There are differences between the candidates for President on the Democratic side. Nowhere does the difference between Hillary Clinton and John Edwards show up than their attitudes toward lobbyists. Senator Clinton has stated she thinks the differences between lobbyists and average Americans is artificial. The Edwards campaign begs to differ.
In a statement released by the Edwards campaign today, Sen. Edwards makes no bones about the fact that he believes there is a big difference that is far from "artificial":
"During the Slate/Yahoo/Huffington Post debate, which aired online today, Senator Clinton said the difference between lobbyists and regular Americans is an 'artificial distinction.' She is wrong. These lobbyists are legally required to register with the government to influence legislation. And, more than most, Senator Clinton should know that Washington is awash with campaign money from these lobbyists. It is wrong and it has to stop.
"Sometimes good people have been in Washington so long that they can't see what every American sees – the system in Washington has become corroded and corrupted and is failing the American people. By defending a broken system and lobbyists, Senator Clinton is defending the status quo and, knowingly or not, protecting those that have rigged the game.
"John Edwards believes it's time to end the game and be honest with the American people. It's time for us to have the strength to say no to Washington lobbyists' money so we can deliver the real change America deserves. That's why, once again, John Edwards renews his challenge to Senator Clinton to join with him in demanding the Democratic Party lead the way to real reform by refusing, as a party, to take campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists.
We need real change in Washington. We need a President with the courage to end the game and bring real change to Washington. Hillary Clinton doesn't have the courage to stand up to the status quo and deliver real change. We need a leader who is not beholden to special interest money as soon as they are elected.
It is time to clean up the system in America. If Hillary Clinton is serious about leading our party and bringing about change, she should answer Edwards' call to clean up our party and nation by demanding the Democratic Party take the lead in representing the people of this country once again and refuse to take campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists.
Anything less is just paying lip-service to the problem at election time. We need real leadership to return the government to the people, and if Hillary will not be part of the solution, she is part of the problem. It is time we get rid of the problem and nominate John Edwards, a candidate who is serious about changing the system and ending the game. Nothing is more important than taking our country back from the special interests, and John Edwards is the candidate to do it!!