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Elizabeth Edwards Says Mandates Are Best Way to Achieve Universal Healthcare

June 27, 2008 4:54 PM

ABC News' Molly Hunter Reports: Elizabeth Edwards, who is advising the Obama campaign on healthcare issues, reiterated Friday that she believes adopting Sen. Hillary Clinton’s healthcare plan would be the best way to cover all Americans.

"In my view, that is the most assured way to get there," Edwards said of Clinton's plan.

Edwards, who endorsed Clinton’s healthcare plan during the late months of the primary, has consistently advocated for the use of individual mandates to ensure universal health care.

However, in an interview with ABC News, she didn't rule out other ways of reaching universal health care coverage without the use of mandates.

"The truth is universality is the goal. And I can’t be close-minded enough to think that there is only one way … Is that the only way? Even with mandates you probably are not going to get 100 percent, you are still going to have outliers," Edwards said, noting that there are other ways to get close to universal coverage.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has proposed requiring most employers to make a "meaningful contribution" to covering their employees through private insurance or contribute to a public health plan. Obama would also require parents to insure their children. 

Edwards told ABC News it's important to look at the incentives and automatic ways of enrolling people. Edwards is open to the idea of looking into the other ways of triggering enrollment.

"If he wants to be creative then that’s fine," she said of Obama. "I’m willing to listen to the ideas that [the Obama campaign] has."

Obama announced on June 9 that he planned to partner with Edwards to "figure it all out" on healthcare.

Edwards said she has begun to speak with Obama’s policy advisors and participate in conference calls with the campaign. She said she expects to do much more.

Edwards said she is optimistic Obama will address healthcare quickly if he's elected president. She said she hopes Obama will take lessons from the Clinton's failed 1993 healthcare reform effort and tackle the issue during his first 100 days in office.

"I think there is a real opportunity," Edwards said. "I think he can use that moment of the most heat to accomplish something."

June 27, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

John Edwards Makes Impromptu Cameo at NY Conference

June 25, 2008 6:42 AM

ABC News' Jennifer Parker reports: Elizabeth Edwards' husband, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., stole the show Monday when he made a surprise cameo via web camera at the Personal Democracy Conference in New York.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

Invited to talk about how the Internet affected the 2008 presidential election, Mrs. Edwards' planned appearance was canceled when weather prevented her from flying from North Carolina to New York.

The forum's founder, Andrew Raisej -- who doubles as the co-founder of the TechPresident website and did some work on Sen. John Edwards' 2008 campaign -- told ABC News he dispatched a Chapel Hill woman with a Mac computer and a web camera over to the Edwards' home near Chapel Hill, allowing Mrs. Edwards to appear live at the conference via Skype while sitting on her floral living room couch.

During a question and answer session, Mrs. Edwards was talking about how the Internet can get people more involved in the political process when her husband, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., walked into their home.

"John, sit down here and say hi to the pdf conference," Mrs. Edwards called to her husband, eliciting applause and laughter from the crowd.

Wearing a casual blue-and-white stripped golf shirt and jeans, Sen. Edwards sat beside Elizabeth, looking surprised and glancing at his wife while Raisej filled him in on what was happening.

"There's about a thousand people here who are expecting Elizabeth and unfortunately the weather didn't allow her to make it," Raisej said, "so we used technology -- you may have heard of it, it's called the Internet, to bring her to everyone in real time."

"You are a surprise guest, I swear this was not planned," Raisej began, "So as long as we have you, the big question we have is --"

"I just walked in," Sen. Edwards complained jokingly, "I'm waving to my children, I'm speaking to you before speaking to my children," he joked.

Asked about the impact of the Internet on the presidential election, Sen. Edwards pointed to the success of presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama to use his website as a small-donor fundraising tool. Of the almost $300 million raised by Obama during the campaign, almost half has come from people who donated $200 or less.

"It's completely changed the shape of this race already," Sen. Edwards said. "It is the only reason that Barack Obama is not taking public financing, because he has a fundraising base that's more grassroots, more small donors that allows him a huge competitive advantage against Bush."

"McCain," corrected Mrs. Edwards.

"I mean, excuse me, McCain. Freudian slip," Sen. Edwards said to crowd applause.

Sen. Edwards said technology was reinventing the mobilization of voters and grassroots organizing.

"You should know that the Internet community, in general, loves your wife," Raisej said.

"Yes I know that, I do too," Sen. Edwards said.

During the conference Elizabeth Edwards, who is battling cancer, appeared upbeat and happy. She predicted a close election in November.

"We are going to need to fight for every vote. This is going to be a close election," she said, according to the Washington Post.

While Mrs. Edwards didn't endorse Obama before the last primaries with her husband, she told the conference that electing Obama is "enormously important."

"I said I would work as hard as I could to make sure he is the next president," Mrs. Edwards said, "but I don't think it is by any means assured."

The notion that Democrats have far out-paced Republicans on the Internet this election cycle was on display when Raisej slammed presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain's lack of familiarity with computers, arguing it "shows he doesn’t understand how the world works and that he doesn’t understand what it would mean to be president," he said, according to the New York Times.

June 25, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

Obama, Elizabeth Edwards to Partner on Healthcare?

June 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 Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (111) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards: Not Interested in VP, Not Thinking About AG

May 15, 2008 9:14 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson reports: One day after endorsing Sen. Barack Obama,  the presumtive Democratic nominee, former Sen. John Edwards says he is not angling to become a vice presidential candidate.

"I have no interest in running for VP," said Edwards, arriving at an event in New York City Thursday evening.

For some, Obama and Edwards standing Wednesday on a Michigan stage with their arms raised looked like a possible Democratic convention scenario -- with the pair standing on stage as the Democratic ticket.

Edwards aides also said the former senator was not eyeing a vice presidential bid, and that no deal was cut for his heavily courted endorsement.

On the possibility of being picked as an attorney general nominee, Edwards told reporters, "I don't have any thoughts about any of that."

Edwards was in New York attending an event sponsored by Demos, a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization.

