2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Edwards Campaign Unveils New "underdog" Television Ad in new Hampshire

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN UNVEILS NEW “UNDERDOG” TELEVISION AD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
In new 60-second spot, Edwards vows he will never give up on the fight to save the middle class, the real underdogs in America

Manchester, New Hampshire – Tomorrow, one day before voters go to the polls, the John Edwards for President campaign will begin airing a new 60-second television spot in the Granite State. In “Underdog,” Senator John Edwards says he will never give up on the fight to save the middle class, and he will take this fight all the way to the Democratic Convention and to the White House.

“I may be an underdog in this campaign, running against two candidates with $200 million between them, but the real underdogs are the middle class and the voiceless in this country,” Edwards says in the new spot. “I know that the fight to save the middle class will be an epic battle, and I will never give up. We’re going to take the fight to save the middle class all the way to the Convention and the White House. We’re going to look our children in the eye and tell them ‘we left you a better life than we had.’”

Edwards focused on the same message today at a Manchester town hall event that served as the kick off for his 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class.” For the next 36 hours, John and Elizabeth will talk to thousands of voters about Edwards’ bold plans to stand up to the powerful entrenched interests and give hard-working, middle class families a voice in Washington.

At the Manchester town hall, John and Elizabeth Edwards were joined by the family of Nataline Sarkisyan, who passed away in December after her health insurance company refused to pay for the liver transplant she needed.

“I want everyone in New Hampshire to know what is at stake in this election,” Edwards said in Manchester. “What kind of fighter do you want to have on your side when your family is faced with this kind of crisis, when your job is being shipped overseas? Do you want somebody who has the right ideas and philosophy, or do you want somebody who has the right ideas and philosophy and the fight to bring about change?  Because if I am elected, I will fight for you, I will fight for your kids, I will fight for your grandkids, with every fiber of my being.”

Transcript of “Underdog” (60 seconds):

I may be an underdog in this campaign, running against two candidates with $200 million between them.

But the real underdogs are the middle class and the voiceless in this country,

Losing ground while CEOs pocket million dollar bonuses

And corporate lobbyists get their way in Washington.

Exxon Mobil rakes in record profits, gets government handouts, and gas prices go through the roof.

At the same time, 200,000 veterans, men and women who wore America’s uniform,

Will sleep tonight under bridges and on grates.

We cannot simply replace a bunch of corporate Republicans with a bunch of corporate Democrats.

I’ve never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or PACs.

I know who the underdogs are in this fight.

I know that the fight to save the middle class will be an epic battle, and I will never give up.

We’re going to take the fight to save the middle class all the way to the Convention and the White House.

We’re going to look our children in the eye and tell them “we left you a better life than we had.”

I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.

More Reviews Are In - John Edwards At The New Hampshire Debate

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEBATE: CHANGE WON AND THE STATUS QUO LOST IT

ABC’s “The Note” | “‘Any Time You Speak Out Powerfully for Change, the Forces of Status Quo Attack,’ [Edwards] said. Suddenly Clinton Was Alone, Angry, and Lecturing.” “A savvy play -- Edwards could have been expected to jump on Obama, who with a win in New Hampshire on Tuesday could take a giant step toward sealing the nomination. But that wasn’t in the Edwards game plan, not this night, not at this stage of the campaign: ‘Any time you speak out powerfully for change, the forces of status quo attack,’ he said. Suddenly Clinton was alone, angry, and lecturing. The words themselves don’t do the moment justice, but here they are: ‘I want to make change, but I've already made change. I will continue to make change.  I'm not just running on a promise of change. I’m running on 35 years of change.’” [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3105288&page=1, 1/6/08]

New York Observer’s Jason Horowitz | “Edwards’ Razor-Sharp Counter-Attacks…Had the Effect of Absolutely Enraging Clinton.” “Hillary Clinton finally got angry. It wasn’t pretty…Edwards went for the throat, casting himself and Obama as a united front against the salvos of Clinton, the insider. ‘Both of us are powerful voices for change,’ he said. He added, devastatingly ‘May I point out that we finished first and second in the Iowa caucus,’ and, ‘I didn’t hear these types of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead, but now we do.’ Edwards’ razor-sharp counter-attacks allowed Obama to seem more measured, but had the effect of absolutely enraging Clinton. She fumed that while her two adversaries talked a good came about change, she had actually accomplished it. ‘I want to make change, but I have already made change,’ she said, almost screaming.” [New York Observer, 1/5/08 (https://www.observer.com/2008/edwards-sides-obama-clinton-gets-really-mad)] 

