Iowa for Edwards

Edwards Link War and Economy

2008-02-25T17:27:00.000-08:00

Former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth Edwards will join top anti-Iraq war leaders today to announce the launch of a new nationwide, multimillion dollar campaign aimed at shining a light on the cost of war in Iraq. The new Iraq/Recession Campaign will be launched with a teleconference today at 11am.

John Edwards Suspends Campaign

2008-01-30T15:15:00.001-08:00

Remarks Of John Edwards Today In New Orleans

2008-01-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

Thank you all very much. We're very proud to be back here.

During the spring of 2006, I had the extraordinary experience of bringing 700 college kids here to New Orleans to work. These are kids who gave up their spring break to come to New Orleans to work, to rehabilitate houses, because of their commitment as Americans, because they believed in what was possible, and because they cared about their country.

I began my presidential campaign here to remind the country that we, as citizens and as a government, have a moral responsibility to each other, and what we do together matters. We must do better, if we want to live up to the great promise of this country that we all love so much.

It is appropriate that I come here today. It's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final steps to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but what we do know is that our Democratic Party will make history. We will be strong, we will be unified, and with our convictions and a little backbone we will take back the White House in November and we'll create hope and opportunity for this country.

This journey of ours began right here in New Orleans. It was a December morning in the Lower Ninth Ward when people went to work, not just me, but lots of others went to work with shovels and hammers to help restore a house that had been destroyed by the storm.

We joined together in a city that had been abandoned by our government and had been forgotten, but not by us. We knew that they still mourned the dead, that they were still stunned by the destruction, and that they wondered when all those cement steps in all those vacant lots would once again lead to a door, to a home, and to a dream.

We came here to the Lower Ninth Ward to rebuild. And we're going to rebuild today and work today, and we will continue to come back. We will never forget the heartache and we'll always be here to bring them hope, so that someday, one day, the trumpets will sound in Musicians' Village, where we are today, play loud across Lake Ponchartrain, so that working people can come marching in and those steps once again can lead to a family living out the dream in America.

We sat with poultry workers in Mississippi, janitors in Florida, nurses in California.

We listened as child after child told us about their worry about whether we would preserve the planet.

We listened to worker after worker say “the economy is tearing my family apart."

We walked the streets of Cleveland, where house after house was in foreclosure.

And we said, "We're better than this. And economic justice in America is our cause."

And we spent a day, a summer day, in Wise, Virginia, with a man named James Lowe, who told us the story of having been born with a cleft palate. He had no health care coverage. His family couldn't afford to fix it. And finally some good Samaritan came along and paid for his cleft palate to be fixed, which allowed him to speak for the first time. But they did it when he was 50 years old. His amazing story, though, gave this campaign voice: universal health care for every man, woman and child in America. That is our cause.

And we do this -- we do this for each other in America. We don't turn away from a neighbor in their time of need. Because every one of us knows that what -- but for the grace of God, there goes us. The American people have never stopped doing this, even when their government walked away, and walked away it has from hardworking people, and, yes, from the poor, those who live in poverty in this country.

For decades, we stopped focusing on those struggles. They didn't register in political polls, they didn't get us votes and so we stopped talking about it. I don't know how it started. I don't know when our party began to turn away from the cause of working people, from the fathers who were working three jobs literally just to pay the rent, mothers sending their kids to bed wrapped up in their clothes and in coats because they couldn't afford to pay for heat.

We know that our brothers and sisters have been bullied into believing that they can't organize and can't put a union in the workplace. Well, in this campaign, we didn't turn our heads. We looked them square in the eye and we said, "We see you, we hear you, and we are with you. And we will never forget you." And I have a feeling that if the leaders of our great Democratic Party continue to hear the voices of working people, a proud progressive will occupy the White House.

Now, I've spoken to both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. 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.

And more importantly, they have pledged to me that as President of the United States they will make ending poverty and economic inequality central to their Presidency. This is the cause of my life and I now have their commitment to engage in this cause.

And I want to say to everyone here, on the way here today, we passed under a bridge that carried the interstate where 100 to 200 homeless Americans sleep every night. And we stopped, we got out, we went in and spoke to them.

There was a minister there who comes every morning and feeds the homeless out of her own pocket. She said she has no money left in her bank account, she struggles to be able to do it, but she knows it’s the moral, just and right thing to do. And I spoke to some of the people who were there and as I was leaving, one woman said to me, “You won’t forget us, will you? Promise me you won’t forget us.” Well, I say to her and I say to all of those who are struggling in this country, we will never forget you. We will fight for you. We will stand up for you.

But I want to say this -- I want to say this because it’s important. With all of the injustice that we’ve seen, I can say this, America’s hour of transformation is upon us. It may be hard to believe when we have bullets flying in Baghdad and it may be hard to believe when it costs $58 to fill your car up with gas. It may be hard to believe when your school doesn’t have the right books for your kids. It’s hard to speak out for change when you feel like your voice is not being heard.

But I do hear it. We hear it. This Democratic Party hears you. We hear you, once again. And we will lift you up with our dream of what’s possible.

