John Edwards took George Bush and the Republicans to task today on the failure of the House of Representatives to override Bush's veto of SCHIP.
He also drew a clear difference with Hillary Clinton in the matter of addressing the needs of rural America and farmers.
This diary simply sets forth his words. Notice how he frames the issues. He tells it like it is, and I feel that he is fighting for the causes in which I believe. Along with the substance of his proposals, this is why I support him. He will take it to the Republicans like no one else. He will make the differences painfully clear. He will bring regular American with him.
On SCHIP:
"Today is another sad example of how broken Washington is. Instead of standing up for children and health care, House Republicans have decided to stand up for special interests and lobbyists. From this day forward, House Republicans are on notice. When I am the Democratic nominee, the days of Republican members who voted against children's health care will be numbered. We are taking names and, together, as one party, we will campaign against them."
"Sadly, there is strong message here for Democrats and Republicans. We should never have to consider selling out to lobbyists when it comes to the health of our kids. If universal health care is ever going to be more than a dream, we need to do more than change the president. We need to elect strong Democratic majorities in the House and Senate with the backbone to stand up to the big insurance and drug companies that are going to do everything they can to block universal health care. We need a strong ticket from top to bottom that will compete and win everywhere in America.
"And, when I am the Democratic nominee, we will not only win the White House, we will make every Republican who stands against children's health care pay the price."
http://johnedwards.com/...
That's right. Tie this around their necks. Expose them for what they are. No amount of money will insulate them.
Clinton and her plan for a "Rural Americans for Hillary" lunch and campaign briefing at the DC offices of Troutman Sanders Public Affairs, the lobbying firm for Monsanto:
"While John Edwards was in rural Iowa yesterday talking about his plans to help family farmers, the Clinton campaign was in Washington, DC planning an event with the lobbyists from the biggest corporate agriculture company in the world. The difference between John Edwards and Hillary Clinton could not be more clear. Here's some news for the Clinton campaign, when folks in rural Iowa talk about the problems with hog lots, they don't mean parking lots on K Street.
"John Edwards believes family-owned farms are critical to America's future and that the corporate greed that's killing the family farm is hurting America. Apparently, Hillary Clinton doesn't feel the same way. While John Edwards has introduced policies to ensure family farmers can compete against big agribusiness, protect the food we eat and preserve farming communities, Hillary Clinton, beholden to Washington lobbyists, is tailoring her rural policy to reflect the needs of big agribusiness. While corporate America and lobbyists may want someone like Clinton in the White House, regular Americans are ready for someone who will stand up for them and fight for real change."
http://johnedwards.com/...
John Edwards speaks truth to power, no ifs, ands or buts. Some may believe it's just an auction about money, but Edwards will fight to make it about ideas. He shows the way to beat the Republicans and the interests of corporate power that manipulate the people for their own self-aggrandizement.
I hope more of you will join in Edwards's fight to bring real transformation, based on the simple concept of promoting humanity. It's something people talk about a lot, yet are not always willing to stand up for. As Edwards says, follow your heart. That is what I am doing, and I proudly support John Edwards.
UPDATE: Lots of comments about Clinton and Monsanto, but let's not forget that Edwards puts the Republicans on notice that we are coming after them and will expose them for their ways. No amount of money will save them. They will NOT be able to hide from the fury that fighting Democrats will unleash, if they follow Edwards and remember who won the 2006 election and why.