Any other Edwards supporters feeling split at the moment?

[Armstead]

Wondering how many Edwards supporters are going through the same soul searching I am.

I decided on Edwards a while back. Other than Kucinich, he is the candidate whose positions and message most closely match my own. It's vital for candidates (and elected officials) to finally acknowledge the core problems of concentration of wealth and power, the dominance of monopolistic corporations, the erosion of the middle class and the invisibility of the poor. That basic progressive populism ought to be the platform of the Democratic Party.

The more I saw of him, the more I came to believe it was the right decision. He is the real deal, and although his rhetoric is sometimes repetitious, he actually has a very three-dimensional view of the world and issues. I also believe he feels what he says in his gut, and has the passion to actually fight to make a positive difference.

However, he's not catching on, for reasons that I don't think are all his fault -- most of all the MSM's avoidence of him, and the Democratic Establishment's fear of him. In any case, he is not getting traction. Instead, he is slipping. If he had come closer to Clinton and Obama in New Hampshire, I might feel differently. But he didn't.

So I find myself facing a dilemma. Do I stick with him, and hope he makes a turnaround? Do I stick with him, and hope that at least he will influence the final campaigns, and force Clinton and Obama to at least pay some attention to these issues?

Or do I settle for half a loaf, and settle on Obama? He's too bland and centrist for me, but he at least is more progressive than Hillary. And he is a change from the Clinton Dynasty, and might be more independent from the DLC/Centrist Sufficators of liberalism/

Realistically, if Edwards stays in it to the end (or near the end) he would likely dilute the votes for Obama, and make it more likely that Clinton will become the nominee.

Wish I had an easy answer to all of this. How are other Edwards supporters thinking about all of this?

[we can do it]

1. Nope All the Way John

[Peregrine Took]

24. Me, too, but he very much needs to "re-tool" his campaign message to

the "Two America's" and stay away from the solely middle class and health care themes.

On the latter he sounds too much like an ambulance chaser.

[onehandle]

2. Edwards to the convention. nt

[itsrobert]

4. and to the WHITE HOUSE!

GO!!! JOHN!!! GO!!!

[EFerrari]

8. You bet!

Go, John!

[onehandle]

22. Yeah, I've got to stop saying that.

I'm just quoting his announcement last week.

To the White House!

[Snotcicles]

It's only been eight damn days since the primarys started. nt

[Yael]

9. Thank you

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. Nope. All the crap slinging around here has made my decision even firmer.

I'm a populist at heart anyway. :)

[Superman Returns]

5. my take

Vote Edwards to make a statement. Vote Obama to make a difference. The choice is yours.

[we can do it]

146. Hope Is On the Way?

So if we just hope all will be better?

[Yael]

6. Not split at all.

His delegates will innfluence the party in August regardless if he isn't chosen.

I have picked Obama as my #2 because Clinton's entire schtick is the polar opposite of what the Senator is stumping on.

I am with John until he tells me to go elsewhere.

[Fresh_Start]

7. John all the way

putting the human citizens interests above that of the corporate interests....is the most important battle out there

[Yael]

11. Why yes, yes it is.

[Fresh_Start]

40. Fellow Edwards supporters, I'm so happy to hear you're in for

the whole race.

I managed to convert a Paul supporter to Edwards.

[Yael]

45. Cudos!!!

:applause:

[RevCheesehead]

10. I feel an obligation to vote my conscious, MY choice.

By the time primaries get to Wisconsin, it's usually all over.
Regardless, I'm voting for John.

[waiting for hope]

12. Armstead - there are 48 more states to

go - why, oh why, jump ship now? When is your states primary? Stick with him. I have faith that things are going to turn around - we have already seen how the Clinton campaign and the Obama campaign can implode over small things, Edwards is running an excellent campaign and he has good people surrounding him. I find it horrid that there are posters here saying he's done and to vote for ________ (you get it). Edwards is the fighter I want in the White House because I know he will fight for us.

But hey, that's my opinion, you are entitled to yours. Good luck with your soul searching.

[jackson_dem]

13. I am with Edwards until the end. Don't buy the Obama campaign's meme!!!!

There is as much evidence to suggest Edwards' support will go to Hillary if he exits as their is to suggest it will go to Obama. This is a shameful meme being promoted by the Obama campaign intended to reduce Edwards' support by scaring the anti-Hillary faction of Edwarians and delegitmitize him in the eyes of the media by making him just a spoiler.

[jenmito]

35. It's not a meme. It's true. I can show you polls that show it's true. The reason it seemed

like the fewer votes Edwards got, the more Hillary got, was because of the effect Edwards' comments (about Hillary's tears) had on women, making them angry at him and turning to her. But the fact that only Hillary takes PAC money and lobbyists' money, along with the fact that she's the "status quo" while Edwards and Obama are the change candidates points to more Edwards supporters going to Obama.

