Edwards wants Sharpton, Kucinich out of debate

[DuctapeFatwa]

Since former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean ended his presidential run, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina sees only two viable Democratic Party candidates and wants at least one debate without the Rev. Al Sharpton and Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio.

Mr. Edwards said the two front-runners — Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and himself — should have a one-on-one debate before the Super Tuesday primaries on March 2.

But the odds are slim that the two long shots will agree to stay out of the debate...A Kucinich campaign spokesman said it is inappropriate for anyone to discuss the idea of a nationally televised debate without all the candidates present.

DNC officials would not comment on the matter except to say it is not their debate. Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe called for candidates who did not do well in South Carolina to step down and repeated the request after primaries in Virginia and Tennessee...

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040219-110953-5181r.htm

NOTE: This story is from the Washington Times, I think the rules require me to express an opinion. If this story is factual, I do not agree with Mr. Edwards. If the story is not factual, I hope that Mr. Edwards and anyone else misrepresented by the article will demand a retraction and an apology. I do not support any of the candidates.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. Why are you unwilling to support any Democratic candidate?

Just wondering.

[robsul82]

2. I thought Edwards wanted ANOTHER solo debate?

Not the Feb. 26 debate, but he wanted another scheduled that was just one-on-one.

Later.

RJS

[BurtWorm]

3. I agree totally with your summation.

Totally!

[AP]

4. And from a source that doesn't totally hate Democrats:

Nothing about excluding anyone. Just wants to debate his ideas.

EDWARDS URGES MORE DEBATES
(02/19/04) Sen. John Edwards called for more debates with his Democratic rival Sen. John Kerry during an appearance in New York on Thursday morning designed to highlight his views on trade.

"We should debate wherever and whenever," Edwards, a North Carolina Democrat, told a crowd of 1,000 at Columbia University. "I want to be absolutely clear. I will go to New York. I will go to California. I'll go anywhere in America we need to go to debate these issues."

As of now, there is only one presidential debate scheduled before March 2, when 10 states, including New York and California, hold nominating contests. That debate is slated for Feb. 26 in Los Angeles and sponsored by CNN and The Los Angeles Times.

Edwards devoted much of his speech to U.S. trade policy, which he said needs to be reworked to stem the loss of manufacturing jobs. He believes the issue distinguishes him from Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, who supported NAFTA.

"One America is making a ton of money shipping the jobs of the other America overseas," Edwards said.

Edwards also accused the Republicans of "exploiting" the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by planning to hold their fall convention in New York.

"George Bush and his team, they think they're going to be able to exploit this tragedy right here at their convention for a few days," Edwards said.
-- john Wagner
http://www.newsobserver.com/edwards/

[AP]

5. No quotation marks should be a big clue here.

[DuctapeFatwa]

6. Right. but with or without them, if they are misrepresenting Mr Edwards

or any of the other people they mention, they should be held accountable.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. At least we have you around to repeat what the Washington Times publishes.

That would be terrible if we didn't get our daily dose of the Washington Times.

Thank you, thank you.

[Sean Reynolds]

8. Kucinich supporters should be PISSED.

Edwards was there to support Kucinich when it benefited him most (Iowa caucus) and then he turns around and pulls a stunt like that?

HAHA Edwards is showing his true colors.

[Tinoire]

18. Sean, Edwards was never there to support Kucinich

We're not stupid and neither are Edwards supporters. We all knew it was nothing more than a strategic agreement between two candidates to benefit themselves and no one else.

I'm really not pissed. Certain people made a much bigger deal out of this than it should have been IMO.

We're pissed but not about that. I'm pissed that the idea of excluding anyone from the debates is even entertained. I'm unforgiving that the DLC & DNC seem to be ok with it. I'm absolutely scandalized that so many people who keep pointint out that they're progressives fighting for democracy would be pushing it.

[ShaneGR]

9. Washington Times

Do yourself a favor and start reading the Washington Post. The Washington Times is one of the most fascist newspapers in the nation.

[DuctapeFatwa]

10. I don't care . If they are misrepresenting candidates' positions

I don't think they should be let off the hook because of their editorial policy or the political leanings of their editors.

[Syrinx]

11. Times is the worst, but the Post isn't really much better these days

Is it?

[diamondsoul]

12. Yes, the potential

misrepresentation stinks, but GO MATT AND DAVID! Now wonder I think the world of David Swanson. :)

[youngred]

13. And some still cry corrupt bargain over Edwards and Kucinich's deal

in Iowa. Hope this puts that particular piece of bullshit to rest.

Further, Edwards just lost any chance of my support until and unless he wins the nomination.

[bigwillq]

14. What Edwards "wants" shouldn't

be what he gets. Unless AL and DK drop out, they should be included in any and all debates.

[mohc]

15. From an Edwards campaign email

"Dear Senator Kerry:

I was pleased to learn that your campaign had agreed to debate anywhere, anytime as long as Rev. Sharpton and Congressman Kucinich are involved. I agree one hundred percent. "

[VOX]

17. This is the exact wording on Edward's Web site!

Sharpton and Kucinich *should* be included!

[SangamonTaylor]

16. THIS ARTICLE IS NOT TRUE: A Letter from Edwards to Kerry - 2/20/04

The following is the text of a letter sent by Senator Edwards to Senator Kerry today:

"Dear Senator Kerry:

I was pleased to learn that your campaign had agreed to debate anywhere, anytime as long as Rev. Sharpton and Congressman Kucinich are involved. I agree one hundred percent.

That is why I am proposing that we schedule four debates as soon as possible in different locations that work for all of us. During this primary, Democrats have made tremendous progress in terms of getting our message out to the American people. They want real change and they are turning to Democrats for new ideas to change our country. And we must use this time to our advantage to showcase our Democratic values to the nation.

I understand that you have accepted the invitation to the Los Angeles Times, CNN event in California. I ask that we also give people in places like New York and Ohio the chance to see where we stand on the issues. There are currently six other invitations that I am aware of and I am sure that we could all agree on three more times and places.

While we are all Democrats, there are very real differences among us, and the American people deserve to know who we are, where we're from, and where we stand on the issues. And I know that the more they hear from Democrats, they will see that there is only one choice in November: sending George Bush home and entrusting one of us to guide the greatest nation in the world.

I look forward to hearing from you and to scheduling our next debates.

Regards,

John Edwards

CC:
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Reverend Al Sharpton"