Hey everyone. Good to be here with you. I hope you've had a good weekend. We're going a little early today because of all the buzz about the debates tonight. We can use this as an open thread for live blogging during the debates. It's always fun to be in 'real time!'
Before the debates begin, let's look at some of the press Edwards has gotten as a result of some of his policy speeches, some media perspective on the debates (get ready to be annoyed...) and what's coming up with the campaign. So why don't you grab your drink of choice (you may need it!), get some munchies, and hop on board for a ride on the
When Edwards was down in Menlo Park on Wednesday, he called for a number of steps to be taken to curb the oil industry's excesses. Raymond Learsy did a nice opinion piece about Edwards. While he said there was nothing really exceptional to Edwards plans (he could have left that part out!), it was exceptional in one regard
...Edwards called on Congress to overhaul the Clayton Anti-Trust Act in order to make it more responsive to a global economy wherein restraint of supply, whether open or covert has an impact on the American marketplace.
Tellingly, he alone among the candidates identified one of the major distortions of the oil landscape. He pointed out that oil companies by and large "own every step of the production process, extraction, refining, sales at the pump" an anomaly that inherently can lead to anti competitive distortions and generally much higher prices. (my emphasis)
"He alone among the candidates identified one of the major distortions of the oil landscape." And he's the only candidate to do so because he's not afraid to speak truth to power. That's what makes him exceptional and it's one of the many reasons I am such an avid supporter.
Of course the Western States Petroleum Association was quick to respond saying, "The increased price at the pump is nothing more than a reflection of the crude oil market." Learsy points out they are "confident that we, the consumers, have never awoken to the fact that the gouging begins at the well and not the pump and of course hopeful that Edwards' focus on the vertical integration of much of the oil industry and its impact on the prices we pay, will be swept aside."
Learsy talks about issues that are new to presidential candidates, like the global and electronic trading of commodities, and especially oil and its related product markets.
...Edwards calls for the reversal of the Enron-Era deregulation of commodity futures trading markets that "have been vulnerable to manipulation and speculation," calling on Congress to restore basic transparency and oversight. (my emphasis)
Transparency and oversight! What an intriguing concept! It's another reason I support Edwards. He believes in transparency and oversight. IMHO, nothing could be better for our country!
One issue, however, stands out. Edward's call to initiate programs that will culminate in reducing greenhouse gases by 80% by the year 2050. Fanciful? Perhaps. But we will never get there, or at the very least where we need to be, without large ambition to set out difficult but attainable goals and the vision to embark on doing the needful. (my emphasis)
And that, my friends, is the essence of the Edwards campaign - having large ambitions and bold visions because otherwise we'll NEVER GET THERE.
Over at The Nation, Katrina vanden Heuvel poses a challenge to all the 'other candidates' since Edwards has indicated his desire to eliminate nuclear weapons.
There wasn't anything remarkable about the speech, "A Strong Military for a New Century." What was remarkable, however, was Edwards' answer to a question posed by Cora Weiss --President of the Hague Appeal for Peace and long-time human rights, anti-nuclear and peace activist (and Nation reader).
OK, another one who could have left out the bit about not being exceptional, but Heuvel points out that with his answer, Edwards joins the ranks of Henry Kissinger, George Schultz, William Perry and Sam Nunn all of whom called for a world free of nuclear weapons in an Op-ED in the WSJ in Jan. {BTW, I sent that link to the OP-ED to everyone on my email list saying we should be asking all the candidates if they support a world free of nuclear weapons and if not, why? Hint, hint.}
Here's the segment of that Q&A
Cora Weiss: -- in keeping with your expression used today that there should be no excuse to abandon international law, and in keeping with the international court's unanimous opinion that all countries should eliminate their nuclear weapons, and in keeping with Mr. Kissinger, Sam Nunn and Schultz' op-ed in The Wall Street Journal calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons, when you are president, what will you do about nuclear weapons given that Mr. Bush has just announced the complex 2030 plan to redesign and develop a new generation of nuclear weapons?
John Edwards: Well, let me say first, I think I would want to associate myself with the concepts that are conveyed by Kissinger, Sam Nunn and others in the op-ed piece. I thought it was very thoughtful. And I think essentially what they said if I remember -- I don't remember the precise language -- was that we should aspire to a nuclear-free world. I agree with that. Now, there are a lot of steps that have to go between here and there. Some of them are pretty obvious, which is America should not be building new nuclear weapons. And then I think America should be doing things like leading an international effort to close the holes in the NPT. There are clearly serious flaws in the NPT. And I think America, leading an international effort to reduce the supplies nuclear sense in the world -- all aimed at the general goal that's described in that piece that you just spoke about.
Heuvel's challenge?
Now that Edwards has broken the resounding silence (among the leading Presidential candidates) on the nuclear threat which engulfs us all, and spoken openly of his support for a nuclear-free world, isn't it time to challenge the other candidates to answer the same question? (my emphasis)
I'd say Heuvel's right on spot, wouldn't you? It sure would be nice to hear how the other candidates stand on a world free of nuclear weapons. Sadly, I suspect I already know the answer for a lot of the candidates, rethugs and dems alike. I wonder if the candidates will be asked about that during the debates...
And speaking of the debates...I found this article at CNN and I've got to say some of it really pissed me off. Like this part
Democrats, too, must differentiate themselves
CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider said Democrats, save one, must differentiate themselves when they square off Sunday in the Democratic debate.
