Hillary: "John is one of the greatest champions the American people could ask for"

NOTE: I'm the Clinton campaign's Internet Director

I wanted to share what Hillary just said about John and Elizabeth Edwards:

"John Edwards ended his campaign today in the same way he started it - by standing with the people who are too often left behind and nearly always left out of our national debate.

"John ran with compassion and conviction and lifted this campaign with his deep concern for the daily lives of the American people. That is what this election is about - it's about our people. And John is one of the greatest champions the American people could ask for.

"I wish John and Elizabeth all the best. They have my great personal respect and gratitude. And I know they will continue to fight passionately for the country and the people they love so deeply."

LINK

•  Clinton's interview

  HRC on JRE exit – Per WBRC Birmingham

  HRC: "Well Sen. Edwards is a friend of mine, he was a colleague in the Senate, and I have the highest regard for him, and I’m really admiring of what he has done to make sure that poverty was on the agenda here in America. He encouraged all of us in his passion and advocacy, and I hope he will continue that work because it is really important that we stay focused on what we’re going to do to help people.

  "You know, I’m out here talking about making the economy work for everybody. And it needs to work for the middle class, working people, it needs to give a life line to poor people like we did in the 1990s, so in any way that I can be part of this effort to try to target poverty I am going to be."

  ANCHOR: "Senator, there is no indication right now that he would endorse a candidate, would you hope and expect that his supporters would back you now and your candidacy?"

  HRC: "Well, I’m certainly going to be reaching out to everyone who did support Sen. Edwards. I think that our emphasis on what happens in the real lives of Americans, making this about solving our problems, looking at taking on those interests that stand in the way of universal health care, and a tax system that doesn’t favor the wealthy and well-connected and making sure college is affordable. You know these are the causes that I’ve worked on for 35 years. Senator Edwards shares a lot of those passions with me, and I hope that I’ll be able tp persuade his supporters in the week ahead as we move toward Super Tuesday to come over and endorse and support me because I want to have a united Democratic Party with a very strong base going into the November 2008 election."

  by slinkerwink on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:23:24 AM PDT

  •  There is a stark difference between the words

    Senator Clinton and Senator Obama spoke about John Edwards as a person and a candidate. Does anyone read anything into that?

    by alasmoses on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:29:40 AM PDT

  •  Let's remember

    Edwards was a great champion for people who were left out of the process. He made poverty a central issue again.  For that alone, his campaign was a great success.

    by ghost2 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:55:20 AM PDT

    •  whoever was your first choice

      you'd have to admire John, there are two Americas and there is no level playing field for the left out, and we do need someone who weights our needs higher since the fat cats do their own weighing.  Hilary sees it that way too, she's not gong to compromise first and then see what else she'll have to give up. She'll do the best job humanly possible.  John will be pleased that he was able to break these themes into the discourse.  

      by anna shane on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 03:31:03 PM PDT

  •  Clinton's message to Edwards

    Clinton's Message (mp3)

    by Yoshimi on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:07:30 AM PDT

    •  Clinton's message:

      Hello, This is the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign.

      Before you vote on Saturday, you should know that John Edwards voted for permanent trade relations with China. That’s right, John Edwards voted for the bill that cost thousands of jobs. Like the ones in the textile mills he talks about so much down here.

      You should also know that John Edwards made nearly a half a million dollars working for a Wall Street investment fund. A fund that’s been profiting on foreclosing on the homes of families; including 100 homes right here in South Carolina. That’s according to The State newspaper. Here in South Carolina, Edwards says he’s one of us, but up on Wall Street he was just another one of them.

      Can you trust John Edwards?

      by Yoshimi on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:08:33 AM PDT

•  Classy website front, too

  http://hillaryclinton.com/

  by Metro Center on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:23:36 AM PDT

  •  try this to go straight to the front page,

    link

    by campskunk on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:49:25 AM PDT

•  Excellent message!

  Thanks, Peter.

  by ScanDroid on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:23:41 AM PDT

•  Loved His Campaign

  And I am sad to see him go.

  by bink on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:23:45 AM PDT

•  Thanks Peter! JRE was a great Candidate

  whose issues were very important

  by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:24:21 AM PDT

  •  "Were"? No. ARE.

