Yesterday, former President Jimmy Carter by his side, John Edwards visited Georgia Southwestern State University to discuss his vision for America, NBC's Lauren Appelbaum reported.
Carter had some nice words for Edwards:
Carter, an alumnus of GSW, told the audience Edwards is a "candidate whom I really admire." While he did not officially endorse Edwards, he came pretty close with his bold prediction that the presidential hopeful "has a very good chance to do well."
"I can say without equivocation," Carter said, "that no one who is running for president has presented anywhere near as comprehensive and accurate a prediction of what our country ought to do in the field of environmental quality, in the field of healthcare for those who are not presently insured, for those who suffer from poverty and with a special attention to a subject he knows quite well, and that is the rural areas of America."
Why would Carter have those nice words for Edwards? Perhaps it had to do with what Edwards said yesterday at Georgia Southwestern State University up on stage with Carter.
On Iraq and Bush's "surge":
"The Congress will be coming back next week, and I think the American people have seen enough excuses," Edwards said. "They don't want excuses anymore. They want to see this war come to an end. They want to see it brought to an end. What the Congress should do when they come back next week is make it absolutely clear, no timetable, no funding. And there should be no further excuses. The Congress needs to stand their ground. They had a mandate from the American people in the election in November in 2006 and they need to meet that mandate."
On ending Washington corruption so we can finally enact a progressive agenda:
Edwards also attacked Hillary Clinton once again on the lobbying issue. "That system has to change," Edwards said. "I don't think anybody should defend that system, whether it is Senator Clinton or anybody else. I think the system needs to be changed. There is nobody in this audience who thinks the way Washington works today is working for them. I am absolutely certain about that."
On universal healthcare:
Edwards borrowed a line from his wife Elizabeth regarding his stance on healthcare. "If you are shopping for a presidential candidate and they come before you and they tell you they have a health care plan and you find out that health care plan is not universal, then you should make them explain to you what man, and what woman, and what child in America is not worthy of healthcare?" He furthered the sentiment, stating if a candidate isn't for truly universal health care, the voter "ought to be looking for another candidate."
As Edwards expands his lead in Iowa, it's good to see Jimmy Carter standing with a Democratic who isn't afraid to proudly embrace the progressive movement.