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Thank you Sen. Edwards and Rep. Kucinich
During the last week, two Democratic Presidential candidates have decided to end their campaigns. Regardless of whether you supported John Edwards or Dennis Kucinich, all of us owe them our gratitude for what they have accomplished. Sen. Edwards and Rep. Kucinich were clear on the issues, put their convictions above the spin of the Beltway pundits, and spoke truth to power. If you watched the debates, you knew where they stood on the issues. You knew what kind of people they were, and you were clear on what they would try to accomplish if their campaigns for President were successful.
We hope the remaining presidential candidates understand that they have an opportunity to demonstrate to the voters that they have the same qualities as John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich. That they are committed to getting our troops home from Iraq, committed to affordable health care for every American, and committed to the sacrifice that we all must make to clean up our environment, political system, and a whole host of other challenges that our country faces.
John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich may not be running for president, but they have plenty of backbone. They have challenged the culture of incumbency and every American is better for this.
Our best wishes and support go to each of these fine candidates and their extended families. We hope the remaining candidates will carry their torch; because only the Party that Empowers will be IN power.
Finally, please remember our engagement in the remaining primaries is critical. In the case of the February 5th primaries, all of the delegates are allocated proportionally. What we do going forward will directly impact the delegate count, so, it is critical that we keep up the pressure to put forth the progressive agenda.
Our best to you all!
Jim Dean
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and so is Jim first
and his nicely-worded blog thread regarding what Dennis and John brought to this presidential election cycle.
Barack Obama:
John Edwards has spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn’t popular to do or covered in the news. At a time when our politics is too focused on who’s up and who’s down, he made a nation focus again on who matters – the New Orleans child without a home, the West Virginia miner without a job, the families who live in that other America that is not seen or heard or talked about by our leaders in Washington. John and Elizabeth Edwards have always believed deeply that we can change this – that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose. So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America.
It is a loss to Democrats, to the country and to progressives for him to drop out. Sending my best thoughts to John Edwards and Elizabeth in this tough time.
BTW, it's a little odd for DFA to post this BEFORE the official announcement by John Edwards.
And don't try to court people when they are in mourning and trying to deal with this news. It is counter-productive.
t
11:54 a.m.
thanks jim for the post.
the Virginia primary is Feb 12, so we are in play. I will keep u updated on goings on in Va.
I am helping to set up the 3rd District Congressional Convention here in Newport News.
I will be a delegate to our state convention too. We will be having our state convention here in Hampton , Va. which is huge for our local committees.
I will also be at our annual JJ Gala on Feb 8 & 9. I am excited that the remaining candidates will be there - Barack and Hillary. Should be exciting.
I am also going to get the grassroots award for the 3rd District of Virginia, Each district gets to nominate someone who does the most work for the Democratic party. That be me from the 3rd this year. What a surprise as I wanted to nominate someone from our committee.
Thanks John Edwards for all your hard work.
and this is gettng absolutely rediculous for the blog to be jumping. Is this intentional or what??
Hillary celebrates Florida with her buddies, Bill Nelson, Alcee Hastings, Mayor Diaz, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Bill Nelson declared victory ahead for Florida. Picture and articles.
Jean wrote "first, my name is Jean'. second, I wrote: 'what he STANDS for', not what he DID stand for."
Well, you certainly know your name better than I do. I'm really sorry and I hate when I do that.
This is just pro forma, but why does what Edwards purportedly stands for matter more to you than what he stood for? Of course tense makes a difference. It makes a difference, for example, whether you take a stand in favor of a decision to invade a foreign sovereign when the decision is about to made and your opinion has some affect on the outcome, or after it has been made and your stand is, for all intents and purposes, pointless.
In Gore, Dean and Obama's case, they were vocally against the war in spite of having no vote to cast, although Dean and Obama were potentially putting their candidacies on the line by taking such a stand.
In the case of Bob Graham and some other Senate Democrats, the decision was timely and potentially had an effect on his candidacy; it's hard to say. But in the case of Kerry and Edwards, their stand both affected the outcome of the vote and helped, in their mind, to preserve their candidacies. Eventually, Kerry regretted his vote in spite of Edwards' exhortations for him to remain firm. Edwards eventually regretted his vote as well, after he lost the election and was forced to reassess his position in pursuit of a second one.
Just as a theory, I would suggest opposing the war at the time of a vote to authorize it would be preferable to favoring it, and opposing the war when you have an actual say in the decision, is preferable to opposing it after the decision is made and the deadly consequences have been unleashed.
