I. Energy: Global Warming Presidential Forum
Tonight, in California, John Edwards brought down the house with his speech and Q&A session at the first ever, Global Warming Presidential Forum. All presidential candidates were invited, but unfortunately, only three chose to attend this important forum: John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Hillary Clinton. Only Democrats, of course.
The forum was liveblogged here on DailyKos, at Calitics, MyDD and Heading Left. hekebolos and other Kossacks did a fabulous job bringing us on location updates throughout the event:
I'm here with a bunch of other people who are liveblogging on other sites: David Atkins (thereisnospoon), who will be liveblogging on Heading Left, Todd Beeton, who will be liveblogging at MyDD, and David Dayen, who will be liveblogging at Calitics. So you don't just have to rely on me--you've got multiple perspectives on the event. Also with us are DailyKos users vernonlee, TheKK and RunnerAAA.
Blogger Dave Dayen of Calitics had the opportunity to ask Senator Edwards a question at the Media Availability that followed the event:
UPDATE (5:09pm) OK, I got to ask Robert in Monterey's question to Sen. Edwards about mass transit and the subway to the sea. He expressed strong support for mass transit as playing a role in his overall policy, and stressed his efforts in the US Senate for railway transit in the Research Triangle in North Carolina. We wasn't familiar with the Subway to the Sea project. It was a fairly boilerplate answer, but I'm glad I got mass transit on the radar screen. Thanks Robert!
Grist Environmental News and Commentary provided a live stream webcast of the event.
Edwards, who spoke last, clearly was the best recieved candidate at the forum, offering bold, concise plans on combatting the environmental crisis.
One of the highlights of the event, was Edwards' remarks on equity and fairness internationally:
CLICK HERE TO WATCH JOHN EDWARDS AT THE GLOBAL WARMING PRESIDENTIAL FORUM. Videos courtesy of Kossack machka.
Edwards was the first top tier candidate to release an Energy Plan, again, setting the bar for progressive solutions for a problem that has long been neglected.
John Edwards' Energy Plan will bring about the transformational change that is required to address the global environmental crisis:
The Edwards Plan halts global warming, achieves energy independence and jumpstarts a new energy economy by:
Capping greenhouse gas pollution starting in 2010 with a cap-and-trade system, and reducing it by 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, as the latest science says is needed to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
Leading the world to a new climate treaty that commits other countries—including developing nations—to reduce their pollution. Edwards will insist that developing countries join us in this effort, offering to share new clean energy technology and, if necessary, using trade agreements to require binding greenhouse reductions.
Creating a New Energy Economy Fund by auctioning off $10 billion in greenhouse pollution permits and repealing subsidies for big oil companies. The fund will support U.S. research and development in energy technology, help entrepreneurs start new businesses, invest in new carbon-capture and efficient automobile technology and help Americans conserve energy.
Meeting the demand for more electricity through efficiency for the next decade, instead of producing more electricity.
Edwards' Energy Plan has been described by the League of Conservation Voters as, ""most comprehensive global warming plan of any presidential candidate to date." LCV President, Gene Karpinski, lauded the plan by saying, "Senator Edwards' plan demonstrates that he understands the magnitude of the challenge before us and the need for bold leadership to meet it."
John Edwards has also been endorsed by Friends of the Earth, the largest environmental network in the United States. Just yesterday, Friends of the Earth released a radio ad in Iowa praising John Edwards for his opposition to the Lieberman-Warner bill.
Listen to the radio ad here:
Tonight, at the Global Warming Presidential Forum, Hillary Clinton was asked about the Lieberman-Warner bill. Hillary did not committ to opposing the bill nor did she committ to refusing to support it without the changes to the bill.
For more on this bill, check out Kossack Jamess' diary:
II. Labor and Trade: Edwards Walks the WGA Picket Line!
Yesterday, Senator Edwards joined WGA stikers on their picket line.
WGA has video of Edwards on the Picket line, check it out:
Kossack RedJet was on location and brought us an awesome on report: Edwards Came To See Me Yesterday! ...and support the Writers too...
Edwards issued a statement in support of the WGA strikers last week. This is one of over 200 picket lines Edwards has walked. He is a strong supporter of Unions and often speaks on how we must strengthen Unions and develop smart trade policies that hold up the interests of working Americans, not just the bottom line of big corporations.
Edwards is the only candidate who is willing to take on the rigged system. He understands that one cannot defend the corporate establishment but must take on "powerful interests, particulary corporate interests" who "have taken over this government.""
III. Election News: Iowa & New Hampshire
Iowa
The Democratic Presidential primary season is in full gear, with only 49 days to go until the Iowa caucus. John Edwards just began running ads in Iowa in the last two weeks and is already moving ahead of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama who have spent millions on Iowa ads in recent months.
Local opinion has it, that if the Iowa caucus were held today, John Edwards would win. Chase Martin of the Iowa Independent writes:
Edwards Tops Iowa Independent Democratic Power Rankings
If the Democratic caucuses were held tonight, this is how we think they would end:
- John Edwards -- Edwards started about a year ago with the best organization in Iowa, and most of the foundation he built here is still in place. Although concerns persist that his sharpening rhetoric may be alienating a few of his earliest supporters, his solid performance at the Jefferson Jackson dinner, his endorsement from Caucus 4 Priorities (and the potential 10,000 caucus-goers it could bring him), and his ongoing commitment to retail politicking keep him in the top spot -- for now.
New Hampshire
Elizabeth Edwards is in New Hampshire this weekend for TownHalls and House Parties.
ELIZABETH EDWARDS CAMPAIGNS THROUGHOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE, LAUNCHES 'YOUNG
GRANITE STATERS FOR EDWARDS' WEBSITE
(Manchester, NH) - On the heels of Senator Edwards' strong debate
performance in Nevada, Elizabeth Edwards returned to New Hampshire
today for two days of Graniteroots campaigning during which she spoke
with the Young Democrats and Stonewall Democrats at their national
conventions along with New Hampshire and national Democratic leaders
at the DNC Northeastern Regional Conference in Manchester. Elizabeth
will also attend house parties and town halls throughout the state.
"John understands our lives, knows our aspirations and has spent a
lifetime solving the problems of real families," said Elizabeth. "That
is precisely the combination we need in our next president."
As Elizabeth met with Young Democrats, Stonewall Democrats and NHDP
members today in Manchester, the campaign launched a New Hampshire
youth-specific website, Young Granite Staters for Edwards, at
www.johnedwards.com/nh/youth. The website includes tools to build
networks through Facebook and Myspace, has a form to sign up for cell
phone text message updates about the campaign, and much more.
That's a wrap for tonight! Hope you enjoyed tonight's installment of the Edwards Evening News.
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