Edwards took the stage and quickly revived his stump speech, but paused to hold back tears when speaking about working-class Americans.

“Every time I see any of these people, I see my father,” said Edwards as he began to choke up.

He continued, “Who I watched, for a long time, 30-some-odd years, go in the mill every day so that I could be in this place.

“Every man and woman who works in these hotels, who works in our nursing homes, who work as security guards -- every one of them is worth as much as me and every person in this room.”

Edwards spoke very briefly about his recent endorsement of Obama.

“God bless, Barack Obama; I only endorsed him because he used to be a member of Demos,” said Edwards. “But God bless Barack and God bless Hillary and, begrudgingly, John McCain.”

In addressing the several hundred people, Edwards said he believed that a Democrat would be elected to the White House in 2008, but cautioned, “The idea that that president is going to solve all of our problems is a fantasy. All of us have to be there every step of the way, from the ground up. This is about organizing. It is about educating. This is what demos is about.”

Edwards was originally slated to attend the event with his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, who was absent from Wednesday's Obama endorsement. When asked where Elizabeth stood in the endorsement process, Edwards declined to speak for his wife.

He acknowledged that he is working with Obama, figuring out their schedules to see what type of support Edwards can lend to Obama’s campaign. Edwards is also encouraging his remaining pledged delegates to switch to Obama.

As for alerting Clinton to his endorsement, Edwards acknowledged, "I called her. We kept missing each other. I tried to speak with her.”

May 15, 2008 in Edwards, John, Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (398) | TrackBack (0)

Clinton Calls Bush Remarks 'Offensive'

May 15, 2008 5:20 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: Senator Hillary Clinton called President Bush's comments in Israel today about the practice of appeasement in foreign policy, particularly his comparison of "any Democrat to Nazi appeasers", both "offensive and outrageous."

"On the face of it and especially in light of his failures in foreign policy, this is the kind of statement that has no place in any presidential address and certainly to use an important moment like the 60th anniversary celebration of Israel to make a political point seems terribly misplaced," said the New York Senator during an impromptu gaggle with reporters. "Unfortunately this is what we’ve come to expect from President Bush who has refused to change course in Iraq, neglected Afghanistan and failed to provide leadership on the range of important issues that face our country and the world.”

Clinton also spoke to McCain's speech today in which he previewed what the country would look like in 2013 after he was president. 

“It’s especially important in light of what Sen. McCain said earlier today promising victory in Iraq for a Democratic president and I hope people really look seriously at both President Bush’s comment and Sen. McCain’s speech and realize that the only way we’re going to restore our leadership and our moral authority and deal with the very real challenges we face in the world is by electing a Democratic president," said Clinton.  "I believe that I am the stronger candidate against Sen. McCain and would be the president who could accomplish that."

Clinton clarified that her criticism of Bush's remarks today about negotiating with foreign countries was different from her complaints earlier in the election season regarding Senator Obama agreeing to meet with leaders of countries like Iran.

“I have differences with Senator Obama on certain foreign policy matters, but I think we are united in our opposition to the Bush policies and to the continuation of those policies by Senator McCain. And no amount of outrageous analogies or claims for victory are going to sugarcoat what has been a dismal record by this administration and their allies in the Congress.”

Clinton was also asked about former Senator and '08 rival John Edwards' endorsement of Obama on Wednesday and said it might be helpful in some places, but what really matters is what voters decide.

“Well I have a great deal of respect for Senator Edwards. And he and I have a lot in common, I particularly have a lot in common with Elizabeth Edwards, said Clinton.  "I imagine that Senator Edwards’ endorsement will be of some help to Senator Obama in Kentucky.  But I think that what matters is the people who actually vote.”

Clinton said she had not spoken to John Edwards, but has spoken to Elizabeth Edwards.

“I’ve spoken with Elizabeth Edwards and she’s a friend of mine and I have a high regard for her and I think it’s important that she remain a strong advocate and real champion for universal healthcare.”

Clinton continued, “I don’t think a Democratic nominee for president should have any position other than universal healthcare. It has been a position of our platform since Harry Truman. There are different ways of getting there, but you’ve got to remain committed to universal healthcare and Elizabeth Edwards and I agree.”

May 15, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, McCain, John, Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (81) | TrackBack (0)

Carville: Edwards' Backing "Certainly Helps" Obama

May 15, 2008 7:37 AM

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman Reports: In an interview on Good Morning America Thursday, even James Carville seemed impressed following John Edwards' endorsement of Democratic frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama.

Carville, a Democratic strategist and adviser to Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said Edwards' Wednesday night announcement in Michigan "certainly helps in terms of psychology of the superdelegates" but that the power of the endorsement would only be truly tested in Kentucky's Democratic primary on May 20.

"Obviously it is something that's good for Sen. Obama," Carville told ABC News' Diane Sawyer, "I wish he would have endorsed Sen. Clinton -- but I'm not sure how much it's going to translate into votes."

Asked if Clinton would accept vice presidential placement on November's Democratic ticket, Carville said "I think she wants to be president...I think she's going to go through this thing to the end. And I know that when you’re doing something like this, you’re not thinking vice-anything."

Referencing Clinton's West Virginia win on Tuesday, Carville also reiterated the sentiment that he would back the Democratic nominee once the primary season is over.

"I'm going to be for the Democrat -- whoever it is," Carville said.

If it's Obama, Carville continued "I'd certainly be for him."

May 15, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (161) | TrackBack (0)

What Will the Edwards Endorsement Mean for Obama and Clinton?

May 14, 2008 6:46 PM

ABC News' David Chalian Reports: As the political world mulls the meaning (or lack thereof) in former Sen. John Edwards' endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., seven points to consider:

1. Endorsements don't really carry much sway with voters.

2. This comes on the heels of 48 hours of an intense media spotlight (and much discussion since the April 22 PA primary) focused on Barack Obama's apparent troubles wooing white working class voters to his campaign in large numbers. Edwards can likely serve as a high profile validator for Obama with those voters.

3. John Edwards recently said in some interviews that he was suspect about how much endorsements matter and that it appeared to him that Sen. Obama was quite likely to be the nominee.

