This Edwards Democrat is coming out for Obama.

[Inspired]

I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines licking my wounds. It gets old, and boring, fast. My pity party is over. It is time for me to move on.

I am supporting Barack Obama.

So call me a kool-aid drinker. Call me a cultist. I don't care. As an Edwards Democrat, I don't put too much value in name calling. I value change, hope and opportunity. I know for a fact that John and Elizabeth Edwards value the same things regardless of who they end up voting for in the North Carolina primary. I know for a fact that they do NOT want their loyal supporters calling each other names just because they have decided to support Obama, or Clinton for that matter.

I don't know what is in John and Elizabeth's thoughts. They might come out tomorrow and endorse Clinton for all I know. If that is the case, then I am also ready for the first time to respectfully disagree with them.

I will always believe that John Edwards had it right from the beginning. I will always be an Edwards Democrat. No one, and I mean no one, can ever take that away from me. I worked tirelessly for his campaign as a volunteer in Iowa and I don't regret one single minute spent or one single dollar donated. I supported John Edwards because he was so full of hope and optimism in spite of tragic events in his own life. He made me feel like anything was possible. That you could overcome anything life throws at you. He inspired me to participate in the process instead of watching from the sidelines. I don't think he would want me to now sit back and remain silent when my heart is telling me what I need to do.

There is a little sadness in this for me but there is also a renewed sense of hope.

I am now ready to say it...and say it loudly. I SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA!!!

[rndmprsn]

1. welcome...your journey was my own.

K&R

[Inspired]

4. Thanks...it wasn't easy but it is the best decision for me. n/t

[bicentennial_baby]

2. Welcome!

:hi:

[NJmaverick]

3. Welcome!!!

:party: :toast:

[XemaSab]

5. Hi and Welcome Aboard!

:hi:

[K Gardner]

6. 5th rec from a former Edwards supporter, welcome and thank you !

[slick8790]

7. Woohoo! Welcome to the fold! Former Edwards supporter here as well.

Your experiences were a lot like mine in coming to Obama.

[wndycty]

8. Thank you. . .

. . .:kick:

[Barack_America]

9. Thank you! and Welcome!

It sounds like this was a decision that you wrestled with for some time. Thank you for sharing your process.

[Inspired]

21. It was difficult but that is what makes it more meaningful to me. n/t

[Adelante]

10. Good choice and thank you nt

[DevonRex]

11. Welcome.

I've always been an Obama supporter but not because I don't like Edwards. I simply felt that Edwards would be ignored by the MSM and he was. Real difficult to get your message out if the media totally ignores you. And it's a shame. He was my second choice and Richardson my third.

I wonder if he'd take an AG position or better yet Supreme Court. He'd be great on the court and I believe he is deserving of that honor. On the other hand, would he feel that a court position would help further the causes he works so hard for?

What are your thoughts on that?

[Inspired]

33. I would love to see him as our Attorney General.

He has really great ideas and I think our next administration would benefit from having John Edwards in it, in any capacity.

[Window]

56. Absolutely.

[anonymous171]

12. Welcome!

BTW, during a self-imposed exile from DU (wright thing got too much for me) I watched a couple of Edwards' speeches, and man, he knows his stuff.

[Umbram]

13. Great! (nt)

[Seabiscuit]

14. Strange. I've never seen you in the Edwards boards.

Maybe not so strange after all, eh?

"So call me a kool-aid drinker. Call me a cultist."

OK. Enjoy your new Messiah while guzzling that potent swill.

[Inspired]

16. Strange indeed. I've been around.

And I've supported John Edwards for years.

I'm sorry you have chosen to try to ridicule me. That is your choice though.

Have a nice, I choose to be inspired, kind of day. OK?

[Yael]

64. I can vouch for this as well

:hi:

[blm]

24. Inspired has been a staunch Edwards supporter HERE and at Dkos.

VERY consistent poster for Edwards.

[Inspired]

29. No, I don't post much at Dkos....you have me confused with someone else.

I am a staunch Edwards supporter though and have been for years.

