John Edwards: "So before I make a final decision, I need to hear from you: Are you ready?"

[Sapphire Blue]

The big decision

For the past two years, we've worked together to build an America that lives up to its promise -- one where we all share in prosperity at home and one that shows real moral leadership around the world.

I'm proud of our successes fighting poverty, supporting working families, and standing up for what we believe.

Now, we have a big decision to make -- and I do mean we.

I'm getting ready to take this effort to the next level - to bring Americans together in all fifty states to tackle the big challenges facing our country, from poverty and lack of health care, to energy and global warming.

But this is our effort, and we can only succeed if we're all in it together. So before I make a final decision, I need to hear from you: Are you ready?

If you're ready to take this to the next level, and launch a renewed national effort to change America, send me a note and let me know: [e-mail]

If you have friends or family who share this vision, I want to hear from them too. Please forward this on to anyone you know who might want to join this big new effort.

I believe we can run a totally new kind of endeavor -- one that puts our ideals into action, and puts the hopes and dreams of the American people above the personal ambition and play-it-safe strategy of traditional politics.

I can't promise you where this will ultimately lead. But I can promise you this: if you're on board, we'll launch a renewed commitment to change our country from the bottom up. We'll always speak from the heart. And together, we'll reach out to millions of people to let them know it's still okay to dream big dreams, and do everything we can to make them real --because that's what America is all about.

So the only question is: Are you ready?

If you want to take this effort to next level, send me an e-mail and let me know: [e-mail]

Stay tuned: I'll let you know what we decide early next week.

Happy holidays, and may it be a bright new year for all.

Your friend,

John

[Robbien]

1. It is a great idea for him to see if there is grassroots support

Especially since Clinton is grabbing up most of the big money supporters.

But Edwards has picked the wrong weekend to begin the campaign.

[AuntiBush]

44. He Ripped Cheney Apart in that Debate.

I've read some posters here, respectfully, over the last few weeks seemingly believing Edwards lost that debate against Cheney.

I say "no way." He pounded him, stood-up and spoke truth to power. For that, this man would get my vote any day.

[etherealtruth]

2. John Edwards populist message ...

... really speaks to me.

To me he is the "anti-Reagan," ... he speaks of changing the horrible tide that has swept this country since the Reagan era. I am all for that!

[Zensea]

3. I like Edwards alright but this is disingenuous

I don't believe for a moment that the amount of response that he gets to this letter is going to have the slightest influence on whether he decides to run.
It's a little too slick for my taste.
Just the same I'd vote for him in a primary before I voted for Clinton or Obama.

[Sapphire Blue]

16. I would encourage you also to look at what Senator Edwards has been doing for the past two years...

... and make your decision accordingly.

[TSIAS]

31. I agree

I supported Dean in 2004, but this was sort of like when he asked his suppporters to vote on declining federally matching funds. We all knew that he had to decline in order to remain a viable general election candidate.

We know that Edwards is doing the groundwork in Iowa and Nevada. If Obama and Gore don't run, I'm likely to support Edwards.

[Pastiche423]

4. Nope

Not if it means johnnyboy as president.

[Sapphire Blue]

6. Hmmmm... I just looked up above @ the address bar...

... I'm still @ http://www.democraticunderground.com. :shrug:

I thought my internets might have gotten hijacked & sent to the netherworld of that 'other' site, where this type of insult against a Democrat would be posted.

[Clark2008]

8. What? There can't be people here who believe Johnnie is

disingenuous?

Because, I'm No. 2 on this particular thread.

[Sapphire Blue]

10. deleted

This was meant as a reply to another post.

[Sapphire Blue]

14. I would encourage you to look at what Senator Edwards has been doing for the past 2 years...

... and make your decision accordingly.

[Catchawave]

34. More DUers need to do homework

about Edwards and the rest of our great Demmies :)

Merry Holidays Sapphire Blue :toast: Oh,and you too, Clark2008 :hi:

[Pastiche423]

9. What insult?

I was merely giving my opinion. He asked, din't he?

[Sapphire Blue]

12. Senator Edwards is not a boy. Take your insults elsewhere.

[Pastiche423]

15. Doesn't DemocraticUnderground = democracy?

In a democracy, don't people get to form and state their own opinion?

A question was asked. I answered, like people do in a democracy.

