Edwards: We Will Right The Wrongs, Make Our Nation The Way We Want It To Be – That's America Rising

[JohnLocke]

Edwards: We Will Right The Wrongs, Make Our Nation The Way We Want It To Be – That's America Rising
Edwards delivers new remarks at launch of eight-day "Main Street Express" bus tour across Iowa
John Edwards for President
Monday, December 10, 2007
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Des Moines, Iowa – Today, as the campaign kicked-off its "Main Street Express" bus tour in Des Moines, Senator John Edwards delivered new remarks relating the challenges and triumphs of his own life to those the country faces right now, and made the case that in the face of powerful interests holding the country back, we will right the wrongs and make our nation the way we want it to be. During the eight-day tour, Edwards will discuss his plans to stand up to the special interests on Wall Street and help hard-working families on Main Street.

"I grew up in a family where my grandmother walked to work at the mill every day wearing her apron," Edwards said. "My grandfather, who was partially paralyzed, hauled rolls of cloth using one arm. My dad worked in those mills for 36 years, my mom worked too – all of them for one reason – to give us a chance to rise up and have a better life.

"That's the greatness of America – the promise that every generation will give its children the chance to rise higher, dream bigger, live greater," Edwards continued. "I took the chances my parents gave me and spent my life fighting to make sure that people just like the people I grew up with had a real chance in the world.

"And that's what drives me now. When I talk about the Two Americas, this is what I mean – the very wealthiest and most powerful have manipulated our government for their own ends. They use their wealth and their power to keep themselves wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else. And when they do that, they're holding America back.

"But that's about to change. You can feel it here in Iowa. Because America can't be held back. Because America belongs to us. When we face obstacles, you know what we do? We get up. We rise up. We right wrongs and we make our nation the way we want it to be. That's what's happening in this election. That's what's happening here in Iowa. That's America Rising."

Tuesday, the "Main Street Express" makes stops in Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine. Wednesday, Edwards will hold events in Iowa City, Grinnell and then back in Des Monies. Thursday, he'll participate in the Des Moines Register Presidential Debate in Johnston, Iowa, followed with a community meeting in Indianola. On Friday, the "Main Street Express" stops in Manchester and Elkader, and on Saturday, in Dubuque, Cedar Falls and Mason City. Sunday and Monday, Edwards will hold community meetings in Ames, Colfax, Ottumwa, Fairfield and Cedar Rapids.

Edwards has outlined a clear vision for America with bold plans to help middle-class and working families achieve the American Dream. From guaranteeing universal health care to revitalizing rural communities and making sure trade policies help, not hurt, workers, Edwards has proposed specific ideas to build One America, where all Americans can get ahead. Edwards has laid out his plans in an 80-page book, "The Plan to Build One America," which allows caucus goers to learn more about his ideas and find out exactly where he stands on the important issues facing our country.

Edwards will be joined during portions of the trip by acclaimed actors Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon. Robbins will join Edwards on Wednesday and Bacon will join Edwards and perform at events on Saturday and on Sunday in Ames.

For a complete list of events, please visit http://www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa.

Excerpts from Edwards' prepared remarks are included below.
http://johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20071210-america-rising/
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America Rising
December 10, 2007
Excerpts From prepared remarks

"I grew up in a family where my grandmother walked to work at the mill every day wearing her apron. My grandfather, who was partially paralyzed, hauled rolls of cloth using one arm. My dad worked in those mills for 36 years, my mom worked too – all of them for one reason – to give us a chance to rise up and have a better life.

"That's the greatness of America – the promise that every generation will give its children the chance to rise higher, dream bigger, live greater. I took the chances my parents gave me and spent my life fighting to make sure that people just like the people I grew up with had a real chance in the world. When indifferent, irresponsible corporations knocked them down, I was there to help them rise up.

"And that's what drives me now. When I talk about the Two Americas, this is what I mean – the very wealthiest and most powerful have manipulated our government for their own ends. They use their wealth and their power to keep themselves wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else. And when they do that, they're holding America back.

"But that's about to change. You can feel it here in Iowa. Because America can't be held back. Because America belongs to us.

