John Edwards spoke last night before the Iowa Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, along with the other candidates.
At the most powerful point, one of many, he talked about one of his last lawsuits, with a little girl who was injured by a defective pool drain. He talked about how he gave her family hope, and then went into the courtroom and gave that corporation hell. He said he will give America hope and the entrenched interests hell when he is our President. It's why I support him.
Edwards, outlining his working-class background, said he fought for working families in the courtroom and would, as president, "give hell" to any interest standing in the way of advancing the nation.
Des Moines Register
I have video of the whole speech and some press reports, after the fold. Take 10 minutes and listen. This is why I contribute money and write these diaries. Hope for America and hell to the entrenched interests that have stolen our nation, our democracy.
"It is time for us as a party to stand up with some backbone and some strength," he said. "We do not believe in allowing lobbyists to write the laws of the United States of America."
YaHoo news
``Washington is awash with corporate money,'' he said at yesterday's dinner, which attracted a record crowd of more than 9,000. ``With lobbyists who pass it out, with politicians who ask for it.''
Bloomberg
Taking the stage first and addressing the crowd as "brothers and sisters," former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards lambasted a broken health care system and the gradual corruption of government.
Edwards, outlining his working-class background, said he fought for working families in the courtroom and would, as president, "give hell" to any interest standing in the way of advancing the nation."
Des Moines Register
And a comment by Mingo in Iowa:
Edwards Speech Posted by: Mingo
on Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:16 am
I liked his passion and the substance. Told it just like it is. That is what we need from our president. Not the Hillary song and dance of bringing, saying and doing nothing. What a joke.
Des Moines Register
I'm with Mingo on that!!
I don't have the transcript (could not find it on-line), but truthfully, you have to watch it anyway. One Obama supporter at Daily Kos last night said John Edwards' speech gave him or her "goosebumps." (The supporter still supports Obama, but commented favorably on the Edwards speech in the live blog thread).
It's why I am a Democrat. What he speaks to is the fundamental beliefs I have had since 1967 or 1968, when I was 12 or 13, since I became politically aware.
The entire speech is about 10 to 15 minutes. It is powerful. Worth watching. Invest a little time this Sunday morning. Hear the message of a Real Democrat fighting for Democrats. Showing some backbone.
John Edwards speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Des Moines on November 10, 2007
Give us hope and them hell, John!!