My support for John Edwards

[Sapphire Blue]

My support for John Edwards is unwavering. The only thing that would prevent me from voting for him in the primary would be his pulling out of the race due to Elizabeth's health, or my death... that's how strongly I feel about him being the best candidate.

I will say that I'm really getting tired of the attacks & smears from a select group of DUers who take every opportunity to attack & smear any candidate other than their own... whether their attacks are based on a grain of truth or a baldfaced lie. I'm especially tired of the repetitiveness of their attacks. I really do wish DU's Admin had kept the 'Block' function.


Some of the reasons why I support John Edwards...

UPDATE: Fragile X, Edwards, and Special Interests
by chuckles1
Mon Mar 26, 2007 at 06:28:39 AM PDT

Greetings friends.
Some time ago, I went searching for the early Senate record of John Edwards. My reason was simple, I wanted to find out what this man, who was elected to the Senate in 1998, stood for. Here in North Carolina, we have recently been treated to Senators that, when elected, fail to do the people's work because they know they have 6 years to make up for screwing the good folks of North Carolina. Even among Democrats, often the first couple years are spent making up favors to special interests. Don't believe me? Go check out the bills SPONSORED by your local Senators in their first couple years.
So, I did that. I wanted to see, who was it that John Edwards considered his "special interest". I'll admit that I, in particular, was shocked by what I found.

(snip)

S.1131
Title: A bill to promote research into, and the development of an ultimate cure for, the disease known as Fragile X.
Sponsor: Sen Edwards, John (introduced 5/26/1999)

(snip)

S.975 : A bill to amend chapter 30 of title 39, United States Code, to provide for a uniform notification system under which individuals may elect not to receive mailings relating to skill contests or sweepstakes, and for other purposes.

S.1018 : A bill to provide for the appointment of additional Federal district judges in the State of North Carolina, and for other purposes.

S.1131 : A bill to promote research into, and the development of an ultimate cure for, the disease known as Fragile X.

S.1424 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide the same tax treatment for special pay as for combat pay.

S.1610 : A bill to authorize additional emergency disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Dennis and Hurricane Floyd.

S.1850 : A bill to amend section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934 to modify the requirements relating to the use and disclosure of customer proprietary network information, and for other purposes.

S.2064 : A bill to amend the Missing Children's Assistance Act, to expand the purpose of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to cover individuals who are at least 18 but have not yet attained the age of 22.

S.2065 : A bill to authorize the Attorney General to provide grants for organizations to find missing adults.

S.2100 : A bill to provide for fire sprinkler systems in public and private college and university housing and dormitories, including fraternity and sorority housing and dormitories.

S.3180 : A bill to provide for the disclosure of the collection of information through computer software, and for other purposes.

S.3221 : A bill to provide grants to law enforcement agencies that ensure that law enforcement officers employed by such agencies are afforded due process when involved in a case that may lead to dismissal, demotion, suspension, or transfer.

S.3228 : A bill to promote the development of affordable, quality rental housing in rural areas for low-income households.

Take a look at those bills. Affordable housing, hurricane relief, Fragile X, "special pay" tax relief for soldiers, heck even junk mail protection, and spyware protection. All of them are aimed at helping people. There are other bills he Sponsored, you can go see them, most are import tariff exemptions for our FORMER textile mills, the ones that are now gone to foreign countries. Again, all his bills are aimed at helping people like us, workers, citizens, voters. They aren't aimed ONLY at the business community, they ARE handouts to his special interest group - people.

Caring about people. It isn't new, it isn't something he is doing for his Presidential race, it is something he has always done, even when the heat WASN'T on him. I like that.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/26/92758/1809

UNC-Chapel Hill creates Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity;
names former Sen. John Edwards as director

CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is launching a Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity that will be led by former U.S. Senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards.

The Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity will be a nonpartisan initiative, bringing together UNC-Chapel Hill faculty and other national public policy experts to examine innovative and practical ideas for moving more Americans out of poverty and into the middle class. The center will have an advisory committee of senior faculty representing multiple disciplines across campus. In addition to leading the center, Edwards also will serve as a guest lecturer on campus.

