Edwards takes page from RFK's book | Following in the footsteps of MLK & RFK

[Sapphire Blue]

Edwards takes page from RFK's book
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
35 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The campaign of presidential hopeful John Edwards has a ready answer for all the criticism about his expensive haircuts and expansive home: A man can be wealthy and care about the poor, too.

Just look at a Democratic hero — Robert F. Kennedy.

Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee, plans to spend three days next week on a poverty tour reminiscent of Kennedy's 1968 trip. Edwards even plans to end his journey where Kennedy did some 40 years ago, in Prestonsburg, Ky.

The eight-state tour shifts the spotlight to an issue that has been the focus of Edwards' campaign since his first run for the White House four years ago. In recent weeks, publicity about his personal wealth — $400 haircuts, construction of a 28,000-square-foot house, hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary to speak about poverty and advise a hedge fund for the superrich — has opened him to charges of hypocrisy and threatened to undermine his message.

(snip)

"Let them attack," Edwards said in a letter to supporters, asking for symbolic $8 campaign donations to support his effort. "We know what's right. And we will keep fighting to end the national disgrace of 37 million Americans living in poverty."


Continued @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070712/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_poverty_tour_7

Taylor Marsh
Edwards' Poverty Tour
Posted July 9, 2007 | 05:26 PM (EST)

"If it has political value it has political value."
- David Bonior, national campaign manager of the Edwards presidential campaign

That was Bonoir's response to Anne Kornblut today during a reporter conference call I was on, covering the political side of Edwards's "Road to One America Tour." The path will retrace two of the most famous men in social justice, Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy, with the spirit of 1968 obviously woven into the idea.

John Edwards plans to trace the steps of Dr. King's 1968 Poor People's March that started in Marks, Mississippi, as well as R.F.K.'s 1968 200-mile poverty tour that ended in Southeastern Kentucky, where Edwards will end as well. The goal is to raise awareness of poverty in America, as well as to offer solutions (raise the minimum wage higher and encourage unions), while challenging the press and politicians, especially his '08 rivals, to pay attention to the issue of poverty in America, which hits 1 in 8 Americans.

In a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Edwards national campaign manager David Bonior previewed the three-day, eight-state, 12-city poverty tour -- the "Road to One America" tour -- that Edwards will embark on next week. The goal, Bonior said, is to highlight the 37 million Americans living in poverty. "They are not just statistics. They are human beings with hopes and aspirations."
EDWARDS' POVERTY TOUR

David Bonior, the national campaign manager of the Edwards campaign, discussed the route. Next Monday, the first day, begins in the 9th Ward in New Orleans, then travels through several poverty stricken areas of Mississippi, into Arkansas, Memphis and Cleveland, Ohio. Day two will take the candidate and others to Ohio, then Pittsburgh. Day three will be in Virginia, then to Kentucky, ending where RFK did in 1968.

(snip)

Edwards also wants to get the other '08 candidates playing in his field. We'll see if any bite.

More importantly, will the press cover, and will people care, about poverty Edwards' poverty tour?

If nothing else, you can bet that the wingnuts will make fun of it and Edwards. Because as much as Republicans love wealth, they deplore wealthy people fighting to actually help people to find a path to get there. As the Republicans see it a person should figure this stuff out on his or her own. Their hypocrisy on wealth is a mile wide. The Edwards' poverty tour will likely drive the wingnuts wild. If Edwards and his team are smart they'll use the wingnuts to their own political advantage. People love a good fight. If Edwards gets the opportunity he should take it.

- Taylor Marsh LIVE! can be heard from 3-4 pm eastern - 12-1 p.m pacific, Mon.-Thurs, with podcasts available.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/edwards-poverty-tour_b_55495.html

Transformational Change For America And The World - JOHN EDWARDS for PRESIDENT 2008

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A true revolution of values

"I'm proposing we set a national goal of eliminating poverty in the next 30 years." - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Silence is Betrayal - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Moral Leadership - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Ending Poverty in America - edited by Senator John Edwards

[hfojvt]

1. that seems like a fast tour

particularly Day 1 going from New Orleans to Cleveland. I suppose, though, depending on the primary schedule, which is still in flux, he may not have the time to spend in some states which have late primaries.

I disagree with this part from Mr. Marsh:

"Because as much as Republicans love wealth, they deplore wealthy people fighting to actually help people to find a path to get there..."

Ending poverty is a long way from fighting to help people become wealthy. I think the two may even be opposite, because it is often the people who trample or exploit the poverty and desperation of others that exacerbates poverty and creates more poverty. Two examples that come to mind are 'slumlords' with their 'investments' of rental property and 'payday loan' places with their 3,000% interest rate loans.