One America, one America that works for everybody.

One America where struggling towns and factories come back to life because we finally transformed our economy by ending our dependence on oil.

One America where the men who work the late shift and the women who get up at dawn to drive a two-hour commute and the young person who closes the store to save for college. They will be honored for that work.

One America where no child will go to bed hungry because we will finally end the moral shame of 37 million people living in poverty.

One America where every single man, woman and child in this country has health care.

One America with one public school system that works for all of our children.

One America that finally brings this war in Iraq to an end. And brings our service members home with the hero’s welcome that they have earned and that they deserve.

Today, I am suspending my campaign for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.

But I want to say this to everyone: with Elizabeth, with my family, with my friends, with all of you and all of your support, this son of a millworker’s gonna be just fine. Our job now is to make certain that America will be fine.

And I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard – all those who have volunteered, my dedicated campaign staff who have worked absolutely tirelessly in this campaign.

And I want to say a personal word to those I’ve seen literally in the last few days – those I saw in Oklahoma yesterday, in Missouri, last night in Minnesota – who came to me and said don’t forget us. Speak for us. We need your voice. I want you to know that you almost changed my mind, because I hear your voice, I feel you, and your cause it our cause. Your country needs you – every single one of you.

All of you who have been involved in this campaign and this movement for change and this cause, we need you. It is in our hour of need that your country needs you. Don’t turn away, because we have not just a city of New Orleans to rebuild. We have an American house to rebuild.

This work goes on. It goes on right here in Musicians’ Village. There are homes to build here, and in neighborhoods all along the Gulf. The work goes on for the students in crumbling schools just yearning for a chance to get ahead. It goes on for day care workers, for steel workers risking their lives in cities all across this country. And the work goes on for two hundred thousand men and women who wore the uniform of the United States of America, proud veterans, who go to sleep every night under bridges, or in shelters, or on grates, just as the people we saw on the way here today. Their cause is our cause.

Their struggle is our struggle. Their dreams are our dreams.

Do not turn away from these great struggles before us. Do not give up on the causes that we have fought for. Do not walk away from what’s possible, because it’s time for all of us, all of us together, to make the two Americas one.

Thank you. God bless you, and let’s go to work. Thank you all very much.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, III PRAISES EDWARDS FOR LEADING THE FIGHT FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN AMERICA

2008-01-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

Following a meeting at the King Center in Atlanta on the afternoon of Saturday, January 19th, 2008, Martin Luther King, III sent John Edwards a letter praising Edwards’ commitment to fighting poverty and speaking out for those without a voice. King, the first son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the President and CEO of Realizing the Dream, said his father was a fighter and urged Edwards to continue the fight for justice and equality. He also urged the other candidates to follow Edwards’ lead.

“I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign,” wrote King. “I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.

“From our conversation yesterday, I know this is personal for you. I know you know what it means to come from nothing. I know you know what it means to get the opportunities you need to build a better life. And, I know you know that injustice is alive and well in America, because millions of people will never get the same opportunities you had.

“I believe that now, more than ever, we need a leader who wakes up every morning with the knowledge of that injustice in the forefront of their minds, and who knows that when we commit ourselves to a cause as a nation, we can make major strides in our own lifetimes.”

The letter can be downloaded at: http://www.johnedwards.com/news/20080121-mlk-iii-letter.pdf. The full text of the letter is below:

January 20, 2008

The Honorable John E. Edwards
410 Market Street
Suite 400
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Dear Senator Edwards:

It was good meeting with you yesterday and discussing my father’s legacy. On the day when the nation will honor my father, I wanted to follow up with a personal note.

There has been, and will continue to be, a lot of back and forth in the political arena over my father’s legacy. It is a commentary on the breadth and depth of his impact that so many people want to claim his legacy. I am concerned that we do not blur the lines and obscure the truth about what he stood for: speaking up for justice for those who have no voice.

I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election.

You know as well as anyone that the 37 million people living in poverty have no voice in our system. They don’t have lobbyists in Washington and they don’t get to go to lunch with members of Congress. Speaking up for them is not politically convenient. But, it is the right thing to do.

I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign. I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.

From our conversation yesterday, I know this is personal for you. I know you know what it means to come from nothing. I know you know what it means to get the opportunities you need to build a better life. And, I know you know that injustice is alive and well in America, because millions of people will never get the same opportunities you had.

I believe that now, more than ever, we need a leader who wakes up every morning with the knowledge of that injustice in the forefront of their minds, and who knows that when we commit ourselves to a cause as a nation, we can make major strides in our own lifetimes. My father was not driven by an illusory vision of a perfect society. He was driven by the certain knowledge that when people of good faith and strong principles commit to making things better, we can change hearts, we can change minds, and we can change lives.

So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father’s words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.

Sincerely,

Martin L. King, III

John Edwards: $7 Million Dollars In One Day - Make It Happen

2008-01-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

Following is an excerpt from KingOneEye's excellent diary at the DailyKos

Please share this with all your John Edwards friends!