4.  This also comes on the heels of Sen. Clinton's huge victory in West Virginia. Her decision to do TV interviews with all the network anchors Wednesday afternoon was an attempt to parlay that West Virginia primary victory into a news cycle of mini-momentum if -- for nothing else -- than to raise some badly needed cash off of it.  The Obama decision to roll this high profile endorsement out in time to be taken live on the evening newscasts is a clear attempt to steal Clinton's West Virginia thunder.

5. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sought Edwards' endorsement in person at the Edwards home in North Carolina.

6. Elizabeth Edwards in the past has said she would not necessarily feel obliged to support the same candidate her husband chose to support. She will not be a part of her husband's endorsement, and Mrs. Edwards has been on the record endorsing Sen. Clinton's health care plan over that of Sen. Obama's.

7. Endorsements don't really carry much sway with voters.

May 14, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (258) | TrackBack (0)

Clinton Camp on Edwards Endorsement: 'It's Not Great News'

May 14, 2008 5:38 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow Reports: "It's not great news," said a senior Clinton advisor of the news that former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., will break his neutrality and endorse Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Michigan Wednesday night.

"Well, I don't think it's good news, but there's a lot of news in this business and we move forward and move past it," the Clinton advisor said.

Asked what effect the Edwards endorsement might have: "We don't know. We'll see. We'll see how much of it is transferable," referring to Edwards' popularity with white working class voters.

Clinton advisor Terry McAuliffe also addressed the endorsement during a quick media availability Wednesday evening outside of the Senator's house.

"I can't speak for why people endorse," said McAuliffe, adding, "the voters in West Virginia say it's not over."

Coming off the heels of a 41-point landslide win in West Virginia, the Clinton camp had hoped to build some momentum, pledging to continue the campaign through the remaining primaries over the next three weeks.

"We're going on to Kentucky and Oregon and the rest of the contests and then we'll see what happens with Michigan and Florida and by June 4th we'll have a clearer idea about where everyone stands," Clinton said in the interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson Wednesday.

Clinton also met Wednesday with six uncommitted superdelegates at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee offices in Washington and her campaign hosted a meeting with about 45 or 50 financial supporters to make her case to them and ask them to continue raising money.

Wednesday night Clinton will host a party at her tony Washington residence for top donors.

The Clinton camp continues to make the case that superdelegates are concerned about Obama's loss in West Virginia and other swing states.

"All I can say is, I don't want to overdramatize it, but starting with Ohio the remaining superdelegates started really focusing on the 270 electoral vote issue and how do we best assemble that and it's made a marked impression," the senior Clinton advisor told ABC News.

But then in a moment of candor the advisor conceded, "I'm not sure it's gonna be enough."

May 14, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (210) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards To Endorse Obama

May 14, 2008 5:04 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow, Raelyn Johnson, Sunlen Miller, and Rick Klein Report: Former Sen. John Edwards is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy Wednesday evening, in a dramatic attempt by the Obama campaign to answer concerns regarding Obama's appeal to working-class voters, several senior Democratic sources tell ABC News.

The Obama campaign confirms Edwards will endorse Obama at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan Wednesday. The event was originally scheduled to start at 7pmET, but was moved up to 6:20pmET, presumably to have the announcement make the evening news.

Edwards, who ran for president on a platform of eradicating poverty, plans to appear alongside Obama for the announcement. The event comes one day after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton defeated Obama by 41 points in the West Virginia primary, and Edwards' endorsement will give Obama a key establishment stamp of approval as he attempts to close out the nominating process.

Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, have remained studiously neutral since the Edwards campaign came to a close Jan. 30. Edwards on Sunday called Obama "the likely nominee," but made clear that his statement reflected a judgment about the state of the race, not necessarily a personal preference.

The possibility of an Edwards endorsement has been the subject of intense speculation for months; only former vice president Al Gore's endorsement was more coveted by Obama and Clinton. Edwards and his wife had publicly praised Clinton's healthcare plan, but Edwards' anti-corporate message seemed a better fit for Obama's outsider campaign.

Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe responded to the endorsement this evening both during a quick press availability outside of the Senator's residence, and in a paper statement. 

“We respect John Edwards," McAuliffe said, "but as the voters of West Virginia showed last night, this thing is far from over.”

A source close to the Clinton campaign said the Edwards camp gave the Clinton folks a heads up.

"Clearly it's upsetting," the source tells ABC.  "He brings the workers" to Obama.

"Well I don't think it's good news, but there's a lot of news in this business and we move forward and move past it. It's not great news," a Clinton senior advisor said.

Asked what effect the Edwards endorsement might have, he said: "We don't know.  We'll see. We'll see how much of it is transferable," referring to Edwards' popularity with white working class voters.

"We would've preferred it," to be our endorsement the advisor said.  That's not a secret.

Clinton met today with six uncommitted superdelegates at the DCCC offices on Capitol Hill.

This advisor said the Clinton campaign believes superdelegates are concerned about Obama's loss in West Virginia last night and other swing states.

"No question -- that started with Ohio and increased with Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia," he said. "All I can say is, I don't want to overdramatize it, but starting with Ohio the remaining superdelegates started really focusing on the 270 electoral vote issue and how do we best assemble that and it's made a marked impression."

But then in a moment of candor the advisor conceded, "I'm not sure it's gonna be enough."

May 14, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (543) | TrackBack (0)

Trippi: Edwards Should Have Stayed In

May 01, 2008 3:43 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: Looking backwards before a Democratic nominee has even been chosen, Joe Trippi, former adviser to Sen. John Edwards', D-N.C., second presidential bid, says he should have "gone with his gut" and convinced the 2004 vice presidential candidate to stay in the '08 race.

In an essay for "Politics" magazine, Trippi writes "I didn't tell him what I should have told him: that I had this feeling that if he stayed in the race, he would win 300 or so delegates by Super Tuesday and have maybe a one-in-five chance of forcing a brokered convention."

Trippi writes that the path "would be extremely painful, but could very well put him and his causes at the top of the Democratic agenda."