[blm]

32. Oh - I thought you were the SAME inspired at Dkos. Sorry. Noticed you both and thought

you were the same person.

[Inspired]

34. I know who you are referring to. She's great!

[mikelewis]

98. Inspired doesn't sound like a name that would support Edwards...

He seems more of the Dodd sort of Democrat... snotty and high-brow... prove to me that he supported Edwards!!!! HA... he can't... so obviously, he lies.

[patrice]

15. This Edwards-ian Deanocrat welcomes you, Inspired.

I went back and forth for weeks, HC <-> Obama, a couple of debates ago, I saw how Obama was not "without specifics" but, rather, someone like me, a wholistic thinker who works to develop WHOLE "cognitive pattern" and then with his speech last week, I see he thinks even more like me in that that WHOLE integrates things that many many others are assuming are mutually exclusive opposites. Simply put, he connects the similarities, without ignoring the differences. AND he is calling on US to do the same. He knows it isn't all about him and his and whatever THEY think is right. It IS about us and what we think is right. I look forward to a future of activism now and I will always be an Edwards-ian Deanocrat.

[Inspired]

17. I went back and forth too.

But I found myself smiling a little more when Obama won and not so happy when Clinton did. That obviously meant something!

[patrice]

45. Obama's remarks about judgement were some of the first to slow my ping-ponging down. nt

[MountainMamma]

26. Ditto from this Florida Edwards supporter

I have always been an Edwards supporter. I voted for him in the now infamous "Florida Primary" which is not going to count. After listening to Obama when he is in difficult positions trying to explain things that "others" have said, I think that he is the one to begin to heal the divides that exist in the United States. I hope when BARACK OBAMA is President of the United States he will use the wisdom of John Edwards and appoint him as Attorney General or appoint him to the Supreme Court. We need to quit this nastiness and keep our eye on the prize. Divided we will fall!

[patrice]

44. Yes! Eyes on the Prize!! and NGU! Solidarity MountainMamma!

SORRY!! about what happened down there in Florida. Hopefully there will be some other opportunity to make it up to you all. BTW, how's Sen. Bob Graham these days?

[saracat]

18. Since Barack doesn't favor universal health care , and votes against our rights to sue corporations

Why would Edwards or any of his supporters endorse Obama after knowing he voted for this?
On February 10, 2005, Obama voted in favor of the passage of the misnamed Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 which seriously hampers the rights of ordinary citizens to challenge corporations. Senators Biden, Boxer, Byrd, Clinton, Corzine, Durbin, Feingold, Kerry Leah, Reid and 16 other democrats voted against it.

So did 14 state attorneys general, including Lisa Madigan of Obama’s home state of Illinois. She called it a “corporate giveaway.” The Senate also received a desperate plea from more than 40 civil rights and labor organizations, including the NAACP, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Human Rights Campaign, American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Justice and Democracy, Legal Momentum (formerly NOW Legal Defense Fund) and Alliance for Justice. SOURCE

They wrote:

“Under the Act citizens are denied the right to use their own state courts to bring class actions against corporations that violate state wage and hour and state civil rights laws, even where that corporation has hundreds of employees in that state. Moving these state law cases into federal court will delay and likely deny justice for working men and women and victims of discrimination. The federal courts are already overburdened. Additionally, federal courts are less likely to certify classes or provide relief for violations of state law”

The bill which will seriously impair labor, consumer and civil rights involved five years of pressure from 100 corporations, 475 lobbyists, and tens of millions of corporate dollars to buy influence. It also involved the active participation of the Wall Street firms now funding the Obama campaign. The Civil Justice Reform Group, a business alliance comprising general counsels from Fortune 100 firms, was instrumental in drafting the class action bill, according to Public Citizen which also said in a 2003 report that Mayer-Brown partners and employees gave close to $100,000 <$92,817> to the Obama campaign by December 31, 2007. Mayer-Brown, hired by the US Chamber of Commerce, spent $16 million in 2003 lobbying the government on class action reform.”

[anonymous171]

Clinton doesn't favor Universal Heatlh Care either.