To read the whole diary (which I highly recommend, go to:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/13/171722/549
Money is one of the key validators that establishment media recognize. It is an extension of their fixation on the primacy of wealth in this materialistic culture. It is the reason that corporations are favored by most political operators and institutions. And it is the reason that these corporate-dominated media companies are marginalizing Edwards in the first place. As more than one pundit has put it, Edwards is their worst enemy.

Ron Paul has managed to stir up respectable levels of exposure despite his low standings in most polls. After being excluded from a Fox News-sponsored debate in New Hampshire, he has now been invited to participate in a Fox debate in South Carolina. That reversal on the part of Fox didn't occur due to some crisis of conscience. It occurred partly because Paul's supporters were pissed and they let it be known, and partly because Paul had validated himself in terms the media can understand - fund raising. Having drawn in a record $6 million dollars in one day went a long ways toward forcing the press to pay attention. What I want to know is this: If Paul can do it, why can't Edwards?

Edwards has far more support than Paul and he ought to be able to mobilize his supporters to attempt to set a new fund raising record. I don't know if Edwards has anything like this in mind but there is no reason his supporters can't embark on this on their own.

So I propose that we do so. I would like to suggest Friday, January 18, as the day to shatter both the record and the media's tinted glass ceiling on coverage. This would give us all five days to publicize the effort. If successful, it should generate some press in time for the Sunday papers and news programs. Then on Monday, there is the debate in South Carolina, where Edwards could promote the results. This would then be followed by the primary on Saturday which, hopefully, would benefit from the newly enhanced press attention.

If we believe that the media is unfairly slanting coverage, it is up to us to do something about it. We must not let them make our decisions for us. By thrusting Edwards' visibility forward with financial support that makes the press do a double take, we are effectively slapping the collective faces of the reporters who think they know what they're talking about; of the pundits who think they know what's best; of the blowhards like Bill O'Reilly who dismissively wave off our candidates as phonies and losers.

On Friday, January 18, go to the donation page at JohnEdwards.com and make a donation for whatever you can afford. Personally, I think Clinton and Obama supporters should do this as well in order to stick it to the media. I'm sure they will consider that a disingenuous ploy to squeeze money out of them, but it isn't. I am completely serious when I say that the press is out there to do us harm. It may be Edwards now, but it will be your candidate later. So this opportunity to spank them is worth embracing.

$7 million dollars is a lot of money to raise online, and 5 days is not a lot of time to organize. But if Ron Paul can do it, fer gawd's sake, we ought to be able to.

Again, the link to donate on FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 is:
https://www.johnedwards.com/action/contribute/form/

Edwards on CNN

2008-01-07T14:22:00.001-08:00

Nataline Sarkisian's Family with John Edwards

2008-01-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

John Edwards: This Week with George Stephanopoulos-1.6.08

2008-01-06T09:35:00.001-08:00

Debate Videos

2008-01-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

John Edwards - Fighting powerful interests (N.H. Debate)

2008-01-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

Change

2008-01-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

Most Improved Candidate?

2008-01-04T21:09:00.000-08:00

Edwards Reconsidered

By NORMAN SOLOMON
http://www.counterpunch.org/solomon01032008.html

There have been good reasons not to support John Edwards for president. For years, his foreign-policy outlook has been a hodgepodge of insights and dangerous conventional wisdom; his health-care prescriptions have not taken the leap to single payer; and all told, from a progressive standpoint, his positions have been inferior to those of Dennis Kucinich.

But Edwards was the most improved presidential candidate of 2007. He sharpened his attacks on corporate power and honed his calls for economic justice. He laid down a clear position against nuclear power. He explicitly challenged the power of the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical giants.

And he improved his position on Iraq to the point that, in an interview with the New York Times a couple of days ago, he said: "The continued occupation of Iraq undermines everything America has to do to reestablish ourselves as a country that should be followed, that should be a leader." Later in the interview, Edwards added: "I would plan to have all combat troops out of Iraq at the end of nine to ten months, certainly within the first year."

Now, apparently, Edwards is one of three people with a chance to become the Democratic presidential nominee this year. If so, he would be the most progressive Democrat to top the national ticket in more than half a century.

The main causes of John Edwards' biggest problems with the media establishment have been tied in with his firm stands for economic justice instead of corporate power.

Weeks ago, when the Gannett-chain-owned Des Moines Register opted to endorse Hillary Clinton this time around, the newspaper's editorial threw down the corporate gauntlet: "Edwards was our pick for the 2004 nomination. But this is a different race, with different candidates. We too seldom saw the positive, optimistic campaign we found appealing in 2004. His harsh anti-corporate rhetoric would make it difficult to work with the business community to forge change."

Many in big media have soured on Edwards and his "harsh anti-corporate rhetoric." As a result, we're now in the midst of a classic conflict between corporate media sensibilities and grassroots left-leaning populism.

On Wednesday, Edwards launched a TV ad in New Hampshire with him saying at a rally: "Corporate greed has infiltrated everything that's happening in this democracy. It's time for us to say, 'We're not going to let our children's future be stolen by these people.' I have never taken a dime from a Washington lobbyist or a special interest PAC and I'm proud of that."

