2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Joe Trippi Joins The John Edwards Campaign

JOE TRIPPI JOINS THE JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that Joe Trippi will be joining the campaign as a key member of the media team and senior advisor. 

Campaign Manager David Bonior said, "We couldn't be more excited to have Joe join our team. He's creative, passionate, committed and shares John Edwards' vision of an America that works for all of us."

Deputy Campaign Manager Jonathan Prince said, "Joe is a true believer who has never been the kind of guy who sits around and waits for somebody else to bring about the change he believes we need. And that's what our campaign is about. That's the challenge John and Elizabeth have laid before all of us. I'm glad Joe Trippi is one of those who's ready to take it up."

To read Trippi's blog post about joining the campaign, go to:

I'm Signing On

"I really thought that the 2004 presidential campaign would be the last I would be involved in.   I have always wanted to make a difference, but for me I thought those days were over.

A few weeks ago, John and Elizabeth Edwards made their decision to continue, not just John Edwards' campaign for President, but their work together to make a difference for their country.

And that made me realize that I wasn't done trying to make a difference either. Not by a long shot.  So today I am joining the John Edwards campaign.

Too much is at stake.  The war in Iraq continues, and more of our troops will lose their lives.  Working Americans are losing ground.  Poverty continues in the wealthiest nation on the planet.   And nearly nothing is really being done to reduce global warming.

John Edwards is leading the way and making a difference on all of  these issues.   He's offering big ideas backed by real plans to change our country. And so his campaign is the place where I will work to make whatever difference I can.

Lets make a difference together, for each other, and for our country. Too much is at stake to give anything less than everything we've got."

Joe Trippi

National Asian American And Pacific Islander Leaders Endorse John Edwards

NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER LEADERS ENDORSE JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders from across the country have endorsed Senator John Edwards for President.

"I am proud to have so many well-respected leaders join my campaign," said Edwards. "Working together we can transform our country and address the critical issues facing the community and our country."

Dale Minami, civil rights and community leader, endorsed Edwards saying, "Senator Edwards has consistently reached out to the AAPI community. He has articulated policies which reflect our values as Asian American and Pacific Islanders. This is why I support his candidacy for the Presidency."

California State Senator Leland Yee endorsed Edwards saying, "I am proud to support Senator John Edwards because of his tireless work on a wide range of issues impacting not only AAPIs, but all Americans. His detailed and bold policies on healthcare, global warming, energy independence, poverty and Iraq are exactly the kind of leadership our country needs today."

Edwards Statement On Supreme Court Ruling On Partial Birth Abortion Ban

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT RULING ON FEDERAL ABORTION BAN

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards released the following statement about today's 5-4 Supreme Court ruling upholding the federal abortion ban.

"I could not disagree more strongly with today's Supreme Court decision. The ban upheld by the Court is an ill-considered and sweeping prohibition that does not even take account for serious threats to the health of individual women. This hard right turn is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election. Too much is at stake - starting with, as the Court made all too clear today, a woman's right to choose."

John Edwards Announces Chris Chafe As Senior Advisor

JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES CHRIS CHAFE AS SENIOR ADVISOR

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that Chris Chafe, the Chief of Staff at UNITE HERE, will be joining the campaign in late May as a senior advisor, and will focus on outreach to the labor community, labor policy and overall strategy.

"We are excited to have Chris join the team," said Campaign Manager David Bonior.  "His years of experience working to strengthen labor in our country and fighting to improve the lives of working Americans will be an invaluable asset to our campaign."

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Endorses John Edwards

CONGRESSWOMAN STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin endorsed Senator John Edwards for President, citing in part his commitment to addressing the challenges facing rural communities.  Today, Edwards released the details of his Rural Recovery Act, which would restore economic fairness and create new jobs and businesses in rural America, help struggling counties and towns and protect rural people and their way of life.

"Stephanie is a true leader, who understands the concerns of rural Americans and works every day to lift up rural communities," said Edwards.  "I am honored to have her support and look forward to working together to revitalize our rural communities."

Herseth Sandlin endorsed Edwards saying, "Senator Edwards has offered a detailed plan that reflects his understanding of and commitment to Rural America.  His recognition of the challenges we face, such as rural health care, and the opportunities we provide, like renewable energy, have earned him my strong and enthusiastic support.  I am proud to support Senator John Edwards and to work with him to restore hope for Rural America."

California Democratic Leader John Burton Endorses John Edwards

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC LEADER JOHN BURTON ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that California Democratic leader John Burton endorsed Senator John Edwards for President and will help lead Edwards' campaign in California. 

"John has spent his life fighting for those without a voice - our children, people struggling with illness and people living in poverty," said Edwards.  "I am honored to have his support and look forward to working with him change our country, so every America has the opportunity to succeed."

Burton endorsed Edwards saying, "I supported John Edwards in the 2004 primaries and I'm proud to support him again because I believe he is the best candidate to lead our country and the best chance Democrats have at taking back the White House.  Our country desperately needs John's leadership - he has a clear vision to change our country and detailed plans to provide universal health care and end poverty in America. He is committed to helping working and middle class Americans and building a country that works for every American."

Edwards Campaign Raises More Than $14 Million During 1st Quarter

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN RAISES MORE THAN $14 MILLION DURING 1ST QUARTER

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that it raised in excess of $14 million during the first quarter fundraising period, far exceeding its budget and nearly doubling the amount Edwards raised during the first quarter in 2003.  Americans from across the country and from a wide range of backgrounds supported Senator Edwards' campaign to start changing America today with big, bold ideas.

First quarter fundraising figures from the John Edwards for President campaign include:

• More than $14 million raised total.
• More than 40,000 contributors from across the country.
• 80 percent of contributions were $100 or less.
• $3.3 million raised from online contributions.
• Around $1 million raised in general election funds.

Ken Lucas Endorses John Edwards For President

FORMER CONGRESSMAN KEN LUCAS ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that former Kentucky Congressman Ken Lucas endorsed Senator John Edwards as the Democratic nominee for President.

"I am grateful for Ken's support and look forward to working with him to transform our country," said Edwards.

Lucas endorsed Edwards saying, "John Edwards not only understands the South, but he will be a president we can trust and who will put our country back on track."

Jim Oberstar And 25 Minnesota Leaders Endorse John Edwards

CONGRESSMAN JIM OBERSTAR AND 25 MINNESOTA LEADERS ENDORSE JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT 

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and 25 other Minnesota DFL leaders endorsed John Edwards for President. The Minnesota leaders include three state senators and 10 state representatives. Among those endorsing Edwards for President are State House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, State Senators Thomas Bakk, Steve Murphy and Ann Rest and former Chair of the Metropolitan Council Ted Mondale. 

"Jim always stands up for the people of Minnesota, whether it's fighting to raise the minimum wage, standing up for veterans' rights or working to bring our troops home from Iraq," said Edwards. "I am proud to have his support and the support of these outstanding Minnesota leaders, who continue to fight for progressive causes." 

Congressman Oberstar endorsed Senator Edwards saying: 

"John Edwards is a trustworthy, honorable and dignified man. When he says that he wants to transform America you believe him. His life experiences have prepared him for the job. 

"The next president faces tremendous challenges and John Edwards has a plan to provide relief for the 47 million uninsured Americans by providing them with universal health coverage. He has called for a national goal of eliminating poverty within 30 years, with policies rooted in the core American values of opportunity for everyone and responsibility from everyone. And he has a plan to restore America's moral leadership by cleaning up the mess in Iraq. A John Edwards presidency will transform America for the better." 

Mondale endorsed Edwards saying: 

"John Edwards has struck a nerve with progressive democrats in Minnesota. By providing bold leadership and detailed proposals on the core issues, he is earning the strong support of Minnesota's political leaders." 

The Minnesota DFL leaders endorsing Edwards for President are: 

State Senators
Sen. Thomas Bakk
Sen. Steve Murphy
Sen. Ann Rest 

State Representatives
House Majority Leader Tony Sertich
Rep. Jim Davnie
Rep. Alice Hausman
Rep. Thomas Huntley
Rep. Sheldon Johnson
Rep. John Lesch
Rep. Erin Murphy
Rep. Aaron Peterson
Rep. Marsha Swails
Rep. Ryan Winkler 

Former State Senator
Becky Lourey 

Former State Representative
Andrew Dawkins 

Former Duluth AFL-CIO Presidents
Randy Asunma
Mary Rosenthal
George Sundstrom 

Community Leaders
Ted Mondale, former Chair of the Metropolitan Council
Scott Benson, Minneapolis City Council member
Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner
Retired Judge Gerald Heaney
Alan Netland
Laura Nevitt, Governor Howard Dean 2004 Minnesota State Director
Erik Peterson

Congressman David Obey Endorses John Edwards

CONGRESSMAN DAVID OBEY ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that Wisconsin Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, endorsed Senator John Edwards as the Democratic nominee for President. 

"Dave is a good friend and a true leader on the important issues facing our country - improving our schools, guaranteeing quality, affordable health care and protecting our natural resources," said Edwards.  "I am honored to have his support.  Working together, we can change America with big ideas and bold solutions."   

Obey endorsed Edwards saying, "When John Edwards talks about tackling the problems that matter most to America's working class families - things like affordable health care, access to quality education and strengthening retirement security - I believe that he really means it. That is the kind of man I want as my President."