[robinlynne]

37. Have you counted the difference between the machine counts and the hand counts yet?

[jenmito]

41. Hopefully that will soon happen. I will donate to help it happen. n/t

[patrice]

53. Polls/Quantitative descriptions aren't even half of the truth. nt

[zalinda]

57. Yes, but you forget about us atheists

who hate to be preached at. I haven't been able to listen to the President speak for 7 years, and I don't want to have to turn off a dem President too. I hate to listen to Obama, he makes my head hurt and reminds me of when I was forced to go to church.

zalinda

[jenmito]

102. I'M an atheist. He always includes "non-believers" when he mentions different religions.

Bush excludes us. Obama includes us.

[zalinda]

118. He SOUNDS like a preacher...........duh! n/t

[jenmito]

129. "Duh"? Do you listen to his words while he SOUNDS like a preacher?

Think about it.

[zalinda]

132. No, I can't. He gives me a headache.

He doesn't make sense. It's all feel good crap. If he ever says anything concrete it gets lost. His words would make a great Miss America speech though. If I HAVE to work at finding out what a candidate stands for, then he's not a good candidate. The average American voter has to have info spoon fed to them, and he just doesn't do it. But, the the average American voter more than likely will lap up the feel good crap, since they are feeling depressed.

zalinda

[jenmito]

138. So...you say you can't listen to him, doesn't make sense, sounds like a preacher,

but somehow you "know" he's hostile to us atheists? Those statements don't add up.

[zalinda]

139. You apparently didn't read my initial post

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR A PREACHER, when I go to hear a Presidential candidate. And, just to be clear, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT RELIGION, ANY RELIGION, a President should NEVER talk about religion.

zalinda

[Liz7]

142. I'm with you on that

[jackson_dem]

68. Some polls show the opposite that most Edwards supporters' will go to Hillary

In truth they will split fairly evenly with only a small lean in one direction. The Great Hope of the Candidate of Hope that Edwards 18% nationally will transfer over to him if only they can somehow eliminate Edwards is a fantasy. Obamites must be getting desperate. The new JFK with $100 million and so much inspiration, hope, charisma, hope, vision, and hope needs Edwards (and Republican and independent votes in open primaries) to beat Hillary?

Oh, and where was this precious desire for unity and having one candidate to stand against Clinton when Obama ran at the last moment? If it was so vital Obama should have kept his promise to Illinois, finished a term, and let Edwards go up against Hillary.

[jenmito]

104. Got an example of one?

What a joke, trying to hold him to his "promise to Illinois" to finish his term. They understand, I'm sure, just like Hillary's constituents understood (I'm one). If they're mad at him they won't vote for him.

[jackson_dem]

141. I don't archive polls. Has the Obama campaign shown any polls to support is meme?

[spooky3]

100. many women didn't like Obama's "likeable enough" comment

as evidenced by posts on DU and other websites.

So this anecdote offsets yours.

[jenmito]

106. That doesn't offset the fact that his positions are closer to Edwards than Clinton's are. n/t

[spooky3]

113. some may be, but that doesn't support your

point. People who liked Edwards' positions voted for Edwards in New Hampshire.

In New Hampshire, many of the undecideds that would have gone to Obama may have gone to Clinton because of his debate behavior, just as some might not have liked Edwards' debate behavior. We just don't know.

As for what Edwards' supporters might do in the future, you might be interested in this article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080112/ap_po/the_edwardians

[jenmito]

116. Thanks. Your article backs up what I said:

"Barack Obama, with his outsider's message of change, looks like a logical second choice for those attracted to Edwards' pledge to fight special interests and corporate greed.

Indeed, Edwards voters in Iowa favored Obama over Clinton as their second choice by a nearly two-to-one margin in caucus-night surveys. And Edwards supporters in New Hampshire reported they had a far more favorable impression of Obama than of Clinton, according election-night surveys there."

ibid

[spooky3]

120. but the only *national* poll reported in it does not:

"A mid-December survey of voters nationally conducted for the AP and Yahoo News found that Edwards supporters split about evenly between Clinton and Obama when asked which candidate would be their second choice. Clinton and Obama each were the second choices of about 27 percent of Edwards supporters. Another 28 percent were unsure who would be their second choice, and the rest were thinly scattered among other candidates."

[MollieBradford]

144. nope

Obama takes the same money Clinton does, he's just sneaky about it. She is more honest.. one good reason to support her. And there was a poll the other day that shows a majority of Edwards supporters go to her when he is out of the race.

She is both more progressive and more populist than Obama, who is basically the black Joe Lieberman reaching out to the right just when we have no reason to.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

14. I'm sticking.

WHY?

I think the differences between Edwards and Obama are greater than the differences between Obama and Hillary.

So, I'm sticking for now.

I will happily vote for the other two in the general election. I just don't think they'll fight as hard to push as far.

[comradebillyboy]

31. good observation

the political positions of Obama and Clinton are quite similar, and I say this as a Clinton supporter.

[LibraLiz1973]

86. 10,000,000% RIGHT ON

[jgraz]

15. I strongly suggest sticking with Edwards -- here's why

A close look at Obama's record makes me think that he will not be that much different than Hillary. Some things will be better, some will be worse, but we'll still have a corporatist in the White House.