But, when it comes to policy positions, he's still no Dennis Kucinich. And that's why, as 2007 neared its end, I planned to vote for Kucinich when punching my primary ballot.

Reasons for a Kucinich vote remain. The caucuses and primaries are a time to make a clear statement about what we believe in -- and to signal a choice for the best available candidate. Ironically, history may show that the person who did the most to undermine such reasoning for a Dennis Kucinich vote at the start of 2008 was... Dennis Kucinich.

In a written statement released on Jan. 1, he said: "I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade. This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves. But in those caucuses locations where my support doesn't reach the necessary [15 percent] threshold, I strongly encourage all of my supporters to make Barack Obama their second choice. Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change."

This statement doesn't seem to respect the intelligence of those of us who have planned to vote for Dennis Kucinich.

It's hard to think of a single major issue -- including "the war," "health care" and "trade" -- for which Obama has a more progressive position than Edwards. But there are many issues, including those three, for which Edwards has a decidedly more progressive position than Obama.

But the most disturbing part of Dennis' statement was this: "Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change." This doesn't seem like a reasoned argument for Obama. It seems like an exercise in smoke-blowing.

I write these words unhappily. I was a strong advocate for Kucinich during the race for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. Two weeks ago, I spoke at an event for his campaign in Northern California. I believe there is no one in Congress today with a more brilliant analysis of key problems facing humankind or a more solid progressive political program for how to overcome them.

As of the first of this year, Dennis has urged Iowa caucusers to do exactly what he spent the last year telling us not to do -- skip over a candidate with more progressive politics in order to support a candidate with less progressive politics.

The best argument for voting for Dennis Kucinich in caucuses and primaries has been what he aptly describes as his "singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade." But his support for Obama over Edwards indicates that he's willing to allow some opaque and illogical priorities to trump maximizing the momentum of our common progressive agendas.

Presidential candidates have to be considered in the context of the current historical crossroads. No matter how much we admire or revere an individual, there's too much at stake to pursue faith-based politics at the expense of reality-based politics. There's no reason to support Obama over Edwards on Kucinich's say-so. And now, I can't think of reasons good enough to support Kucinich rather than Edwards in the weeks ahead.

EDWARDS’ IOWA STATE DIRECTOR JENNIFER O’MALLEY DILLON NAMED DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER

2008-01-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

Edwards campaign will use momentum from strong Iowa finish to build on Edwards’ organization in other early states

Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced that Iowa state director Jennifer O’Malley Dillon will now serve as a deputy campaign manager. The campaign also announced that staffers from Iowa will be departing today for South Carolina and Nevada to build on momentum generated from Edwards’ strong finish last night.

“I am excited to announce today that Jennifer O’Malley Dillon will continue to work as part of the Edwards team,” said Edwards’ campaign manager Congressman David Bonior. “We will use our momentum from a strong finish in Iowa to build support for Edwards in other key states. As we head into the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday and the elections in Nevada and South Carolina in the coming weeks, I have confidence in the strength of our organization and the power of John Edwards’ message of fixing the broken system in Washington and fighting for the middle class.”

In Nevada, the Edwards campaign recently added two dozen field staffers and now will be shifting additional staffers from Iowa. Edwards also enjoys strong labor support in Nevada with endorsements from the Carpenters, Steelworkers, Transport workers and Communication workers who combined represent more than 28,000 members in the state.

Edwards also remains well positioned to compete in his home state of South Carolina – which he won in 2004 by 15 percentage points. And to help Edwards compete in the February 5th states, last night the coalition of 12 SEIU state councils that have endorsed Edwards announced they would spend an additional $1.5 million on communication and voter turnout among the more than 750,000 SEIU members in those states.

This morning, the campaign announced record-breaking online fundraising totals, putting the campaign on track for its best online fundraising day since www.JohnEdwards.com went up over a year ago.

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING CONTRIBUTIONS ONLINE

2008-01-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

Strong finish in Iowa attracts thousands of first-time donors, putting campaign on track for best online fundraising day to date

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Following a strong second-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses last night, the John Edwards for President campaign announced record-breaking online fundraising totals, putting the campaign on track for its best online fundraising day to date.

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response to Sen. Edwards’ strong finish in Iowa,” said Edwards’ senior strategist Joe Trippi. “We’re on track for our best online fundraising day ever, since www.JohnEdwards.com went up a year ago – and half of the contributions we’re seeing are from new donors to the campaign. That speaks volumes to the strength of John Edwards’ message of standing up and fighting for the middle class.”

The campaign first saw an uptick in online fundraising late last night, as the results from Iowa’s first-in-the-nation contest began rolling in. The surge continued overnight, and by 8:45am ET this morning the campaign’s online contributions had already topped the previous day’s day-long total. Between the hours of 10:00am and 11:00am ET today, the campaign experienced its best online fundraising hour ever.