"In politics anything can happen," Trippi says in his essay, "Even the possibility that in an open convention with multiple ballots an embattled and exhausted party would turn to him as their nominee."

"My regret that I did not do so -- that I let John Edwards down -- grows with every day that the fight between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continues," Trippi continues.

Edwards dropped out of the race on January 30 in New Orleans.  During the last month of his campaign, Edwards and his aides were met with a constant, swirling speculation as to when he would abandon his bid following a string of losses in early nominating states.

Edwards defended himself saying he was "in this race until the convention" a line that now seems like it was crafted by Trippi.

Recalling the evening before Edwards dropped out, Trippi remembers sitting in a NYC restaurant with Jonathan Prince, Edwards' deputy campaign manager, wondering which of the two plane tickets they were going to use the next day.  If they flew to Atlanta, it meant they were prepping Edwards for an upcoming debate. If they flew to New Orleans, they were going to hear Edwards pull out of the race.

Writes Trippi, "It was not until much later that night that I text message came. Use the New Orleans ticket. And that's when we found out it was all over."

Despite the throngs of aides and pollsters, Trippi contends that Edwards' decision to drop out was one only Edwards could make. 

"I don't know, and will probably never know, just how Senator Edwards arrived at his decision. He isn't one to pull a bunch of people into a room and take a vote. He asks you individually what you think, and you basically get one shot to make your argument. I got my chance. And for the first time in thirty years of political work, I didn't go with my gut," Trippi writes.

Trippi ran then-Vermont Gov.Howard Dean’s presidential campaign in 2004.

He adds, "My mistake was not seeing more clearly then what is so obvious to me now: He could have kept his agenda in the forefront by staying in the race and forcing Obama and Clinton to focus on those issues because he, John Edwards, would hold the key to the convention deadlock. And maybe, just maybe, a brokered convention would have stunned the political world and led to an Edwards nomination."

"If I had expressed these thoughts to the senator, it's possible that he would still be in the fight and leading Obama and Clinton on the issues. If I had only gone with my gut, the text message I received that night in New York City might have said something very different: Use the Atlanta ticket."

May 1, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards Would Not Accept Possible VP Nod

April 03, 2008 4:17 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: For the first time since ending his presidential bid, former Senator John Edwards says he will not accept a vice presidential nod on the Democratic ticket in 2008.

Edwards appeared today at the CITA Wireless Convention in Las Vegas, where he was asked if he would accept a VP position, to which he responded no.

But, it wasn’t the first time Edwards was questioned on the matter. During an uphill battle in his second campaign for the presidency, Edwards was often asked if he would consider a vice presidential position, after failing to win a state in the early nominating process. Edwards consistently contended that he was only running for president.

Just last month in an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” Edwards said, "I want to serve my country in whatever way I can. Whether it's in government or out of government, I don't know which it is," when asked if he would work in either a Clinton or an Obama administration.

In 2004, Edwards ran on the Democratic ticket as a vice president to  Sen. John Kerry.  Former aides to Edwards contended that the former Senator’s views toward being a VP in this election were in part shaped by his experience with Kerry, who has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama. One aide flatly told ABC News, Edwards has, “had been there done that.”

While his comments today end speculation about sharing a ticket —the more pressing question remains unanswered.  Who will Edwards endorse, should he decide to?

Again today, he declined to answer questions on where he stood in the endorsement process.

April 3, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (37) | TrackBack (0)

Obama Courts Richardson Endorsement

March 01, 2008 9:12 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: On Tuesday, Sen. Barack Obama received the endorsement of former presidential candidate Chris Dodd, the Connecticut senator. On the same day, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico hinted on CNN that his endorsement could be coming soon, and possibly in the next few days.

Aboard his press plane, Obama was asked by members of the press where the status that endorsement was, as both Obama and his rival Sen. Hillary Clinton have heavily courted the former presidential candidate.

Obama confirmed that he had talked to Richardson about four days ago. He said the conversation was "great."

"I told him I really like his beard, he looks great," Obama said.

Beyond that, the candidate did not give any other indicators that he’s expecting an endorsement by the governor soon, if ever. He said that he did not think that Richardson would be in Texas on Monday and Tuesday as the March 4 primary draws near.

Richardson, a former member of the in the Clinton administration, dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucus in January. He was seen watching the Super Bowl with Bill Clinton in early February.

Robert Gibbs, communicators director for Obama, confirmed that Obama has asked formally for Richardson’s endorsement, and that he talks with the governor probably once a week.

Another outstanding endorsement Obama is looking for?

John Edwards, with whom Obama met on Feb. 17, has yet to make an endorsement. Clinton also met with Edwards, 10 days before Obama did.

Gibbs said he’s not sure when the last time Edwards and Obama have spoken, but said it’s on a regular basis.

March 1, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Richardson, Bill | Permalink | User Comments (31) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards Joins Anti-War Effort Targeting McCain

February 25, 2008 2:01 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: Former senator John Edwards is stepping out of the shadow of his recently failed presidential bid, joining a grassroots campaign to showcase the cost of the Iraq war and focus on defeating Republican frontrunner Sen. John McCain in the fall.

The Iraq/Recession Campaign is an effort organized by several groups, including the Center for American Progress, USAction, MoveOn.org, SEIU, VoteVets.org and Americans United for Change. The coalition fights for a halt in war spending to bring focus to economic issues at home.

Speaking from his home in Chapel Hill, N.C., Edwards and his wife Elizabeth said they are proud to throw their support behind the campaign.

"The war in Iraq at least from my perspective needs to be brought to an end for a lot of reasons--including reestablishing America's moral authority in the world and making America a force for good again," said Edwards on a conference call launching the campaign.

"I don't have the empirical data I just know what I've heard over and over and over, is people don't understand why we're spending $500 million dollars and counting in Iraq at the same time that we've got 40 plus millions of Americans who don't have any health care coverage, 37 million living in poverty. People are terrified about being able to pay their bills. It doesn't make sense to them and they see no end in sight."