TIME’s Ana Marie Cox | After Edwards’ Comments: “Hillary: Angry, Attacking, Frustrated. This May Be the Moment We Look Back on and Say, ‘That’s When She Lost.’” After Hillary Clinton lost her temper in response to John Edwards’ statements on change, Ana Marie Cox wrote, “Hillary: Angry, Attacking, Frustrated. This may be the moment we look back on and say, ‘That’s when she lost.’” [https://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/01/hillary_angry_attacking_frustr.html, 1/5/08]

TAPPED’s Tom Schaller: “R.I.P., The Clinton Era, 9:34 P.M. Est.” “Wow.  Get your kids out and put them in front of the TV: The Clinton Era officially ended at 9:34 p.m. EST when Edwards paired with Obama to bury Hillary as a non-agent of change. Wow, again.” [https://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=01&year=2008&base_name=rip_the_clinton_era_934_pm_est#103558, 1/5/08]

TNR’s Michael Crowley | “Hillary Was Sharp-Edged and Angry Sounding at Times Tonight--Most Notably…at John Edwards.” “Hillary was sharp-edged and angry sounding at times tonight--most notably the Medusa look she blasted at John Edwards when he got Barack Obama's back and tarred her as a reactionary agent of the ‘status quo.’” [https://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_stump/archive/2008/01/05/dem-debate-insta-reaction.aspx, 1/5/08]

Newsday’s John Riley | After Edwards’ Comments: “Hillary Responds Furiously…Edwards Has Tilted the Debate.” “A key moment early in the debate. Hillary attacks Obama for being inconsistent on health care. Obama says he hasn't been. They go back and forth. Then Edwards gets a chance. He says -- he disagrees on some policy questions with Obama, but they are both agents of change. ‘Both of us are powerful voices for change. Anytime you speak out powerfully for change, the forces of the status quo attack.’ And: ‘I didn't hear these kind of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead. Now that she's not, we hear them.’ Hillary responds furiously. She says she has been an agent of change her entire life! ‘I want to make change, but I've already made change! I'm running on a record of 35 years of change.’ But: It seems like Edwards has tilted the debate.”
[https://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/01/nh_dems_debate_edwards_sides_w.html, 1/5/08]

Daily Kos | “The Key Moment Tonight Was Probably When Edwards…Declared That Clinton Didn't Attack Anyone When She Was Leading, and Now She's Attacking When Her Campaign Isn't Doing Well.” “The key moment tonight was probably when Edwards, responding to Clinton's attack on Obama, declared that Clinton didn't attack anyone when she was leading, and now she's attacking when her campaign isn't doing well…Edwards probably had the best performance of the night.” [https://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/5/232338/5059/787/431432, 1/5/08]

Newsday’s John Riley | “Hillary Was Hurt Badly When Edwards Sided with Obama and Called Her an ‘Agent of the Status Quo.’” [https://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/01/nh_dem_debate_afterwards.html, 1/5/05 @ 10:46 PM, 1/5/08]

NBC’s Chuck Todd | Clinton “Was Dealt a Real Bodyblow” by Edwards; “That Exchange Will Be the One Played Over and Over Again, and It's Not Good for Clinton.” “[Clinton] was dealt a real bodyblow when Edwards decided to defend Obama from the Clinton attack early on in the debate; that exchange will be the one played over and over again, and it's not good for Clinton.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/05/551919.aspx, 1/5/08]

ABC News | After Edwards Compared Clinton to the “Forces for Status Quo,” “Clinton Shot Back… Raising Her Voice…She Almost Shouted.” ABC News reported, after Edwards compared Clinton to the “forces for status quo,” “Clinton shot back, emphasizing, ‘Making change is not about what you believe or about making a speech, it's about working hard.’ Raising her voice, she said, ‘I want to make change, but I've already made change. I'm not running on a promise of change. But on 35 years of change and we don't need to raise false hopes of people in our country about what can be delivered.’ And she almost shouted: ‘I think that having a first woman president is a huge change.’ The back and forth got so heated that fourth-place candidate Bill Richardson quipped, ‘I've been in hostile negotiations that are a lot more civil than this.’” [https://www.abcnews.go.com/print?id=4091841, 1/5/08]