[Sapphire Blue]

17. You confuse insults w/democracy.

[Pastiche423]

18. No, you confuse opinions w/insults

[Sapphire Blue]

19. No, I don't.

You could have posted your opinion of Senator Edwards as a viable candidate; instead you chose to post an insulting comment directed at him. Aren't you better than that?

opinion
Main Entry: opin·ion
Pronunciation: &-'pin-y&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin opinion-, opinio, from opinari
1 a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b : APPROVAL, ESTEEM
2 a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a generally held view
3 a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based

insult
Main Entry: 1in·sult
Pronunciation: in-'s<
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French insulter, from Latin insultare, literally, to spring upon, from in- + saltare to leap -- more at SALTATION
intransitive verb, archaic : to behave with pride or arrogance : VAUNT
transitive verb : to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt : AFFRONT; also : to affect offensively or damagingly <doggerel that insults the reader's intelligence>
synonym see OFFEND
- in·sult·er noun
- in·sult·ing·ly /in-'s&l-ti-lE/ adverb

[Pastiche423]

20. I don't want him as a viable candidate

THAT is my opinion.

[chimpymustgo]

21. Made your point. Now go away, please. And, run, John run.

We need all our strong voices speaking out for what we believe in.

[Pastiche423]

22. I am not going anywhere

And I will continue to speak out for what I believe in.

[parasim]

26. Man, DU has gotten so effed up

where is true and honest debate anymore? I mean, jeez, "Now, go away, please.."... what the F! is that?

The OP stated his case, another DU member disagreed, and is greeted with "Insults! God, the insults!' and "Fine, you made your point, now, get outa here!" or whatever...

It's getting just stupid... but, of course, that is my opinion...

[Sapphire Blue]

29. Yes, it's effed up when insults are considered disagreeing. Indeed, where is honest debate?

[Sapphire Blue]

28. You could have simply said that to begin with.

[Pastiche423]

32. Why?

Because you don't approve of my not liking him?

It might do you good to toughen up your skin before the campaign begins.

[Sapphire Blue]

37. You can choose to be civil or you can choose to insult.

If you disagree w/a candidate or don't like a particulate candidate, do you really need to stoop to insulting that candidate?

I don't disapprove of your "not liking him." That's your choice. But if you want to insult him, please do it elsewhere.

Is that plain enough?

Toughen up my skin? No, I don't think so. I'd rather be civil. And I won't be insulting Edwards, Obama, Clinton, Vilsack, or any of the other Democratic candidates, whether I support them in the primary or not.

[Pastiche423]

38. lol

I see that you were not here during the '04 primaries. If you think by simply saying I don't like edwards I am insulting him, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

I am a liberal. I do not march in lock step w/anyone. (If I could march.)

Furthermore, I will not support anyone that is or was a DCLer. The same goes for anyone that has attended a Bilderberg Group meeting. I really despise the elite.

[Sapphire Blue]

40. Let me refresh your memory...

You posted: "Not if it means johnnyboy as president."

Senator Edwards is not a "boy". Calling him johnnyboy is an insult, which, as you very well know, is what I meant by saying that you were insulting him. It's not about whether or not you "like him"." Capice?

I thought we liberals were above insulting our own, but maybe I'm wrong... there's certainly enough insults flying back & forth right here on DU often enough. C’est la vie.

(Edited for typo.)

[Pastiche423]

41. Dig into the DU archives

for the GD Political forum during the primaries. DU wasn't very "civil" back then. Far from it.

And no, I don't capice.

[AuntiBush]

46. I Wholeheartedly Agree with you, Sapphire Blue.

The term "johnnyboy" is disrespectful, to say the least.

Run John Edwards, run. He would get my vote, and quite frankly everyone I've spoken with over the last few years.

[Sapphire Blue]

52. It seems that some just don't get it.

:shrug:

[chimpymustgo]

47. Pastiche I remember you WELL from the 04 primaries, and I hope to God, DU

does not allow this board and to sink to that level again. These repeated posts designed to tear good Democrats down should NOT be what we are about.

Yes, I remember you well.

[Pastiche423]

56. Good to see you again, too

[Inspired]

54. He's already viable. n/t

[Pastiche423]

57. Good for him

I still will not vote for him.

[hamerfan]

5. Thanks, Sapphire!

I'll admit, John Edwards has got me hook, line and sinker already. I will do everything I can to help his cause. So thank you for posting this as I will be e-mailing him directly.

It's good to hear from you, Sapphire. I do hope you are doing well and feeling good. May you have a great holiday season and all the best be yours! Next year will be better!!
Hugs to you, :hug:
dumpbush

[Sapphire Blue]

7. Thank YOU, dumpbush!

:hug: Happy holidays to you!

[H2O Man]

11. There are times

when I look at John Edwards, and think that he really is prepared to take up where RFK left off.

[Sapphire Blue]

13. I agree, H2O Man.

[bobbolink]

33. God, I hope so! An advocate for poor folk is so badly needed!!

I'm just uncomfortable with him continually stipulating "working poor". Not all of us poor folk are able to work anymore.

