Former Edwards National General Chairman and 49 Other Edwards Supporters Throw Support to Obama

[Hope And Change]

Former Edwards National General Chairman and 49 Other Edwards Supporters Throw Support to Barack Obama


By Zachary Scott Edwards - Apr 23rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm EDT

Edwards backers call North Carolina primary clear choice between real change and more of the same

Raleigh, NC -- The Obama campaign today announced the endorsement of 49 prominent supporters of John Edwards - including Ed Turlington, Edwards’ former National General Chairman. These North Carolina leaders - ranging from Members of Congress to a former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court to former law partners and longtime friends of John Edwards - cite Barack Obama’s commitment to fighting for change on behalf of working Americans and taking on the special interests in Washington.

"Barack Obama and John Edwards share a commitment to taking on special interests and standing up for regular Americans. Along with Edwards supporters from across the state, I am honored to join Senator Obama's movement for change,” said Turlington. “As president, he will bring together Democrats, Republicans and Independents behind an agenda of change. From ending the war in Iraq to confronting the scourge of poverty to making health care affordable for every single American, Barack Obama will bring our country the change we need.”

The diverse group said they are voting for Obama because he is the only candidate with a proven ability to unite America around a common vision and win the votes of Republicans and Independents whose support is critical to carrying the state in the fall.

Like Edwards, Obama refused donations from PACs and Washington lobbyists and vowed to stand up to the special interests that have blocked so much progress for working Americans in Washington, DC.

“John Edwards has dedicated his life and career to fighting poverty in America. Barack Obama demonstrated that same commitment when he turned down a high-paying job on Wall Street to work in Chicago communities decimated by steel mill closings,” said Louise Coggins, a social worker from Wilmington who has known John and Elizabeth Edwards for 30 years. “Senator Obama is now the only candidate in the race who doesn’t take money from PACs and federal lobbyists. We can count on him to stand up to special interests in Washington, DC on behalf of working men and women in America.”

We need everyone in North Carolina getting involved right away, by http://nc.barackobama.com/ncoffices">volunteering at their local office. If you are not in North Carolina, we need you to http://my.barackobama.com/page/contact/splash/callncearlyvote">start calling here using the MyBO call tool, or http://nc.barackobama.com/cometonc">or take a trip here to make the biggest impact on the ground. Join Us!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/zachedwards/gGCVsd">Click here to see the full list of local leaders who had previously backed John Edwards' campaign for president, but today are throwing their support behind Obama.


David Price, U.S. Congressman (4th Dist) Mel Watt, U.S. Congressman (12th Dist) G.K. Butterfield, U.S. Congressman (1st Dist)

Peggy Abrams, Attorney, Doug Abrams, Attorney, Phil Baddour, Attorney & Former NC House Majority Leader Steven Bernholz, Attorney Clifford Britt, Attorney Wade Byrd, Attorney Stephen D. Coggins, Attorney Louise Coggins, Social Worker/Therapist W. Thompson Comerford, Jr., Attorney Michael Cucchiara, Business leader Lisbeth Evans, Secretary of NC Department of Cultural Resources Anthony Foxx, Charlotte City Councilman Henry Frye, Former Chief Justice of North Carolina Supreme Court Shirley Frye, Former Educator, Community Leader Harvey B. Gantt, Former Edwards National Co-Chair, Former Charlotte mayor Richard Gusler, Attorney Pricey Harrison, North Carolina State Representative Marty Hayes, Activist James Heavner, Business leader C. Mark Holt, Attorney Leonard Jernigan, Attorney Adelaide Key, Philanthropist Eleanor Kinniard, North Carolina State Senator Henry McKoy, Business leader Brownie Newman, Asheville City Council member Spencer Parris, Attorney Roger Perry, UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees--Chairman Jim Phillips Jr., Attorney and Chair, UNC Board of Governors Wade Smith, Attorney & Former State Democratic Party Chair Sallie Shuping Russell, Business leader and UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees Roger Smith, Attorney Bob Spearman, Attorney & Former Wake County Democratic Party Chair Pat Spearman, Activist Adam Stein, Attorney Nina Szlosberg, Conservationist & Department of Transportation Board Member Amy Tiemann, Writer Michael Tiemann, Red Hat Executive Kevin Trapani, President & CEO, The Redwoods Group Tim Toben, Business leader Ed Turlington, Attorney & Former Edwards National Chairman Marla Turlington, Activist Howard Twiggs, Attorney & Former State legislator Steve Warren, Attorney Willis P. Wichard, Author, Dean, and Former State Supreme Court Justice Carter Worthy, Realtor Todd Zapolski, Business leader