Also noteworthy about Edwards’ online fundraising totals today:

- Half of those who have contributed are first-time donors to the campaign

- More than ninety percent (92.6%) of today’s online contributions are for amounts less than $100

John Edwards is the only Democratic candidate in the race who has never accepted a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists. The campaign also noted that the impact of many of today’s online contributions will be doubled by federal matching funds.

BUILDING ON IOWA MOMENTUM, EDWARDS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES "MAIN STREET EXPRESS - REAL CHANGE STARTS NOW" TOUR IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

2008-01-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

Building on Senator Edwards’ momentum from the Iowa caucuses last night, today the Edwards campaign launched the “Main Street Express – Real Change Starts Now” bus tour across New Hampshire. From January 4th through Primary Day on January 8th, John and Elizabeth Edwards will hold Graniteroots rallies and town halls with voters across the Granite State, joined by their children Cate, Emma Claire and Jack as well as John's parents Bobbie and Wallace. In conjunction with the launch of the tour, the campaign also began airing a new television spot in New Hampshire today titled “Your Time Is Now.”

“Corporate greed is not just stealing the future of the children of Democrats - it’s doing the same thing to the children of Independents, the same thing to the children of Republicans,” Edwards says in the 30-second ad. “We have an epic fight for the future of the middle class in this country. If you believe that, your time is now – your time to speak up, stand up, and do what’s right.”

The “Main Street Express” got an early start this morning with 6:15 am rally in Manchester, and later in the day, Edwards will hold events in Nashua and Portsmouth. Over the next five days, Edwards will continue to campaign throughout the state in the newly redecorated “Main Street Express” bus, which now features the motto “Real Change Starts Now – Join the Fight for the Middle Class.”

Momentum from Edwards’ strong performance in Iowa last night will fuel the “Main Street Express” across New Hampshire and into the other early states. Early this morning, the campaign was reporting a flood of online contributions -- on pace to make Friday the top fundraising day since JohnEdwards.com went online more than a year ago.

Edwards: Thank You Iowa

2008-01-04T00:17:00.000-08:00

EDWARDS CONGRATULATES OBAMA, THANKS BIDEN AND DODD

2008-01-03T23:32:00.000-08:00

Senator Edwards released the following statement after calling Senator Obama to personally congratulate him on his victory in the Iowa caucuses:

Earlier tonight, I called Senator Obama to congratulate him on his victory in the Iowa caucuses. Tonight’s results shows how clearly the American people are sick of the status quo and ready for a president who will fight for the bold change America needs.

I would also like to extend my best wishes to Senators Biden and Dodd and thank them for their service to our country. They ran impressive campaigns focused on the real issues that matter most to hard-working families, and I have faith that they will continue to work to build the better America we all believe in.

Edwards: Status Quo Lost, Change Won

2008-01-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

Victory over Senator Clinton proves strength of Edwards' message of standing up for the middle class and fighting for real change

By standing with John Edwards in his fight for the middle class, the people of Iowa delivered a powerful message tonight that the American people are sick of the status quo and ready for real change. Despite being drastically outspent by Senator Clinton, tonight's results show that more Iowans agreed with John Edwards' vision for change.

"The one thing that's clear from tonight's caucus is that the status quo lost and change won," Edwards said. "The results show that the American people are ready for a president who will stand up to corporate greed and fight for hard-working families, someone who will fix the broken system in Washington and achieve real change in this country.

"Tonight showed that if you're willing to have a little backbone, a little courage, and stand up to corporate greed, we will be unstoppable – no matter how much money is spent," Edwards continued. "The Clinton campaign thought big money would make them inevitable – but despite being dramatically outspent by not one, but two celebrity candidates, we finished a strong second. And now we move on to New Hampshire and the other early states, where the voters will choose who is best suited to bring about the change this country so desperately needs."

As president, Edwards will fight for an America where everybody has the same chance to work hard and build a better life for their children. Edwards grew up in small rural mill villages in the South and was the first in his family to go to college. He has spent his life standing up and fighting for ordinary Americans against powerful entrenched interests – and winning. Edwards is fighting for an America where every person in our country has the same opportunities he's had to work hard, find success, and live the American Dream.

Because of the strength of Edwards' message for change and his appeal among voters in red and blue states, he is the Democrats' best chance for taking back the White House in November. Poll after poll shows that Edwards is by far the Democrats' strongest candidate in a general election against any of the top Republicans. He is also the only Democrat who has won in a "red" state, and he earns high favorable ratings among Independents in states across the nation.

Iowa Democratic Caucus Results

2008-01-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

Senator Barack Obama : 38%
Senator John Edwards : 30%
Senator Hillary Clinton : 29%
Governor Bill Richardson : 2%
Senator Joe Biden : 1%
Uncommitted : 0.14%
Senator Chris Dodd : 0.02%
Congressman Dennis Kucinich: 0.00%
Senator Mike Gravel: 0.00%
Precincts Reporting: 1781 of 1781
Percentages are State Delegate Equivalents.)

Final Countdown to the Caucuses

2008-01-02T21:45:00.000-08:00

In Statewide Address Today, An Iowan Will Speak For John Edwards

2008-01-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

Today, the John Edwards for President campaign will begin airing a new 60-second television spot in Iowa featuring Edwards’ supporter and former Maytag employee Doug Bishop. The ad will air on stations across Iowa between 5:20 and 6:00 pm today.