Edwards probably won't be the nominee (sorry, it sucks but it's true), but he can have a HUGH influence on whomever ends up winning. If he succeeds in building a real populist movement, you could see both of the frontrunners dragged kicking and screaming to the left.

[tired_old_fireman]

16. A week ago all the talk was that Hilary was done.

Her supporters showed some backbone in New Hampshire and voted for her despite the punditry. Now look at her. Nobody was written off more than McCain. Look at him.

[Greylyn58]

17. Nope, John is my guy and I'm sticking with him

[Triana]

126. off topic: I love the puppy-dog! (n/t)

[JuniperLea]

18. Nope... I'm just now jumping on the bandwagon~!!!

I'm sure I'm not the only one. I've been undecided until very recently, and I'm sure there are many, many more just like me.

Vote your conscience in the primary!!! You have nothing to lose!

[goldcanyonaz]

19. I'm a supporter of another candidate, but I think you should stay with Edwards.

It ain't over till it's over, and as we have seen in this primary, anything can happen.

[jenmito]

38. That's because you know Edwards helps Hillary. n/t

[goldcanyonaz]

How presumptuous to think that Edwards supports will go with Obama.

I don't presume anything, I was being honest.

No one should have to jump ship if their candidate is in the race.

[jenmito]

46. It's not a presumption. It's a combination of polls and common sense. n/t

[goldcanyonaz]

51. Alright, you win, this thread wasn't about Obama, or Clinton. nm

[spooky3]

73. care to link the polls that show who Edwards supporters would

choose if he is no longer in the race and Clinton and Obama are?

I have not seen any such polls and would be very interested in them.

[spooky3]

95. Coincidentally, an article just posted notes a poll from Dec - even split

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080112/ap_po/the_edwardians

"A mid-December survey of voters nationally conducted for the AP and Yahoo News found that Edwards supporters split about evenly between Clinton and Obama when asked which candidate would be their second choice. Clinton and Obama each were the second choices of about 27 percent of Edwards supporters. Another 28 percent were unsure who would be their second choice, and the rest were thinly scattered among other candidates."

[jenmito]

114. I can't find a poll or the statement that I posted a few times before saying Edwards' supporters'

2nd choice is largely for Obama and vice versa. But I DID find this:

"On second-choice support:

Among Edwards supporters, 43 percent said they would make Obama their second choice, up from 32 percent who said so in July."

http://cmondisplay.com/search/choice+support

[spooky3]

121. thanks

I like data.

This one is just Iowa also.

It will be interesting to see what happens over time.

[LostinVA]

47. There's no reason to be snarky -- that's not the reason -- I agree with the poster

Everyone should stick with their candidate until the bitter end.

And, from my own personal acquaintances, Edwards takes more votes from HRC than Obama.

[Horse with no Name]

20. Nope.

The only candidates that I have chosen to side with have represented the people.
I refuse to support one that only supports the corporations.
Not a hard decision at all.

[Inspired]

21. I'm sticking with Edwards. I couldn't stand myself I didn't. n/t

[patrice]

23. No doubts. I'm for John. Or un-committed.

Nothing has changed. The reasons I support Edwards are not negotiable.

[Marrah_G]

25. Nope- I am with him until he says otherwise- if he drops I will support Clinton

[ShadesOfGrey]

27. Same here Marrah! nt

[balantz]

26. I'm putting my vote for change,

and Edwards is the only one of the three who really means to make that change happen.

[Madam Mossfern]

44. I'm sticking with Edwards

and I will continue to convince others around me (not in the cyberworld) to go with him too. It works. What the media neglects, we an do on a personal basis. I convince one person at work and they speak with their spouses and their friends, and the circle of influence widens. Because of the lack of media coverage, many are surprised that he is a viable candidate. That's what the MSM wants everyone to think. When I speak to them about Edwards and let them know that he's in and in for real, the are encouraged. It's up to us to spread the word that Edwards is IN!

[balantz]

67. Absolutely!

When people hear what he is all about they seem relieved that they actually have Edwards as a choice.

[femmocrat]

28. I am sticking with Edwards for now.

By the time the primaries get to PA (April), it will be all over anyhow.

But, if Clinton is the nominee, I will write-in Gore. I have already decided that.

[Yael]

48. I am in PA as well.

Don't give up on John. He needs the delegates for the convention.

:hug:

[bpeale]

63. and i will happily write in EDWARDS!!!

[LibraLiz1973]

87. Me too

[David Zephyr]

29. Don't give up on John!

You know I'm supporting Obama, but John Edwards will now have his moment in a narrowed field to show his stuff and, honestly, I think he will pull Obama and Hillary more to the Left (I've posted here much about this).

Armstead, stand by your man. He's worth it.

[smokey nj]

30. Nope. I'll support John Edwards as long as he's in the race.

[caligirl]

32. Been there, for now I plan to stick with him, his influence on the party platform

will be significant should Hilary win. However, in California if it looks like she is winning I will vote for Obama. if your in a smaller state with few delegates say stay with him. I'm looking at 441 delegates. Thats a ton for Hilary. So I won't vote for Edwards if it means she would get a significant number.