Barack has been against the Iraq War from day 1. It does not bother me that he voted for funding of the war. He has stated time and again he did this to support the men and women in Iraq, it was not in support of the war. I believe Edward Kennedy and Barbara Boxer voted against the Iraq War, but has voted to fund.
This is MHO.
And I posted at HEP about those pesky Florida delegates.
http://howardempowered.blogspot.com/2008/01/actually-hillary.html
I am obviously stunned
- - - - - - -- - - -
Why would he stay:
- No money raising ability
- Distant third finishes
- No free media
- Ignored by the voters
- He supported the War
- Old DLC guy
- Democrats need to pick a winner and move on to face McCain
Attorney General Mukasey, seemingly recalling that the A.G. is not the President's A.G., now asserts that the American people are his clients. While this is consistent with many government agencies defining themselves as providing a service to customers, stating the relationship between the governed and their agents in commercial terms is inappropriate.
It's clear that lots of people consider a public corporation (town, city, state) as little more than a competitor with private corporations, whom these same people consider more qualified to deliver the requisite services. This is a mistaken understanding. The mission of government is quite different in that it's purpose is to deal with the major and minor disasters that mother nature and human behaviors bring us and to do so on an equitable basis.
The definition of government as a matter of consensus, rather than a coercive force, is still evolving. We need to keep in mind that all citizens were not able to participate as consensual members until the landmark civil rights acts of the 1960s.
Barack has been against the Iraq War from day 1. It does not bother me that he voted for funding of the war.
It bothers me. But, as always, the manipulative primary system has eliminated my choices even before I get to cast a ballot. So between Obama and the Clintons, for me it's a no brainer -- Obama who stood against Bush when Hillary repeatedly stood with him.
The best reason to stay in was to deny Clinton 50% simply by the math of it. She is odds on favorite now and will energize the Republicans and lead to President McCain.
other than that carry on
Here's a robocall from Clinton against Edwards in S. Carolina. She obviously thought his candidacy hurt her support. BTW, this call is not any different from some of you here and your tactics. Think about it.
Clinton robocalls hit Edwards
Guess he's still relevant enough to merit a robocall from Hillary that hits him on policy and character.
Here's the call (.mp3), and here's the transcript, from The Page:
Hello, This is the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign.
Before you vote on Saturday, you should know that John Edwards voted for permanent trade relations with China. That’s right, John Edwards voted for the bill that cost thousands of jobs. Like the ones in the textile mills he talks about so much down here.
You should also know that John Edwards made nearly a half a million dollars working for a Wall Street investment fund. A fund that’s been profiting on foreclosing on the homes of families; including 100 homes right here in South Carolina. That’s according to The State newspaper. Here in South Carolina, Edwards says he’s one of us, but up on Wall Street he was just another one of them.
Can you trust John Edwards?
* rdorgan
Wed, 01/30/08
Please stop with the false sentiments. It is insincere and manipulative. Your attacks against both are well-documented here. Now the sudden change in attitude? Please....
hilary on tv now talking about credit card companies and too high rates.
didn't she vote FOR the bankruptcy bill?
did she/
Phil Specht
Wed, 01/30/08
I consider you to be the one with the most political experience on the blog. And I agree with this prediction. There is a possibility that it will change, but a Clinton-McCain match will result in a Democratic loss.
Phil...8
I agree...yes, carry on indeed, but how?
I wonder, if after Feb.5, there might appear one or more new additions to the race. I hope Howard, or if not, Gore, or?
With the tempering factor of edwards now gone, one thing is clear: it's about to get much UGLIER. You aint seen nothing yet. Much will be under the table and nuanced behind the scenes. But it Will be ugly.
The dem have gone from a decent field to a bickering, ugly campaign, and the repubs have gone from a fractured field to a feel-good race. This is not looking good.
I believe Edwards will be making his announcement at 1:00 PM.
12:37 PM EST
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8119048?source=rss
Obama set to take stage in DenverBy The Denver Post...
about FL and MI delegates. If Clinton comes in with a majority of delegates, they will vote to seat and include the delegates from those states. Clinton wins....
If Obama comes with a majority of delegates, they will vote to NOT seat them. Obama wins. It all depends upon who comes to the convention with the majority of delegates now.
IF edwards had stayed in, he could have been a factor in that decision as well as possibly who gets the nomination. My dream would have been a locked convention which turns to a third candidate as one of them threw their support to him/her. Could still happen.
12:43 PM EST
from a town in Tennessee:
http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/NEWS01/80130021
Obama and McCain win in City Cafe straw pollDemocrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have won City Cafe’s straw poll on the presidential primary.
The poll, take from customers of the popular eatery on Main Street in downtown Murfreesboro, is a 20-year tradition. The results of the poll were released today.
Obama, a senator from Illinois, was supported by 28 people, or 44 percent of those polled in the Democratic primary. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards was a close second, with 23 votes. New York Sen. Hillary Clinton received eight votes.
McCain, a senator from Arizona, got support from just under 30 percent of Republicans participating in the poll with 10 votes. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson each received six votes.
...
Some on this blog have trashed Edwards repeatedley. For them to come on and try to make nice at this point is futile.
Those who are just lurking, keep that in mind: the "kind" words come from those who yesterday were saying nasty attacks against Edwards.
Let's not play manipulative politics.
Be Truthful
Wed, 01/30/08
Please just post the votes you want to highlight, and then link. Your point is lost and it just clogs the blog.
I'm a little out of sorts today, and I can't resist saying this. Obama's stance against the war from the beginning can be put in the same category as his "present" votes.
An unknown State Senator fits into a speech inside the halls of a State Legislature that he opposes the war in Iraq. This is something that can be pulled out if needed at some future date, or if not needed, who would have a clue that he ever said anything?
Don't try to give him the foresight of Howard Dean. It would be more like laying the groundwork for his future plans.
12:48 PM EST
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080130/en_afp/golfepgauaewoodsusvote2008_080130173847
Woods impressed by Barack Obama
13 minutes ago
Tiger Woods says he has been impressed with Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama and believes he is an inspiration to many in the United States.
...
12:54 PM EST
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4215191&page=1
TechCrunch Endorses Obama, McCain
...
By ASHLEY PHILLIPS
Jan. 30, 2008
After nearly a monthlong online voting process, popular tech blog TechCrunch has endorsed Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain as its picks for the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
...
Audrey,
I share your distress today. I am very disappointed and wish Edwards had stayed in because we NEED choices in a Democracy.
But if comes down to Clinton or Obama on the war, Obama at least spoke out about it. I, too, am troubled by his constant shifting and generalities, but it is no contest between the two of them on who was against the war and who was not.
Now, both are saying they'll get out but leave combat troops to fight AQ in Iraq. Only Edwards made the actual claim to get ALL combat troops out. But Obama wins on his past statements.
A little bit about how nuts Huckabee really is..
http://www.alternet.org/story/75363/
I can't handle this blog anymore..
My post s/b 36 and it will end up in the high 20's
1:05
Be Truthful
In the future it would be better if you just posted the relevant answer or passage and provide a link to the rest.
For the Love of God, Edwards Supporters! How can you be so spot on in your first choice for President and so blind in your second choice?
"Four in 10 Edwards supporters said their second choice in the race is Clinton, while a quarter prefer Obama, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo poll conducted late this month. Both Clinton and Obama would welcome Edwards' backing and the support of the 56 delegates he had collected, most of whom will be free to support either Obama or Clinton, though some will probably look for guidance from Edwards."
http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Edwards_to_quit_presidential_race_01302008.html
Tiger for Obama? Another celeb endorsement for inspiration. Yippee. Makes me want to subtract points for each. I want to hear about issues, not abstracts.
Because the other candidate is even less progressive. Not by much; it's a toss-up which is the lesser of two corporately sponsored candidates.
I apologize for using the word blind and painting the majority of Edwards supporters with a broad brush. That is not my intention. All I mean to say is that the Obama campaign (and thus the American people) need you!
http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/30/10130/8675/344/446129
TEST s/b 43
audrey wrote "Don't try to give him the foresight of Howard Dean. It would be more like laying the groundwork for his future plans."
If you don't mind, explain how it differs.
TEST
TEST s/b 46
Is the blog's count working better?
Progressive wrote "For the Love of God, Edwards Supporters! How can you be so spot on in your first choice for President and so blind in your second choice?"
Phil has adamantly made the point that Edwards supporters are not necessarily progressive. It may help explain the difficulty Edwards has had gaining traction in the nomination process so far. Supporters come to his campaign from a variety of viewpoints.
If they post here, for example, they obviously like the message of the Edwards campaign. If not, however, they may be confused by his past record into thinking he is a southern moderate, or they may simply have regarded a vote for Edwards as a vote for a white person not named Clinton. She's a very polarizing figure but, in the last analysis, she basically shared a voting record with Edwards while he was in office and sprang from the same DLC roots.
1:49
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...
SF Chronicle's Matier & Ross
No teacher's pet: Clinton's big endorsement from the powerful California Teachers Association got upended over the weekend.
