E. Edwards: "we know who is pushing it and what campaigns are associated with it," (the haircut BS)

[draft_mario_cuomo]

I was surprised to come across this at the very end of an article on how the Edwards' campaign is using the internet to gets it message out, partly due to the CMSM's focus on Clobama.

==“The hair commercial was Joe’s idea,” Mrs. Edwards said. “Your choice on the hair stuff is to say this is not important, or make a joke at yourself or get angry at it because you know who is pushing it — we know who is pushing it and what campaigns are associated with it,” she said, without elaborating. “He thought of a 30-second way to make the point.”==

Notice she says it in the plural. So there is more than one campaign behind it. I don't want to speculate without any evidence but everyone knows which campaigns have a history of such tactics and a vested interest in the story. I can guarantee you it wasn't the Kucinich campaign pushing this. I hope they out whoever is pushing this in someway...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/us/politics/01edwards.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5088&en=e49480352659a018&ex=1343620800&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. I'd love to see Edwards' policy on universal health care.

I heard he's ahead of the curve on this issue.

I'm not really interested in who dissed who.

MKJ

[draft_mario_cuomo]

2. Here you go

http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care-overview.pdf

Here is a good article on his plan:

==The Edwards plan would require every American to have health insurance by 2012 - the last year of Edwards’ first term if he were elected. The plan would first make health care available to everyone and then require people to carry health insurance, just as motorists must have liability insurance.

The plan is a mix of public and private strategies. Employers would be required to either provide insurance to their employees through a company policy, or to help fund coverage for their workers by contributing to regional nonprofit government entities that Edwards calls health markets==

==The health markets would use the economy of scale to negotiate affordable policies through insurers. Uninsured individuals could obtain coverage through a health market. So could employers seeking to provide group policies for their employees.==

==Health markets would offer traditional plans from private companies such as Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Aetna and Cigna, as well as a government-run plan similar to Medicare, the federal health-insurance program for the elderly. The public-sector plan would resemble Canada’s single-payer system, in which insurance is publicly funded to control costs but doctors and hospitals remain private.

“The idea is to determine whether Americans actually want a private insurer or whether they would rather have a government-run ... single-payer plan,” Edwards said. “We’ll find out over time where people go.” ==

Read the rest at http://www.popmatters.com/pm/news/article/38815/in-a-crowded-field-edwards-health-plan-sets-him-apart

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

4. Thanks.

This issue and Iraq for three quarters of this country will dictate the next election.
MKJ

[draft_mario_cuomo]

14. I agree. Those are the top issues this time nt

[frogcycle]

11. while it is easy to be an idealogue

and say this is waffling, I think it is excellent

“The idea is to determine whether Americans actually want a private insurer or whether they would rather have a government-run ... single-payer plan,” Edwards said. “We’ll find out over time where people go.” ==

Instead of imposing the "paternal government" on people, upsetting all the libertarians, it says We the People decide - but not by listening to two sides screech at each other and then rolling the dice - it is the "try and buy" concept.

I like this guy better every time I see him

[draft_mario_cuomo]

15. The Cato guy certainly fears that it will eventually lead to single-payer!

I think the Edwards' plan is the most realistic path to achieving single-payer in America.

[frogcycle]

16. and the beauty of that is

if it leads to single-payer, that will be because it WORKS!

the naysayers haven't a leg to stand on. If their precious private system is so good, then it will survive and only the human detritus they care not a whit for will touch the abominable government system. This is negotiation at its finest. Defuse the other guys argument by stopping resisting it. Say "alright, we'll let you have your way, but we're just going to make this little addition you needn't concern yourself about." If you're right, his way fails and you win. If you're wrong, his way succeeds and you don't look like a fool for fighting it. If you have confidence in your plan, this is a safe bet every time.

And it WORKS. I have rope-a-doped many a client, or employee, or employer this way. And they don't even mind, because when the better solution emerges, they appreciate that they have it and also appreciate that you let them save face.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

18. Great point

They won't be able to muster much of an argument when it is the marketplace that decides our shift to a single-payer system. :evilgrin:

[frogcycle]

17. and may I just say that this sub-thread is

WHAT REALLY MATTERS!

[bvar22]

29. A little easier version of the above:

Edwards is going to offer Single Payer, "Not for Profit", Government Administered HealthCare to those who want it, and let the For Profit HMOs and Insurance Corporations try to compete.

Do you think the For Profit systems with $400Million CEOs will be able to compete with a Not For Profit government administered system?....neither does Edwards. He is NOT in favor of legislating the For Profit system out of existence overnight.

I am a Kucinich supporter, and am in favor of Medicare for All, but Edwards has an interesting plan that shows some potential for transitioning to MediCare for All and reducing the shock of that transition while leaving the option for expensive Private HealthCare as a choice.

[eridani]

35. What I really don't get is--

--since he is constantly being accused of being a Marxist by all the right wing whackjobs, why doesn't he just decide to be hung for sheep instead of lambs and go for real universal health care?

[waiting for hope]

21. Here's a side by side comparison:

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/bluchart1.pdf

Please note: On page 12, there is a mistake. They note that JRE "acknowledges" mental health care when in fact he has said his plan INCLUDES a FULL mental health parity.

[TeamJordan23]

3. It could be GOP campaigns also. nm

[MADem]

6. Indeed--trying to shape the outcome, as they like to try to do. NT

[draft_mario_cuomo]

7. True. We know the Republicans fear an Edwards nomination nt

[jillan]

5. Clobama...I guess that is more 'correct'

then what I have been calling them - Hil-bama:)

I have a confession to make.
I wasn't an Edwards fan - at all - until the last debate.

It was his honesty on the gay marriage question - - and that video that made me open up to him.
Along with his passion. He just seemed so real.

That commercial was absolutely brilliant.
I know everyone raved about Obama's cheerleading video... but
Edward's video said it all. I was so proud of him, or whoever in his campaign for putting that video together.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

9. Hey, Hil-bama is good too!

That is great. I think Edwards' will win more voters over as people learn about him and his message. The article in the OP is largely about how the Edwards' campaign is using the internet to get its message out because of the CMSM's cheerleading for Clobama. A recent poll found that the number of voters who hear the most about HRC in the media was 22x greater than the number who heard about JE the most; the number for BO was 11x higher than Edwards'.

The video was great. If anyone missed it, here is a link to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1qG6m9SnWI

[illinoisprogressive]

10. It is more like hilwards around here. Obama and Hillary together ...

that is such a strawman to feel like everyone is ganging up on Edwards. let me tell you guys. Edwards does not get trashed here like I see obama getting trashed.
We have the Edwards and hillarys trashing together.
Maybe it should be Hilwards.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

12. Clobama doesn't refer to that stuff

Clobama is a fusion of their last names that alludes to how similar they are too each other in policy. I presume Hil-bama has the same meaning.

[jillan]

34. I don't even want to hear where Biden stands in that study

You know what bothers me the most?

All the clobama - hil-bama coverage is anti-democratic.

It is not allowing the people who rely on the MSM to learn about
ALL of the candidates.

Even Kucinich should be getting time. He has a message that alot of people can relate to.
But the Msm doesn't think he has a chance.

Be glad that Edwards gets as much coverage as he does.

I think it's time for a mass-emailing campaign.

[illinoisprogressive]

8. what campaign is doing that?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

13. E. Edwards did not say. btw more than 1 campaign is involved

I hope they out whoever did it in some manner, at some point.

[avrdream]

19. Sort of like the cleavage stuff.

Whoever is behind that is probably behind the haircut BS. I can't get over how dumb both of these arguements are. John Edwards has a decent health care proposal. It isn't perfect but is clearly a start and he is honest enough to admit that it will cost money. You guys know I'm a Hillary supporter but I think it is absolute crap that people focused on the haircut instead of reading JE's policy statements.

Ditto for the cleavage remarks. Issues people, issues.

[jmp]

20. Does the man ever speak for himself? (nm)

...

[Inspired]

25. Do you want Elizabeth to just shut up? Jeez.

I'm proud of her.

[jmp]

26. I'd prefer that he be his own attack dog.

I don't know many men (or women for that matter) who respect a man that hides behind a woman's skirt. Edwards is campaigning to be President of the United States. It's past time to man up.

[Inspired]

27. He isn't hiding. Good Lord. n/t

[JANdad]

33. Ummmm...how about....

Fuck Off! Is that man enough for you?

[Adelante]

22. If the Edwards campaign knows, then they should say

Rather than tossing around cheap accusations while showing zero evidence. If another campaign was making such an empty charge, leveling pure innuendo, where Edwards could be construed as a guilty party, there would be a huge uproar on DU.

“Your choice on the hair stuff is to say this is not important, or make a joke at yourself or get angry at it because you know who is pushing it — we know who is pushing it and what campaigns are associated with it,” she said, without elaborating.

This is negative campaigning, too - Edwards Style.

[Inspired]

24. I know who is doing push polls in Iowa.

I know because I got one. The poll was so slanted towards Hillary that it was obvious what campaign was involved. The minute I said that John Edwards was my #1 choice, the questions became increasingly negative towards Edwards. The questions about Hillary made her sound like a virginal girl scout. It was sickening.

[ChiciB1]

30. Thanks For Your Input.... Been Away For A While & Am Trying To

catch up with everything! Mostly what I have to say is simply....

GO, JOHNNY, GO!!

[CarolNYC]

36. Exactly....

Vague accusations with no evidence or elaboration....Edwards Style indeed.

One would hope that we on the Democratic side of the great political divide would be above that...But, no, some even applaud the tactic.

But then I guess one could hope a lot of things and be sorely disappointed. Pretty sad. :(

[draft_mario_cuomo]

38. Were you outraged when Obama peddled a memo to smear Hillary?

Or is Edwards held to a special standard?

[Cameron27]

41. I didn't like Obama's reference to cheney/bush light

and I don't like EE's vague accusations. If she knows what campaign's behind it, then she should name them, or not bring it up at all. Her statement can be used by anyone to smear any candidate in the race, as some are doing right in this thread.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

37. I agree. However, where was this outrage about negative campaigning...

...when Obama was caught peddling a memo smearing Hillary Clinton? ;)

[LBJDemocrat]

23. Why are they so terrified of Edwards?

Could it be because he's the only major candidate with an actual f---ing platform?

[WCGreen]

28. It's the republicans who are behind all of this....

Whispering in the ear of joe and judy Newsreader...

Laugh, laugh about the haircut, laugh about the clevage...

It's more fun that way...

The people don't care about stuff like health care...

That's too much for them to care about...

Make them into a joke...

See the funny democrats...

They are so petty and childlike...

Do you really think they can save us from the terrorists...

Yea, joe and judy newsreader...

And they want to take your 401k away...

Haircuts and cleavage...

[MalloyLiberal]

31. No, it's a neocon like Obama behind it. And Hillary doing her push polling.

[Adelante]

32. Do you have proof that Obama is behind the hair story?

If you do, please share. If not, that's just a low down smear.

[Buck Rabbit]

39. I know one of them is Jay Leno's campaign.

He likes the haircut, like he also likes to joke about Rudy's wifes. It makes for easy political comedy that doesn't require much groundwork, explanation or setup for his largely politically uninformed audience.

[democratsin08]

40. sounds like the work of obama

he is very dirty in this campaign

[Forkboy]

42. You wouldn't happen to any evidence at all for that,would you?