[catnhatnh]

33. That's right....the MSM and pundits are telling the tale....

including the part about John Edwards "hurting Obama". So why the hell buy it??? Do you think Obama is truly losing anything by having a second voice that supports almost every point he makes AND MORE? While Edwards stays in two vibrant voices are telling the country our underclass is getting screwed and that it is time to turn left. Doesn't that aid the perception that Hilliary is the one out of touch with America?
Make no mistake, the right is willing to cede the White House-but NOT to Edwards.
All I need to know about the Clinton candidacy was Bill promising to grab GHW and tell the rest of the world "We're open for business" and all he left off the quote was "as USUAL". Obama as a Democrat is an improvement but John Edwards is the prize.
And don't give up...the fight is not nearly over-now is the time to match your candidates spine with your own. Do you like the man? Do you trust him? If so stop worrying about what to do and follow his lead, that's what leaders are for.

[vanboggie]

34. I'm sticking with Edwards

If he doesn't make it, I have to do some very serious soul searching as I can't think of one other candidate I want to vote for. I hope this isn't the first time in my life I don't bother to vote. If it's not John Edwards, though, I think I'll throw in the towel. After all these years of raging against the machine, the machine will have finally won.

[2hip]

78. Here's the voting solution

I can't imagine not voting yet I refuse to support Obama or Clinton so I'll cast a write-in vote for Edwards if he's not the official nominee. I'm with Edwards to the very end!



              Edwards '08 tees!

[vanboggie]

105. Good idea

Nice shirts, too :hi:

[robinlynne]

36. Don't be so sure. The fat lady aint singing yet...

[Yael]

50. 'xactly

[Catchawave]

39. Not. At. All.

He's worth fighting for, I'm patient. :hi:

[spooky3]

42. I would not assume that he is diluting the votes for Obama.

For many Edwards voters, Obama is not the 2nd choice at this time. Is there any evidence to the contrary?

I think there are many things that can happen between now and Feb. 5 at the very least. Something may come up that greatly changes how the voters perceive any of the three candidates.

We've learned from Iowa and New Hampshire that polls aren't always spot on, and despite the best efforts of the media to influence rather than merely report, voters will make up their own minds and may just surprise you.

[goldcanyonaz]

49. Some Obama supporters here automatically assume that Edwards supporters will go with Obama.

What would happen if Edwards supporters stayed home and he came within winning distance? Anything can happen in this primary season, we had proof both in Iowa and New Hampshire. If Edwards wins one of the next few states, he's in!

[Yael]

52. I think it is a broad base assumption as well; however

Obama is MUCH closer to Edward's theology than Clinton is -- may be why you are seeing this here.

[spooky3]

69. in some ways, but there are a lot of female supporters of

Edwards who are convinced that sexism remains a huge problem in the culture, and that the recent treatment of Clinton in the media has reminded them of how far we have to go on that point.

There are also other factors--to many of us, Clinton has far more impressive experience than does Obama, for example, and we know she and her machine are more than enough of a match for the Rovian et al. machine.

I'm not trying to argue that one or the other SHOULD be #2 vs. #3, but just that there are a lot of reasons not to make that broad based assumption.

[goldcanyonaz]

74. Thanks Spooky, for the well thought out post. I appreciate your opinion.

[spooky3]

88. thanks!

:hi:

[Yael]

76. I don't think that sexism is an issue at all. I am hearing (and am in the camp)

of being honored to vote for a female president. Just not the DLC one.

:hi:

[spooky3]

82. well, I do think it is an issue.

:hi:

and Edwards' platform certainly indicates that he believes there is work to be done in this area.



John Edwards for President

Click Here to Print
SAVE THIS | EMAIL THIS | Close

Elizabeth Edwards Unveils "Promise To American Women"

Campaign Launches New, Innovative Push to Expand Women for Edwards Organization

Knoxville, Iowa Today, Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards is beginning a two-day trip to Iowa to discuss Senator John Edwards' "Promise to American Women"—his agenda to ensure equality, health and economic security for women. Over the next two days, Mrs. Edwards is holding community meetings in Knoxville, Newton, Grinnell, Tama and Ankeny to talk about Senator Edwards' detailed plans to build One America, where everyone—regardless of race, gender or income—has the chance to work hard and get ahead.

In addition to announcing Senator Edwards' "Promise to American Women," the campaign is also launching an Iowa Women for Edwards website (http://johnedwards.com/iowa/women) to engage women in Senator Edwards' campaign to build One America. The website allows visitors to read more about Senator Edwards' positions on issues important to women and download fact sheets; sign up to support the campaign and invite their friends, neighbors, coworkers, mothers, sisters and daughters to do the same; locate the nearest Iowa campaign office and sign up to volunteer; view videos, including an in-depth conversation with Mrs. Edwards about her husband of 30 years; and read testimonials from Iowa women who are supporting Senator Edwards.

In May, the Edwards campaign launched Iowa Women for Edwards with more than 1,500 women from all 99 counties in Iowa. Iowa Women for Edwards is the largest women's group of any campaign.

