Hi Everybody, it is another Saturday night, and I am the guest anchor for the Edwards Evening News Roundup. It has been a busy week. Here are some highlights from this week in case you missed them.
- What's Wrong with America - with video from the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum
- On Smart and Safe Trade - Key Principles
- McCloskey Speaker Series with John Edwards at Aspen Institute
- John Edwards Responds to Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute's notion of a draft
- Bill O'Reilly Whines about Edwards and Fox News - video.
1. What's Wrong with America -
During Tuesday's AFL-CIO Presidential Forum, one of the most powerful and touching moments was during this question, from retired steelworker Steve Skvara. It brought the crowd to its feet and it was a pivotal moment in the forum - showing what is at stake in choosing our leaders and how they deal with issues for workers.
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2. On Smart and Safe Trade - Key Principles
"Trade has become a bad word for working Americans for a simple reason: our trade policy has been bad for working Americans. We need new trade policies that put workers, wages and families first." – John Edwards
Edwards spoke in Iowa this week showing that he is very aware that trade is a very important part of life in the 21st century, but it has to be smart trade. He emphasized three principles:
First, trade deals must benefit workers, not just big multinational corporations....
Second, our trade policies should also lift up workers around the world...
Third, we need to address more than just our trade policies in order to restore fairness and opportunity to workers - things such as education and health care....
We also need to invest resources to ensure that our country keeps its competitive edge in the world....
You can read more in this fact sheet - Smarter Trade That Puts Workers First
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3. McCloskey Speaker Series with John Edwards at the Aspen Institute
On Thursday, Edwards was a featured speaker to a crowd of about 700 at the Aspen Institute. The Vail Daily News had an excellent report on the event. And from the Denver Post we have this snippet on how he connected with his audience:
Edwards took the stage about noon, asking, "Am I the only one here with a tie on?" (He was.) He rolled up his sleeves, tossed his coat and tie aside, and abandoned his script.
Though the speech was billed as an economic address, Edwards used the hour to touch on an array of campaign topics, including America's global leadership, health care reform, trade policy and special-interest money.
The capacity crowd of nearly 700 often interrupted Edwards with applause. However, Stirling sparked some fireworks during the question- and-answer period, chiding Edwards for not addressing global warming despite its effects on Aspen and the West.
Edwards responded that his climate policy is arguably the most aggressive of all the candidates' and that global-warming initiatives are among his top priorities.
Edwards at the Aspen Institute Photo by Zach Ornitz
This diary today by AJ WI points out that Edwards is Greenest of Top Three Democrats
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4. John Edwards Responds to Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute's notion of a draft
Enough is enough. Let there be no doubt that the Bush Administration's new talk of a draft is a profound measure of how much this President has failed our brave men and women in the military, and the American people. This is exactly the wrong way to go. Our all-volunteer force has helped make America what it is today.
See today's diary by edgery "Enough is enough" -- Edwards blasts the draft and the lively discussion.
Another good diary is by okamichan13 on a related topic
Bush: We'll take anybody (almost) and lie if we have to
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5. Bill O'Reilly Whines about Edwards and Fox News
Specifically he wonders why Edwards won't come to Fox News since he has been treated so well. The video is a chuckle and a half, but really makes the point very well. Enjoy.
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Have a Great Saturday Night and Weekend!!!