Edwards Offers Progressive Agenda (Associated Press)

[JohnLocke]

Edwards Offers Progressive Agenda
By Mike Baker--Associated Press
Saturday, December 16, 2006
----
COLUMBIA, S.C.--The crowd packed every pew, every doorway and nearly every foot of floor space inside the little chapel to hear from John Edwards, and it seemed like the perfect place for the former senator and one-time presidential candidate to address his faithful.
Because these days, the North Carolina Democrat is not so much on the stump talking as he is in the pulpit preaching.
"It is not too much to say that the future of the planet is at stake," Edwards told the crowd spilling out of Rutledge Chapel during a recent speech at the University of South Carolina.
(...)
Edwards intends to run in 2008, with an announcement planned late this month in New Orleans, two Democratic officials said Saturday. Edwards' spokesman would not confirm or deny that Edwards was going to enter the race.
The 2004 vice presidential nominee already has a retooled campaign agenda that is unabashedly progressive.
Today, Edwards tosses around phrases such as "universal health care" and "public campaign financing." He criticizes the Bush administration's "convergence of stupidity" on education and demands the immediate withdrawal of thousands of U.S. troops from Iraq.
(...)
Edwards has ditched a moderate health care overhaul in favor of a comprehensive health care plan to cover everyone in the United States--an approach considered politically taboo since President Clinton's failed attempt to create such a system early in his first term.
Edwards also has joined Teamsters President James Hoffa on a Miami picket line and sided with other unions in their fight with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He has campaigned actively for a higher minimum wage and complained about federal bankruptcy laws he says keep people in a cycle of debt.
"Low-income families have been left the furthest behind," Edwards said. "And nobody's been their advocate."
He has embraced proposals for a rigid public campaign finance system aimed at eliminating big money from elections and called for an education policy that removes "every financial barrier" for students who want to go to college.
"Edwards has identified a message area that will give him a niche," said Chris Lehane, a longtime Democratic strategist who has worked on several presidential campaigns. "The issue of poverty reminds people about Democratic values."
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Read the rest here.

[JohnLocke]

1. Kick (nt).

[JohnLocke]

28. Kick (nt).

[JohnLocke]

2. Kick (nt).

[XOKCowboy]

3. A clip of John Edwards speaking at Berkeley...

OK it's RealPlayer (ugh) but watch this guy talk about poverty and human rights. Ya gotta love his passion.

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/10/26_edwards.shtml

[JohnLocke]

4. Wow!

That's a great clip; I hadn't seen it before. Thanks for sharing it.

[Clarkie1]

12. Edwards is excellent on the poverty issue.

I hope his message gets through to a lot of people. I don't think he has the skillset we most need in the white house, but he's a great Democratic adocate for the poor.

I hope middle class voters listen and take his message to heart, whether or not they support him for Commander in Chief.

[JohnLocke]

5. Kick (nt).

[JohnLocke]

6. Kick (nt).

[Clarkie1]

7. I don't like this: "demands immediate withdrawl of thousands of troops from Iraq"

I"d like to hear Edwards strategic reasons for recommending that...besides the political brownie points it might get him with some of his base.

I don't think Edwards knows enough about the world to be Commander in Chief, frankly.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. His (and other anti-war Dems) base is expanding by the hour.

This country got it's ass kicked again, and it's time to admit defeat and get out of the Iraqis country.

[citizen snips]

14. I think his reasons are very clear.

we are losing and it is time to leave.

[Clarkie1]

15. That's too overly simplistic. nt

[citizen snips]

16. I know

but it is the right thing to do.

[Tom Joad]

19. Ilegal aggression means the aggressor must leave immediately.

[Radicalman]

20. What Would You Say To The Mother Of The Last Soldier To Die In This Hopeless Occupation?

Bring then all home now!! They will have to leave sooner or later. Better sooner than later.

[america_in_08]

29. I am so glad to hear he will run.

I can't wait for the official announcement.

John Edwards has been working hard for the everyday Americans. I look forward to seeing him in the Whitehouse 2008. Elizabeth too.

[cali]

23. Of course you don't

You're so committed to Clark that it blinders you. I could easlily retort that Clark doesn't know jack about domestic issues and thus is unqualified to be President. But I won't. They're both good candidates, and Edwards demonstrates his worth with every speech that he makes. Open your eyes.

[onecent]

25. And our current president does???? n/t

[Bluebear]

26. I don't imagine you do, 'Clarkie'.

:)

[judaspriestess]

8. "convergence of stupidity"

that pretty much sums up this admin. Good job!!!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Glad to hear he wants the troops out of Iraq now.

And, I hope he's sincere about it.

[Poiuyt]

11. I think it's good that Edwards is getting his message out there

Candidates like Edwards and Obama need to come out with strong, unambiguous policy statements so people know that they are more than just pretty faces.

[citizen snips]

13. kick

[JohnLocke]

17. Kick (nt).

[JohnLocke]

18. Kick (nt).

[chimpymustgo]

21. JohnLocke, rest your legs! K&R!

Nice piece of news.

[mdmc]

22. Go get em John Boy!

After Kucinich, Gore, and Kerry, he is my favorite.

[sandyd921]

24. He's sounding good on the issues

I'm definitely listening and open to his candidacy.

[onetinsoldier]

27. ill vote for edwards before id vote for hillary or obama

[jazzjunkysue]

30. John can lead. John can win. Kick for John. See John run!!!!!

WoooHoooo!!!!!!!

[Erika]

32. I've seen John work the crowds and he's fantastic

followed only by his wife.

What does the GOP offer? Pretty pathetic.

[jazzjunkysue]

36. I hope I'll get to see him in person. It's not that easy in NYC.

The crowds and tranportation/parking/traffic make it impossible for candidates to come through when I'm available after school. They always skip in and out mid-day when I can't attend.

I've no doubt that he's great with a crowd. Anyone who speaks from the heart, instead of the wallet, should be a huge relief at this point.

[Erika]

31. John has a populist message that will win.

He and his wife are a class act.

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. Single payer making inroads among the candidates

great

[eridani]

37. One reason for that is that Kucinich refused to shut up about it in 2004

[pberq]

34. Kick & Nominated

[The Count]

35. Chris Lehane? Niche? New Orleans? Gotcha!