Millions of working women struggle to balance their jobs with the needs of their families. Today, more than 17 million adult women lack health insurance and women are 48 percent more likely to live in poverty. Senator Edwards believes that to build a larger, more secure middle class we must do more to strengthen families, ensure fairness for women in the workplace and protect women's rights.

Senator Edwards' "Promise to American Women" will:

* Ensure economic security for women by helping women balance work and family, so parents will not have to choose between their families and their paychecks. Senator Edwards will provide women greater flexibility in the workplace, lead the way towards universal pre-school and help women increase their retirement savings. He also has an ambitious plan to end poverty, which disproportionately affects women.
* Promote women's equality and civil rights by protecting a woman's right to choose, fighting workplace discrimination and ending violence against women.
* Guarantee health care for every woman in America through his plan for truly universal health care. Senator Edwards will also increase funding for research for the diseases that affect women disproportionately, such as breast cancer and other types of cancer.

For more information on Senator Edwards' "Promise to American Women," please read the attached fact sheet.
An Agenda for American Women

"Building One America means ensuring that women can make choices in their lives with dignity and can participate in our society fully, as equals. The reality of women's lives today is still something far less. They are expected to do more, and they receive less. That's not right."-- John Edwards

American women still face greater challenges in the workplace and greater responsibilities at home. They make only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, and mothers -- particularly single mothers -- do even worse. Women are 48 percent more likely to live in poverty. More than 17 million adult women lack health insurance. Millions of working women struggle to balance their jobs with the needs of their families. John Edwards believes that -- to build a larger, more secure middle class -- we must do more to strengthen families, help ensure fairness for women in the workplace and protect women's rights.
Economic Security

Helping Women Balance Work and Family: Two-thirds of mothers are working, most of them full time. More and more families are caring for their aging parents. But our workplace and public policies have not kept up with this new reality. Edwards will:

* Give women time off when they need it by requiring businesses to offer seven paid sick days a year. Edwards will expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover more workers and help states offer paid leave so parents will not have to choose between their families and their paychecks.
* Create a Great Promise early childhood education program for every four-year-old. For younger children, he will expand the child care tax credit and create a Smart Start initiative to improve child care quality and affordability.
* Help families caring for their parents by expanding access to home health care, creating more choices for long-term care and offering respite care to provide caregivers a break.

Securing Women's Retirement: Women are more likely to depend on Social Security for most of their retirement income, even though their annual benefits average only 70 percent of men's. Edwards will help women and other Americans increase their retirement savings by offering a new Get Ahead credit that will match families' retirement savings up to dollar for dollar. He will also examine ways to modernize Social Security to compensate women who pay less into Social Security because they are caring for children or other family members instead of working.

Ending Poverty within a Generation: Fifty-six percent of the nearly 37 million Americans living in poverty are female. John Edwards has called for an end to poverty within 30 years, through policies rooted in the core American values of work, opportunity and responsibility. He has proposed an ambitious set of goals, including lower taxes for low-income working families, 1 million stepping stone jobs, new housing policies to promote economic integration and other initiatives to promote education, savings and strong families. To help the 100 million out-of-school children -- the majority of whom are girls -- around the world, he will lead a worldwide effort to educate every child.

Raising the Minimum Wage: Women are nearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers. A woman with two children working full-time at the $5.85 federal minimum-wage lives nearly 30 percent below the poverty line. Because the recent increase to $7.25 by 2009 is too little, too late, Edwards will give 8 million women a raise by increasing the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2012 and indexing it to increase automatically.
Women's Equality and Civil Rights

Protecting Women's Right to Choose: The decision about whether to become a parent is one of the most important decisions that a woman can face. Edwards believes that she should make it with her family, her doctor and in the context of her religious and ethical values. He will protect and defend the right to choose and reverse the damage that has been done by President Bush's anti-choice agenda.

Fighting Workplace Discrimination: Edwards supports the Paycheck Fairness Act to strengthen the remedies for sex discrimination and deter wrongdoing. He will expand resources for female entrepreneurs through his new REACH Fund and by prioritizing the needs of women-owned businesses in existing programs. Edwards will also strengthen enforcement at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and will restore and expand women's right to fight workplace discrimination by overturning the Ledbetter decision that limited women's ability to challenge unfair pay

Ending Violence Against Women: Achieving full equal rights for women includes the right to be free of violence everywhere. Edwards supports efforts to fully fund the Violence Against Women Act, which provides resources for crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and continuing education to law enforcement and the courts. Edwards will also aggressively support political and economic rights for women where they do not exist and supports efforts to reduce violence against women and children around the world.
Women's Health

Guaranteeing Health Care for Every Woman in America: Two-thirds of uninsured women fail to get the care they need because of its cost. For example, while more than 40,000 women die from breast cancer every year, more than half of uninsured women have not had a mammogram for two years. Edwards will take on the big insurance and drug companies and guarantee true universal health care for every man, woman and child in America. His plan requires employers to cover their workers or help pay the cost; makes insurance affordable for middle-class families through new subsidies and purchasing pools; creates a choice of competing plans, including a public plan and -- once insurance is affordable -- requires individuals to get insurance.