New Hampshire Presidential Watch | “The Press Center Is Eating Up John Edwards’ Attack on the Status Quo.” “The press center is eating up John Edwards’ attack on the status quo.” [https://nh2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/press-hearts-edwards.html, 1/5/08]

Boston Globe | Edwards’ Comment “Prompted [Clinton] to Reply Angrily.” “Former senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who finished slightly ahead of Clinton in Iowa, aligned himself with Obama as a like-minded opponent of the status quo, gesturing pointedly to Clinton. That prompted her to reply angrily that she had spent her career working for change, not just talking about it.” [Boston Globe, 1/6/08 (https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/06/clock_ticking_in_nh_candidates_target_undecided?mode=PF)]

NBC's Chuck Todd | Double Team Defense from Obama and Edwards Was Potentially Devastating for Clinton. “Clinton got her dig in on Obama (and it was a very fair hit) but the double-team defense from Obama, Edwards (and even Richardson) was potentially devastating for Clinton; it did her no favors.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/05/551758.aspx, 1/5/08]

The Reviews Are In - John Edwards At The New Hampshire Debate

REVIEWS ARE IN – EDWARDS SHINES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE DEBATE

ABC’s George Stephanopoulos: Edwards “Showed Passion and Vitality and Energy Tonight…I Think This Was One of His Best Debates.” Immediately after the debate, George Stephanopoulos said, “The exception was John Edwards. I think he showed passion and vitality and energy tonight.  He was on-message.  He had a strategy tonight.  I think this was one of his best debates.” [ABC News, 1/5/07]

NBC’s Chuck Todd: “Edwards, btw, Had a Very Good Night.” “Edwards, btw, had a very good night; he got to look a bit more positive and a little less angry by being the guy who defended Obama.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/05/551919.aspx]

ABC’s Rick Klein: On Edwards, “If a Debate Could Vault Him Back into the Game, He May Be Having That Very Debate.” “10:30 pm: This happens at just about every debate: John Edwards comes back to his message again and again, in an effective way. If a debate could vault him back into the game, he may be having that very debate.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-f.html]

NBC's Chuck Todd: “Edwards' defense of Obama and hit on Clinton over this ‘change’ issue, the Dems and indies both thought highly of Edwards' line.” “An operative for one of the campaigns is watching the live dial tests on WMUR's web site. According to this operative, during Edwards' defense of Obama and hit on Clinton over this "change" issue, the Dems and indies both thought highly of Edwards' line. As for Clinton's response, the Dems in the group stuck with her but the indies were turned off completely.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/05/551765.aspx]

AmericaBlog.com: “Edwards Is Really Unparalleled When It Comes to Connecting Policies with People.” “10:13 Edwards is really unparalleled when it comes to connecting policies with people. I certainly find it very effective.” [https://www.americablog.com/2008/01/democratic-debate-open-thread.html]

TAPPED’s Harold Meyerson: “His Personal Narration Is Powerful… Edwards Is the Master Here.”  10:02 PM | “Edwards has just referred to his orientation as personal, not academic (read: Obama) or political (read: Hill). And his personal narration is powerful. Slowly, Obama moves to talking about his mother when she was suffering from cancer, but it's almost as if Edwards forced the story out of him. Edwards is the master here.” [https://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=01&year=2008&base_name=personal#103567]

New Hampshire Presidential Watch: “The press center is eating-up John Edwards attack on the status quo.” “The press center is eating-up John Edwards attack on the status quo.” [https://nh2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/press-hearts-edwards.html]

TAPPED’s Tom Schaller: “R.I.P., The Clinton Era, 9:34 P.M. Est.” | Edwards Helped Bury Clinton as a Non-Agent of Change. “Wow.  Get your kids out and put them in front of the TV: The Clinton Era officially ended at 9:34 p.m. EST when Edwards paired with Obama to bury Hillary as a non-agent of change. Wow, again.” [https://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=01&year=2008&base_name=rip_the_clinton_era_934_pm_est#103558]

NBC's Chuck Todd: Double Team Defense from Obama and Edwards Was Potentially Devastating for Clinton. “Clinton got her dig in on Obama (and it was a very fair hit) but the double-team defense from Obama, Edwards (and even Richardson) was potentially devastating for Clinton; it did her no favors.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/05/551758.aspx]

Matthew Yglesias: Edwards “Gave a Fantastic Response” on Answer to Rid the World of Nuclear Weapons. “John Edwards pivoted a bit to the broader issue of non-proliferation policy where he gave a fantastic answer about the need to combine short-term efforts with a long-term commitment to ‘rid the world of nuclear weapons’ as part of a broad push to revitalize the non-proliferation framework.” [https://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/pakistan_questions.php]