During his campaign, Edwards vowed that as president he would immediately withdraw 40,000 - 50,000 troops from Iraq, with a complete withdrawal within is first nine to ten months in office.  The only troops he believes should remain Iraq are those charged with guarding the US embassy and humanitarian workers.

Though Edwards ended his presidential campaign last month, he stressed the importance of Iraq as the 2008 race continues, and recast the battle for the White House as one between Republicans and Democrats.

"To the credit of the remaining two Democratic candidates, Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton, both of them have made it clear they will bring the war to an end. We want to make certain that the American people know they have a very clear choice in this election. And that choice is between a Democratic nominee for president who will end this war and who will focus on all these issues that are creating economic anxiety, insecurity amongst so many Americans. Because that's what the American people want to see. And the other choice being Sen. McCain,  a Republican nominee who intends to continue the war, to continue the incredibly failed policies of George Bush."

Edwards went on to criticize McCain saying the likely Republican nominee has admitted himself that the American economy is not something he's paid much attention to.

Elizabeth Edwards was also present on the call.

"I speak in pretty plain terms and I think about issues the way a lot of mothers do and that is you're sitting at your kitchen table, you've got a list of your priorities and you have the amount of money you have to use for them," said Mrs. Edwards.

"We have a limited amount of money to spend on the things we need to spend on, and we're spending much too much of our available resources on this war."

The New Iraq Recession Campaign is a nationwide, $20 million effort. The coalition will advertise on television (watch the first ad HERE) and participate in grassroots campaigning, which includes pressuring all safe and unsafe congressional seats to stop funding the war.

It remains unclear at this time just how active John and Elizabeth Edwards will be in the cause -- beyond lending their names to raise the profile of the campaign.

Today's call was the first time Edwards has spoken since dropping out of the race. Following the end of his presidential bid, speculation began almost immediately on who Edwards would throw support to.

That speculation continues today as Edwards did not participate in the question-and-answer portion of the call, citing "other obligations."

February 25, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)

Obama on Edwards: 'I Want Him Involved and Partnering With Me"...but for VP?

February 13, 2008 10:26 PM

ABC's Sunlen Miller and Raelyn Johnson Report: Barack Obama told a Racine, Wis., crowd that he would want John Edwards involved and partnering with him if he becomes president.

The response came when an audience member asked if they should anticipate an Obama-Edwards ticket anytime soon.

Obama said he tries to avoid being presumptuous because he has not locked in the nomination but added, "I will say this, I think John Edwards is somebody who lifted up the issues of poverty and the working families, in a powerful way. I think he's extraordinarily talented. He is going to be a major voice in the Democratic party for years to come and I want him involved and partnering with me in moving this country forward."

When he was a candidate, John Edwards consistently said that he would not consider another vice presidential slot on a Democratic ticket.  Aides chalked up Edwards' strong feelings against second billing as "been there done that."

Even after a string of early losses, Edwards offered ABC News an unequivocal "no" when asked if he would consider a VP nod. However, since Edwards abandoned his presidential bid, one former aide explained that a VP position would offer Edwards another path to the presidency. Read more HERE.

But sources have said basically anything is possible since he dropped out of the race.

Obama has been actively courting Edwards' endorsement, and has indicated the two talk regularly on the phone. A face-to-face meeting between the former rivals for the Democratic nomination was scheduled for Monday night in North Carolina, but was abruptly canceled same day.

"It will be rescheduled. We're gonna make it happen," Obama said of the meeting on Monday.

Edwards has been very complimentary of Obama while out on the trail, and quickly came to his defense when he was criticized by Sen. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton. During a campaign stop in South Carolina last month, when he was still in the race, Edwards joked about an Obama-Edwards ticket saying, "I'm running for the Democratic nomination. I think maybe he should be running for my VP."

Hillary Clinton met with John Edwards last Thursday, and has similarly said she would have Edwards involved in anything she does in the White House.

February 13, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (40) | TrackBack (0)

Plug Pulled On Obama - Edwards Meeting

February 11, 2008 1:00 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: An in-person meeting schedule for tonight between Senator Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards in North Carolina has been rescheduled, the Obama campaign confirms.

The two were intended to meet in North Carolina, Edwards’s home state, after Obama’s last campaign event of the day wrapped up in Baltimore.

"It will be rescheduled. We're gonna make it happen," Obama said today at a campaign stop at Mayorca coffee shop in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Obama is campaigning today in Maryland in advance of tomorrow's primaries in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Both Obama and Clinton are actively courting Edwards's endorsement. Obama told reporters earlier this week that he talks with Edwards on the phone frequently and he has personally asked him for his endorsement. Senator Clinton met with John Edwards secretly last Thursday.

It is unclear which party ultimately pulled the plug on tonight's meeting between Obama and Edwards and no cause was given for the abrupt rescheduling, but sources have indicated that the Obama campaign and Edwards wished that the meeting would be done in private without massive media attention.

February 11, 2008 in Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (246) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards to Drop Out of Race

January 30, 2008 9:11 AM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson and Ed O'Keefe Report: Former senator John Edwards, D-N.C., will drop out of the Democratic presidential race on Wednesday.

"It just became clear it wasn't going to happen," as senior Edwards advisor tells ABC News.

Edwards, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination in 2004 then joined Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., as his vice presidential candidate, had placed poorly in several early contests,lagging behind rivals Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill.

The former North Carolina senator will end his bid during a speech on poverty in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he began his White House campaign in December 2006. His family, including wife Elizabeth, who is battling a recurrence of cancer and has been absent from the campaign trail since New Hampshire, is expected to be present.

Edwards fought an uphill battle for the Democratic nomination, with a campaign focused on fighting poverty, uplifting the working middle class and guaranteeing universal healthcare for all Americans.

After being shut out of contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and his home state of South Carolina, Edwards was forced to defend continuing his campaign.

"I am in this through the convention and the White House," said Edwards in a recent interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos.

Those words became a standard line of defense.

But news of a decision to drop out of the race ends speculation that Edwards was aiming to be a kingmaker at the convention by collecting a significant amount of delegates to be able to have a say in who would become his party's nominee.