"When we face obstacles, you know what we do? We get up. We rise up. We right wrongs and we make our nation the way we want it to be. That's what's happening in this election. That's what's happening here in Iowa. America is rising.

"When we lift 37 million Americans out of poverty – that's America Rising. When we guarantee universal health care for every man, woman, and child in America – that's America Rising. When we stop reckless trade deals that send American jobs overseas and create great jobs here – that's America Rising. When we can look James Lowe in the eye and say with conviction, what you lived through will never happen again in our America – that's America Rising."

http://johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20071210-america-rising/

[PresidentObama]

1. K&R

[LSparkle]

2. Great concept: "America Rising"

I've been waiting all campaign season for Edwards to tie up all the loose ends of his various proposals and observations into one GREAT fucking campaign speech -- he's been getting closer and closer each time I hear him (I thought the recent speech about "the wall around Washington" was another in a series of "warm-ups") -- and now it looks like he's finally winding up and getting ready to let that pitch fly -- right out of the park!

[frazzled]

3. Funny ...

It's that kind of corny language -- like "America Rising" and "Main Street Express"--that make listening to Edwards kind of like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. I always feel like I'm watching an ad featuring the local car salesman from 1965 on the black and white TV. I guess it all boils down to how different people perceive things, and personal taste. You say potato, I say po-tah-to, you know.

[LSparkle]

4. I wish I could morph Kucinich and Edwards

I think Edwards suffers from his accent and his good looks, frankly. Is it his delivery or what he's saying that turns you off? (And I'm not spoiling for a fight, just curious because I really do think if Edwards were a bit more rumpled and came from the northeast or midwest, he'd have an easier time, even if he were still a wealthy former lawyer.)

[frazzled]

5. I think it's a bit of both

I'll admit the accent throws me--and I'm married to a native South Carolinian. (Though those snobby Charlestonians always like to talk about how North Carolinians speak "Geechee"). But Jimmy Carter's accent never bothered me. I always feel like Edwards puts it on a bit.

But it's also what he is saying, and this goes back to 2003-04 for me. I always felt my intelligence was being insulted with all the "son of a mill worker" and "two Americas" stuff. I'd be happier if he just spoke about economic inequality in a way that didn't try to make it sound like he's talking to third graders or the mentally deficient. There's a bit of the revivalist, Elmer Gantry, in it, and that is not something I cotton to easily.

But mostly, what he says irritates me because I can not square it either with his personal life accomplishments or his Senate record. There is nothing in his past actions that supports anything I hear him currently saying--and I tend to look at what people do more than what they say. So, lacking any evidence besides what he says, there is a huge credibility gap for me there. And an experience gap. So, yeah, the accent bothers me ... but it probably wouldn't at all if I were able to see an experienced public servant who had displayed good judgment and consistent action, or at least an enlightened evolution ... as opposed to just a politician pandering for votes.

Sorry ... I know everyone sees it differently, but given that there really aren't that many significant policy differences among the candidates, things like character, style, credibility, experience, etc. become important in people's decisions.

[LSparkle]

7. I really appreciated your post -- that was very well put

I think you're right about Edwards putting it on a bit thick -- it's probably him reverting to the "smooth trial lawyer" in him. But I guess I hold out some hope that he has evolved (not just pandered like a politician). I think his efforts after the '04 election (establishing the poverty center at UNC) were prescient, considering the financial inequalities revealed by Katrina so that's a plus in my book. However, I will admit I'm not as familiar with his Senate voting record as I should be, because that may be a guide for how he might eventually govern (regardless of the campaign slogans).

Again, thanks for the honest input!

[madmunchie]

10. You are so right.....

Look at what he says, how he says it and what he does and there isn't much of a match up.

His voting so sponsoring and voting for the IWR, in favor of Bankruptcy Bill, in favor of Patriot Act, in favor of H1-B Visas, Yucca Mtn, Voting Rights.....speak of a JE with a split personality #1 being his campaign personality, #2 being his actual activity as a public servant.