    And that's the difference between Edwards and Clinton.  The idea that it's Edwards that shares "her" passions, as she expressed on tv today, is obnoxious and false.

    by Adam B on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:26:47 AM PDT

    •  i mean are

      how is it false, things like UHC? they share that. Obama doesn't, is this really a chance to Bash Clinton? You have no class

      by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:30:37 AM PDT

      •  UHC

        Funny, the people who were the warriors for the first round of that battle, like Harris Wofford, prefer Obama's plan and his leadership.

        And, yes, if Clinton's internet director is going to try to swoop in before Edwards' announcement and start campaigning, if Clinton is going to continue to use the same scummy last-minute robocall tactics against Obama that she did against Edwards in South Carolina, then the campaign remains on.

        by Adam B on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:33:11 AM PDT

        •  I think it's funny

          that Wofford supports the Obama approach because it doesn't have a mandate.

          by andgarden on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:34:30 AM PDT

        •  Yes, well

          you were comparing HRC and JRE, were you not, not talking about Wofford... can you just go away?

          by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:35:50 AM PDT

          •  You mentioned UHC and Obama, not me. nt

            by Adam B on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:39:54 AM PDT

            •  hey ADAM how about this:

              FUCK OFF!

              by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:44:22 AM PDT

              •  Jebus. That's the defense for Clinton's plan? nt

                by Adam B on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:01:33 AM PDT

                •  No, its just a rebuke of

                  your annoying ass. Clinton's plan is Edwards plan, when talking about the two, its usually good to mention that,not go off and quote your own diary.

                  by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:04:51 AM PDT

              •  Who pissed

                on your cornflakes this morning?

                by cville townie on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:03:02 AM PDT

                •  Clearly Adam

                  did :)

                  by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:05:19 AM PDT

              •  how about watch the ad hominems and language?

                donut awarded

                by Ajax the Greater on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:57:23 AM PDT

                •  ya, well same thing i said to ADAM goes

                  to you...

                  by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 01:54:32 PM PDT

                  •  thankyou sir may i have another

                    yummy donut coming right up.

                    how about a little civility and decency?

                    by Ajax the Greater on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 02:23:35 PM PDT

                    •  I agree, sorry about that

                      for you anyway

                      by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:17:00 PM PDT

        •  Kinda thought you were the one doing the

          "swooping in . . . and start campaigning" here.  

          by prodigal on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:38:01 AM PDT

•  This is a nice statement

  unlike her response on the TV, which was ....well, read the comments.

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by Inland on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:25:00 AM PDT

•  Can he at least be allowed to end his campaign

  before you post about it?

  by rick on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:26:24 AM PDT

  •  Too late

    Obama and Clinton campaigns already have issued statements.  In a 24/7/265 media I don't blame them.  Not issuing a statement fast could have caused both campaigns some backlash.

    by NickC on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:29:35 AM PDT

    •  re: 24/7/265 - I live for those other 100 days.

      ;)

      by darthstar on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:40:19 AM PDT

      •  LOL

        As do I :o

        by NickC on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:44:33 AM PDT

      •  They come after Nov. 4 n/t

        by TheMomCat on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:00:56 AM PDT

  •  HRC was on Seattle radio at 7am PST. . .

    talking about JRE's decision and making an open play for his supporters. It leaves a bad taste. I think she should have extended him the courtesy of waiting until he made his official statement.

    by Red Wind on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:32:33 AM PDT

    •  both HRC and Obama

      made statements, and the guy asked specifically about his supporters, cmon now

      by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:34:07 AM PDT

      •  Could have easily & politely dodged the question

        I could easily imagine how to answer those questions without jumping on John's bones. HRC is a better politician than I am, I expect more of her.

        by Red Wind on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:37:45 AM PDT

        •  "i expect more of her"

          right

          by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:47:11 AM PDT

    •  The cynic in me

      says that's why this diary is here - her first reactions didn't play well.

      by huckleberry on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:34:40 AM PDT

      •  LOL

        you both are overreacting to something were going to be seeing both campaigns do a lot of today.