[saracat]

30. She is much closer to Edwards Plan than Barack and what about the right to sue

coprporations or don't you care? The ability to fight coporations was the cornerstone of the Edwards Campign and Obama doesn't endprse that principle.

[40ozDonkey]

25. He favors Universal Health Care, he doesn't want to garnish my wages to enforce it.

Although I understand why the retired geriatrics who vote for Hillary could care less about our paychecks.

[saracat]

54. I think another Forum is missing a member. Democrats do NOT insult or throw the elderly under a bus

And you might just have something to "learn" from those "geriatrics" you despise. The world wasn't created yesterday.

[40ozDonkey]

99. You called in the Hillary cavalry for this?

Yeah, I learned that identity politics trumps sensibility and America's future. Their vote suggests it, your "comments" ram it home.

Good luck trying to squeeze blood out of a stone. Clinton would have the infamy of failing to deliver Universal Healthcare TWICE in her lifetime if she intends to make it mandatory. At least pretend that you've even considered what financial hardships it would bring.

Oh right, that's assuming you care.

[question everything]

68. Keep calling us "geriatric" and be happy that McCain won

Do you really think that such terms will endear us to vote for Obama?

And, by the way, seniors usually have the highest rate of voting, certainly higher than generation whatever.

[40ozDonkey]

101. You're only withholding from yourself..

Have fun with that.

[Inspired]

28. Saracat....this is MY decision to make.

You can make your own decisions and I won't ever ridicule them or question why. We all have our reasons.

[saracat]

35. I am not ridiculing .I am asking "why" because I don't understand

why someone would choose the polar opposite of the core values of a once admired candidate. Perhaps you see it differently but for me the corporatism and health care issues were huge.I do not have a problem explaining "why" to my positions. I did not mean to offend you but I really don't understand. Good luck with your choice!And that is sincere.

[TomBall Democrat]

61. That's Crap coming out of you, saracat

I've seen too many posts crowing that Obama can't win outta your mouth.

Why would a good Democrat post that?

Bama Baiting is a lame hobby - and I feel genuinely sorry for your Hillary loving haters group.

The posting there is an embarassment to women and Democrats. I take offense to your posting that there and this here.

[odelisk8]

70. i too

was originally an Edwards supporter...after SC and listening to Obama's speeches along the way, i have felt he is the best choice we have...i am not in total agreement with his policies...if you ask me BOTH Clinton and Obama are too corporate for my tastes...but i feel Obama will be more open minded to the left...this might be wrong...but Obama has just been the more graceful, even-keeled candidate...things we need right now in a leader...two cents spent.

[saltpoint]

80. Good point. Some people seem to have abandoned he tenets of our

party versus the Republicans.

I second your sentiment.

[Cha]

91. Welcome to DU, TomBall Dem!

[saracat]

100. But the Hillary can't win meme is okay with you? Why do "good Dems' post that?

[saltpoint]

79. You abound in barnyard byproduct. Try to keep up with the times.

You're way the hell off, saracat. Revisit the debate exchanges when Edwards attacks Hillary as a corporate shill.

And he sounded like he meant it, too.

[Cha]

92. "Barnyard byproduct" Such

class, Crusoe! :hi:

[AgadorSparticus]

102. oh yea, that's true. I do remember the NV debate where JE laid it out there RE: HRC.

There was even talk after SC that JE would be BO's Veep. I had forgotten that....

[BlueJac]

89. I feel sorry for you sara, smile!

And get over it!

[Inspired]

120. Saracat is a great Edwards supporter.

I knew she wouldn't understand my choice. It is one of the reasons it took me so long to say it. I really do care about Edwards supporters. Even those who disagree with me.

[patrice]

52. I think many people are thinking that we have to take responsibility

to lead whoever is elected on these and other issues. They're not surrendering them; they are picking their battles. The battle that I picked, Edwards's, didn't get enough other workers, so you do the next best thing with what is going on. Issues FIRST!

[mhoran]

72. Not Really Fair

There are so many issues, positions, and factors involved when choosing who to support. To reduce something so complicated down to a single issue or two is a bit bogus, IMO.