In September 2004, Mr. Bishop was among the first wave of employees laid off at the Maytag plant in Newton, Iowa. In the television spot, Mr. Bishop tells the story of how shortly after he lost his job, he and his family met Edwards as Edwards was campaigning for the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket.

“This is something I’ll never forget,” Mr. Bishop says in the ad. “[John Edwards] grabbed my seven-year-old son by the hand, he dropped to one knee, and he looked him straight in the eye and he said ‘I’m going to keep fighting for your daddy’s job, I promise you that.’ You know, that stuff sticks with you. That’s the kind of things we need in a leader in this country…I want a guy that’s going to sit down and look a seven year-old kid in the eye and tell him ‘I’m going to fight for your dad’s job.’ That’s what I want.”

EDWARDS & SUPPORTERS TO BLITZ IOWA WEDNESDAY & DISCUSS BOLD PLANS TO FIGHT FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS

2008-01-02T05:01:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, John Edwards and hundreds of supporters will embark on a statewide effort to spread the word about Edwards growing momentum and plans to fight for hard-working middle class families.

Edwards’ campaign has been rapidly gaining momentum in recent weeks, with endorsements by Iowa First Lady Mari Culver and Congressman Bruce Braley. Edwards kicked off a final eight-day, 38-county “America Rising: Fighting For The Middle Class" bus tour last Thursday.

Details of Senator Edwards’ events and the Edwards supporters’ activities are below.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2008

Ames
Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; At 6:40 PM James Denton of Desperate Housewives and John Edwards for President Iowa Co-Chair Rob Tully will join volunteers
John Edwards for President Ames Office
Park Plaza Professional Office Building, Suite 105
103 East 6th Street
Ames, Iowa

Canvassers departing to go door-to-door at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM
John Edwards for President Ames Office
Park Plaza Professional Office Building, Suite 105
103 East 6th Street
Ames, Iowa

Atlantic
12:00 AM
Senator Edwards to visit a “Midnight GOTC Party” with core supporters and volunteers in Cass County
Home of Denise O’Brien – 2006 Democratic Nominee for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
59624 Chicago Road
Atlantic, Iowa

Burlington
1:00 PM
Senator Edwards to visit the John Edwards for President campaign office
John Edwards for President Burlington office
2700 Mount Pleasant Street
Burlington, Iowa

Creston
2:15 AM
Senator Edwards to visit core supporters and volunteers in Union County
The home of Union County co-coordinator and precinct captain Jan Knock
906 West Montgomery Street
Creston, Iowa

Centerville
5:15 AM
Senator Edwards to attend a pancake breakfast for supporters and volunteers
NOTE: following the breakfast, supporters and volunteers will get an early start on last minute Get-Out-The-Caucus activities
The home of Deb Kury
502 South 12th Street
Centerville, Iowa

Cedar Rapids
5:00 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a “Countdown to Caucus” event
Marriott Cedar Rapids – Hickory Room
1200 Collins Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
John Edwards for President Cedar Rapids Office
118 3rd Ave, SE
Suite 430
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Council Bluffs
Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
John Edwards for President Council Bluffs Office
8 North 34th Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa

Canvassers departing to go door-to-door at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
John Edwards for President Council Bluffs Office
8 North 34th Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa

Davenport
Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
John Edwards for President Davenport Office
1225 East River Drive
Suite 210
Davenport, Iowa

Canvassers departing to go door-to-door at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
John Edwards for President Davenport Office
1225 East River Drive
Suite 210
Davenport, Iowa

Des Moines
Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; At 5:00 PM James Denton of Desperate Housewives and John Edwards for President Iowa Co-Chair Rob Tully will join volunteers
USW Local 164
2727 E. Market St.
Des Moines, Iowa

Canvassers departing to go door-to-door at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
USW Local 164
2727 E. Market St.
Des Moines, Iowa

9:00 PM (doors open at 8:30)
Senator Edwards to hold a “This is Our Country” rally with singer-songwriter John Mellencamp
Ticket information for members of the public available at www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa
Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Rd.
Des Moines, Iowa

Grinnell
7:35 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
Saints Rest Coffee House
919 Broad Street
Grinnell, Iowa

Fairfield
8:30 AM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
2nd Street Café
107 East 2nd Street
Fairfield, Iowa

Fort Madison
11:30 AM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
Ivy Bake Shoppe
622 7th Street
Fort Madison, Iowa

Iowa City
3:30 PM
Senator Edwards to meet with caucus goers
Capanna Coffee Company
136 S Dubuque Street
Iowa City, Iowa

Mason City
Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
John Edwards for President Mason City Office
122 North Federal Street
Mason City, Iowa

Canvassers departing to go door-to-door at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
John Edwards for President Mason City Office
122 North Federal Street
Mason City, Iowa

Mount Pleasant
9:45 AM
Senator Edwards to drop-by a canvass kickoff
The home of Bob Petrezelka
609 East Monroe Street
Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Ottumwa
7:00 AM
Senator Edwards to drop by the John Edwards for President campaign office for a canvass kickoff
John Edwards for President Ottumwa office
609 Church Street
Ottumwa, Iowa

Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
John Edwards for President Ottumwa Office
609 Church Street
Ottumwa, Iowa

Additional canvassers departing to go door-to-door at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
John Edwards for President Ottumwa Office
609 Church Street
Ottumwa, Iowa

Waterloo
Phonebanking occurring from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
John Edwards for President Waterloo Office
425 Franklin St.
Waterloo, Iowa

Canvassers departing to go door-to-door at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
John Edwards for President Waterloo Office
425 Franklin St.
Waterloo, Iowa

UPDATED: Edwards Schedule Including "Marathon For The Middle Class" and Caucus Day

2008-01-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Senator John Edwards launched a 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class” today that will take him to 15 Iowa counties across the state and culminate in a rally with John Mellencamp tomorrow night in Des Moines. Over 36 hours, Edwards will talk to thousands of caucus goers and share 36 specific ideas to strengthen the middle class. On Caucus Day, Edwards will campaign in Des Moines, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

“Middle class families are working hard everyday just to get by, and they deserve a president who will work just as hard on their behalf,” Edwards said. “I’m looking forward to meeting with Iowans across the state over the 36 hours who are as restless as I am for change – and who understand that making change happen is going to take a fight. Together, we can take on the special interests and do what’s right for middle class families.”

During each hour of the 36-hour marathon – at events and on www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa – Edwards will highlight one specific step to strengthen the middle class. Edwards has outlined his bold solutions for change in an 80-page policy book, “The Plan to Build One America.”

During this final eight-day, “America Rising: Fighting for the Middle Class” bus tour, Edwards is traveling to 38 counties around the state, meeting with caucus goers to highlight his plans and answer their questions. Edwards is holding small roundtable discussions and community gatherings, meeting with Iowans at local diners, and holding “America Rising” town halls to encourage Iowans to caucus for him and help change America.

The Edwards campaign recently announced the “Ask John” program, which allows undecided voters from across Iowa to submit questions about Edwards’ plans to fight for the middle class and receive answers by caucus time. As part of the “Ask John” program, Edwards will answer questions from caucus goers in all 99 counties.

Below is a schedule for the last three days of the trip – including the 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class” and Caucus Day:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2008
12:00 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a New Year’s Day event
Iowa State University – Memorial Union South Ballroom
2229 Lincoln Way
Ames, Iowa

2:45 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a New Year’s Day event
Friendship Haven
420 Kenyon Road
Fort Dodge, Iowa

7:15 PM
Senator Edwards to drop-by a phone bank
United Steelworkers Local 164
2727 East Market
Des Moines, Iowa

10:00 PM
Senator Edwards to drop-by the John Edwards for President campaign office
John Edwards for President Council Bluffs office
8 North 34th Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2nd, 2008
12:00 AM
Senator Edwards to visit a “Midnight GOTC Party” with core supporters and volunteers in Cass County
The home of Denise O’Brien – 2006 Democratic Nominee for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
59624 Chicago Road
Atlantic, Iowa

2:15 AM
Senator Edwards to visit core supporters and volunteers in Union County
The home of Union County co-coordinator and precinct captain Jan Knock
906 West Montgomery Street
Creston, Iowa

5:15 AM
Senator Edwards to attend a pancake breakfast for supporters and volunteers
NOTE: following the breakfast, supporters and volunteers will get an early start on last minute Get-Out-The-Caucus activities
The home of Deb Kury – Staging location for Get-Out-The-Caucus activities
502 South 12th Street
Centerville, Iowa

7:00 AM
Senator Edwards to drop by the John Edwards for President campaign office for a canvass kickoff
John Edwards for President Ottumwa office
609 Church Street
Ottumwa, Iowa

8:30 AM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
2nd Street Café
107 East 2nd Street
Fairfield, Iowa

9:45 AM
Senator Edwards to drop-by a canvass kickoff
The home of Bob Petrezelka
609 East Monroe Street
Mount Pleasant, Iowa

11:30 AM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
Ivy Bake Shoppe
622 7th Street
Fort Madison, Iowa

1:00 PM
Senator Edwards to drop by the John Edwards for President campaign office
John Edwards for President Burlington office
2700 Mount Pleasant Street
Burlington, Iowa

3:30 PM
Senator Edwards to meet with caucus goers
Capanna Coffee Company
136 S Dubuque Street
Iowa City, Iowa

5:00 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a “Countdown to Caucus” event
Marriott Cedar Rapids – Hickory Room
1200 Collins Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

7:35 PM
Senator Edwards to hold a discussion with undecided caucus goers
Saints Rest Coffee House
919 Broad Street
Grinnell, Iowa

9:00 PM**
Senator Edwards to hold a “This is Our Country” rally
Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp will perform at the event before Senator Edwards speaks
Ticket information for members of the public available at www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa
Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Road
West Des Moines, Iowa