It all began Thursday when the dozen-member executive board of the teachers union - headed by Clinton ally and longtime Santa Maria educator David Sanchez - announced it had voted unanimously to back Clinton in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Getting the teachers' backing would have opened up the union's substantial checkbook to Clinton. It also would have led to mass mailings to voters, including to the union's 360,000 members, plus the potential for major phone-bank help and other get-out-the-vote efforts on election day.
And a board endorsement almost always guarantees the membership endorsement.
But before teachers union leaders could get an up-or-down membership vote on Clinton over the weekend at a big confab in L.A., unrest broke out among the rank and file. They blocked any vote until the board's next meeting in April - two months after Tuesday's primary, when it really counts.
Word is, it didn't help that Clinton's union forces had blocked the affiliated United Teachers of Los Angeles from endorsing Obama a week earlier - and that many of its members were on hand for Saturday's vote.
"Four in 10 Edwards supporters said their second choice in the race is Clinton, while a quarter prefer Obama, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo poll conducted late this month.
Well, their records ARE the same.
Tom a vast majority of Edwards supporters are progressives ;but If even one out of four (and it may well be one out of three ) Edwards supporters go to Clinton (perhaps because of the "historic" nature of her gender) Obama will come up one vote short. Edwards has been helping Obama indirectly keeping Clinton from gaining a majority, and listening to Edwards message and incorporating it would be a good place to start, and that would be a little more up down uniting and a little less left right.
the three out of four Edwards supporters that were progressives will go to Obama, 10-1
the other quarter will decide the nomination
Prog avenge.....
An apology is a good start. Obama needs the Edwards people. Although, at the moment, I'm waiting for someone else to ride up.
I see it as a positive development...If one assumes, as polls indicate, that Hillary is the second choice of very few people who are not already voting for her, then most of Edwards' votes go to Obama.
With that, Hillary would definitely lead the pack. So now we have a bone fide showdown....with the possibility of Edwards as a running mate....with either one.
Had the TV on in the background while Edwards was saying farewell. As he repeated (and repeated......and repeated) his campaign talking points I let it slip to my visiting mother (who voted for him) that I'll be so glad to never hear his voice again.
"Shame on you!" she replied.
"Four in 10 Edwards supporters said their second choice in the race is Clinton
Well, their records ARE the same.
most but not all Edwards supporters will go to Obama
all were not in Clinton's column with him in
just simple math
Edwards out helps Clinton. Obama need to everything possible to gain full support.
go ahead sitka, kick him when he's down, suits your disposition
most but not all Edwards supporters will go to Obama
Edwards out helps Clinton.
Ya gotta love Phillogic.
Hey Sitka,
How are you old friend? I just stopped by to see how everyone was taking the news of Edwards' campaign suspension. As far as I'm concerned, I have no dog in this fight. Edwards, Obama, nor Clinton hold an ounce of appeal to me. Why? Well, Edwards with his manufactured Grapes Of Wrath upbringing, Obama with his parsing and constant effort to uplift me (I'm fully able to feel good about myself, thank you!), and Hillary's.....er, well no need to go on about that - leave me cold.
My only prayer is ANY candidate that can direct this Country toward economic vitality.
Now I know what everyone is referring to when talking about the blog count.
Prov Avenger, look at BHO's record and his position statements. He's hardly different from HRC. His campaign contributors are much the same. And his health plan leaves lots of folks out. Edwards supporters want health care for all.
Don't recruit us based on how much need your camp has. Talk specifics about issues. Those of us who picked Edwards did so because of his stand on the issues, not because of something more abstract.
What does your candidate say he'll do about corporate media, for example? Stuff like that is a good start. But leave us be for a day, at least. Thanks.
Argh! posting order ALL messed up!
From time to time, the sometimes tortuous logic exhibited here has to be examined in more detail.
For example, audrey wrote "An unknown State Senator fits into a speech inside the halls of a State Legislature that he opposes the war in Iraq. This is something that can be pulled out if needed at some future date, or if not needed, who would have a clue that he ever said anything?"
For one thing, the speech in question was made in the Federal Plaza in Chicago during an antiwar assembly, days before the authorization vote. The statement was as public as any Gore or Dean made.
For another, the vote he was opposing passed in the Senate 77-23. Is the implication that there were 77 patriotic profiles in courage and 23 politically expedient votes made in the chamber that day? That Kerry, Edwards and Clinton, in other words, stood on principle while Dean and Obama simply laid the groundwork for their campaigns with a little garden variety pandering? If so, it casts Kucinich's role in a very bad light. However, we both know it is not so.
Kim, where have you been?
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By Stat Man on Jan 30, 2008 12:21 PMAs always, moderation and reason are first!