        Obama and Clinton have both released statements.  Stop trying to make an issue out of a compliment.

        by NickC on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:38:22 AM PDT

        •  I'm not happy with BHO jumping the gun either

          I don't know if Obama went on radio or TV today with an open appeal for JRE voters. If he did, I would have the same criticism for him. It wouldn't be too hard to give John the time to exit on his own.

          by Red Wind on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:41:04 AM PDT

          •  OMG

            A presidential candidate doing an interview and answering questions, what has this country come to.

            Trying to attack a candidate for a compliment, this is low.

            by NickC on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:43:49 AM PDT

        •  The arc of the day went

          1.  Edwards press.

          2.  Clinton interview soliciting Edwards supporters.

          3.  Obama written statement.

          4.  Negative contrasts for Clinton between the two responses.

          5.  Overwhelming push to honor Edwards by Clinton.  

          See the recent diaries?  Two contrasting the web sites, from Clinton supporters?  Peter posting this?

          It seems pretty obvious that the Clinton camp realized that Obama had responded correctly - that today might not be a day for trying to make converts explicitly, but rather one to honor Edwards.  Now they're scrambling to look like the ones really doing the honorable thing.

          That said - I know this is all goofy analysis, and am not putting much stock in it.  Just observations from snippets here and there...

          by huckleberry on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:43:51 AM PDT

          •  Wow

            yeah I think your over analyzing this.

            Again there just paying compliments, but I know every day supporters are trying to make issues out of just anything.

            by NickC on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:46:22 AM PDT

            •  Prolly

              but if Peter D thinks it's important to make one of his rare entries here, you know it's been talked about in some detail in the campaign...

              by huckleberry on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:47:56 AM PDT

•  Edwards for Attorney General

  No matter who our nominee is, she/he MUST choose John Edwards for the next attorney general.  

  The next AG will be absolutely crucial to rebuilding our reputation abroad concerning torture and unlawful detention.  

  Also we must restore civil liberties here in the US, and become reacquainted with our Constitution.  

  Finally, consumer protection, climate change, and health care have been overlooked for 8 years, as well.  A strong attorney general will be crucial to helping the president fulfill these mandates.  

  John Edwards is the man to take the helm at the Dept. of Justice.

  by gloryous1 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:33:42 AM PDT

  •  Agreed!!!

    by masslib on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:34:57 AM PDT

    •  SCOTUS ...

      I'm tired of law professors who have never been inside an actual courtroom. Historically the Court has been full of people who had active public careers.

      by al Fubar on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:47:31 AM PDT

      •  That could be a great choice.

        Edwards will be a great champion on the court for the people who have little voice.  

        by ghost2 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:53:02 AM PDT

  •  I think John would clean

    out all the nasty corners at the DOJ, with a righteous vengeance!    I agree, he'd kick ass as AG!

    by SaneSoutherner on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:37:53 AM PDT

    •  DOJ first, then SCOTUS

      Get the right people doing the right things and then apoint to the court.

      by Zwoof on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:55:33 AM PDT

•  Thanks, Peter.

  Hillary is a class act, as always.

  by SaneSoutherner on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:35:15 AM PDT

  •  my sentiments too. n/t

    by ghost2 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:53:21 AM PDT

•  Maybe she should ask him not to drop out and

  throw all of her support behind his candidacy, then.  Indeed, if Hillary believes this, then she should drop out of the race, dontcha think?

  She's just kissing Edwards' ass because she wants his supporters to flock over to her instead of Obama.

  Congratulations, however, on writing a piece that doesn't actually attack another candidate...you're improving, Peter.

  by darthstar on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:38:29 AM PDT

•  John and Elizabeth Edwards:

  Great Democrats and great Americans!

  by DCDemocrat on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:39:05 AM PDT

•  Was that in the SC robocalls script

  from this weekend?

  No?  I didn't think so.

  This sudden shower of affection from both the Clinton and Obama camps rings a bit hollow this morning.

  After fielding calls from local Clinton and Obama organizers in my local area this morning (all asking if I'm ready to switch to their candidate), I'm about ready to vote for whomever as the decency to leave me alone today to deal with this devastating news.