Strengthening America's Research Agenda: More research is needed into the diseases that affect women disproportionately, such as breast cancer and other types of cancer. Edwards supports doubling funding for key priorities at the National Institutes of Health and supports the innovative Department of Defense breast cancer research initiative. Edwards will lift also restrictions and increase funding for embryonic stem cell research, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines to prevent human cloning.



Find this article at:
http://www.johnedwards.com/news/headlines/20071102-promise-to-american-women/index.html

[waiting for hope]

94. Edwards is the man with the plans -

The type of plans I (as a woman and a mother) would like to see implemented.

[goodgd_yall]

84. I'm one

I felt a visceral response toward the sexism shown toward Clinton. It did affect my switch from Edwards. I actually have not been happy with his attitude toward Hillary.

[spooky3]

65. well, I would challenge them to produce the evidence of that

[caligirl]

58. I'm watching things until the 5th. Til then I'm with edwards.

[goodgd_yall]

43. Every time I post this, I catch hell, but here goes

I was in your same dilemma even before NH---started to rethink my support for John. I decided to change my support because, looking ahead, I don't really see him "catching on," as you say. The states with large numbers of delegates aren't going with him. I imagine he'll be a distant 3rd in all of them. So, because I see the race between Obama and Clinton at this point, I want to have a say in which of them becomes our nominee and that is why I switched.

[caligirl]

59. So did you pick Obama?

[goodgd_yall]

66. No, so there goes that assumption.

[zalinda]

54. Sticking with Edwards n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

55. Not split at all.

I'm staying with him until the end.

[bpeale]

56. ABSOLUTELY NOT! i don't care what anyone says, i'll stick with john

thank you very much

[frogmarch]

60. I'm with John all the way.

By the way, he already is influencing the Clinton and Obama campaigns. Did you watch KO tonight?

[Emillereid]

61. If Edwards is still in the race when California primary is held and still doesn't have a

prayer I will probably vote for Obama to stop Hillary. I think she is dangerous -- my mind was made up after I watched her pandering, warmongering speech to AIPAC a while back. She takes more money from the pro-Israeli lobby than just about anyone. Also she is just too cozy with corporations. Plus, I fear she can not win -- her negatives are just too high. I have talked to so many people who would come out to vote, just to vote against her as well as many Democrats like me who will have a hard time pulling a lever for her -- and probably just won't vote.

[phillysuse]

62. Not me, I'm with John all the way to Denver

Edwards has succeeded in pushing the progressive debate. His was the first health care plan and is the best.

I laughed when I heard Obama starting to talk about the special interests and cleaning up Washington.

He's been in Washington - what's he done to clean up the lobbyists and special interests while he has been there.

Edwards pushes Obama and Clinton to the left and at the very least will shape the Democratic Party platform.

Go Johnny go!!

[balantz]

64. I look forward to the next debate,

because once again the M$M will have to give him an opportunity to tell America what he has planned. And with each debate the fire comes out more. This next one, with just the three, should be a good one! :kick:

[redwitch]

70. He will have my vote.

Ultimately, I will vote for the Dem nominee whoever that is. I hope it is John.

[2hip]

71. Life's too short to "settle"

We bitch at our Dem Congress for not having any backbone, so I encourage you to stand your ground and stand for Edwards!



              Edwards '08 tees!

[Catchawave]

109. Exactly ! Edwards has spine!

...and Welcome to the DU :toast:

[nradisic]

72. not at all....

Go John. John Edwards is going to the Convention as the king maker. Obama and Hillary will both have more delegates than John, but not enough to get the nomination. Edwards will be holding about 20%+ of the delegates and he will be the king maker. It will be Obama/Edwards.

[troubleinwinter]

75. My support becomes stronger for Edwards every single day.

[LibraLiz1973]

89. Your right. The more I find out about the candidates every day, the more I like support him.

[stickernation]

77. sticking with John through 2012 !!!

...given that my confidence that Hillary or Barack can win in the General is at an all-time low, and given my understanding of how bloody STUPID and LED BY THE NOSE the Democratic electorate has been so far according to polling, and given the DEEP TREASON that Edwards is fighting and the UNETHICAL TACTICS wielded by interest groups like the DLC, my confidence in our victory this November is trending downwards.

therefore Edwards in 2012, you better believe it. of course still fervently hoping for a miracle THIS YEAR, and that is why Edwards supporters are flooding the alternative media and working our own networks.

please obama and hillary supporters, give me a reason to support your candidate in the General other than "he/she isn't a repugnican" and "he/she is polling well" and "he/she is ethnic/a woman" and "he/she has washington experience " and "CHANGE ! FIRED UP !"

until then it is Y'ALL that should switch to EDWARDS !!!!!!!!!!

[whatdoyouthink]

79. Put all your Chips In

it ain't over (yet) and what better way to force them to listen to US (at the convention)

Stay Progressive - your not alone

John Edwards 2008

[GreenTea]

80. Get real...stop whining!

Stick with your convictions if you have any?