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/zachedwards/gGCVsd">Link

[anonymous171]

1. GOBAMA!

:woohoo::bounce:
:kick:

[DJ13]

2. Good news!

K&R

[NJmaverick]

3. Outstanding, too bad NC doesn't count

[dchill]

7. Actually, I think it's fairer to say...

Florida and Michigan don't count. ;)

[Benhurst]

9. It looks like Florida and Michigan won't count at the convention;

but I hope they do in the general election.

Thanks to the Electoral College, North Carolina will probably not count for us in the general election.

[krkaufman]

63. "NC won't count for us in the GE" ... No, probably not this year.

But that doesn't mean we should be going around denigrating the so-called "red" states, conceding them to the Republicans year after year, and we certainly shouldn't be discounting the voices of those Democrats staying strong inside these states when selecting our candidate for the US Presidency.

That is the essence of the 50 State Strategy. No more disregarding those voters we supposedly can't get. We need to run a national campaign if we're going to build a working majority that sends Conservatives back to the minority position their ideas warrant, and candidates who demean the "red" states are not helping in the effort.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

12. if Hillary can't win NC, she can't win the base

Dag, its like all of the base in NC supports Obama.

[NJmaverick]

27. If we were to look at NC like we did PA, that's EXACTLY what they would be saying

[Benhurst]

55. Unfortunately our base in NC doesn't reflect the state as a whole.

Our two Republican senators, Dole and Burr, could hardly be worse, yet Dole is considered a shoe-in this fall.

We might have a long-shot; but if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on NC remaining a red state in November.

[krkaufman]

64. Right. But it's not just about this election. It's about no longer ceding the "red" states ...

... and building the party back up in those states, so Dem candidates can start winning again.

[NJmaverick]

4. Outstanding, too bad NC doesn't count

[otohara]

20. Little State Status?

caucus state? too many black people state? jesse jackson state? one of those north/south states?

[NYCGirl]

I think it's because Clinton won't win it, therefore, to her campaign, it

doesn't count.

[NJmaverick]

31. Yeah, that's pretty much it

[NJmaverick]

29. More like a state Obama won status

He wins little states, medium size states and big ones. Camp Clinton simply dismisses them all.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

54. and we're already voting, registered record # of voters and

we have same day registration during early voting.

Hehehehehhehe!

[SharonRB]

5. Do you know how many of these,

in addition to the congressmen, are super delegates?

[Liberal Dose]

6. YES!!! I've been thinking that Obama is sounding more and more like Edwards

AND I LOVE IT!!! :D

[mopinko]

8. now is only we could get john boy.

elizabeth- please wake up. i gotta think that elizabeth is leaning hillary, and that is the hold up. yeah, i know how you 2 feel about health care. but is that worth supporting someone who is gonna obliterate iran? how many will die from that fallout?

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. If anyone thinks Edwards was not involved with these Endorsements

Which came from his North Carolina Base, THINK AGAIN.

[panAmerican]

28. Didn't Elizabeth Edwards say...

On TV that she and John will speak for themselves if and when the time comes? This was during her TV interview where she was questioned about rumors emerging from their meetings with Obama and Clinton after John pulled out.

And how does this square away with Howard Fineman's hint that the Clinton campaign said not to be surprised if Elizabeth starts stumping with or for Hillary?

[Ichingcarpenter]

33. Elizabeth Edwards did not run for president

I didn't vote for her in the California Primary
I voted for John Edwards.