If you do write to him, would you do me a favor and include the idea that we non-working poor folk need to be included?

Thanks! :hi:

[DemReadingDU]

42. Yes, I agree too

When John Edwards speaks, he really talks to us. I could listen to Edwards speak for hours, unlike Bush who I turn off immediately.

and Elizabeth would make a fine First Lady too.

[hamerfan]

23. Consider this kicked!

:kick:

dumpbush

[bonito]

24. I'll vote for him any day

Hey Sapphire Blue :hi:

[hamerfan]

25. Two words, and they aren't Happy Birthday...

Two Americas!
dumpbush

[lwin]

27. Oh, I am SOOOO KICKING THIS THREAD!

Love it, love it, love it!

No one gets me excited about "the art of the possible" like this man does.

He gets it, he has lived it, and he can help us change it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. run john run

[rebel with a cause]

35. No Mr. Edwards, I am not ready to vote for you.

This site has become the Edwards site, so I do not feel at home here. Truthfully, if Edwards is the candidate in 2008, and I am still alive, I will vote Green for the first time in my life. I vote for Kerry and him in 2004 when I really didn't want to, and I will not do that again.

[Catchawave]

36. Oh chill.....

This is far from an "Edwards Site", just a lot of buzz prior to a possible/maybe Presidential announcement this week. I'm sure this will be the Hillary/Obama/Clark "site" in January too :hi:

I hope you're still alive in '08! I'm more concerned about that than anything right now. Got a link to the Greens? I haven't been able to find one since 2001 !

[bobbolink]

39. And a chilly merry christmas to you, too.

:eyes:

[Catchawave]

61. Actually it's unseasonably warm and raining

here right now :hi:

[rebel with a cause]

59. actually I am chilled now

I just got a little tired of the hype when I wrote that. B-)

I have not looked for the green site yet, we just have a strong chapter here and their guy got enough votes for governor that he earned the greens a place on the ballet in 2008. Here is one that I just found (http://www.greenparty.org/).

About me being alive. I am really not sure how long I have to live, but then who does. In March they did not think it would be too long, but I have improved greatly since then. My doctors are so happy during my visits, especially the one that was partly responsible for my nearly dying, that it makes me feel better. ;-) Oh well, he apologized and I am over the anger now. It only took me about five months to come to terms with it. :D

So, as long as I don't have a set back, or become worse because of all the medication that I am taking, I.......... You know I don't really worry about it, I have lived for sixty years and there are children and young people who have it worse than I do.

[Catchawave]

60. rebel, I am so sorry to hear of your health problems....

:hug: Take care my friend :toast:

[Puglover]

48. Don't feel at home here?

Well don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya! Buh bye!

[rebel with a cause]

62. So sorry to see you go.

Since I did not mention leaving, I can only take it for granted that you are leaving. Oh, and I don't know if you noticed this or not, but the good lord split us in more than one place so I definitely will try to not let the door hit me in any of those places whenever I go through one. That is such an old vulgar saying anyway, you should think about not using such insults. It is like saying "good riddance to bad rubbish". I remember saying that one also when I was young and immature, and I wouldn't even entertain the thought of saying it to you or anyone else now.

I take it you are a pug (dog) lover. My waitress yesterday had a pug dog and we were discussing it. I hope your dog is in better health than her sweet little dog is. Good luck to you.

[AuntiBush]

43. Edwards WILL Get My Vote!

Run Sir, run...

[Libby2]

45. I'm ready, I'm ready!!

[Irishonly]

49. I hope he does run

I received the same email and responded. I watched him on Hardball and remembered how impressed I was with his honesty. He's one of the few who admits his vote for the invasion of Iraq was a mistake. Besides, on a completely different note, it would be great to have a First Lady who actually has a brain and speaks her mind again.:7

[Sapphire Blue]

51. Welcome to DU, Irishonly!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

[hamerfan]

50. I e-mailed the address

and hope it helps him. Granted, it could be a cooked-up PR thing, but I am far more hopeful in his campaign than I've been for anyone in quite some time. Both he and Elizabeth would so well represent this country. I only hope they are up to the task of getting America back on course. Whoever wins is going to have a full-time job of returning this country to an even keel on all fronts that Dimson has managed to screw up. Crossing my fingers now (gawd it's hard to type this way),
dumpbush

[LongTomH]

53. I haven't really decided who to support for '08, yet!

John Edwards is one of the people I could support enthusiastically & whole-heartedly!:thumbsup:

[The Count]

55. As ready as he was to start this war (sponsored the IWR)

Excuses don't work when dying is involved.

[DiverDave]

58. I voted for him in our primary, and will again, gladly.

He speaks for my family and I.