Matthew Yglesias: On Pakistan, “Edwards and Obama both offered great responses.” “UPDATE: Given a second, clearer shot at the nuclear proliferation issue Edwards and Obama both offered great responses. Clinton's decision to put bureaucratic reorganization of the non-proliferation apparatus -- rather than substantive shifts in policy -- struck me as a bit odd, but perhaps in line with her broader argument about experience. She knows the nitty-gritty details of executive branch organization.” [https://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/pakistan_questions.php]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “10:45 pm: Some Final Thoughts on the Democrats. Edwards May Have Turned in the Strongest Pure Performance.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-f.html]

Edwards’ Iowa State Director Jennifer O’Malley Dillon Named Deputy Campaign Manager

EDWARDS’ IOWA STATE DIRECTOR JENNIFER O’MALLEY DILLON NAMED DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Edwards campaign will use momentum from strong Iowa finish to build on Edwards’ organization in other early states

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced that Iowa state director Jennifer O’Malley Dillon will now serve as a deputy campaign manager. The campaign also announced that staffers from Iowa will be departing today for South Carolina and Nevada to build on momentum generated from Edwards’ strong finish last night.

“I am excited to announce today that Jennifer O’Malley Dillon will continue to work as part of the Edwards team,” said Edwards’ campaign manager Congressman David Bonior. “We will use our momentum from a strong finish in Iowa to build support for Edwards in other key states. As we head into the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday and the elections in Nevada and South Carolina in the coming weeks, I have confidence in the strength of our organization and the power of John Edwards’ message of fixing the broken system in Washington and fighting for the middle class.”

In Nevada, the Edwards campaign recently added two dozen field staffers and now will be shifting additional staffers from Iowa. Edwards also enjoys strong labor support in Nevada with endorsements from the Carpenters, Steelworkers, Transport workers and Communication workers who combined represent more than 28,000 members in the state.

Edwards also remains well positioned to compete in his home state of South Carolina – which he won in 2004 by 15 percentage points. And to help Edwards compete in the February 5th states, last night the coalition of 12 SEIU state councils that have endorsed Edwards announced they would spend an additional $1.5 million on communication and voter turnout among the more than 750,000 SEIU members in those states.

This morning, the campaign announced record-breaking online fundraising totals, putting the campaign on track for its best online fundraising day since www.JohnEdwards.com went up over a year ago.

Edwards Campaign Reports Record-Breaking Contributions Online

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING CONTRIBUTIONS ONLINE
Strong finish in Iowa attracts thousands of first-time donors, putting campaign on track for best online fundraising day to date

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Following a strong second-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses last night, the John Edwards for President campaign announced record-breaking online fundraising totals, putting the campaign on track for its best online fundraising day to date.

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response to Sen. Edwards’ strong finish in Iowa,” said Edwards’ senior strategist Joe Trippi. “We’re on track for our best online fundraising day ever, since www.JohnEdwards.com went up a year ago – and half of the contributions we’re seeing are from new donors to the campaign. That speaks volumes to the strength of John Edwards’ message of standing up and fighting for the middle class.”

The campaign first saw an uptick in online fundraising late last night, as the results from Iowa’s first-in-the-nation contest began rolling in. The surge continued overnight, and by 8:45am ET this morning the campaign’s online contributions had already topped the previous day’s day-long total. Between the hours of 10:00am and 11:00am ET today, the campaign experienced its best online fundraising hour ever. 

Also noteworthy about Edwards’ online fundraising totals today:

- Half of those who have contributed are first-time donors to the campaign

- More than ninety percent (92.6%) of today’s online contributions are for amounts less than $100

John Edwards is the only Democratic candidate in the race who has never accepted a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists. The campaign also noted that the impact of many of today’s online contributions will be doubled by federal matching funds.

Edwards Congratulates Obama, Thanks Biden And Dodd

EDWARDS CONGRATULATES OBAMA, THANKS BIDEN AND DODD

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator Edwards released the following statement after calling Senator Obama to personally congratulate him on his victory in the Iowa caucuses:

“Earlier tonight, I called Senator Obama to congratulate him on his victory in the Iowa caucuses. Tonight’s results shows how clearly the American people are sick of the status quo and ready for a president who will fight for the bold change America needs.