[goclark]

71. Yes, I thought that would have been yesterday

I still believe they will support Clinton ~ just have that feeling.

I love them both but just feel it.

[karynnj]

76. Didn't EE say something to the effect that she and John might not vote for the same person

when she was out on the rounds of appearances over healthcare. I think it was on Scarborough - any Edwards people watch that and have stronger memories of exactly what she said.

[bevoette]

11. outstanding (nm)

[OzarkDem]

13. This former Edwards supporter backs Clinton

for the same reason I supported him - health care reform.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

15. difference is that Hillary can't get anything passed, no matter how good it is

We end up with a republican congress if Hillary is at the top of the ticket.

Remember the Clinton's failed in 8 years to pass health care reform, and in fact
set the movement back.

[Armstead]

22. I wish more people would remember that

The Clintons totally failed at any meaningful health care reform, even though the country was strongly in favor of some kind of reform when they were elected.

Not only did they Screw the Pooch in their initial attempts, they then WALKED AWAY from the issue totally in the latter years.

For someone who is a "relentless fighter" Hillary and Bill gave up on that one pretty easily.

[krkaufman]

65. Excellent point.

I've wondered about that at times when Hillary talks about Health Care reform. Why was it never broached again during their Presidency? Just because they couldn't have gotten it passed in a Republican Congress (which came about largely because of Clinton's support of NAFTA)?

They should have tried, at least then the Republicans would have been shown as being against the reforms.

[OzarkDem]

24. Of course she can

and she's better than Obama because she's willling to try it.

Name anything proactive Obama has ever done to advance a health care reform agenda.

[merh]

46. Hey, did she make certain the employees at WalMart had good

health care when she sat on the board? What about maternity/paternity leave and women executives and upper management, what's her score there for the citizens of WalMart?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

57. Walmart, the co that sues brain damaged former employees

to take their trust funds away to reimburse costs of health care.

Hillary done good....for Walmart

[merh]

59. we all know that walmart is the shining example of fair treatment

and equality for women in the work force - Hillary done good. :sarcasm:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

56. Clinton FAILED in 8 years to get Universal Health Care

she set our country back way behind other countries.

[raystorm7]

78. Totally agree!... If her time at Walmart is any example, we do NOT want her plan.

[chknltl]

62. Any chance of you knowing details about her Health Care plan?

Most specifically the "MANDATORY" thing. Will it be like auto insurance? Will we ALL be forced to spend our $$ to BIG insurance? Will we be fined for non-compliance in some fashion? I am against the notion of a mandatory lining of the coffers of Big Insurance if that be the case with this plan. I am a veteran, I have VA med bennies, will I be forced to purchase into Senator Clinton's plan anyway?

These are my questions, I ask them of you, no flames, no sarcasm, because you are a supporter of this plan. I figure you must have some knowledge about it where frankly I do not. btw: I am a supporter of Senator Obama, I have not asked regarding his plan because I have not heard it was going to be MANDATORY. If he becomes POTUS, I am not worried that I will be forced into something I have no extra $$ for. I ask my questions of you because I would like to know what I am fighting against if needs-be or to set my fellow Obama supporters straight if that should be the case.
thanks ahead of time

[thewiseguy]

14. How many superdelegates from this endorsement?

[NC_Nurse]

16. A huge crew of Edwards supporters from his national HQ here in Chapel Hill

came to work for us at the Obama field office when it opened. I bet that's more than her office can say - oh, wait, there isn't one.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

21. Chapel Hill is progressive, not Hillary's base

:rofl:

[NC_Nurse]

48. You got THAT right!

She's not even going to come here. Why would she? Too much booing. ;-)

[Vinca]

17. Wow! Great news! nt

[Scurrilous]

18. K & R

:thumbsup:

[LittleFarter]

19. Bracing for Elizabeth to endorse Hillary

[Hope And Change]

23. Will never happen.

[LittleFarter]

26. Howard Fineman says she will appear with her in NC

[onenote]

30. howard fineman says she "may" appear with her in NC

In the English language, the words "will" and "may" have different meanings.