[saltpoint]

78. The OP's post was saturated and dripping with brains and heart, saracat.

Unlike your own.

[NorthCarolina]

110. To Be Correct, Only Kucinich Supported Universal HealthCARE

the others, including Edwards, all supported Universal HealthINSURANCE. To me, there is a HUGE distinction to be made here. I will always support and prefer the politics of Congressman Kucinich, but given the choices the media has allowed us to vote for, of those I will support Obama.

[Ms. Toad]

123. Agreed, w/re health CARE v health INSURANCE

Mandating that everyone purchase health insurance (or have wages garnished and tax refunds seized) is nowhere close to universal health care. For my family, the price tag for that is $20,000 a year - fortunately the bulk of that is picked up by my employer.

Both Obama and Clinton include mandatory purchase as an element of their plans. Clinton - for everyone, Obama for children only. I'm not thrilled with either - but Obama's is the lesser of two evils. It is impossible to reach universal health care by mandating the purchase of insurance. As we have seen for with auto insurance, that works so well - NOT. Anyone here forego their uninsured motorist coverage? Shouldn't be needed, right - since everyone has coverage?

[PATRICK]

19. I voted for him

in New York, something I had no occasion to admit heretofore. It was a painful choice, but it came in talking with others and people at work.

Usually my support grafts the practical and the ideal. Under both criteria, it is my strong opinion that Obama trumps Clinton, in some cases big time to overcome the borderline, uncertainty areas.

Under both criteria, setting Barack a bit to the side, it is also way past high time to get Clinton to back off the mutually assured destruction campaign and then save her money which I for one am extremely loathe to see repaid by the national campaign if she continues to go into debt tearing our party apart.
Her single remaining argument- even if true is not worth it- and selfishly self-fulfilling if she continues tossing Dems toward McCain because Obama has flaws. Time for the timid, albeit with touchy career and loyalty issues, superdupers to lay down the law on negative campaigning- at the very least and deliver a swiftly backed up ultimatum(yeah, the party has been so great on that lately, I know).

HRC came close in a doomed effort that might have worked and still is not washed away by reality. I hardly expect her to come to this decision on her own or she would not have run in the first place. This primary process is too messed up and unready for further straining to argue that it MUST be fairly played out(giving Florida and Michigan more chances to game things for Hillary?). The time of pretense ended once the early engineering ideal vanished.

The most fair thing now is to make the Clinton campaign back down on several negative fronts, maybe bluntly demand they lay off Barack and hit McCain. Or put a big undeniable bloc of once Clinton supers out to endorse Obama. I say the most fair though it is hardly an ideal or "moral" looking move. The ugly state of American politics is corrupting the possibilities of both candidates. A dark horse will simply have to wade through the ruins and get crushed in turn. Time to step up and take some of the damage away.

[WillyT]

20. Welcome !!!

Si se puede!!!

:bounce::hi::bounce:

[Colobo]

22. Welcome home.

[Inspired]

38. OK...you did it!

You made me want to cry. Thanks and I've always appreciated your kind words about Edwards when he was still in the race. Here's a picture of me and Obama taken a couple of years ago. Of course, I was with a group of Edwards supporters and we had NO idea Obama was even thinking of running. Some say that this event is what triggered the thought of an Obama campaign in 2008.

[Cha]

93. Wow! That's a fortuitous

shot!

[me b zola]

23. I had already made the switch, and was excited about it

before I attended the Obama rally yesterday. I was even more thrilled to hear Senator Obama speak more and more like a populist!

http://www.kgw.com/video/video-index.html?nvid=229091

[goclark]

27. Welcome ~ I met John Edwards

and love John Edwards.

He is a gentleman, a leader and sincere.

Thanks for your honest and eloquent post. :patriot:

[ClericJohnPreston]

31. Obama is as un-Edwards as you can get.

If it assuages your conscience, believe that you are now inspired by the next best thing.

Support is one thing. Adoration is another. If you are the former, fine. If the latter, have fun with your Obamite cult playmates.

[Inspired]

37. Good Lord.

I don't adore Obama. Did I say that I was coming out with my "adoration of Barack Obama"? I think I used the word "support", CJP.