"John Edwards is a distinguished Carolina alumnus, and we are delighted that he will return to campus to bring together today’s best minds to focus on issues that affect us all," Chancellor James Moeser said.

Edwards spent six years in the U.S. Senate. In that time, he championed policy initiatives such as raising the minimum wage, expanding the earned income tax credit, creating matching savings accounts for low-income families, and providing incentives for teachers to teach in low-income schools. Edwards also focused on poverty during last year’s presidential campaign.

"The time I spent at Chapel Hill gave me many of the tools I have used all my life to help those who are struggling, and I am so proud that I will be able to continue this work and also give something back to UNC-Chapel Hill," Edwards said. "As director of the center, I will work to explore creative approaches to the difficulties that families in poverty face every day."

Continued @ http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/feb05/edwards020405.html

A book from the Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity, John Edwards, founding director (and director until announcing his 08 candidacy), and editor of the book: Ending Poverty in America: How to Restore the American Dream: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x661959


John Edwards, Cleaning Up in New Orleans: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5285938


Working w/UNITE HERE & SEIU: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2006/05/john_edwards_labors_darling.html


College for Everyone: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=689280&mesg_id=689280


John Edwards - Q&A: Faith & Honesty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVvll0n0epA


John Edwards on the ISSUES: http://johnedwards.com/about/issues


And...

Transformational Change For America And The World - JOHN EDWARDS 08


"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

[acmavm]

1. I CAN'T wait until six months from now. The whining and the

bitching will be amazing.

[xultar]

2. I feel good to like all of our candidates. It feels wonderful to not be tied to

anyone candiate. I don't even think I'll throw my support behind Clark if he runs. I'll just vote for the nominee. I'd be proud to have any of the candidates in our field as president.

[Sapphire Blue]

3. January 20, 2009... One of these candidates will take the oath of office as our 44th President ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x797059

[xultar]

6. And to that I say THANK GAWD!

[AndyA]

4. You are more generous than I am, but I know that whoever the candidate

ultimately is on the Democratic side, they will have my vote. And I do find comfort in that. That was a very easy decision to make.

I do have a favorite right now, but I'm trying to keep an open mind about all of them. I do pay attention to what all of the Dems say and do, with the thought that any one of them could be the next President.

[waiting for hope]

5. Wonderful post -

As usual, a very happy to K&R!

[Sapphire Blue]

20. Thanks, WFH!

:hi:

[bobbolink]

7. The only thing that would keep me from being solidly behind Edwards...

is if another good candidate came out as strongly for poverty issues.

He's the ONLY one speaking for me, so I haven't a choice.

I, too, am so sick of *SILLY* attacks on him--it only solidifieds my support of him, so it's backfiring against the attackers and their candidates of choice! :rofl:

Interesting that I don't see Edwards supporters attacking other candidates.........

Go John and Elizabeth!

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[waiting for hope]

10. Check out Old Crusoe's

post in the John Edwards' Support forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=257x713

"Interesting that I don't see Edwards supporters attacking other candidates........."

I do believe you are correct!

[chimpymustgo]

42. That's how we roll. Like John and Elizabeth - we like to keep it positive.

Don't hate other Democrats.

[bobbolink]

90. Thanks for the alert on this post.... I replied to it, and wouldn't have seen it.

Mucho megalo mahalo!

:hi:

[Sapphire Blue]

21. ..

:toast:

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

[bobbolink]

91. I really like your body language!

:yourock:

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[saltpoint]

41. bobbolink, I'm with you on all the points in your post, but I especially

appreciate your mentioning Elizabeth Edwards.

In a conversation last year -- quite a ways back now -- a friend said to me, out of the blue, "Is Elizabeth Edwards a class act, or what?"

I agreed that she definitely is a class act.

There's a lot of compassion in those two. I have a hunch their kids are awfully well cared for.

Very good to bump into you tonight on DU, and all good wishes to you.