It's about delegates...Edwards has 18, Hillary 24, Obama 25 - republican owned news pushing Obama & Hillary?

Is it republican owned Time-Warner(CNN) that you watch, or is it Viacom (CBS) how about Disney (ABC) no, than General Electric ((NBC, MSNBC), I know it ultra right-wing Rupert Murdoch channel (Fox)...All huge contributor to the republican party, with republican CEO and editors...

Edward is going to the convention....If he can pick up the kind of money Obama & Hillary have and are spending he'll win.

Obama spend over nine million in Iowa and Edwards is able to spend three million....If you say it doesn't make a difference, than why in the fuck is Obama spending almost ten million dollars in such a tiny state?

[LibraLiz1973]

90. Umm, best fucking graphic EVER!!!

[GreenTea]

97. Take it and use it in your post!!

[Armstead]

91. I certainly have convictions

My only conflict is how to advance them.

[ladjf]

81. I'm going to stay with him till he says he's out. I'm even going to

send some more money.

[LibraLiz1973]

83. Nope. John wont quit on US so I wont quit on him

I'm not turning on him because the MSM wont give him traction.
I'll be voting my conscience.

[LWolf]

85. Please stick with the candidate you feel best about.

If that's Edwards, stick with him. How are candidates we WANT to elect ever going to have a chance, or even decide to run, if we don't support them when they do?

[Seabiscuit]

92. Staying with Edwards until the convention as he picks up delegates along the way

You do what you need to do, but giving Edwards our vote in the primary ensures he gets delegates going into the convention if he is not the nominee. The delegates and Edwards ensure that we at least get some of our agenda on healthcare, jobs, global warming etc. into the national platform of the eventual nominee. I think that Edwards will be in a power broker position at that point to throw his delegates any way he chooses.

[Two Americas]

93. stop worrying about yourself

Edwards is speaking for millions of people, the left out and left behind, the suffering and the marginalized. This is not about him nor his fortunes in any election, and it most certainly is not about little old you or me and how we cast our one vote.

No one cares what your or my personal preference is. Politics is not a personal pursuit of self-actualization. It is about the suffering of others and responding to that as decent and compassionate human beings or it is about nothing worth giving any thought or effort to.

Edwards is calling us to think about others and to care about the plight of others, not to obsess over ourselves. You can't predict how that might affect the political landscape. Anything can happen. Edwards' efforts - if we don't quit and crawl away with our tails between out legs at the first setback - could cause dramatic conversions in the other candidates or their supporters.

This battle is not going to go away. Why postpone it? Fighting for the message of Edwards to be heard does not hurt the party, the country nor the other candidates.

If we don't fight this fight now, when will we fight it? If we don't do it, who do we expect to do it for us?

[Armstead]

98. This is a discussion board -- We're here to think out loud

While I don't disagree with your underlying premise, I don't think that slamming someone for discussing on a discussion board is the way to advance your argument.

[Two Americas]

110. absolutely

That is how I took your post - thinking out loud - and that is what I did, as well.

I am not slamming you, my friend. You expressed how you are feeling, and I did the same. Consider what I said; that is all I ask. I considered what you said.

[Armstead]

96. I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT I AM IN THE MINORITY ON THIS

It's good to see that so many are staying with Edwards.

Just to make clear, my dilemma is not about Edwards. I really want him to win.

But given the odds, I also have a gut-level desire not to see us regress totally back to the Clinton Centrism of the 90's again. I don't want to see a V-Chip campaign, where only the safest and innocuous stances are advanced, while the underlying problems are allowed to continue to fester.

Maybe Obama will turn out to be equally wambly. But at least he is a fresh start, and more likely to be open to the influence of progressive/liberal influences.

[Labors of Hercules]

122. Stay with Edwards. He knows what he's doing.

And it's all good.

[avaistheone1]

99. I feel stronger than ever that Edwards is the right choice.

Also Edwards has proven he is smart enough not to get into this Clinton/Obama fray.

[alittlelark]

101. Nope.

I can keep on hoping.

The other 3 I really liked have left the race.

[The Backlash Cometh]

103. I have no where else to go.

To old to believe any body else will make a difference, too scarred to waste time on self-delusion.

[asdjrocky]

107. I have great respect for you Armstead-

I think you know that. Here's my take, if I start a fight, I'll finish it. How has that worked out for me? Well I have to tell you, I've never backed a winner in the primary, and I've always been disappointed in the choice I had in the end. I understand you have to search your soul, I've invested a lot personally in this race, and I've done some soul searching myself.

That has been my life as a a member of the Democratic Party.

But for me, to sleep at night, I always vote my heart. I'm in it until John does something to change my mind. And my resolve has only gotten stronger in the passing days.

[pamela]

108. My support wavered...

for about 10 seconds the other day. Then I got good and pissed off-at the DLC for pedaling that crap, the media for pushing it and myself for even considering it.

The only dilemma any of us is facing is whether or not we should bend over for another corporate screwing. No, thanks.

[mirrera]

111. He is only a few delegates behind. It is a 3 way race regardless of the perception management...

don't buy it. In the general it is different. This is not a 3rd party split. It is a 3 way race...all the way.