“I would also like to extend my best wishes to Senators Biden and Dodd and thank them for their service to our country. They ran impressive campaigns focused on the real issues that matter most to hard-working families, and I have faith that they will continue to work to build the better America we all believe in.”

Edwards: Status Quo Lost, Change Won

EDWARDS: STATUS QUO LOST, CHANGE WON

Victory over Senator Clinton proves strength of Edwards’ message of standing up for the middle class and fighting for real change

Des Moines, Iowa – By standing with John Edwards in his fight for the middle class, the people of Iowa delivered a powerful message tonight that the American people are sick of the status quo and ready for real change. Despite being drastically outspent by Senator Clinton, tonight’s results show that more Iowans agreed with John Edwards’ vision for change.

“The one thing that’s clear from tonight’s caucus is that the status quo lost and change won,” Edwards said. “The results show that the American people are ready for a president who will stand up to corporate greed and fight for hard-working families, someone who will fix the broken system in Washington and achieve real change in this country.

“Tonight showed that if you’re willing to have a little backbone, a little courage, and stand up to corporate greed, we will be unstoppable – no matter how much money is spent,” Edwards continued. “The Clinton campaign thought big money would make them inevitable – but despite being dramatically outspent by not one, but two celebrity candidates, we finished a strong second. And now we move on to New Hampshire and the other early states, where the voters will choose who is best suited to bring about the change this country so desperately needs.”

As president, Edwards will fight for an America where everybody has the same chance to work hard and build a better life for their children. Edwards grew up in small rural mill villages in the South and was the first in his family to go to college. He has spent his life standing up and fighting for ordinary Americans against powerful entrenched interests – and winning. Edwards is fighting for an America where every person in our country has the same opportunities he’s had to work hard, find success, and live the American Dream. 

Because of the strength of Edwards’ message for change and his appeal among voters in red and blue states, he is the Democrats’ best chance for taking back the White House in November. Poll after poll shows that Edwards is by far the Democrats’ strongest candidate in a general election against any of the top Republicans. He is also the only Democrat who has won in a “red” state, and he earns high favorable ratings among Independents in states across the nation. EDWARDS: STATUS QUO LOST, CHANGE WON 

Victory over Senator Clinton proves strength of Edwards’ message of standing up for the middle class and fighting for real change
Des Moines, Iowa – By standing with John Edwards in his fight for the middle class, the people of Iowa delivered a powerful message tonight that the American people are sick of the status quo and ready for real change. Despite being drastically outspent by Senator Clinton, tonight’s results show that more Iowans agreed with John Edwards’ vision for change.

“The one thing that’s clear from tonight’s caucus is that the status quo lost and change won,” Edwards said. “The results show that the American people are ready for a president who will stand up to corporate greed and fight for hard-working families, someone who will fix the broken system in Washington and achieve real change in this country.
“Tonight showed that if you’re willing to have a little backbone, a little courage, and stand up to corporate greed, we will be unstoppable – no matter how much money is spent,” Edwards continued. “The Clinton campaign thought big money would make them inevitable – but despite being dramatically outspent by not one, but two celebrity candidates, we finished a strong second. And now we move on to New Hampshire and the other early states, where the voters will choose who is best suited to bring about the change this country so desperately needs.”

As president, Edwards will fight for an America where everybody has the same chance to work hard and build a better life for their children. Edwards grew up in small rural mill villages in the South and was the first in his family to go to college. He has spent his life standing up and fighting for ordinary Americans against powerful entrenched interests – and winning. Edwards is fighting for an America where every person in our country has the same opportunities he’s had to work hard, find success, and live the American Dream. 
Because of the strength of Edwards’ message for change and his appeal among voters in red and blue states, he is the Democrats’ best chance for taking back the White House in November. Poll after poll shows that Edwards is by far the Democrats’ strongest candidate in a general election against any of the top Republicans. He is also the only Democrat who has won in a “red” state, and he earns high favorable ratings among Independents in states across the nation. EDWARDS: STATUS QUO LOST, CHANGE WON 

Victory over Senator Clinton proves strength of Edwards’ message of standing up for the middle class and fighting for real change
Des Moines, Iowa – By standing with John Edwards in his fight for the middle class, the people of Iowa delivered a powerful message tonight that the American people are sick of the status quo and ready for real change. Despite being drastically outspent by Senator Clinton, tonight’s results show that more Iowans agreed with John Edwards’ vision for change.

