Welcome everyone to the Monday 11/19/07 edition of the Edwards Evening News Roundup. Just 45 more days til the Iowa caucuses. Woohoo! Below are our headlines and news.
1. John Edwards held community meetings today in several Iowa cities today which included special performances by Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne.
2. John Edwards joined Bob Schieffer on Face The Nation (FTN) 11/18/07.
3. John Edwards appeared at the Grist Forum Saturday 11/17/07.
4. Edwards Statement On Growing Problem Of Hunger In America.
And now for the news....
1. John Edwards in Iowa today ,with Bonnie Raitt & Jackson Browne.
Jackson Browne says that Democrat John Edwards is the most progressive candidate with a chance at winning the White House, and that he would do the most for working-class Americans. "It’s a challenge to hook yourself up to what a politician says he’s going to do, and see if he’s going to do it," the singer-songwriter said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I think it’s a really critical time in our country and our world, and I think that working people need a champion, and I think that John Edwards is that person."
At today's events, Edwards hit Clinton on her Iran Vote.
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Democrat John Edwards took a new slap at presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton on the issue of Iran on Monday.
Edwards told reporters after a campaign event in eastern Iowa that he and his presidential rival agree the election is about change. But he added, "I think if you defend the system in Washington, you're for the status quo; if you want to continue the occupation in Iraq, you're for the status quo, and if you're not willing to stand up to Bush and Cheney on Iran, that's the status quo."
"There was no reason for the Senate to vote on the question to begin with," he said. "I think it was a mistake. I would have voted no had I been in the Senate, and I think it's very important ... to show real strength against Bush and Cheney on this particular issue."
The former North Carolina senator was joined at the event in Davenport by singer-songwriters Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. The musicians kicked off the event playing guitars and singing songs including "I Am a Patriot," with lyrics of "And I ain't no Democrat, and I ain't no Republican, I only know one party, and it is freedom."
Raitt, who embraced Edwards when he took the stage, told the crowd that this is "the most important election cycle of my lifetime."
Before the duo played Raitt's hit song, "Thing Called Love," she said, "I'm ready for a thing called Edwards love, that's what I'm ready for."
The entertainers were also playing at Edwards' other campaign stops on Monday in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, and on Tuesday in Grinnell and Des Moines.
2. John Edwards on FTN in 2 parts: Edwards explains the difference between mudslinging and pointing out the factual differences between his specific approach to Iran and Iraq and those of the other candidates'. And he offers an excellent explanation of how good people can fall into the corrupt system which IS Washington DC.
3. John Edwards at Grist Forum 11/17/07. This is worth listening to again.
"We're not going to look at polls to figure out what I'm supposed to say to you."
4. Edwards Statement On Growing Problem Of Hunger In America. 11/19/07
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, in response to a report by the Associated Press that food banks across America this winter are seeing increased demand for their services at the same time that donations and federal government assistance have decreased, Senator John Edwards released the following statement:
"This week, as families across the country gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded once again of the sad fact that millions of American families still go hungry.
"President Bush should be ashamed that in the wealthiest county in the world, millions of hard working families can't afford to put food on the table. In the America we believe in, our president does not look the other way as children and families go hungry.
"Over this president's term, we have seen the costs of fuel, housing and health care skyrocket, so it should be no surprise that 35.5 million people in America went hungry – up from 33.2 million in 2000.
"Now, as more families are forced to turn to food banks for help, government assistance has decreased and food banks have seen a decrease in donations, resulting in unprecedented shortages and forcing food banks to cut portions and turn away families in need.
"America is better than this. We simply cannot stand by while tens of millions of our fellow citizens go without the necessities of life. It is our moral obligation to build One America, to end poverty and take steps to secure and strengthen the middle class. We must stand up to the corrupt insiders and corporate interests that control Washington so we can pass universal health care, raise the minimum wage, strengthen unions and take other steps to make the everyday lives of hard-working Americans better."
My final thought for this edition of EENR - there seems to be alot of focus on polls. I'm interested in polls too. Actually, I'm only interested in one poll. And that poll will be taken on Jan 3, 2008. Only 45 more days till the poll. Cheers.
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