What Edwards lacked wins, he made up for in compassion. His populist message played well with working middle class families. He often touted himself as the candidate from rural America who inherently best understood issues facing rural voters.

His campaign almost came to a screeching halt last March when it was revealed his wife Elizabeth Edwards had suffered a reoccurrence of cancer. This time it was incurable but together they vowed to continue the campaign.

Edwards also struggled to match the message with the man at times.

His campaign paid for two $400 dollar haircuts, an instant source of mockery from rivals and the late night comics. In the interim between his first and second bids, Edwards also took a consultant job with the hedge fund Fortress Investment Group, earning close to a half a million dollar salary.  While Edwards was employed, a sub prime lending division of Fortress moved to foreclose on homes of Katrina victims.

Edwards was able to hold on to a key group of voters: union members. He was endorsed by several state chapters of the nation's largest healthcare union, the Service Employees International Union as well as the Carpenters and Steelworkers. 

Edwards has not publicly said who he will throw his support behind, though he has had private conversations with both Clinton and Obama in recent days.

In a recent interview with ABC News' David Muir, Edwards adamantly shot down any desire to again be a vice presidential candidate.

ABC News' Rick Klein contributed to this report.

January 30, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (103) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Buys Lengthy TV Ad To Make Closing Argument

January 26, 2008 3:01 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  In a one minute and thirty seconds spot, to be aired on all of Florida's CBS affiliates Sunday night before 60 Minutes, Rudy Giuliani makes his final case to the people of Florida.

"A Giuliani presidency will have two clear goals: returning our economic policy to the values of Ronald Reagan and taking the offense against Islamic terrorism," says Giuliani speaking directly into the camera.

The ad, which features the words "Rudy Giuliani" over eight times as if trying to send voters a subliminal message, touts the former New York City Mayor's economic plan, support of the National Catastrophe Fund, record on welfare and reducing government spending along with his plan to fight terrorism.

The mantra in the ad is "Only Rudy Giuliani".  For example, "In America’s fourth largest government… Rudy delivered record tax cuts… reformed welfare… and reduced spending. Only Rudy Giuliani", a narrator informs the viewer.  As he has conducted his entire media campaign, Giuliani's ad makes no mention of his republican opponents rather focusing on his own record and plans for the country.

Down in most polls, Giuliani is now touting himself as the underdog but hopes that his message and extra time spent in Florida in campaigning will make the difference when the votes are counted on Tuesday.

To watch the ad, click here.

January 26, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards: S.C. Deserves Better Than Clinton-Obama Bickering

January 25, 2008 11:09 AM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: South Carolina voters eating grits and ham at the Country Ham House in Greenville this morning, were served a side a politics from former Sen. John Edwards.

Rehashing the personal jabs that were thrown by Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during Monday evening's Democratic debate, Edwards told several hundred voters, "That may be the way they do politics in New York, it may be the way they do politics in Chicago, but South Carolina is better than that, and you deserve better than that."

"While they're intent on tearing each other down I’m intent on building up the people of South Carolina, giving them a real chance, focusing on jobs, healthcare, the things that really affect their day to day lives,” Edwards told reporters after the event. “That’s what my campaign is about, it’s what it will continue to be about and I think that’s what people in South Carolina deserve.”

While Edwards may have been sidelined in Monday’s debate -- he’s now using the squabbling to his advantage.  A senior Edwards campaign advisor tells ABC News the campaign is launching both a television and radio ad today in South Carolina.

The television ad is entitled “Grown Up” and will say that Edwards was the only grown up in the debate, where Obama slammed Clinton for working as "corporate lawyer" for Wal-Mart, and Clinton shot back at Obama for ties to Tony Rezko, an indicted Chicago developer. 

The radio ad will also speak to the bickering between Clinton and Obama.  It will echo Edwards’ line of defense in the debate -- asking how Democratic Party in-fighting will help solve the issues facing American families.

January 25, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards Finds Comfort in Home State

January 24, 2008 1:04 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: A sign outside out a Giant Burger Restaurant that reads "Welcome John Edwards" was telling of Democratic hopeful's day in South Carolina.

"It is somewhat fun for me and comforting for me to come to a place where people talk like I do," Edwards said while speaking to voters gathered in Laurens, South Carolina.

"When we go to other parts of the country people say, 'I have trouble getting used to the accent' and I go, what accent?"

Edwards was born in South Carolina and has been campaigning in the Palmetto State all week leading up to Saturday's primary. But trailing a distant third behind Sen. Barack Obama, D-N.C., and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., he was frank about his expectations.

"I am the underdog by any measure. Nobody expects me to do great on Saturday, but you have the potential to change this thing," he said.

Edwards added, "it makes no difference whether they're a democrat or republican. We want people to go to the polls."

Edwards began his morning on Thursday campaigning at Bacons Drive-In in Spartanburg, S.C., where he was met by dozens of screaming high school fans. One student insisted the former senator autograph his Game Boy.

As he continued to sign autographs and stay afloat in the sea of teenagers, I suggested to Edwards that he was somewhat of a rock star in Spartanburg.  He jokingly responded, "just here?"

January 24, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards Attacks Clinton for Leaving S.C.

January 23, 2008 1:47 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: Campaigning in his birth state of South Carolina this afternoon, John Edwards leveled serious criticisms at Sen. Hillary Clinton -- claiming he was more dedicated and electable than she is.

Claiming that he best understood voters' lives in the Palmetto State, Edwards slammed Clinton for leaving South Carolina following Monday night's Democratic debate. 

"We need a president of the United States who actually understands your life," Edwards said.  "It's one thing to fly into South Carolina from some place else, give a speech, go to a debate and then fly back out," said Edwards speaking to voters in the town of Bennettsville. "It is a very different thing to have lived here to have grown up in this part of the country and to understand in a personal way what's happening in your lives."

Clinton has left South Carolina in capable hands—her husband and former President Bill Clinton, who won the state '92 and '96.

