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Obama, Elizabeth Edwards to Partner on Healthcare?
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ShareJune 09, 2008 3:21 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: At the first event on his "Change That Works for You" tour, presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama was joined by John and Elizabeth Edwards, making known for the first time that he'll enlist Elizabeth Edwards' help in health care policy.
Thirty minutes into his speech, Obama interrupted his prepared remarks and pointed to the wife of his former Democratic rival to declare his intention of her role.
"I'm going to be partnering up with Elizabeth Edwards - we're going to be figuring all this out," Obama said when addressing his proposed reform to the health care system.
Former Senator John Edwards endorsed Obama on May 14, but his wife is a different case: remaining neutral in the race since her husband dropped his own presidential bid.
Mrs. Edwards has stated in the past that she supported Senator Hillary Clinton's health care plan because it mandated people to have health insurance – a requirement that Senator Obama's plan does not include.
"I don't think there's two people in the country who have done more to elevate the debate about politics who have focused on critical issues like health care and who have made us all think about our obligations to create one America," Obama said of the couple, remarking that over the 16 month primary process he has gotten to know them well.
The Obama campaign says that formal talks are not yet in the works between the Illinois senator and Mrs. Edwards, but confirm that this is something they will do in the future.
"Her presence here speaks volumes," spokeswoman Jen Psaki says, "Senator Obama hopes she will play an active part in his efforts."
Elizabeth Edwards, fighting a very public battle with incurable cancer, has been a fierce advocate for improved health care for all Americans.
The Edwards' sat in the front row for most of Obama's speech – but ducked out early to make a flight to a previous engagement.
June 9, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (111)
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Obama is using people as politcal pawns. how sad.
Posted by: geevill | Jun 9, 2008 3:35:41 PM
Obama leads McCain in both the new Rasmussen and Gallup polls by 6
Democrats United.
Posted by: Vanessa | Jun 9, 2008 3:37:53 PM
John Edwards is a "snake".
He endorsed Hussein a day after Hillary's big win in WV.
Shame on you....you're a loser......
Posted by: Independent | Jun 9, 2008 3:43:41 PM
I never understood John Edwards, if he stands for the poors, why he supports Obama?
Posted by: Poor | Jun 9, 2008 3:46:32 PM
Obama just gets the nomination and his boost is only 6 points? Given the war in Iraq and the state of the economy he should be double digits ahead of McCain
at this point- at least during this period where he is expected to get a boost and we should be seeing his numbers rise.
Posted by: alpaig | Jun 9, 2008 3:46:37 PM
Poor...so your point is what? Edwards and Obama aren't poor either, but both have worked with the underpriveleged and downtroden. They know what is like. Obama and his mom were on food stamps for a time. What is your point?
Posted by: grannie | Jun 9, 2008 3:53:25 PM
Because Obama will help the poor, DAH. mc-more-war wants to continue the tax breaks for the rich, the same tax breaks that he once said this country could not afford. Talk about pandering. mc-more-war voted with bush 95% of the time last year. This country needs REAL change not another bush term. Obama 2008 will be GREAT!!!
Posted by: pt | Jun 9, 2008 3:53:55 PM
Hey Kevin.
I care less about Edwards or WV or
about the whole democratic party,
DNC and its corrupt leaders.
Hello Republicans!!!!!!and JOHN McCAIN.
Posted by: Independent | Jun 9, 2008 3:55:26 PM
Independant...we care less about you, Bye Bye...
Posted by: grannie | Jun 9, 2008 3:57:03 PM
When said and done JOHN McCAIN will be
the next president of U.S.A
Check the "electoral college".
NO LEFT WING LIBERAL EVER WON THE
WHITE HOUSE.............
Posted by: Independent | Jun 9, 2008 4:05:58 PM
Obam attacked the very same Clinton proposals Edwards supported. Now he is trying to con women voters.
Posted by: geevill | Jun 9, 2008 4:08:13 PM
alpaig, I think a 6 point lead is ok at the moment. virtual dead heat to 6 point lead in a week when he has hardly campaigned at all and most of the media focus has been on Hillary is not a bad start at all. I think the only reason McCain has been in touching distance in the polls recently has been that Obama and Hillary have been in there own battle, while McCain has been able to attack Obama as much as he likes.
Obama is no Dukakis either, he will build a solid lead over the next few months and win by at least 8 points and 150 electoral college votes.
Posted by: markymark | Jun 9, 2008 4:09:08 PM
Somebody needs to help Obama with his healthcare plan because he doesn't have one.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | Jun 9, 2008 4:11:31 PM
And elizabeth Edwards might be a very smart gateway to any women still upset over Hillary's defeat, whilst enlisting another woman incredibly passionate about healthcare reform.
Who is McCain going to have help him on healthcare? Someone on the insurance companies side no doubt.
Posted by: markymark | Jun 9, 2008 4:12:27 PM
Maybe Elizabeth could help him with his foreign policy,too.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | Jun 9, 2008 4:13:43 PM
When ever I hear Obama speak he stutters. Must be hard tripping over so many lies.
Posted by: Shelby | Jun 9, 2008 4:14:03 PM
Obama that is.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | Jun 9, 2008 4:15:15 PM
Obama wisely brings in experts.
When it came to the economy, he looked to the top economic advisers of the past 20 years.
Now, he's looking to leaders in the health care.
Obama also brought in energy experts who have spent 8 years calling Bush policy a major mistake.
I always like it when someone admits they want the advice of people who are experts in their field.
Posted by: Debbie | Jun 9, 2008 4:16:15 PM
Obama has a problem streaming words.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | Jun 9, 2008 4:16:54 PM
Debbie, look at what experts have got the country into in the past 8 years.
Posted by: Anders Scooper | Jun 9, 2008 4:19:05 PM
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