I wrote a diary earlier this week entitled "John Edwards: 'They're not going to kill this voice.' " In it I spoke of the personal attacks in the MSM on John Edwards, the claims and frames that he was somehow hypocritical for caring about working people and advocating for economic fairness.
The attacks on John Edwards have accelerated this last week, with the establishment media and the shrill far right using their respective tactics.
Elizabeth Edwards explains why:
John's agenda threatens everything these talking heads and their corporate cronies stand for.
Come with me after the fold to hear Elizabeth Edwards explain why she felt she had to stand up to Ann Coulter and why she called her on Hardball.
John Edwards said last week:
"Does that mean I can't speak out for those who don't have a voice?" Edwards asked. "Every time you do that you're going to get attacked ... It's always been that way in America because people who have wealth and power, they don't want to hear this. They'd rather kill the messenger. They're not going to kill this voice as I'm alive and breathing...""
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I want that voice to be heard. So does Elizabeth Edwards.
In an email from the campaign today, she explains why she called Ann Coulter yesterday and confronted her on her hate, and why we need to step up now with contributions to the John Edwards campaign.
Last night I had an important talk with Ann Coulter and I want to tell you what happened.
On Monday, Ann announced that instead of using more homophobic slurs to attack John, she will just wish that John had been "killed in a terrorist assassination plot."
Where I am from, when someone does something that displeases you, you politely ask them to stop. So when I heard Ann was going to be on "Hardball" last night, I decided to call in and ask her to engage on the issues and stop the personal attacks. I told her these kinds of personal attacks lower our political dialogue at precisely the time when we need to raise it, and set a bad example for our children.
How did she respond? Sadly, perhaps predictably, with more personal attacks.
John's campaign is about the issues—but pundits like Ann Coulter are trying to shout him down. If they will not stop, it is up to us cut through the noise.
Elizabeth goes on to explain why anyone who wants real change should contribute now:
There are just over 3 days left to hit our $9 million goal for the end of the quarter. If we make it, we can directly reach voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and all over the country with our detailed plans on the issues that matter. Please give what you can right now to help raise the dialogue and show that Ann Coulter-style politics will never carry the day.
Why do Ann Coulter and other right-wing pundits keep attacking John? Because John's bold, specific plans hit them where it hurts: solving global warming, ending the war, building a fair economy—John's agenda threatens everything these talking heads and their corporate cronies stand for.
And they know John can win—just last week a new poll showed that John is the only Democratic candidate who beats all the possible Republican challengers—by an average of 13 points. So they are trying to take John down early. Their strategy is to sling mud and manufacture scandals—about houses, haircuts and anything else they can think of—to discredit John and take down our movement for change.
The best way to beat them is also the right way—take our message of substance straight to the voters. And that is exactly what this campaign is all about.
But we need your help to hit our goal. Please give what you can today.
If you want real change, I truly believe you should contribute. It's the people against the plutocrats. If we all join together, we can defeat the moneyed interests.
It comes down to two basic questions for me: (1) which side are you on? and (2) what kind of world do you want to live in? I know my answers to those questions. It's why I support John Edwards.
We can accept the candidates who are being funded by the wealthy. You might see incremental improvements with them, but will you see real change? You can settle for less. Or you can join our movement for real change. It's up to you, here and now.
If you want to see the changes John and Elizabeth Edwards stand for, join me in sending whatever you can to John Edwards
Give $10, $25, $50, $100, whatever you can. We can change America, if only we try.
The Right Wing Attacks!
Tuesday evening Elizabeth Edwards called Ann Coulter live on Hardball to ask for an end to her personal attacks on John and other candidates. Coulter's response? More personal attacks.
It's up to us to raise the dialogue by taking our message straight to voters. Let's show that Ann Coulter style politics will never carry the day. We have 4 days to reach $9 million. Please donate today:
John Edwards
It is up to us. If we want real change, it will not be done for us. We each have to step up and do our part.