John Edwards campaigns for local candidates in Iowa

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2222050



Published Friday
August 11, 2006

Edwards campaigns for local candidates


DES MOINES - Former Sen. John Edwards on Thursday began three days of campaigning with and raising money for county-level political organizations and with local candidates.

"This is kind of true to his political history," said Senate Democratic Leader Michael Gronstal of Council Bluffs. "It works well in Iowa, and he is comfortable with it."

In the last election cycle, Edwards donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Democratic Party in Iowa, helping finance a voter turnout effort in the 2002 election in which Democrats succeeded in getting another term for Gov. Tom Vilsack and Sen. Tom Harkin.

The goodwill Edwards developed paid off in a strong second-place finish in Iowa's caucuses, giving him momentum that eventually got him on the ticket with John Kerry.

This time around, Edwards has left little doubt he plans on using the same tactic in 2008.
- the Associated Press

[saltpoint]

1. The county-level Democrats can make a lot of things happen in

state-wide politics.

Vice President Edwards appears to know what he's doing.

[pstans]

2. I attended an event with Edwards tonight

I am going to write something about it on my blog, the Century of the Common Iowan, in the morning. Check it out at http://commoniowan.blogspot.com.

Edwards was very good. To my surprise, he only said Bush's name 1 time. I heard Sen. Tom Harkin speak on Wed and he mentioned Bush's name numerous times. Edwards was really inspiring and I left wanting to get to work making our coutnry better.

Visit http://commoniowan.blogspot.com for more info on Saturday.

[pstans]

3. Here's my writeup of the event

http://commoniowan.blogspot.com/2006/08/yesterdays-edwards-event-in-ames.html

Here's part of the it, follow the link for the rest.

Despite this being John Edwards' 12th trip to Iowa since the 2004 election, this was my first time hearing him speak. I was most interested in what he would say about Iraq. After hearing Tom Harkin speak earlier in the week, I kept asking myself how Harkin could have voted for the war everytime Harkin brought up Iraq (which was often). Even though Harkin has been outspoken against he war, the fact that he voted for it cut at his credibility on the topic.

Edwards tackled Iraq and his vote for it head on. Right after thanking everyone, Edwards came out saying awhile back he made a tough decision. After careful thought, his vote on the Iraq War was a mistake and he must take reponsibility for it. Edwards got a big ovation when he said, "the path is clear. We must start getting out of Iraq now and the best way to show the world we are getting out is to start getting out." Edwards said he would redeploy 40,000 troops out of Iraq initially with the goal of having all troops out of there in 12-18 months.

http://commoniowan.blogspot.com

[chimpymustgo]

4. Thanks for posting! JRE is building good will and a great organization.

Quite the launching pad for 08, if he wants it.

[bobbolink]

5. "People around the world don't see you, your character and morals.

They see US military power, they see genocide in Darfur, they see children born in Africa with Aids. "Where is America?" Edwards asked. "The world needs to see the real America."

POWERFUL!

Thanks for posting this!

I didn't work for Edwards in 2004--he was a bit too conservative for me. But now he is the ONLY DEM speaking up for poverty issues, so he's the one I'm interested in. (ALthough, I'm not happy that he's only talking about "the working poor". What about those of us who cannot work...we're what, chopped liver?)

The more I hear of his other words, the more I find him to be quite visionary. Actually, he is sounding like Carter, and that wouldn't be a bad thing!

His words above give a very CLEAR direction for the Dems to follow... a moral compass, the character to care beyond ourselves. If we were to get that out loudly and strongly, it would have a huge impact on the election!

Here's to you, John and Elizabeth! :toast:

Just remember those of us who can't work, 'k???!!

[Catchawave]

6. "The Big Dog coming up next"

That was Tweety's intro the other night on Hardball. I like the sound of that :loveya:

He gets great press everywhere:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060812/NEWS08/608120331

Edit to add copy:

Edwards repeats call: Bring troops home
'What we're doing makes no sense,' the North Carolina senator tells a group in Fort Dodge.

KEN FUSON
REGISTER STAFF WRITER


August 12, 2006



Fort Dodge, Ia. - Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards repeated his call Friday to remove U.S. troops from Iraq, saying: "All the Iraq war does is help the recruitment of terrorists."

Edwards said American troops are in the middle of a "low-level civil war" between rival Islamic groups.

"That's what's driving the violence there every single day," he said. "How long is the United States of America going to stay there and try to police a civil war between these two groups? What we're doing makes no sense."

Edwards, the Democrats' 2004 vice presidential candidate, is considered among the top tier of Democrats who are considering a 2008 presidential run. His stop in Fort Dodge was part of a three-day, seven-stop weekend tour of Iowa.


cont'd.....

[Schema Thing]

7. That's cool. So long as Iowa races are the important ones nationally

[Inspired]

8. All politics are local. n/t

[Inspired]

9. I went to 2 events myself

One in Waukee and one in Johnston. Both are suburbs outside of Des Moines. John Edwards was inspiring. (He looks great, too.) I loved this statement the best:

"I love my party, but I love my country more."