John Edwards spoke at the start of the "Real Change Starts Now" bus tour today. The bus tour across the state will end January 8th, the day of the New Hampshire primary. I have some of his remarks, but I want to talk about something else first.
I've been seeing a lot of "Surrender Dorothy" diaries and comments today from a few Obama supporters. Do they really think Edwards supporters are so weak that they would jump ship after beating Clinton? Most Edwards supporters are not about a man; we are part of a movement for real change. I think some Obama supporters will never understand the depth of our convictions. We will fight and fight because we believe it is right and just.
In 1980, I wanted Teddy Kennedy to win. My candidate lost that year to Jimmy Carter, but his cause lives on. So long as there is economic injustice, that fight must be fought. I still fight for his cause. So does John Edwards.
Teddy Kennedy lost in the primaries in 1980 against then-President Carter. He fought a sitting Democratic President because he saw the road we were on with "moderate Democrats." Had he defeated Carter, we may not have had Reagan. Counterfactual propositions, of course, are unknowable, but it might have been different.
Here are excerpts of his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August 1980. I watched this on television, but never forgot his words. I have been a Democrat and left of center since 1967, when I was 12 years old. In 1980, I was 25 years old. Edward M. Kennedy expressed all I most believe here. So does John Edwards in 2007 and 2008. These remarks are as relevant today as they were 27 years ago.
My fellow Democrats and my fellow Americans, I have come here tonight not to argue as a candidate but to affirm a cause.
I'm asking you -- I am asking you to renew the commitment of the Democratic Party to economic justice.
snip
Our cause has been, since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the cause of the common man and the common woman.
Our commitment has been, since the days of Andrew Jackson, to all those he called "the humble members of society -- the farmers, mechanics, and laborers." On this foundation we have defined our values, refined our policies, and refreshed our faith.
snip
These are not simplistic pledges. Simply put, they are the heart of our tradition, and they have been the soul of our Party across the generations.
It is the glory and the greatness of our tradition to speak for those who have no voice, to remember those who are forgotten, to respond to the frustrations and fulfill the aspirations of all Americans seeking a better life in a better land.
We dare not forsake that tradition.
We cannot let the great purposes of the Democratic Party become the bygone passages of history.
snip
The President, the Vice President, the members of Congress have a medical plan that meets their needs in full, and whenever senators and representatives catch a little cold, the Capitol physician will see them immediately, treat them promptly, fill a prescription on the spot. We do not get a bill even if we ask for it, and when do you think was the last time a member of Congress asked for a bill from the Federal Government? And I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President, the Congress of the United States, then it's good enough for you and every family in America.
There were some -- There were some who said we should be silent about our differences on issues during this convention, but the heritage of the Democratic Party has been a history of democracy. We fight hard because we care deeply about our principles and purposes. We did not flee this struggle. We welcome the contrast with the empty and expedient spectacle last month in Detroit where no nomination was contested, no question was debated, and no one dared to raise any doubt or dissent.
snip
And someday, long after this convention, long after the signs come down and the crowds stop cheering, and the bands stop playing, may it be said of our campaign that we kept the faith.
May it be said of our Party in 1980 that we found our faith again.
snip
For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.
Ted Kennedy August 1980 Democratic National Convention Address
In fighting with all my being for the election of John Edwards, I keep the faith that Senator Edward M. Kennedy spoke of so eloquently in 1980.
John Edwards keeps the faith with all those Democrats like Teddy Kennedy and his brothers, Bobby and John, who fought for common folks. Today, John Edwards talked of our fight in New Hampshire:
"What we learned last night is that the status quo is yesterday, that change is tomorrow, and that tomorrow begins today, right here in New Hampshire. What we know is that the corporate power that has a stranglehold on your democracy is not going to give it up without a fight.
"Now we have four days in New Hampshire to decide what kind of fighter we're going to send into that arena to be the next president of the United States – and I've got a suggestion. How about a guy who ran against two celebrity candidates, who raised between them over $200 million dollars, but with a message of change and a message of fighting corporate greed and corporate power on behalf of the American people, showed last night that message and what you stand for matters more than money. Here in New Hampshire, we're not gong to have an auction, we're going to have an election in four days.
"You know the one thing I've learned from all the time I've spent in New Hampshire is the people here are a little independent minded, a little ornery, and they don't like to be told what to do. They are not going to be told either by money or the national media what they're supposed to do. Instead, they're going to look for someone who speaks from here, who truly believes in this cause, who will stand up and fight for the middle class, who will fight against the entrenched interests in Washington DC.
snip
"As New Hampshire voters make that decision over the next four days, the one thing that is clear – they're not interested in the status quo. They're interested in change. They want to see a candidate of change. And so they now have two choices in making that decision. This choice is somebody who will fight for the change that makes America what it stood for again.
"It will not be about celebrity, and it will not be about glitz. It will be about who has the guts and determination to fight for the change we need – who can galvanize America to this cause. Because it is a cause, it is a movement. And so, I ask you to join us in this cause. I ask you to join us in this movement. I am not the candidate of money, I am not the candidate of glitz, I am not the candidate of glamour, nor do I claim to be. But what I am, I am a candidate for president of the United States – that is the people's candidate.
"There is not going to be an auction in New Hampshire, there's going to be an election. Because on Tuesday we're going to surprise America. All of us together, join me in this cause. Let's make America what it's capable of being. God Bless you, thank you for being here this morning, and standing with us! Thank you!"
Edwards: Granite Staters Must Decide Who Will Fight To Save The Middle Class
We keep the faith with the party that stands for the common person, that fights injustice, and that refuses to bow to the power of the wealthy. For me, I keep the faith with Edward M. Kennedy, his brothers, Jesse Jackson, Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband Franklin, Walter Reuther, and all those who fought, some of whom who gave their very lives, for economic justice. For justice for the common man and woman.
And you think finishing second in Iowa will make me or my compatriots quit? Think again. We continue our fight in New Hampshire.
The dream shall never die.
Update I: PattyP had a great idea in her comment:
I didn't bother arguing with the naysayers. (2+ / 0-)
Recommended by: benny05, pioneer111
I just sent Senator Edwards some more money instead. I figured that's a lot more useful. ;-)
Don't trust any UID over [insert current highest number here].
by pattyp on Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 12:49:58 PM PST
Do what pattyp did. Send John Edwards some money to continue our fight:
Make a Secure Online Contribution