I support Obama's campaign for our nomination. Why? Because I believe that supporting Clinton would be as un-Edwards as you can get. That is my opinion and it is shared by many. You have yours and it is shared by many. So, where do we go from here? Mutual respect from a couple of people who have probably both donated a lot of time and money to the Edwards campaign might be in order.

The only candidate who I can honestly say I ever adored was John Edwards. I still do.

[ClericJohnPreston]

40. Good luck Inspired

Though I don't agree with your choice for many reasons, especially the one saracat brought up, Obama's CORPORATISM, and his homage to CONSERVOSCUM with his "bi-partisanship", your support is your own business.

There is only one John Edwards and he is light years better than Obama, but the DNC had other plans.....

[Inspired]

42. Good luck to you as well.

Believe me when I say that this has not been an easy process for me. I have gone back and forth a few times on this.

I agree that there is only one John Edwards. If he was still running, I wouldn't have made this decision. But I've made it and I'm comfortable with it.

[patrice]

48. I agree with you; Edwards was a shoo-in for POTUS.

This whole thing would have been so much easier and he might have made it, if it weren't for the fact that there were so many candidates. Though that IS a good thing; it did cost us.

[patrice]

47. I don't adore anything (except my children). RFK was the first I really cared about.

Then Dr. Dean. Then Edwards. I don't quite feel towards Obama the same way as I did/do for the first three. I have concerns about the Nuclear Power money that he is taking. AND there ARE definite tactical problems associated with having EVERYONE, including well hidden trolls, at the table. We'll see how it all works out, but I AM very encouraged by what I've been hearing.

We're at least 50% of whatever happens, not matter who is elected.

[ekwhite]

41. Thank you for your clerical pronouncement

:sarcasm: It seems to me as if you are stating your opinion as fact. What facts do you have to back up your pronouncement from on high? I could say that Hillary Clinton is as un-Edwards as you can get, considering that she was on the board of directors for Wal-Mart, supported NAFTA, and has been caught lying about her accomplishments (4 Pinocchios from the Washington Post).

I am also getting sick of the Obama cult accusations. I am a dyed in the wool yellow dog Democrat who has always supported progressive candidates. I supported John Edwards because of his message and because I am the grandson of a mill worker. I actually know what a mill village looks like.

I now support Obama because he is the best candidate left. I am impressed by his coolness under fire and his willingness to talk to us like adults. You, and people like you, are quickly driving me into the anybody but Clinton cult, however.

Oh yes, and as far as your posts about CORPORATISM and CONSERVOSCUM, how about Hillary's friendship with Rupert Murdoch, or maybe he doesn't count, eh Prester John?

Here is a link to a Financial Times article on her link with Murdoch. The article also noted that she was courting Newt Gingrich and Lindsay Graham.

[patrice]

53. Being talked to like an adult was important to me too.

They should talk details, explain things, don't assume we're too dumb or uninterested to understand. Discuss options, discuss with us how things, politics in particular, works = STOP ingoring the 8 million pound gorilla in the room.

[ClericJohnPreston]

57. Do I take anything you say seriously?

Given this quote in your profile as to hobbies:

"Making Sarcastic Comments"

If indeed serious, let us start with the fact I am not so much a Hillary suporter as an anti-Obama supporter. They are BOTH Corporatist, which is the biggest styrike you can have in my book. However, all roads at the Obama Camp lead to anti-Hillary REFLEXIVE comments, whenever Obama is criticized.

In fact, Obama has given me much to dislike. From his absolute manipulative message of BUZZWORDS, this Trial Attorney knows manipulation from 100 paces. You may all fall for campaign sloganeering, but I do look at what they say and do. Obama is as steeped in Repub-lite politics as you can get from his dance with insurance companies to his famed, "bi-partisanship". Sorry, you can buy that tokenism, not me. Also, his ability to make people "feel good" is mere projection and supporters superimposing their own ego on a "blank screen".

I'll be happy to go on and on, but this thread is for Inspired to state how personal selection was, AND THEN BE COMPELLED TO MAKE US ALL READ IT IN A VERY PUBLIC FORUM.