  As I said in another thread..... it's like having some guy waiting to ask me out as I'm leaving my husband's funeral.

  Give it a rest - at least for a day or two.

  by countrycat on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:39:47 AM PDT

•  Nice statement for John and Elizabeth.

  Yet, I'm just amazed (sort of) by the words that came out of HRC's mouth - I, me, I, my, I, my policies for the poor, IIIIIIII.

  Let John have a moment of recognition for leading on issues others only paid lip service to.

  by speck tater on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:41:08 AM PDT

  •  It's all about Hillary...all the time. She wants

    to be 'the decider' and already refers to herself in much the same tone as bush does about himself.

    Pretty fucking scary, huh?

    by darthstar on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:42:30 AM PDT

    •  Just this once we could all let it go

      It isn't anything but respect for John Edwards.  That's all, really.

      Just plain respect and zero rancor.  Jesus.

      by paradox on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:46:33 AM PDT

    •  ....

      

      by ScanDroid on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:48:01 AM PDT

    •  No, but your loopy comment is. n/t

      by Caldonia on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:55:06 AM PDT

  •  someone asked her a question

    are you people this stupid?

    by rigso on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:45:25 AM PDT

•  Excellent. n/t

  by Caldonia on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:41:36 AM PDT

•  Funny, I was thinking of you this morning

  Where you been, home?

  by paradox on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:42:46 AM PDT

•  Hillary is one of the greatest champions corporat

  Lobbyists could ask for.

  Edwards is NOT going to endorse her unless he was lying about everything he campaigned on. (And as one who supported him after Gore ruled out a run, I don't think he was.)

  by Jim in Chicago on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:47:08 AM PDT

•  ::Tips Had to John::

  He ran a fine campaign, and is a fine man.

  by owl06 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:48:11 AM PDT

•  Well, I guess the "psychological gangbang"

  has finally come to an end. Good news for Hilllary supporters.

  by Crestingwave on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:48:36 AM PDT

•  Peter

  nice of you to stop by.

  Here's my message:  rein in Taylor Marsh.  

  She's not helping you or our democracy.  

  by vbdietz on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:49:32 AM PDT

  •  I say the opposite as an Obama supporter. :)

    by Yoshimi on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:00:38 AM PDT

    •  heh.

      Taylor Marsh is funny. It's bad when the worst thing you can dig up against your worst enemy are these:

      -Didn't deny playing rap song he clearly didn't in Iowa.
      -Once associated with individual who turned out to be a criminal.
      -Turned his back on Hillary to talk to McCaskill.
      Is a cardcarrying member of the He-Man Woman Haters Club

      by dantes on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 12:19:53 PM PDT

•  Edwards Was My First Choice, Hillary Second

  farewell to a great guy who ran an excellent campaign.  I've always been surprised that his campaign message didn't take off more. It always seemed to me that he had it all, and that he was the perfect candidate for president. Maybe someday. I wish him and Elizabeth the best.

  I'm going to vote for Hillary now. I think she's the best one to deal with health care, and to pull us out of this economic quicksand. I think the Republicans will unfortunately try to stop any candidate who tries to make meaningful change. But I see her as more likely to fight them off.

  by gort on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:54:02 AM PDT

  •  My first and second as well

    Somehow I never got the impression that Obama will fight as hard as Edwards would had he stayed in.  I think the odds are better that Hillary is willing to fight when necessary.

    by mini mum on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:23:41 AM PDT

•  Not much of a diary Peter.

  Try to add some commentary.  Thanks!

  by Yoshimi on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:58:36 AM PDT

•  Nice comment from Hillary

  Hillary's comment was classy, and I'm being serious.

  But I'm also serious when I say it would be nice if SHE would try standing with the people who are too often left behind and nearly always left out of our national debate, rather than standing with corporate bigwigs and well-heeled lobbyists.

  At least she stood up for us folks in Florida to have our votes counted.  Sure, her stand may have been self-serving, but I'm sick of my vote not being counted, and it really frosts me that it's the Democratic Party that is now trying to not count Florida's votes.