[bobbolink]

92. Well, as one of those disreputable feminists....

:rofl:

...I always notice the women, and what they are like. I think we've all seen that Elizabeth stands out---she's not someone you'd have to "put up with" in order to get John. :) :) :) :)

In fact, I wouldn't mind if it was *ELIZABETH* in the running... ~~chortle~~

As I've said, my first priority is poverty, because that isn't a "sexy" issue, and people are dying because of it. So, Edwards *has* to be my pick. There are a few things about him that bother me, but..... better that than someone who can't bring himself/herself to put poverty in the front seat!

Thanks for replying--I think I'll be looking for your posts more now!! :toast: :hug: :toast:

[JNelson6563]

8. I enjoy these positive posts

Always nice to read of positive reasons someone supports a candidate instead of nasty vitriol toward the other candidates. You're a class act SB.

Julie

[Sapphire Blue]

22. Thank you, Julie!

:hi: :hug:

[Czolgosz]

9. K & R # 5

[Sapphire Blue]

23. Thank you so much, Czolgosz!

:hi:

[jsamuel]

11. Thank you! His environmental position is BY FAR the best!

http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/energy/new-energy-economy/

I only support candidates that deserve it. If at any point I felt that someone didn't deserve it, I would not give it. I strongly support John Edwards.

[Sapphire Blue]

24. You're welcome, and thanks for posting that link, jsamuel!

:hi:

[question everything]

12. K&R Sapphire Blue

cannot add a word expect to wish you the best and to see you voting for him next November.

[Sapphire Blue]

25. Thanks, question everything!

I look forward to casting my vote for him!

[Czolgosz]

13. I go back and forth between Edwards and Obama (I prefer Edwards on poverty, trade, health care,

protecting the jobs and wages of the middle class, and tax equity but prefer Obama on gun control and capital punishment).

The fact that Durbin - who has previously endorsed Obama - has launched this wholly unsubstantiated allegation which reflects poorly on himself as well as Edwards, Rockefeller, Feinstein, Bayh, and all the other select intelligence committee members disappoints me.

When David Geffen attacked Hillary, I didn't think too much of it, but I don't want to see this becoming a pattern where Obama supporters slash and burn Democrats.

[jsamuel]

14. compare them on the environment

I think the difference there is stark:

http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/energy/new-energy-economy

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/energy/

[Czolgosz]

19. Edwards has a much more detailed environmental plan, but Edwards has a much more detailed everything

Obama has a good voting record (http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm) and I trust them both on the environment.

[peacebaby3]

59. Another DUer posted this link the other day and it seemed pretty good

at showing candidates positions on some of the major issues. You can take a quiz and see which '08 candidate you match. The site seemed to be objective and fact based. There is some very good information regarding candidates and issues even on the state level. Here is a link to the '08 presidential candidates quiz:

<http://www.speakout.com/VoteMatch/senate2006.asp?quiz=2008>

And here's a link to the main page:

<http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm>

I apologize if you have already seen this site, but it was new to me when it was posted and I thought it was interesting.

Edit: correct link

[il_lilac]

81. thanks for that link!

very interesting the results that came up...

[Booster]

15. Edwards has always been my first choice. Having said that, I will

support for and vote for whichever Dem runs in the election - I just hope it's John Edwards. I like his ideas and his spirit, and I don't really care that he's super rich, don't care how big his house it, don't care how much he pays for a haircut - none of that makes him less of a candidate in my mind. And I absolutely love Elizabeth.

[hfojvt]

17. He's not really super rich though

At least no more so than Hillary, McCain, Romney, or Giuliani, candidates who are not constantly called 'rich' by the M$M. For some reason, they don't ever want to let you forget how rich he is. It is his houses and his grooming expenses that are put in the spotlight. So he is not super rich for a Presidential candidate or even for a Senator.

[Sapphire Blue]

26. January 20, 2009... One of these candidates will take the oath of office as our 44th President...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x797059

My primary vote goes to Edwards. My general vote goes to the Democratic candidate (who, I hope, is Edwards ;) ).

[jhrobbins]

96. I agree completely-he was my candidate the first time around and

I like him even more now - if thats' possible. I will however, support whichever Democratic candidate we arrive at (sorry for the grammar).

[undeterred]

16. What she said

:kick: :patriot: :kick: :patriot: :kick: :patriot: :kick: :patriot: :kick: :patriot: :kick: :patriot:

Edit: and I'm sending him $500 for the express purpose of getting his beautiful hair done :hi:

[Sapphire Blue]

27. ..

:toast:

:hi:

[saltpoint]

18. Sapphire Blue, great post. Good energy all around, and very good

for Democrats generally.

A rising tide lifts all the boats in the harbor.

Recommended.

[Sapphire Blue]

28. Thank you, Old Crusoe!

:hi:

We have much to be positive about! We're taking the White House in 2008!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[saltpoint]

29. You bet we are. The Republicans don't know it yet, but WE do.

Go, Democrats!

[Mark Twain Girl]

30. Edwards makes me hopeful

I'm very cynical, and I never ever thought I could feel this kind of idealistic, wonderful hope.

It was about getting the Repubs out. Now, it's about something more.

[Sapphire Blue]

31. Welcome to DU, Mark Twain Girl!

[Mark Twain Girl]

32. Why thank you! I just saw the "We the People" ad and now your post

and I felt so inspired, I had to say something.

[Catchawave]

87. Welcome to DU !

:toast:

[bpeale]

33. you know...me too

the last time i felt this hopeful was when Robert Kennedy was running for President and that was a very long time ago.

[jhrobbins]

97. Very cool reference-I hadn't thought of this comparison, but I do see

it. I really did feel this way about Clinton too, though (and I still do). Larry King said last night that Clinton 'changes' a room when he comes in and I know that's true.

[ultraist]

34. Great post, Sapphire Blue!

Edwards is the candidate who will bring about real, transformational change.

[Sapphire Blue]

37. Thanks, ultraist!

:hi:

[seashorelady]

44. John & Elizabeth will bring dignity and honor

back to the White House.

[be inspired]

35. You and I are much alike.

The only thing that will prevent me from supporting Edwards is him pulling out of the race or my own death, as well. Thanks for listing your reasons for your support. They are good ones.

[Sapphire Blue]

38. ...

:toast:

:hi:

Edited to add: Are you this 'be inspired': http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/2/104825/2710 ?

[benny05]

43. It is as far as I can tell

Which is why I posted the comment here. Looks consistent.

Are your eyes sapphire blue?

[Sapphire Blue]

49. If it is, I hope that 'Be Inspired' starts posting here more often!

No, my eyes aren't blue, but I've been told that my aura is.

[waiting for hope]

45. OMG....

I just cried....

"Senator Edwards, I will stand with you, because you have reached into my heart, scraped through the layers of denial and the hard crust of withdrawal, and shown me the dreams for my country, so deep in the center of my heart. Not only that, but you have given me realistic plans to realize those dreams. I'm not given to using religious words much, but God bless YOU, John Edwards, and may God bless America so much that you become our next president! Now THAT would be a blessing indeed."

That was truly inspiring!


:bounce: I just can't wait till he is in the White House...what a wonderful future this country will have.

[Sapphire Blue]

48. Yes, it WAS truly inspiring!

[benny05]

36. Taylor Marsh: Today Should be John Edwards Day

You know, it's about damn time that the people on this blog, other blogs, the MSM, and politicians woke up and take some lessons from this man. I have not ever known such as a quick study as I have with John Edwards. He's successful for that reason.

I don't know what color eyes the thread starter has, but I know the name matches the color of JRE's. I will never forget how I found out he was going to visit in a town an hour away last summer. I e-mailed Thread Opener at the blog, and asked if there was a way I could see the Senator for a few minutes. And we did talk for 10 minutes. We talked mainly about my mom, who was lost in the wilderness with mental illness when I was growing up. She lives social security check to social security check, and I help her out each month. Actually, he listened more than talked, but he asked me questions about where I grew up, where I went to school, what I did for a living, etc. I told him I had to practically raise myself, but if it weren't for a hand-up from the gov't to help me go to college and get a job, no telling where I would be today. And I attended all public schools and universities, just as he did.

So, when I read that mental health should be treated with parity and integral to his UHC plan, I realize he was thinking of many people who wanted it, but also, my mother.

Be Inspired wrote a diary on the Kos today about the connection piece. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/2/104825/2710


When I read a market research report about the branding of candidates, one of the highest brand ratings went to Edwards because folks perceive he is connected to their concerns. http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/05/presidential_br.html

I like the Faith and Honesty video as that is exactly what you see. He's a very spiritual man, and to me, he can be a healer and bring our allies to the table to discuss our problems in a logical, thoughtful, careful way that involves dialog, not just "here's my rules and either it's my way or the highway".

Anyway, I was inspired by his ad and I realize, Edwards really knows he made some bad mistakes, but is willing to make up for them and work hard for all of us.



Future President John Edwards: Send the Bill Back

Tune into the Edwards Evening News on the DK at 8:30 CT

[Sapphire Blue]

39. Thanks for the great post & links, benny05!

:hi:

[benny05]

40. Let's keep working hard for him too

And maybe I'll be dancing with many of you at the first ever Bloggers' ball, on January 20, 2009. :headbang:

[Sapphire Blue]

47. "the first ever Bloggers' ball, on January 20, 2009" I love it!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Blackhatjack]

46. Right ! Polling Shows Edwards is the only Dem who would beat all Repubs....

I notice the same lame recycled personal attacks on Edwards.

I also notice that the posters do not attack Edwards for his position on ending the war, addressing poverty, helping the middle class, jobs and labor, making corporations and the super-rich pay their fair share of taxes, or any of the specifics of his plans to address issues like healthcare, etc.

We need to stay positive and continue to expose the naysayers, and hopefully we will end up in the White House Jan 2009!

Keep up the good work!

[Sapphire Blue]

53. ..

:toast: to positivity!

[blue neen]

50. Excellent post.

Thanks for the very pertinent information. :)

[Sapphire Blue]

54. Thanks, blue neen!

:hi: and you're welcome.

[illinoisprogressive]

51. ah, but, my support for Obama is unwavering so, cancel out.

[Sapphire Blue]

52. January 20, 2009, we're taking back the White House!!!

January 20, 2009...: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x797059


:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Sapphire Blue]

55. ..

:kick: :kick: :kick:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[usregimechange]

56. I endorse that message.

[Sapphire Blue]

57. ..

:toast:

[peacebaby3]

58. I like Edwards and haven't participated in an threads bashing him

or any other Democratic candidate, but I can't support him during the primary because he is too pro death penalty for me. While I look at many positions for a candidate when considering whether I will support them or not, the death penalty is a top issue for me and while Edwards recognizes flaws in the system, he fully supports it. While it is nearly impossible to find a candidate that has a chance of winning to admit that he or she is against the death penalty, it is easy to check his or her record regarding crime and punishment issues.

I would fully support Edwards if he is the nominee.

[Sapphire Blue]

60. I appreciate that you haven't participated in those types of threads, peacebaby3.

The DP is the one issue w/which I disagree w/Edwards. For me, his position on all the other issues take precedence over his DP position.

[peacebaby3]

72. As you know, I truly respect and admire your dedication to bring attention

to the DP issue. You know how closely I work with the issue so it ranks really high on my list of importance as does the entire issue of crime and punishment in this country, but I understand that there are many important issues and the DP is just one of them.

I certainly respect and understand your support of him. As of right now, I will be supporting another candidate in the primaries based on this issue as well as other issues, but I would definitely support Edwards if he were the nominee.

Peace to you, my friend! :pals:

[Seabiscuit]

61. My wife and I are with you in support of Edwards. Thanks for the great post! n/t

[Sapphire Blue]

62. ..

:toast: to JOHN EDWARDS 08

:hi:

[winga222]

63. Thanks Sapphire Blue

I feel the same way. I'll not participate in bashing any of the Dem candidates. They are head and shoulders above anything the Repugs will run and each bring a unique quality to their candidacy. That said, Edwards is the only one who ignites my passion and fills me with hope for the future. He's got my support every step of the way.

:bounce:

[Sapphire Blue]

64. "head and shoulders above anything the Repugs will run"... Ain't that the truth?!?!?

:toast: to taking back the White House on January 20, 2009

and :toast: to our 44th President of the United States, who will be a Democrat!


:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[jcrew2001]

65. the only Dem who beats every GOP

is Edwards - If we nominate Hillary, I'm expecting us to lose in 2008 unfortunately.

[Sapphire Blue]

67. IF we nominate Sen. Clinton, I expect Dems to campaign wholeheartedly for her, w/o defeatism...

I also expect an overwhelming voter turnout for her. If she is the nominee, she will win.


'Madame President'

[jcrew2001]

69. Florida, Ohio...

I think it will be very difficult to win either Florida, Ohio and no other red state, particularly if JEB or Rudy is on the GOP ticket.

there will be high turnout in the GOP side as well, and there won't be many moderates who will move to Hillary.

Even F-Thompson beats Hillary - how is that even possible????

[bpeale]

75. i'm sorry, but if she is nominated

i won't vote for her. i just can't.

[Sapphire Blue]

80. FYI - this is the DEMOCRATIC Underground... supporting the Democratic Party & its candidates.

That would include Sen. Clinton if she is the 08 Presidential nominee.

[bpeale]

86. sorry. my vote is mine, not yours and not the democratic party's

MINE. you don't get to tell me who to vote for. i am a democrat but i vote my conscience not my party. i can support almost ANYONE BUT HER.

[Sapphire Blue]

93. Of course your vote is yours. However, it's my understanding that working to defeat...

... the Democratic candidate is not acceptable here. I certainly hope you wouldn't do that.

[mnhtnbb]

66. Nice post, Sapphire Blue

I've been spending more time at dkos because of support for Edwards over there.
It's nice to get info, share comments, and generally feel more positive.

Perhaps the atmosphere for Edwards will change here as the primary season develops.

[Sapphire Blue]

68. Thanks, mnhtnbb.

:hi: After reading what 'be inspired' posted over there, I may do the same!

[Divine Discontent]

70. wow, I didn't know

that the ignore option was gone. That SUCKS. Anyhow, I agree with everything you said! Edwards all the way, Baby! I cannot stand the attacks that aren't 100% fact. I also do not appreciate the Obama camps being 'concerned' about the myspace page that was run by a supporter for TWO+ years giving him great support and getting the word out on him, and then taken over by them because they were afraid of what the supporter might do with the contacts, and, demanding that cafepress remove all designs that use the "O" design on products. Apparently, Obama wanted to be the FIRST candidate in history to restrict public use of designs paid for by PUBLIC donations for a public office he is running for - I figured it'd be a Republican who would do this... This is a big story if you ask me. And the attacks on Edwards I've seen are mostly, not all, vanity attacks, and behind the scenes gossip, whereas the two things I've discussed are verifiable and in the mainstream news.

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- check it out, top '08 stuff

[Sapphire Blue]

71. The 'ignore' function is not gone. I was referring to the 'block' function.

W/the 'block' function, we had the option of blocking extremely annoying posters from posting to a thread that we started. There was a great uproar over that... many DUers apparently felt that it was stifling free speech & legitimate debate. I've noticed that some of the posters attacking other candidates were some (not all) of the loudest voices demanding the removal of the 'block' function.

[peacebaby3]

73. Gee, nice of you to come into a thread about the bashing of Dem candidates

and use it to bash a Dem candidate.

My apologies to Sapphire Blue for diverting the conversation to this topic, but I felt it was necessary to reply since part of the discussion was about attacking other Democratic candidates.

The MySpace website was a free service and the person who started it and volunteered to run it for Obama did not pay for the service. The people who joined the group did so because it was a group to support "Barack Obama" and in the final decision, the man running the site kept the 160,000 "friends" of the group and the Obama campaign was able to run a site that was under the name, "Barack Obama." Unfortunately, the only way that the campaign can be responsible for the content is to limit the access of anything that appears to be an official part of the campaign. It is still nearly impossible. Remember the guy who worked for an ad agency that created the anti-Hillary Clinton, "1984", video that ran on You Tube supporting Obama? Obama's campaign had to run out to defend itself even though they had no role in the making of the video and only had ties to the company that the employee that made it worked for. Unfortunately, any candidate has to try to do this in our current, "swiftboating" political culture.

As far as the official logo...either someone at the Obama campaign or someone they contracted designed that logo and they should be able to control how it is used on products. I highly doubt that they were trying to stop the use of "O" by itself on products since it is in use by many other people and companies such as Oprah Winfrey and Overstock.com, but if you have a source to prove that it happened, I would agree that the campaign should not have attempted to stop the use of any "O" on merchandise unless it was used in conjunction with Barack Obama's name. While he may be a public figure, he still has a right and a duty to control people making a profit off of others by using his name or image.

[Sapphire Blue]

78. Thank you for handling that, peacebaby3!

:thumbsup:

[iamjoy]

74. Thank You

when I hear the criticism about how he is phony, it's hard to keep the faith.

This will help me.

[Sapphire Blue]

77. You're welcome, iamjoy.

:hi: Keep the faith! John Edwards is a great candidate, and will be a great president... and any of our Democratic candidates will be better than anything that nasty, greedy, hateful, bigoted repub party has to offer.

[iamjoy]

89. If I May Add...

I think what is most interesting about his legislation is not just that it is mostly Pro-People, but that it's LITTLE stuff. Now some people look for the big, splashy major legislation, you know, like the FMLA for that decade or something that will affect millions.

Senator Edwards went for little things. To me, it makes it seem like he wasn't grandstanding and had genuinely been listening to people and thinking of ways to help them.

I also worked an Edwards campaign event with big money donors back in Summer '04 - shortly after he'd been made Kerry's nominee (I already "loved" him). After it, he went to the "back of the house" and personally shook hands with and thanked the hotel staff and campaign volunteers who's worked the event. The campaign photographer snapped my picture with him, but alas, I never heard from the staffers to get it. Anyway, it touched and impressed me that he did that. Many of those hotel workers probably don't even vote.

[Sapphire Blue]

94. You know, there are those who don't even 'see' people like hotel staff...

... as if they are invisible or just part of the background. John Edwards sees everyone... w/his eyes and w/his heart.

[pollo poco]

82. Met Him Once in Oregon

He is not phony. I get tired of hearing that. The other thing that bugs me is when people get down on him for being a lawyer. There is currently a right wing war on lawyers, going under the misnomer of "tort reform". Lawyers are among the strongest groups who do not support the corporate take over. They are the voice of common people in the courts against corporations, and they have a history of fighting for citizens rights and protections. Yes, I know they can be disreputable, but they are a target of the Neocons, who want us to have literally no defense against big business.

[Sapphire Blue]

83. Welcome to DU, pollo poco!

[namvet73]

76. Edwards has been my choice..

since I got to know him in the 2004 election and I am even more impressed since then.

But, the other Democratic candidates will get my vote.

The Republican I am the most afraid of is Newt Gingrich at this time. I think he might even be worse than *!

[Sapphire Blue]

79. Someone upthread posted a comment about the Jan. 20, 2009 Blogger's Ball...

We're gonna be celebrating a Democratic VICTORY!!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Alcibiades]

84. I love John and Elizabeth Edwards

I have often thought, based on the number of people I've spoken to who aren't activist Democrats, that much of Senator Clinton's support comes from women who want to have the chance to vote for a woman. I know that's a big deal, but, at the same time, the woman a man is married to says a lot about him, and I think that if a lot of American women come to know Elizabeth Edwards during the campaign, some Hillary supporters will swing over to the Edwards camp. She's just that amazing.

[Sapphire Blue]

85. I agree... Elizabeth Edwards IS that amazing!

:hi:

[rpannier]

88. I'm with you.

Edwards in '08

[Sapphire Blue]

95. ...

:toast: to JOHN EDWARDS 08