It makes perfect sense....if you are part of a CULT!

[Inspired]

67. You had the option to just ignore my thread, CJP.

You chose to read it. I didn't make you.

[mhoran]

74. We should all demonstrate such dignity and poise.

Ignore the mean-spirited comments. They reflect on the speaker, not on you. You may be "Inspired," but you are also inspiring. Thank you.

[Inspired]

114. Thanks. I refuse to insult Edwards supporters.

They can insult me all they want. That is their choice. I remember John's words a few years ago. "We are Democrats. We lift each other up. We don't tear each other down." Or something like that! I haven't been so perfect myself in this area but I'm trying.

[saltpoint]

83. We've been unable in recent days and weeks to pin the good Cleric down

on just what he is a cleric of.

[saltpoint]

81. You whine like a cartoon sausage in a pool filter.

[Catherina]

36. Here. Have one of these as a welcome. Take your pick too!

:hi:

[hisownpetard]

115. I really wish you wouldn't have posted that. Now I have to go out and get one

or I surely shall die...

[hisownpetard]

116. wrong place - delete

[casus belli]

39. I hope an Edwards endorsement is forthcoming.

I really like Edwards. I haven't met anyone who views him in an unfavorable way, he is definitely one of the more likeable candidates we had running in the primary. Edwards' endorsement is going to be a really big deal, and I think it will have a major impact.

[Bullet1987]

43. Welcome to the other side...

[Ysabel]

46. :) :) :) n/t...

[VolcanoJen]

49. Right on!!

:thumbsup: Inspired, from a certified 2004 Edwards Girl. :-)

[ClayZ]

50. Yay! K and R

[slinkerwink]

51. welcome aboard!

[Window]

55. Welcome. I wanted Edwards badly, too.

It hurt...I hated how the MSM virtually ignored him. I then was sorta kinda for Hillary, but when she went super negative and began trying to knee cap Senator Obama, that was the last straw. Hence, Senator Obama became my candidate of choice and I'm very happy with it.


Peace:thumbsup:

[SunsetDreams]

58. Welcome Inspired :)

I hope that Barack puts Edwards in his administration.

I think on a lot of levels they agree about issues facing America today.

[flpoljunkie]

59. Welcome, Inspired. Thanks for a thoughtful , well reasoned post.

[durrrty libby]

60. This lady is proud too.

[helderheid]

62. Me too!

:hi:

[Yael]

63. Welcome!

From another Edwards refugee.

Happy to have you on board!

[John Q. Citizen]

65. I leaned Edwards for a week after Dennis dropped out. Then Edwards quit and i migrated to Obama.

I haven't regretted my journey or my choices.

At this point I have to support Obama over Clinton/McCain

[Cha]

95. The journey is where we

learn. I came later to Obama than many on DU but if I had read his Oct 2002 "Speech" on why he thought we shouldn't be going into Iraq I would have supported him right outta the gate.

http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php

[NorthCarolina]

111. I have followed the same path myself

and will support the Obama campaign. Is he the ideal candidate to this Kucinich supporter? Not quite, but he has not chosen to associate himself with the Republican Lite DLC contingent within the Democratic Party, and so for me the chance to further reduce the DLC influence and control is a net gain for real Democrats.

[NoBushSpokenHere]

66. I went from "I had it with politics, I may not ever contribute

to another campaign" to Edwards to a donating member and avid supporter of Barack Obama!
Welcome to the club!

[K-Check]

69. This gives me hope for when the Dem Primary is finally settled.

Good to know that we can still come together, even if our "ideal" candidate isn't the nominee.

[PresidentObama]

71. Edwards would be proud that you made a choice. Former Edwards supporters UNITE!! n/t

[Inspired]

117. Didn't you use to support Clinton?

Or am I mistaken? If not, what caused you to switch to Obama?

I knew after his South Carolina speech that I could support him when, and if, John dropped out of the race. It took a few weeks for me to come to terms with my sadness and I feel comfortable with my choice. It fits.

[Cha]

73. Welcome, Inspired!

We need you!

[1776Forever]

75. I think John would have to agree with you on this after he said this:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8S3AIKO0&show_article=1&cat=0%3Cbr%20/%3E

Edwards Raps Clinton Over Blackwater Tie
Oct 5 05:13 PM US/Eastern
By MIKE GLOVER
Associated Press Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Democrat John Edwards said Friday the top strategist for presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton has ties to the controversial Blackwater security firm, and warned against installing "a group of corporate Democrats" to replace the Bush White House.

Edwards suggested similarities between Clinton, the Democratic front- runner, and the Republican president.

"George Bush has been a perfect example of cronyism because Blackwater has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Republicans and to President Bush," he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

"I also saw this morning that Senator Clinton's primary adviser, Mark Penn, who is like her Karl Rove, his firm is representing Blackwater."

"It is the reason I continue to say we don't want to replace a group of corporate Republicans with a group of corporate Democrats," he said. Blackwater is a private security firm whose employees have been accused of using their weapons too aggressively against Iraqi civilians and police.

(snip)

He called for a ban to prevent private security companies from donating to politicians, alleging that Blackwater won lucrative contracts in Iraq after becoming a reliable contributor to the GOP.

Edwards also said he favors steps that would virtually eliminate the use of private contractors to provide security services for government officials in Iraq. Private forces have spiraled out of control, he said, with more than 50,000 operating in Iraq with few restrictions. (Obama has stated the same feeling about this issue).

.................

Thank you!


:hi:

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

76. I was for Edwards

I sent in my ballot in California before he announced his withdrawal.

If I had know what John was going to do, I would have voted for Obama.

Not that I won't vote for Hillary if she somehow (as now appears mathematically more unlikely) she becomes our nominee. I just feel that the Clintone have too much baggage, and that Obama has a better chance than Hillary of beating McCain.

We have to unite as a party, and soon. Obama is our best candidate.

[saltpoint]

77. Respectful, intelligent post.

Which is a damned hard combination to beat.

Recommended.

[mirrera]

82. I know how you feel...

I went for Obama with almost determined faith after Edwards dropped out. I had really only been paying attention to Edwards and when he was gone, I felt really lost. I had just downloaded his PDF plan for America and was reading it and planning to send it out to my group. Then I read both Obama's books, and I was blown away. I am a total supporter, and I still hope for Edwards to play a MAJOR role. I picture Obama, Richardson, Dodd, and Edwards in some configuration. I would have put Hillary in that crowd 2 months ago, but she has burned her bridges.

[RazBerryBeret]

84. Congrats....

and welcome!
and I hate kool aid...

[Arkana]

85. Welcome to the Choom Gang, buddy!

[Diane R]

86. Welcome to the Obama camp!!! We're glad you're going to come along.

[DianaForRussFeingold]

87. I feel the same-- all my heart and soul !

:patriot: Like you, it took a while... :cry:

:hide: 'This Edwards Democrat is (also) coming out for Obama.' :pals: :grouphug:

:dem: Yes,we can! "SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA!" :kick:

[BlueJac]

88. I was an Edwards supporter too.....

Welcome aboard the Obama train, it is gaining momentum!

[sonias]

90. Thank you

I too was a former Edwards supporter, but now fully committed to Obama.

:hug:

Sonia

[onehandle]

94. This one will settle for the centrist who comes out on top. nt

[keelake]

96. Love That

Edwards was my first choice (still is,) but I look forward to seeing Mr. Obama in the WH, and he's got my full support!!

[Indenturedebtor]

97. Former Edwards supporter here as well

And would again if he ran again. But I'm firmly in Obamas camp now :bounce:

Please check the website if you'd like to get involved in the campaign. A couple calls a day could = a lot of votes!

Welcome aboard :hug:

[better tomorrow]

103. welcome and there is still always hope for him as VP

I'd vote for that....

[Sarah Ibarruri]

104. I feel the same as you! Thank you! nt

[pauldg0]

105. I think you never did support Edwards...

...Maybe your a plant.

You must be weak...I'm going to throw-up.....arrrgggg!!!