Edwards continued, "Right after the debate she flew out and she's been gone and she won't be back until I don't know -- later in the week or until primary day. And the question is: if she's not going to spend time here the week before the South Carolina primary, what do you think the chances are she's coming back after the primary? And what are the chances she's coming back when she's president of the United States?"

Edwards has been campaigning in South Carolina since Saturday evening. He will be in the state through this weekend's primary.

"You can't just think you're voting in this primary on Saturday and then it's all over. We got a long way to go," said Edwards.

"It doesn't do any good to nominate somebody who's not going to win next November. We have to have a candidate who's going to win next November."

January 23, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (26) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards: "In Times Like This We Need a Grown-Up"

January 22, 2008 12:29 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: On a day where the economy is dominating the headlines, John Edwards sought to focus on local economic issues in South Carolina.

"My mother and father who were born and raised here and who like many parents in America spent their lives working hard so that I could have a better life," said Edwards on a conference call with reporters—held from his campaign bus. "But what's happened is the dream that my parents had for me… that dream is slipping away from too many South Carolina families."

Before touting the fact that he was the first democratic contender to lay out an economic stimulus plan, Edwards outlined a laundry list of issues facing voters in the Palmetto state.

"In December, South Carolina lost six thousand jobs. The unemployment rate jumped to 6.6 percent in December, which is the largest one month increase in decades." Edwards said.

"South Carolina bankruptcies were up 18 percent last year. In South Carolina - since George Bush took office - 75,000 people have gone into poverty 200,000 have lost health insurance, 90,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost," he added.

For Edwards, campaigning in his native South Carolina is all about personal touches — son of a mill worker, working class roots, who felt the economic devastation when the mill closed in his home town.

But at last night's democratic debate, personal touches were outshined by personal attacks. Sidelined by the bickering between Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Edwards said Tuesday, "I was thinking I'm John Edwards and I represent the 'grown-up wing' in the Democratic Party."

He added, "in times like this we need a grown-up."

But in times like this — Edwards needs a win. He's currently 0 in 3 having failed to win Iowa, New Hampshire or Nevada.

Yet he assured, "we've had three states vote. I've said for weeks now I'm in this for the long term," adding, "money is not and will not be the issue. We have budgeted for the long term."

January 22, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards: 'I Can Beat McCain'

January 20, 2008 3:10 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: Following a campaign stop in Winnsboro, South Carolina, former Sen. John Edwards chimed in on the current state of the presidential race, particularly, the come back of Republican candidate John McCain, who just won Saturday's SC Republican primary.

"He is starting to look like the Republican nominee and I think it’s important for us to have somebody to run against McCain who can beat him, and there are national polls that show I’m the one who beats John McCain in the general election," said Edwards speaking to reporters.

"This is a guy who's made central to his political life campaign finance reform. It seems to me we ought to be putting somebody up against him who’s never taken money from special interest PACs or Washington lobbyists… that's me."

Edwards is in South Carolina campaigning for a comeback of his own, in the state he won in 2004.

Speaking about his poor finish in the Nevada caucuses Saturday Edwards admitted, "I got my butt kicked and now I’m going to get up and fight. I’m going to fight for all the things that I care about. And those causes have not gone away and haven’t changed."

January 20, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards: "What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas"

January 19, 2008 9:05 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson reports: Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards has summed up a disappointing performance in the Nevada caucuses, saying, "This is one of those times that I hope the old saying, 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,' turns out to be true. We'll see what happens."

The former No. Carolina senator finished a distant third behind Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., garnering only 4 percent of the vote. He did not pick up any delegates.

"I think the other candidates spent enormous amounts of money, and we didn't.  It was a caucus process ... they were there for a long time organizing," said Edwards, in Greenville, S.C.

Yet, despite having failed to win a state, Edwards vowed that he would push forward.

"We've now had three states vote out of 50. We've got 47 more to go.  And this cause that I'm engaged in has not gone away, and it has not changed."

When pressed by reporters on his third place finish this evening, Edwards lamented, "I am not finished with this fight. I am dead in it."

Shortly after the results were in, Edwards placed calls to both Clinton and Obama on their victories.

January 19, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)

Clinton Team Calls on Obama to Condemn Negative Spanish Ads

January 18, 2008 5:23 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow, Raelyn Johnson, Eloise Harper, Sunlen Miller Report: On the eve of the Nevada caucuses, Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign manager is demanding that Senator Barack Obama's campaign condemn ads his supporters are running on Spanish language television and radio in the state.

For the second day in a row, Clinton's campaign held a telephone conference call with reporters to express outrage over the ads, clearly sensing that the ads may be resonating with a critical group of voters.

Hispanic voters represent about fifteen percent of Democratic voters in Nevada and could be a pivotal group in a tight race.

"I just want to say how personally offended I am by these ads and outraged,” said Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle.

UNITE HERE -- a labor group that supports Barack Obama -- continues to run a radio ad in heavy rotation, which accuses Clinton of being "shameless" and not respecting the Hispanic community.

According to the Clinton campaign, the group has also spent fourteen thousand dollars to run television ads on Spanish television, including Univision, in Nevada. 

The television ads do not mention Clinton by name, but praise Obama.

"Together we built our Culinary Union and together we are winning the Las Vegas Dream.  The companies can't divide us by race or by casino or by the job we do," the television ads says in Spanish. 

"Senator Barack Obama believes that the way to change America is by bringing all people together," it says.

Both the Clinton and the campaign of Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. have called on Obama to disavow the ads.

In Las Vegas Friday, Senator Edwards suggested the ads were bringing racial politics back to the fore.

"Just a few days ago, on a stage where all three of us were participating in the debate, there was a discussion of putting behind us and stopping the race politics that had been going on for a few days before that between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama.  And everyone pledged that this kind of divisive politics that divides the Democratic party and could divide America would come to an end.  Senator Obama made that pledge.  I was sitting five feet from him when I heard him say it.  And now it turns out that in the last twenty-four hours, there's a radio ad that's being run—a malicious radio ad attacking Senator Clinton.  That is exactly that kind of divisive politics.  It's being run right here in Las Vegas.  I denounce it,” Edwards said.

"And from what I've seen, Senator Obama has not said a single word about this,” he continued.

Obama has not taken questions from reporters in a formal setting since Monday.

"It's particularly telling that the Obama campaign is silent about these ads after they expended so much energy condemning labor unions who were advocating on behalf of the Clinton and Edwards campaigns in Iowa," said Clinton spokesman Phil Singer.

On the conference call, Clinton supporter and Hispanic labor leader Dolores Huerta also went after Obama's credentials in the Hispanic community.

"I have yet to find one single worker that is for Obama. They are totally confused by the union's endorsement," she said.

On an Obama campaign conference call with reporters Friday, spokesman Bill Burton stuck to his talking points and said that Obama is against outside group spending. He stopped short, however, of condeming the radio ad's claim that Clinton does not want Las Vegas strip workers to have the right to vote.

January 18, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (286) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards Blames the Media for Burying His Message

January 18, 2008 2:30 PM

In a final plea to voters before the Nevada caucuses, democratic contender John Edwards criticized the media for its coverage of his campaign.

"I think that the mainstream media has been telling America for over a year now that they only have two choices in this race," said Edwards during a rally in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon.

"This is the problem with the media telling people what they're supposed to do and who they're supposed to consider."

The former North Carolina senator complained his presidential bid hasn't garnered the spotlight that his Democratic rivals Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., have received.

Clinton and Obama have raised more money than Edwards and have consistently remained ahead of him in state and national polls. Having finished second in Iowa and third in New Hampshire, and trailing in the polls in both Nevada and South Carolina, Edwards downplayed the importance of winning a state primary or caucus, but admitted he needs to do well to remain competitive.

"Sooner or later I have to get more delegates," Edwards admitted. "I honestly think it's dependent on when I get heard in a relatively fair way. Because if I get heard, it will work. I absolutely believe, based on all the data, that people will be for me if they hear from me in a way that’s even remotely even with the other two candidates."

Edwards has been campaigning in Nevada for the past three days, speaking largely to labor crowds. While he’ll be campaigning in South Carolina on the day of the Nevada caucuses, he urged voters gathered today to caucus for Saturday.

"I want to say to every union member, including the union members who work in the casinos and the hotels and the restaurants, that I am the candidate who’s actually been in the back of these hotels and restaurants all over this country helping organize workers into unions," he said.

"Whatever your political leadership is trying to tell you to do, I ask every one of those union members to see who's the person who'll actually stand up for them, and caucus for them."

January 18, 2008 in Edwards, John, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards Jabs Dem Frontrunners

January 17, 2008 2:25 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports:  John Edwards says it will take a "fighter" to bring change to Washington, but with his string of third-place finishes in recent primaries, he's honing in on the fray between the race's frontrunners.

Such was the case Thursday in Henderson, Nev., where the former North Carolina senator delivered a stump speech that was chock full of jabs at New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

Edwards addressed the recent back and forth between Clinton and Obama saying, "Sen. Clinton's saying what we need in a president is somebody who knows how to run the bureaucracy, who knows how to manage, somebody who knows how to shuffle the papers around and Sen. Obama saying no, what we really need is a president of the United States who knows how to give a good speech."

He added, "You've hard me say it before -- we have extraordinarily well-financed entrenched interests that stand between America and change.  Drug companies, insurance companies, the idea that they’re going to go away and give up so long as we shuffle some papers around, that will never happen."

"The idea that the drug companies and the insurance companies will go away because somebody gives a good speech that will never happen," he continued.

Edwards' jabs were met by loud applause from the mostly union crowd.

He continued, saying Obama "used Ronald Reagan -- President Ronald Reagan -- as an example of change. My view is I would never use Ronald Reagan as an example of change."

Edwards was speaking directly to controversial comments Obama made during an editorial board meeting, where he said Reagan was a transformational president.

Edwards charged, "When you think about what Ronald Reagan did to the American people, to the middle class to the working people. He was openly -- openly -- intolerant of unions and the right to organize. He openly fought against the union and the organized labor movement in this country."

Edwards continued on, saying Reagan damaged the middle and working classes with his tax structure, and deregulated companies that polluted the environment.

January 17, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)

Edwards airs contrast ads in South Carolina

January 15, 2008 4:46 AM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson reports: Democratic hopeful John Edwards will go on the air in South Carolina today with a series of ten second ads.

According to a campaign official, the ads will feature images of Edwards' top rivals, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama and ask, which candidate has never taken a dollar from a Washington lobbyists? And which candidate has vowed to ban lobbyists from working in their White House?

The answer to both questions of course is Edwards, who's trying to draw distinctions in a state he won in 2004, but is currently polling third behind Clinton and Obama.

January 15, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Cate Edwards Involved in 'Minor' Car Accident

January 14, 2008 1:07 PM

ABC News' David Muir and Raelyn Johnson Report: Cate Edwards, 25, the eldest daughter of presidential candidate former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., was involved in a car accident in Chapel Hill, North Carolina Friday night.

Edwards told ABC News Monday his daughter is "doing fine."

"I talked to Cate late last night. She was hit from behind, I think, by a drunk driver, and any other details they'll have to tell you, Edwards said, "I don't know much more beyond than that, but she's doing fine."

Earlier Monday, Edwards Campaign spokesperson Eric Schultz told reporters, "It was a minor car accident, and Cate was unharmed."

As first reported by ABC affiliate WTVD in Raleigh Durham, North Carolina, the car Cate was driving was struck by an alleged drunk driver as she approached a red light.

The ABC affiliate reported Chapel Hill Police charged 45-year-old Carol Small with driving while intoxicated, and reported Edwards' car, a 2007 Ford Sedan, suffered an estimated $2000 worth of damage.

The Edwards family is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Following last Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, Cate Edwards flew home to North Carolina Wednesday morning.

Cate Edwards is a Harvard Law student, but has most recently been actively campaigning for her father in Iowa and New Hampshire.  She has focused on urging students and young people to vote for her dad.

January 14, 2008 in Edwards, John, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comment