"All the candidates -- except Hillary Clinton -- have to try to shake up this race," he said. "They need to say something that gets Democrats to look at them fresh and say, 'Well now isn't that interesting? I didn't know that about this candidate.' (my emphasis)
Except Hillary? Excuse me? One candidate has already distinguished himself far and above Hillary - Edwards, the populist candidate, the people's candidate, not the candidate selling herself to Corporate America. Edwards is the one with plans
And that's just some of them you ass hat. Just what are her plans? What does she put forth that distinguishes herself more than the others? And with that, I'm sure all of you know exactly what I'd like to say to Bill Schneider about that crock of shit. How about STFU? IMHO, it's Hillary who has to distinguish herself from Edwards, not the other way around.
GOFFSTOWN – As Americans tune into the Presidential debates tomorrow and Tuesday, people worldwide will be watching too, deeply concerned about the war in Iraq and captivated by Democratic political stars like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. (my emphasis)
The debates, held at Saint Anselm College at 7 both nights, will be covered by nearly 600 journalists. More than 100 of them are from international media organizations from all over the world, according to a spokesman for CNN, one of the organizers of the twin events.
As if that first part isn't bad enough. This part annoyed me because it continues to black out Edwards when discussing the candidates. Even though it's a foreign perspective, it's annoying because it could mean Edwards is drowned out in the foreign press as well.
Several European journalists who spoke with the New Hampshire Union Leader this week said what is seen as a failed Republican foreign policy has combined with the star power of Clinton and Obama to generate a greater interest in the Democrats among people overseas. (my empahsis)
And this
Clinton and Obama are both compelling, foreign-based reporters say, because they are minority candidates who are widely seen as being credible contenders for the Presidency.
As a former first lady, Clinton has solid name recognition among Europeans while Obama has a freshness, newer approach to politics that plays well to continental audiences, according to Thomas Berbner, a correspondent for the German broadcast network ARD. (my emphasis)
Most of the rest of the article talks about rethugs, which you may want to read. Or not...
As we’ve said before, this is the first time the Democratic field has been together for a full-fledged debate since more than a month ago in South Carolina. Much has happened since then, especially on the issues of Iraq spending and immigration. As The Politico’s Roger Simon said today on CNN, "Debates are politics at its most theatrical." He added that for the candidates themselves, with all their preparation, talking points, briefing papers, it’s a game for them to see how well they can hit their talking points.
{snip}
For the Democrats, the Iraq war spending bill that passed with no timetables for troop withdrawal — and was signed by President Bush — should remain a hot topic as they appeal to their primary base. One line of questioning perhaps would lead to who actually read the early National Intelligence Estimate years ago. And whether the candidates have any differences on how to proceed with an exit strategy. (my emphasis)
I suspect the bit about the NIE is all about the recent flap over whether or not Edwards read the 'official' NIE and not just a brief. I'm sure there's lots of fodder with that one and I want to know if the other candidates currently in the Senate read it, one way or the other.
The NYT goes on to say
In the course of the last few months, the top contenders have rolled out various proposals on health care insurance coverage, still a top domestic issue among voters. Mr. Edwards was quick to criticize the plan offered by Mr. Obama just last week, saying it did not mandate true "universal health care." How much these plans would cost remains an issue.
We all know there are many differences between the candidate's plans, so I'm eager to hear the specific differences, assuming the right questions are asked.
Here's a link to watch live preparations of the debate. I can't get it to work for me, but maybe it will work for you!
And here's a link on the Edwards blog with some pre-debate pictures and some comments you may want to have a look at.
Now before we get ready to blog about those debates that Mr. Schneider clearly believes belong to Hillary (we won't talk about the foreign press), let's look at what's going on with our man's campaign. First and foremost, it's Edwards' birthday on June 10th!
We all know how special birthdays are, right? So make sure you follow that link and let's give Edwards one the best birthdays he's ever had. If you do, Bobbie, John's Mother, will share her family recipe for that pie! Geez, looking at it makes me drool! {I knew there was another reason I adore him - he's a Gemini like I am and his birthday is only 5 days after mine ;-) And I might add, he's younger than me, but I'm showing my age...}
Concord Office Grand Opening with Elizabeth Edwards and Congressman Bonior Jun 4, 2007
8:15am Please join Elizabeth Edwards and national campaign manager and former Congressman Bonior as they cut the ribbon on the newest regional office in Concord, NH. Elizabeth and Congressman Bonior will then take questions about the campaign and John Edwards' vision for America.
I'd really like to be at the Sojourners Presidential Forum. I suspect Edwards will be at his best since he'll be talking about the issues dearest to his heart.
There's nothing scheduled for June 5th. The campaign must have known that's my birthday and have a special party planned for me. LOL! But on the 6th and 7th Edwards hits the trail again
First Monday Breakfast Club Jun 6, 2007
11:30 am The Florence County Democratic Party invites you to have lunch with Danny Glover presenting John Edwards, presidential candidate at Horne's Restaurant in Florence, SC
829 S. Irby St
Florence, SC
$8.00 admission includes lunch (Wow! Such a deal.)
Now, let's have some fun. Chat away! I'm leaving you with the video refinish69 let me debut in last Sunday's Special Memorial Day Edition of the EENR. It's a good shot of inspiration before we head into the debates.