[Inspired]

119. LOL!!!

I was very active in their campaign in Iowa. The list of things I did for the campaign, and the opportunities I had, are endless.

Nice try though.

[pauldg0]

128. Sometimes I re-read my remarks and they are pretty childish...

...sorry about that. But just to let you know, I will not support either one of the other candidates.

I just do not trust them. I must admit the party is fractured. It is scary. Now that my man John Edwards is gone, I am hoping for a Al Gore appearance.

[Nutmegger]

106. Well congratulations from one Edwards Democrat to another.

I remain an Edwards Democrat, who happens to be uncommitted and will remain uncommitted. The top two can't stand up to John Edwards, and I find both unexciting. I feel nothing for them. So I really don't feel like I'm sitting this one out. To the contrary, I feel like this race has left me a long time ago because it has taken one of the most eloquent and passionate men to run out of the contest.

Oh well.

I can respect your decision, congratulations.

Edit: I want to thank you again for your work in Iowa for John Edwards. I remember your posts, and as a supporter and a volunteer I thank you for that. Perhaps things might have been different if he had swept Iowa.

[pauldg0]

129. Right on....

...Hey, could Al Gore still come in and pull something off? He would make the party much stronger that way.

The negative pair in there is ripping this party apart.

It's a long shot, but if it happened, the other long shot would be Edwards for vp or ag. Have you heard rumors.

I was reading the Al Gore web site and there are rumblings of this happening. I'm sixty, but I think I would do ten back flips if that happened.

[pauldg0]

130. Hey, on the Gore Website I heard rumblings that he could jump in....

...this thing if Obama and Hillary keep cutting each others throats.

It really is time. Those two are just fracturing the Democratic Party to pieces.

He would not hurt himself if he did this.

[Stardust]

107. Welcome. I have shared your journey, as well, although I also supported

Kucinich. Now I love Obama more each time I hear him, although I'll always love Edwards and Kucinich, too.

:hug:

[Warren DeMontague]

108. I got here from Al Gore, and then Chris Dodd, myself.

I do believe Obama has the potential to be a truly transformative political figure.

I do believe it's time to turn the page on a whole laundry list of shit in this country and on this planet, and the behavior- the old school sliming, the mocking tone and snide "latte liberal" name calling, the entitlement mentality and the out-and-out SLEAZE of the Hillary campaign has convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Senator from New York is not the person we need to finally bring this nation into the 21st century.

Sorry, Hillary. I will support you in the unlikely event that you're the nominee, just as I would support any Dem. come hell or high water- but I sure as shit wouldn't be excited about it. Not at this point.

I'm excited about Barack Obama. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people, and I think he's going to energize this country- which is exactly what we so desperately need at this moment in history.

[pauldg0]

131. Good God!!!

Heaven forbid. He's a rascal just like Hillary.

Talks the talk, that is all he does.

[cooolandrew]

109. I think unity is just around the corner. Time to stand together time to move fast.

[JimboDem]

112. Welcome, Inspired.

We travel the same path, and I share your "renewed sense of hope".

:thumbsup:

[elizm]

113. YAY! Welcome aboard! He will not disappoint you! :) nt

[hisownpetard]

118. I was for Edwards, too. Good decision, and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Ladyinblack]

121. Edwards-Clinton to Obama

I have also made that journey. I am now an Obama supporter.

[Life Long Dem]

122. I think that's a good choice.

Welcome!!

[peace frog]

124. Welcome to the swelling ranks

of Edwards-to-Obama supporters!

[book_worm]

125. Most Edwards supporters on DU have come to Obama it seems.

[cseper]

126. Well, then ask yourself, if.......

Obama want us to unite, if we would tell the truth, his brand of unity has divided the Democratic Party, so much that, McCain is now favored to win the Presidency! Four more years of Bush's policy, How sad!

[Cha]

132. No you have it ass backwards..

[IDemo]

127. From Kucinich, to Edwards, and then to Obama

I'm glad to be an Obama supporter, and hope he has a VP slot or a cabinet position open for Edwards when the time comes. Which it will, hopefully soon.