Edwards Calls On Senator Obama To Denounce UNITE HERE Radio Ads

[jsamuel]

http://www.johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20080118-unite-here-ads/

Las Vegas, Nevada – During a "Get Out the Caucus" rally in Las Vegas today, John Edwards made the following statement calling on Senator Obama to denounce the UNITE HERE radio ads.

"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. This kind of ad, I don't care who's doing it—in this case it's Senator Obama's supporters—but this sort of thing needs to stop. And from what I've seen, Senator Obama has not said a single word about this. Nothing…when two days ago, three days ago, he sat on a stage in front of America and said this kind of politics had no place in America. That is divides America. It divides the Democratic Party. And he denounced it. Well, now it's happening…by his supporters…right here in this campaign twenty-four hours before the caucuses. And what I have to say is he should speak up. If he really means what he says—and this is not just talk—he should speak up and denounce this kind of divisive politics. It is not what the Democratic Party needs. It is not what America needs. And let me say this very clearly, vis-a-vis Senator Obama, I will not divide America. I will unite America."

[Andy823]

1. You beat me to it

I just saw this over on the Edwards site. Do you know what the add is saying?

[geek tragedy]

2. Why does John Edwards hate unions?

And, who is John Edwards?

[rodeodance]

11. If they are indeed race related, then nothing to diss--even if a union is paying for them.

[PresidentObama]

3. Good. Obama should stop being a hypocrite and eat his own words: "Walk the walk"

Don't just "talk the talk"

This bullshit pisses me off. I respect and admire the hell out of Senator Obama, but this is enough. He attacked Edwards in Iowa for outside groups running advertisements for him.

Now he's silent, letting his campaign release standard respones that are weak and don't go to the point of the hypocrisy that's been exposed.

[cali]

4. LOL

I believe Obama already did the obligatory distancing himself from UNITE, just as Edwards did in Iowa. Edwards certainly did NOT denounce the 527s advertising on his behalf that were negative about Obams.

[durrrty libby]

10. Ahh...So this is the crux of "hope" and "change". Gotta love it

[rodeodance]

12. Seems like Obama has to make if clear once again--if, as you say, he

distanced himself already.

[Marrah_G]

5. Those are some nasty ads

I hope Obama tells whatever supporters who are running them to stop it.

[rodeodance]

8. seems they are race related--from the IP post.

[rodeodance]

6. Thanks John.

[rodeodance]

7. and so so happy to give it the big 5th REC

[Cameron27]

9. I'm so happy he did that.

K&R

[rodeodance]

13. So am I -so am I

[Thrill]

14. I haven't seen Hillary denounce those nasty mailers shes sending out

[zulchzulu]

15. Edwards bashfully said he couldn't stop the 527s against Obama

It's boomerang time.

That said, 527s have to be stopped...but what the hell can Obama do about stopping them. Does Edwards have any ideas? If he did, he would have stopped the ones he said he couldn't stop...right?

[Adelante]

16. 527s have to be stopped, I agree

However, the ad is not a 527 ad.

[ProSense]

17. Here's is Obama campaign's response

Team Obama distanced themselves from the ad. “Sen. Obama believes, and has said clearly, that campaigns should fund themselves and discourages supporters from spending outside the campaign,” said spokesman Bill Burton. But he said Team Edawards mounted a much more aggressive string of attacks in Iowa. “In that case, it was not the independent speech of individual union members, each contributing small amounts to amplify their voices. It was a special project of outside donors funding a massive 527 effort run by one of Edwards’ top political lieutenants.

“It’s not our ad — the first we learned of its contents was from press reports. If the Clinton campaign has questions, they should contact the union that sponsored the ad whose support they sought throughout the course of this campaign. But coming from a campaign that is repeatedly launching absolutely false attacks against Sen. Obama, it takes some chutzpah. The facts is their camp clearly would like to have worker’s voices silences and they need to live with that unfortunate position.”

More here and here.