**NOTE: Doors open at 8:30 PM. Program begins at 9:00 PM. John Edwards will speak at approximately 10:00 PM.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 2008
8:30 AM
Senator Edwards to thank volunteers and rally supporters
United Steelworkers Local 164
2727 East Market Street
Des Moines, Iowa

11:30 AM
Senator Edwards to drop by The Mill Restaurant
The Mill Restaurant
120 E Burlington Street
Iowa City, Iowa

2:30 PM
Senator Edwards to thank volunteers and rally supporters
John Edwards for President Cedar Rapids office
118 3rd Avenue SE, Suite 430
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

7:00 PM**
"Your Time is Now" Caucus Night Rally
Renaissance Savery Hotel
Terrance Ballroom
2nd Floor
400 Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa

Tomorrow: Senator John Edwards To Hold "This Is Our Country" Rally Featuring John Mellencamp

2008-01-01T16:29:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, January 2, 2008, Senator John Edwards will hold a "This Is Our Country" rally in Des Moines featuring a special performance by singer-songwriter John Mellencamp. The rally culminates Edwards' 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class” which began this morning and is taking him to 15 counties across Iowa as he highlights 36 steps he will take as president to strengthen the middle class.

The event is free and open to the public, and tickets are still available. Ticketing information for the public is also included below.

Mellencamp and Edwards are longtime friends and both, of course, came from a small town.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2008

WHO:
Senator John Edwards
Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp

WHAT:
"This Is Our Country" Rally

WHERE:
Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Road
West Des Moines, Iowa

WHEN:
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Doors Open to the Public: 8:30 PM

HOW TO PICK UP TICKETS:
The event is free and open to the public, although it is a ticketed event. You can pick up tickets at the John Edwards for President Iowa headquarters or the office of United Steelworkers Local 310, both in Des Moines. If you have any questions, please call 515-883-7817.

Locations:
John Edwards for President Campaign
712 E 2nd Street, Suite A
Des Moines, Iowa
Hours - 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

United Steelworkers Local 310
125 NW Broadway
Des Moines, Iowa
Hours - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Edwards Launches 36-Hour "Marathon For The Middle Class"

2008-01-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

This morning, Senator John Edwards kicked off a 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class.” Edwards will spend the next 36 hours before the Iowa caucuses talking to thousands of Iowa caucus goers about his 36 ideas to strengthen the middle class. As he makes his closing argument to Iowans, Edwards will highlight his bold plans to stand up to the powerful special interests and give hard working, middle class families a voice in Washington. Edwards heads into the final days before the caucuses with growing momentum as more and more Iowans respond to his positive vision of America — an America where everyone can work hard and build a better life for their children.

“Over the next 36 hours, I’m looking forward to meeting with Iowans across the state who are as restless as I am for change – and who understand that making change happen is going to take a fight,” said Edwards. “Middle-class families are working harder and harder every day just to get by – and they need a president who will fight on their behalf. Together we can take on the corporate greed and powerful interests that are corrupting Washington and stealing our children’s future, and make our government start working again for middle-class families.”

Edwards begins the marathon today with a New Year’s Day event in Ames, followed by events in Fort Dodge, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs. At midnight, Edwards will attend an event with core supporters in Atlantic followed by an event at 2:15 AM at the home of another supporter in Creston. The marathon continues Wednesday with an early breakfast in Centerville, a visit to a campaign office in Ottumwa, and events in Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Grinnell. The marathon will end with a “This Is Our Country” rally in Des Moines with John Mellencamp.

During each hour of the 36-hour marathon – at events and on www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa – Edwards will highlight one specific step to strengthen the middle class. The first idea that Edwards is highlighting is raising the minimum wage. Effective today, Iowa’s minimum wage was officially raised to from $6.20 to $7.25 an hour. While Edwards applauds Governor Culver and the Iowa Legislature for taking this important step, he believes the federal government has to show leadership. Edwards has called for raising the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2012 to help millions of low-wage workers earn a decent wage -- and then having the minimum wage go up automatically after that.

In addition to his minimum wage proposal, the first eight hours of the marathon, Edwards will be discussing his other plans to create more good jobs by investing in new clean energy infrastructure. As president, Edwards will also support American ingenuity by investing in education and technology, strengthen labor laws, ban the permanent replacement of strikers, protect prevailing wage laws, cut taxes for working families and strengthen the safety net for workers struggling to find jobs.

In the following five hours of the marathon, Edwards will focus on his proposals for helping families save and get ahead. In hours 14 through 17, Edwards will focus on his plans to pass true universal health care so that every man, woman and child in America can get the care they need.

From hours 18 to 30, Edwards will highlight his plans to strengthen our schools, followed by his proposals for smart trade policy and to help working families. In the last six hours of the marathon, Edwards will talk about his proposals to restore rural communities by investing in rural America, and he’ll close the marathon with a discussion of his plans to help America achieve energy independence.

Edwards has outlined his bold solutions for change in an 80-page policy book, “The Plan to Build One America.” Further details on Edwards’ 36 bold ideas to strengthen the middle class can be found on the Edwards website – www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa.