Great photo of John Edwards and family in New Orleans today

[DeepModem Mom]

(Alex Brandon/AP)
John Edwards with his family in New Orleans before delivering a speech announcing the end of his campaign.

NYT: Edwards Drops Out of Race for President
By JULIE BOSMAN and JEFF ZELENY
Published: January 30, 2008

NEW ORLEANS — John Edwards, the progressive Democratic candidate who made a populist, antipoverty message the centerpiece of his campaign, announced his exit from the presidential primary race on Wednesday, saying he was stepping aside “so that history can blaze its path.” Mr. Edwards announced his decision at the same place where he began his candidacy in January 2006 — New Orleans — using a row of homes still badly damaged from Hurricane Katrina as his backdrop. He did not endorse his two chief rivals, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, but he said he had spoken to them by phone and asked them both to continue drawing attention to the primary themes of his campaign.

“They have both pledged to me — and more importantly through me to America — that they will make ending poverty central to their campaign for the presidency,” he said....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/us/politics/30cnd-edwards.html?hp


(Charles Dharapak/AP)
John Edwards announcing his candidacy in New Orleans in December 2006.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

1. As a black female he was the only candidate I could relate to.

I am still undecided on Barack and Hillary - when I listen to them I hear nothing but air. Honestly ...

[DeepModem Mom]

2. I'm so sorry, Carolina. This is an awful day for so many here.

:-(

[vanboggie]

13. This white female

feels the same way, Carolina. I WISH I could see something good in Hill-o-Bama. I keep looking but only find a corporate shill or an empty suit.

I wish there was another choice, but now he's gone. You're not alone in your feelings. :hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

19. Hill-o-bama is a perfect nickname for those two.

I don't see any difference in either two of those candidates.But I still won't give up hope. I am writing in Edwards' name.

[vanboggie]

21. Good for you Carolina

I'm in Michigan and never got to cast a vote for Edwards. Take me with you in spirit when you write in his name, OK?

[Yael]

30. I will proudly cast my vote in the name of Michigan and all of you who

never had a chance to be heard.

[yodermon]

23. I prefer "Clobama" myself

;)

[Yael]

29. If he isn't on my ballot, I am as well

Thanks for that. :hug:

[quiet.american]

17. I was just telling someone essentially the same thing.

I'm a black female, too -- and I have to admit that what scares the wits out of me is that their idea of universal healthcare seems to be to make it mandatory to purchase insurance (?). How does that solve the problem?

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

18. Good there is another one of us out there.

I was starting to think that my mom and I were the only ones. Mandatory health insurance purchases ? What about the elderly who can't afford it.

[quiet.american]

25. Hello! I feel the same way -- especially since I give my mom a hand financially. nt

[gaspee]

20. I don't get how insurance can be madatory

So if I don't get insurance (because I can't afford it, duh) what am I supposed to do. If I can't afford car insurance, they take away my ability to drive.

If I can't afford health insurance, what? Do they take away my ability to LIVE?

[quiet.american]

24. Well you know in this country today, they will find a way -- it's called tax penalties and fines.

Check this out - this was Romney's plan when he was governor:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12156882/

Health insurance may be mandatory in Mass.

Excerpt:

The state’s poorest — single adults making $9,500 or less a year — will have access to health coverage with no premiums or deductibles.

Those living at up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $48,000 for a family of three, will be able to get health coverage on a sliding scale, also with no deductibles.

The vast majority of Massachusetts residents who are already insured could see a modest easing of their premiums.

Refusal could cost $1,000
Individuals deemed able but unwilling to purchase health care could face fines of more than $1,000 a year by the state if they don’t get insurance.

End of excerpt


I can't locate it now, but it seems I read a followup to this after it was signed into law where a lot of Mass. residents are falling between the cracks and are worse off financially than ever....

(And you know as a single woman who makes a "good salary" -- at least on paper -- I'm often smack in the middle -- not poor -- not wealthy -- I'll probably get stuck with the highest premiums -- especially as I'm on the tail end of the baby boomer crowd.)

[Wednesdays]

28. Debtor's prison?

:shrug:

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. Thanks for this.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. You're welcome, Native. nt

[LisaM]

4. Sigh. Were we just not quite ready for a progressive, populist

anti-poverty message?

[avaistheone1]

9. I guess the economic system wouldn't work anymore without having the poor.

It would be a real threat to the corporatists.

[Lucinda]

16. The people certainly are. The media, wasn't.

[Fox Mulder]

5. Yes it is.

[Alexander]

7. Is he wearing the same clothes?

[DeepModem Mom]

8. I noticed it looked like the same blue shirt. nt

[AtomicKitten]

10. Really lovely family.

[judaspriestess]

11. Thank you for the pic

and I am truly grateful I had the opportunity to hear him speak in Las Vegas

[Lucinda]

12. And another.

The article makes me even sadder. Thanks for posting this.

[vanboggie]

14. What a wonderful family

Thank you for the photo. Today sure sucks, though.

[Lucinda]

22. Yep. It really does.

The media killed his candadicy. He's done a great job.

[DeepModem Mom]

15. Nice! A beautiful family -- thanks for adding this pic. nt

[Avalux]

26. Thanks - that made me tear up; what a wonderful family.

I wish them all well and I hope Edwards continues his fight - hopefully in the next administration.

[CorpGovActivist]

27. Every Time...

... I see him with Jack, I cannot help but think of Wade.

- Dave