Democratic candidate who focuses as much on the working American is Dennis Kucinich. John Edwards's campaign is quite possibly the best chance for the Democratic Party to reform itself, and it's a shame that certain Democrats spit on him.

[brentspeak]

1. k and r

:kick:

Edwards 2008

[jsamuel]

2. See part of this speech HERE:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=49107&mesg_id=49107

[nebenaube]

3. there you go... Edwards gets my vote...

Unless Al has time to wing it...

[draft_mario_cuomo]

4. You're right. Edwards and Kucinich are the only ones focusing on such issues

Others prefer to coast off of personality or biography while running essentially issueless campaigns.

[LBJDemocrat]

6. I don't get some people

When we nominate a candidate, we're also nominating a platform. Democrats in Congressional races will largely need to either adopt the platform. When will they open their eyes?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

7. Exactly. They seem to prefer a candidate shooting 3 pointers over what they would do if they won

Obama has released a much hyped video shooting a 3 pointer but won't tell us how many troops (is it 25,000? 50,000? 75,000?) he will keep in Iraq for an unspecified length of time. Obama's top strategist has publicly stated that the BO campaign will emphasize personality and that issues are not that important.

[Ninga]

5. He keeps getting better and better.

[rndmprsn]

8. Amen!

K+R

[monmouth]

9. I'm starting to really like him more and more also.

[smoogatz]

10. Now he's talking my language.

My God, close your eyes and he's practically Howard Dean.

[durrrty libby]

13. Exactly ...which tells me that he doesn't have a prayer's chance in hell

[loudsue]

17. He is using language that will rally the greed-heads to fight hard.

The media and newspapers will hammer him for saying such blasphemy against the superwealthy who want all the marbles for themselves.

That's why we need to REALLY RISE UP and WISE UP and get this man elected.

:kick::kick::kick: & R

[Jack Bone]

11. K&R

:headbang: :yourock: :applause: :patriot:

[FreakinDJ]

12. Got to Love this guy

Man does he "Nail It" again

[Demeter]

14. John's My Candidate!

And this just reinforces that decision.

[Ron Green]

31. Kucinich is my candidate, but Edwards really CAN win this thing.

[eridani]

35. So, if you are in a caucus state

--show the flag for Kucinich at the precinct level. You can shift strategy and go with Edwards at the county and state level. Kucinich has a stronger statement of Edwards' positions--if you want a kitten, ask for a pony.

[LibertyorDeath]

15. Tell it John !!

Rec!!

[pacalo]

16. This is music to my ears!

"Trade policy is all about corporate profits for big multinationals and not at all about lifting workers' wages or creating American jobs."

[RevolutionStartsNow]

18. I'm sure I will get smacked down for this...

but I believe if we nominate (and elect) John Edwards, we will be electing a true liberal.

I didn't use to think so, but he has grown so much, away from the DC consultants and insiders that he was influenced by as a young Senator, and at heart I think he's true For-the-People Liberal.

[bobbolink]

39. No smacking here! He's an RFK liberal!

Yes, he has grown. He was too conservative for me in '04, but.... he's really going out there now!

I'm remembering that in '04, Kucinich worked a deal with Edwards. I'm beginning to understand just how much alike they are.

Except that Edwards is stronger on poverty issues, which is why he's my candidate now, and not Kucinich!

For-The-People Liberal... yes, that's Edwards now!

[Senator]

19. He Needs To Apologize for "Lincoln Bedroom" Fast

You do not pick up RNC cudgels and start swinging them around.

This is a huge error and he needs to correct it. It may already be too late.

----

[pioneer111]

27. It is not an error - Edwards is right

It points out that we have our corporate Democrats too. Didn't Bill sign on with NAFTA?
It didn't look so bad then compared to now because the dot.com boom masked things.
But the Democrats stopped looking out for the regular guys and started to look after the corporations.
Bill also allowed for the big media mergers and so we have Murdoch raising funds for Hillary.
The defense of the Lincoln Bedroom use was that everybody did it.
Of course Bush has been the worst.

[Senator]

40. Edwards is "right wing" == intentional or not

It's never good for our side to parrot RNC talking points. There are better ways to fight "internal" battles.

The flying monkeys are already all over it -- damaging the party brand.

---

[TheUnspeakable]

20. k&r

[autorank]

21. Watch corporate media attack "class war" "hair cut" "class war" - screw them, break media trusts

It is on, good for him!

[mod mom]

32. Yep. Good for Edwards.

Populism is going to win it for the Dems.

:hi:

[Triana]

22. This man makes me proud on an almost daily basis...

...to be a progressive.

But you KNOW the Repubes and the corprats (ie: the plutocracy) ARE going to be lined up with their guns and money to shoot him down, shut him down and shut him up in every possible way they can. I think the swiftboating of John Kerry will pale in comparison.

John Edwards is a BIG threat to the status quo that keeps corporate predatory profiteering operations going off the backs of working people, the troops, consumers, etc. As President, he'd be an even bigger threat. BANK on the fact that they will do all in their power to keep this man from being our nominee and to keep him out of the White House.

It's gonna get REALLY UGLY.

I LIKE the way he is distinguishing himself from other candidates. He's doing a damn good job of it.

[Kolesar]

23. And I don't want Robert Ruin running our economy

Hillary

[draft_mario_cuomo]

28. Rubin's son is one of Obama's big Wall Street backers...

Don't be so quick to assume Rubin would only influence a Clinton administration...

[Kolesar]

43. Like the conspiracy guy used to say on "King of the Hill"

"that's a thinker, Hank"

[ooglymoogly]

24. kr...nt

[AzDar]

25. I know I'm sold (pardon the pun)....

:kick:
GO JOHN!!!!

[AllyCat]

26. Ain't that the truth!

I hope this doesn't turn into another flame fest with a locked thread. I'd like to be able to read this stuff.

For God's sake he's right. CorpoDem supporters, read and think about it.

[Greyhound]

29. I do like the things this guy says, he and Dennis are on a similar track.

It seems like they should work together, Edwards has the looks, manner, and accent to attract the flock, Dennis has the better plans to accomplish their shared goals.

ETA: :kick: & R

[Ken Burch]

38. This might be a good combination:

Edwards as president...Kucinich as Commerce Secretary...

This would let Edwards combine both the Southern common appeal he has with the FDR big ideas, and let Kucinich take on Henry Wallace's old job and run it in the man from Iowa's tradition.

[zalinda]

30. Obviously, from all the different posts

on the candidates, there are people here who support one candate over the other. May I make a suggestion? If you want your candidate to win, why don't you do a DVD of his/her speeches to give away. You could set up a table at a supermarket or such and just give them away. Blank DVD's are cheap, and this would be a way to show your candidates platform.

zalinda

[Quixote1818]

34. Good suggestion

You might want to start a thread and fill people in on that idea.

[Ikonoklast]

33. I'm starting to think that Edwards/Kucinich sounds pretty good

He needs to hammer this speech into the electorate's brain until they can repeat it in their sleep.

This is *the* winning platform, not "business as usual" Corprocratic business toadying.

[WTF cubed]

36. Man, Edwards is spot on and my choice in the run offs

America needs this man right now.

[usregimechange]

37. kick!

[Vidar]

41. I'm still for Kucinich. but my respect for Edward is rising.

[Perry Logan]

42. This link will change all that...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3476268