[Rowdyboy]

112. My states primary is March 4th...If Edwards is still running, he has my vote-regardless....

If he withdraws before then its a tossup for me between Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

[raincity_calling]

115. Sticking with Edwards

I am sticking with Edwards to the very end. He has changed the discussion amongst the candidates and will continue to do so. He is speaking on our behalf, and if he loses our support, then we lose our voice. I feel Nevada's unions have betrayed Edwards, and I don't want to do the same.

Furthermore, I was just reminded that Edwards supports a ban on DRE touch screens. I just wish we could get him to talk about it. http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4217

[Lebam in LA]

117. He should not drop out

I am not sure who to support, but I would really like it if more of the country were involved in choosing our candidate. 2 states have spoken. Why has anybody dropped out? I really do not want our candidate selected by 1% of us.

[pacalo]

119. Edwards all the way.

[Gloria]

123. NO! Especially after hearing Eleanor Clift, media tool, refer to him as

a "SIDESHOW" tonight on the McLaughlin Group! And musing about how different the race would be if JE wasn't splitting the anti-Hillary vote with Obama...as if JE just shouldn't be doing that...he's a "spoiler" in her words. Spolier for whom? HER????? WTF????? This is what the CORPORATE MEDIA is doing....and old Clarence what's his name then states without skipping a beat that Obama and Hillary are basically the same...but would he dare mention that there is a candidate challenging the insiders? NOPE...

What tools!!!! It makes me so angry, I could spit! I'm writing in JE in November....

[ginchinchili]

124. Stick with your candidate to the end.

[usregimechange]

125. I did after NH and I made my choice.

[JDPriestly]

127. I was taught to do what I believe is right.

I believe it is right to stick with Edwards. He is the only candidate promising to get out of Iraq in one year. He is the only candidate with a good plan for rural America. He is the only candidate who promises to stop giving tax breaks to businesses that outsource. He is the only candidate who is serious about changing the trade agreements so that American jobs and the America economy are protected. He is the only candidate who has a plan to really get universal healthcare enacted. He is the only candidate who has promised to investigate the war profiteering and corruption. He is the only candidate for me.

[waiting for hope]

128. Don't forget his Green Jobs

and Global Warming initiatives!

[OwnedByFerrets]

130. NFW!!! All the way with JE!!!!

[cascadiance]

131. Stick with him!....

As long as we stay with him, we'll have *brokering* power in the convention if noone gets a majority. And who knows, even if Edwards doesn't get it, perhaps at that point we could persuade Gore to get in the race too.

Just don't let them swallow you up like they are doing the mounds of DLC acquired bribery cash!

[ThoughtCriminal]

133. My Primary History

Udall, Hart, Tsongas, Clark, Edwards...

See the pattern? It is indeed frustrating, but I'm sticking with my favorite.

[Danger Mouse]

134. Stick with it. It's not over till it's over. Don't listen to the media...

or Obama and Hillary supporters and their gloating.

[readmoreoften]

135. No way. Obama is not a progressive candidate. He's not "half an Edwards"

He's can economic centrist who's willing to work with the neoconservatives on foreign policy, who was against Iraq because he didn't think we should be intervening in Iraq, per se. He wants to expand American influence (including large corporate interest) into global hot spots.

He's a man with a great speech writer, and he's going along to get along with the progressive position papers he has buried on his site. But it's obvious that his real commitment is to "expanding American freedom around the world." A kinder, gentler Bush with a more moderate domestic policy than religious conservatives, but one who will appease them. About the same (or less so) as Clinton on economics. I don't want to bargain with the devil (Kristol/Kagan) to save Darfur because what will start out as a peacekeeping mission of goodwill will end with Blackwater slaughter of innocents and the global corporations taking African resources behind our backs.

We are not ready for more global intervention. Not yet. Not for years. And we absolutely cannot do it in tandem with the neoconservative movement.

Hillary and Obama are both moderates (Obama moreso although his rhetoric is less so) but Obama is a different kind of moderate-- very possible the kind of moderate who will give the devil his due. And then the devil will take over from there.

We cannot have bipartisanship. We must take America back and change direction.

[TheFarseer]

136. yes, jump ship for Obama

Obama is much closer to what I want than Hillary. Edwards just isn't going to happen. I really like Edwards. I donated to Edwards, but you see Obama copying some of the things JE is talking about and you see Hillary trying to discredit him. Which one do you think will listen to folks like you and me? I don't know if I can take 6+ months of Hillary's intense pandering to Right-wingers in an attempt to get elected after wrapping up the nomination. I love Edwards, but he's apparently not going to win.

[EndElectoral]

137. Edwards and Kuccinich are the only two progressives running. I'll write in if neither win.

[Tennessee Gal]

140. Still for John.

That will not change.

[Liz7]

143. not split

I'm with him all the way. Don't let the mainstream media decide for you.

Only two states have held primaries so far. And he came in second in Iowa. He is by no means done.

[Ninga]

145. I'm a solid supporter for Edwards.