  Other than that, I see Hillary and Barack as peas in a pod.  Feel free to change my mind.  But not today.

  by seanarama on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:58:58 AM PDT

  •  Wasn't it because Florida didn't follow the rules

    by pushing their primary up ??  Don't your votes count in the general election..?? or are your machines still wonky..??

    by RubyGal on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:39:34 AM PDT

    •  The rules are arbitrary

      The DNC bars all but a handful of staes from scheduling an election earlier than February 5th.  What makes that handful of state so special?  What makes their votes better than ours in Florida?  As we saw here on DailyKos, as soon as the Iowa Caucus results were in, Obama supporters were asking Edwards supporters to throw in the towel on our candidate.  So frankly, I'd be happy if Florida was first primary in the nation, so I don't have to listen to Obama supporters -- or anyone else -- telling me that I don't get to vote for whoever I want.

      As long as the DNC is going to to divide states into "first-class states" (who get early primaries) and "second-class states" (who don't get early primaries) I think Florida -- or any state for that matter -- should schedule their primaries whenever they want, to tell the DNC, "up yours."

      The primary system is broken. The DNC solution is not the answer.

      by seanarama on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:57:26 AM PDT

      •  Florida is certainly ahead of Washington State

        where I live...guess what .. we have to caucus 10 days before our primary and if we don't sign into our caucus, our votes won't count at the primary..

        Talk about screwed up..This helps Hillary..most of our state officials are pro-Hillary and that is unpleasants..

        by RubyGal on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 11:25:25 AM PDT

•  I read this

  John Edwards ended his campaign today in the same way he started it - by standing with the people who are too often left behind and nearly always left out of our national debate.

  ..as meaning.  There are not enough poor people to matter.

  by Zwoof on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:59:30 AM PDT

•  Still not voting for her

  Just sayin'

  by EvilPaula on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:09:22 AM PDT

•  Very classy

  As usual

  by BernieO on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:10:19 AM PDT

•  Peter and Internet Team for Hillary

  I thank you for your words.  But could you update the picture you posted on her site?  It's from 2004 and there are plenty of more recent ones of John and Elizabeth.  

  Thanks again.

  by benny05 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:11:43 AM PDT

•  more crocodile tears from hillary, Peter?

  by Zacapoet on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:15:48 AM PDT

  •  more rudeness?

    from you.

    by owl06 on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:16:29 AM PDT

  •  It's always nice to be reminded

    that our party contains many assholes too. It's not just the GOP's domain.

    by Mike S on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 11:50:37 AM PDT

    •  it takes one to know one

      by Zacapoet on Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 07:26:47 AM PDT

•  Thanks, Peter

  Everyone else here should note that Hillary's website features a tribute to John and Elizabeth.  Nice touch.

  by mini mum on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:27:48 AM PDT

•  Thanks for letting us know, Peter.

  We'll miss Senator Edwards' voice throughout this campaign, especially in Thursday's debate. I hope Senator Clinton keeps all that he has said in mind. :)

  by eleanora on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:36:38 AM PDT

•  Two Class Acts

  Two Class Acts -- Hillary and Edwards.  Thank God they're both Democrats.  John was pretty rough on Hillary in the Philadelphia debate, but Hillary can take the heat without bearing a grudge -- so can John.

  Other candidates, by contrast, harbor their resentments deep in their unprepared souls--so deep they can't even go through the motions of grace.

  by kanaan on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 12:04:43 PM PDT

•  The Obama-bots will probably trash your remarks

  and desperately try to bully Edwards Supporters.

   Ignore the sub-human idiots --

    MOST Edwards supporters WILL eventually move to Clinton. This is my sense from talking to Edwards supporters.

    Thanks for posting this diary.

    I'm certain that Clinton will continue to listen to Senator Edwards -- they both take time to listen to people who are generally ignored by the GOP.

    Shirley Chisholm once remarked that she experienced more prejudice as a WOMAN than a black person.

    So the Obama supporters who dare bring up the race card -- you are sexist misogynistic IDIOTS. And I guess that would include KOS -- sometimes men are idiots.

    Obama is misogynistic -- his record of voting "present" stands as a loud and clear anti-women vote. No amount of after the fact spin can change his vote.

    Obama -- GO TO HELL.
   

  by Carib and Ting on Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 12:17:45 PM PDT