OPPULENT PERSONAL LIFESTYLE + HEDGEFUND INVESTMENT ISSUES + "I'M THE SON OF A MILL WORKER + HIS VOTES WHILE IN THE SENATE = QUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY, QUESTIONABLE CREDIBILITY AND QUESTIONABLE CHARACTER

[Hieronymus]

15. Seems like you're rationalizing your dislike of Edwards....

Fortunately, Edwards has the best chance of winning against any republican.

[The Traveler]

21. Edwards and Kucinich

Have clearly identified the chief problem that confronts America. There will be no solution to the health care crisis, no meaningful progress towards energy independence, no sensible reformation of trade policy, and above all no useful adaptation to climate change no restrictions placed upon its cause, unless this principle issue is addressed.

Plainly, that issue is the concentration of power achieved by those most wealthy, and the near total abandonment of social responsibility by those who supervise the processes of politics in this country.

I have read in this thread there are no significant differences in policy between the Democratic candidates. Crap. Pure and simple. Differences there are aplenty. Hours and hours of sane, rational debate can be had on those differences ... to dismiss them so lightly seems disrespectful to me. And in the context of what I deem to be the Prime Issue, their differences are quite clear.

[frazzled]

24. I simply disagree that Edwards is credible on that issue

As I have stated, there is nothing I can see that he has done, at any point in his career, legal or political, that reinforces what he is saying. Indeed, there is a lot of evidence to the contrary: his Senate record.


I absolutely believe the concentration of wealth is a a major problem: I have trouble buying it from a hedge-fund advisor and investor up to his ears in the sub-prime mess. So he can say whatever he wants: to me, it's like Mitt Romney trying to convince conservatives that he his totally anti-abortion after years of claiming to be pro-choice. How can you put your trust in someone like that. Where's the collateral?

[GreenArrow]

8. It's Reaganesque

an idealized, pollyanna, Horatio Alger view of America that comes across to me as phoney, manipulative, and downright cloying.

[Cameron27]

11. You've nailed the adjectives,

what was that phrase you used during the debate? I should have written it down.

[GreenArrow]

12. unctuously earnest?

Earnestly unctuous?

One or the other. Or both.

[Cameron27]

13. Either!

Thanks, I'm saving both right now!

[GreenArrow]

17. de nada

He's gettin' 'em where he wants 'em.

[Inspired]

18. What? America rising is a great theme.

[asdjrocky]

6. Proud to be #5 for this!

[frogmarch]

9. And it bears repeating that

Edwards is the only Dem candidate who can beat any repub they throw at us.

Thanks for a great post, JohnLocke.

K&R

[Chrisy5558]

14. He is ok

I like John Edwards. I like what he has to say. He would be an acceptable candidate to me.

I don't think he is going to get the nomination though and we will have to get behind the candidate who ever that person is so that a Democrat can get elected and become President in 2008.

[Hieronymus]

16. Do you think Hillary would get behind the nominee?

[David Zephyr]

19. John Edwards and Barack Obama both have the optimistic message.

This is, no doubt, a great part of his appeal. Americans like John Edwards.

[depakid]

23. With one major difference

Obama is naive about "concilliation" with the far right.

Rather like Neville Chamberlain or Robert Menzies.

[1932]

20. It blows me away that he said this:

"And that's what drives me now. When I talk about the Two Americas, this is what I mean – the very wealthiest and most powerful have manipulated our government for their own ends. They use their wealth and their power to keep themselves wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else. And when they do that, they're holding America back.

I don't think truer words have been spoken about America by a person with a real chance of winning the presidency.

[frazzled]

22. He certainly knoweth of what he speaketh

Putting over $7 million of his fortune into the Fortress Investments hedge fund, from which he also drew a salary of nearly $500,000 when he worked there in 2005.

Let's see, that part about "they use their wealth and power to keep themselves wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else." Was that knowledge he gleaned from the fund's purchase of scandal-ridden sub-prime giant Green Tree (something he surely knew about, since the fund had bought it in 2003, and it represented 4% of its holdings )? Would the people losing their homes and the damage to the general economy be the "expense" that everyone else has paid for Mr. Edwards's investment?

Good god, I can't believe people lap up this snake oil.