[ErinBerin84]

34. Howard Fineman said that he wouldn't be surprised if she showed up

Not exactly the same thing, even if he has been "told not to be surprised". These are like the "democratic insider sources" who claim that Al Gore still has a shot at the nomination.

(just for the record, I don't think that it's an impossibility that Elizabeth could campaign for Hillary, and she would be an amazing surrogate for her. Just clarifying that insinuation from unnamed sources is not neccessarily factual).

[EFerrari]

32. There was a report yesterday that she was going to campaign with her.

But my head won't give me the source. I hope you're right.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

44. it was Fineman talking out of his ass and then it was turned into marble tablets

thats how things are around Hillaryland.

[EFerrari]

50. Got it. Thanks! n/t

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

41. welcome to DU. E Edwards publicly stated she wasn't endorsing any candidate

she made certain to state that to Keith Olbermann.

She may like Hillarycare better than Obamacare, but she said she would
support McCaincare if it provided health care for all.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

25. Significant

North Carolina DOES count

[WA98296]

35. Good!

[RBInMaine]

36. And he needs to put every single one of them on the ground to work like hell !

[uponit7771]

37. GoBama!!!

[RBInMaine]

38. Elizabeth Edwards said that she and John "might support different candidates." Hm.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

42. hmm on national tv she said she wouldn't be endorsing any candidate

n/t

[Occam Bandage]

39. Looks like they've got more guts than their candidate had.

[liskddksil]

53. You mean the guts

To be the first to introduce a real plan for universal healthcare in this campaign. The guts to actually talk about real issues and how corporate America was destroying the middle class. The guts to point out policy differences but not engage in vicious personal attacks. Frankly i'm waiting for these other candidates to show the guts that the Edwards family has shown!

[AzDar]

40. Excellent!

:kick:

[grantcart]

43. great

[malik flavors]

45. Awesome News.

[Coexist]

47. knr

[RiverStone]

49. Great news! Obama needs to treat NC like he is running behind

Bill, Hillary, and the pukes are gonna gang up on Obama in NC.

He needs to counter punch and get mean if needed - it's not about the high road, it's now about beating Hillary by going negative if she continues to go negative on him.

Last I heard, he was ahead by 11-13%, but be prepared for a raft of lies to be shipped his direction.

[madrchsod]

69. the more she goes negative the more he wins.....

if she had taken the high road in pa she would have actually gained more ground on barack but she did`t. she came away with 9pts and a few delegates

[ClayZ]

51. K and R

[FrenchieCat]

52. Good to hear!

[Khaotic]

58. Schwing!

[stevietheman]

60. John and Elizabeth are probably going to "agree to disagree" on candidiates.

I smell a John Edwards endorsement for Obama in the offing.

[Stop Cornyn]

61. I think you are right about the "agree to disagree" but wrong about the endorsement.

[ClericJohnPreston]

66. ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

Won't ever get John. :)

[waiting for hope]

67. No, he won't...

And I would take that to the bank. :hi:

[madrchsod]

68. north carolina does`t count--to small

is`t that the talking point of the primary?

[crispini]

70. GOBAMA! nt

[bpeale]

72. good thing i don't vote based on what OTHER PEOPLE do

[DrZeeLit]

73. Wow! I hope JE jumps aboard. Maybe Obama will offer Elizabeth a job as

Health Insurance Czar?

I know they differ, but I think he's all for compromise.
Here's his Big Chance to do it.

I can't cross any more fingers and toes.
But... I can still give a lot more money!

[DemsUnited]

74. this tells me that John Edwards will not endorse Hillary,

not when people who worked their tails off for him are now supporting Obama because they feel he is the candidate most like Edwards.

[TragedyandHope]

75. Great news!

I'd like to think that these people are more politically savvy and better judges of what it takes to run the country that I am as an average citizen. It's gratifying to see so many knowledgeable and experienced people support my candidate.

[hisownpetard]

77. Wonderful news. K&R!

[eagertolearn]

79. You made my day! Thank-You

[Scurrilous]

80. K & R

:thumbsup: