Edwards takes war questions in Elkader

[JohnLocke]

Edwards takes war questions in Elkader
By Janell Bradley--(Cedar Rapids) Iowa Gazette
Saturday, December 15, 2007
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ELKADER — From senior citizens dressed in red, white and blue to farmers in lace-up boots and baseball caps and Main Street business owners, they filled the opera house last night to hear John Edwards offer his vision for the future of America.
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As he has throughout his campaign for the Democratic nomination for president, Edwards advocated universal health care, ending what he calls the U.S. addiction to oil and putting an end to the war in Iraq.
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Edwards responded to questions from the audience, several of which related to ending U.S. presence in Iraq.

"We have to intensify the pressure on the Sunni leadership and make it clear we're going to leave," Edwards said.

He said he would remove all U.S. troops within nine months of taking office. "It's a mistake to keep permanent military bases in Iraq. If we keep troops there, we're painting a target on their backs."

To questions about why he would be a good president for someone who is gay or otherwise a minority, he said, "everybody has equal value. The people who work in the mill are as important as those who own the mill." He added, "You never know when the majority's going to become the minority. I think everybody's entitled to the same opportunities regardless of their sexual orientation or the color of their skin."

"If you support me Jan. 3, I'll give you back the Democratic party, the White House and your country," concluded Edwards.

This was Edwards' second appearance in Elkader this year.

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071215/IOWACAUCUS/312090731/1011/IOWACAUCUS