“The one thing that’s clear from tonight’s caucus is that the status quo lost and change won,” Edwards said. “The results show that the American people are ready for a president who will stand up to corporate greed and fight for hard-working families, someone who will fix the broken system in Washington and achieve real change in this country.
“Tonight showed that if you’re willing to have a little backbone, a little courage, and stand up to corporate greed, we will be unstoppable – no matter how much money is spent,” Edwards continued. “The Clinton campaign thought big money would make them inevitable – but despite being dramatically outspent by not one, but two celebrity candidates, we finished a strong second. And now we move on to New Hampshire and the other early states, where the voters will choose who is best suited to bring about the change this country so desperately needs.”

As president, Edwards will fight for an America where everybody has the same chance to work hard and build a better life for their children. Edwards grew up in small rural mill villages in the South and was the first in his family to go to college. He has spent his life standing up and fighting for ordinary Americans against powerful entrenched interests – and winning. Edwards is fighting for an America where every person in our country has the same opportunities he’s had to work hard, find success, and live the American Dream. 
Because of the strength of Edwards’ message for change and his appeal among voters in red and blue states, he is the Democrats’ best chance for taking back the White House in November. Poll after poll shows that Edwards is by far the Democrats’ strongest candidate in a general election against any of the top Republicans. He is also the only Democrat who has won in a “red” state, and he earns high favorable ratings among Independents in states across the nation.

Edwards Campaign Begins Airing New “Wave Of Change” TV Spot In New Hampshire

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN BEGINS AIRING NEW “WAVE OF CHANGE” TV SPOT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
In new ad, Edwards inspires Granite Staters to rise up and create a wave of change that cannot be stopped

Manchester, New Hampshire – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign began airing a new 30-second television spot in New Hampshire. The “Wave of Change” spot, which features Senator John Edwards speaking at a campaign rally in New Hampshire, builds on the campaign’s growing momentum and organizational strength in the Granite State.

“Corporate greed has infiltrated everything that’s happening in this democracy,” Edwards says in the ad. “It’s time for us to say ‘we’re not going to let our children’s future be stolen by these people.’ I have never taken a dime from a Washington lobbyist or a special interest PAC and I’m proud of that.

“On January 8th, in New Hampshire, what will happen is you will rise,” Edwards continues, inspiring the crowd to rise to their feet in applause. “You will say ‘enough is enough.’ And you’re going to create a wave of change that cannot be stopped.” 

Full Transcript of “Wave of Change” (30 seconds):

Corporate greed has infiltrated everything that’s happening in this democracy.

It’s time for us to say “we’re not going to let our children’s future be stolen by these people.”

I have never taken a dime from a Washington lobbyist or a special interest PAC and I’m proud of that.

On January 8th, in New Hampshire, what will happen is you will rise. You will say “enough is enough.” And you’re going to create a wave of change that cannot be stopped.

I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.

Edwards Campaign Runs Ad In The Des Moines Register, Will Begin Airing New TV Spot Featuring Edward's Supporter Doug Bishop

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN RUNS AD IN THE DES MOINES REGISTER, WILL BEGIN AIRING NEW TV SPOT FEATURING EDWARDS’ SUPPORTER DOUG BISHOP

In both ads, former Maytag employee Doug Bishop says John Edwards will fight corporate greed and stand up for middle-class families

Des Moines, Iowa – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign is running a full-page ad in The Des Moines Register featuring a letter from Edwards’ supporter and former Maytag employee Doug Bishop. The campaign will also begin airing a 60-second television spot in Iowa featuring Mr. Bishop tomorrow.

In September 2004, Mr. Bishop was among the first wave of employees laid off at the Maytag plant in Newton, Iowa. In the television spot, Mr. Bishop tells the story of how shortly after he lost his job, he and his family met Edwards as Edwards was campaigning for the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket.

“This is something I’ll never forget,” Mr. Bishop says in the ad. “[John Edwards] grabbed my seven-year-old son by the hand, he dropped to one knee, and he looked him straight in the eye and he said ‘I’m going to keep fighting for your daddy’s job, I promise you that.’ You know, that stuff sticks with you. That’s the kind of things we need in a leader in this country…I want a guy that’s going to sit down and look a seven year-old kid in the eye and tell him ‘I’m going to fight for your dad’s job.’ That’s what I want.”

“I know first hand that if we stay silent, or just go along, or choose more of the same it will be too late,” Mr. Bishop writes to Iowa caucus goers in the letter printed in The Des Moines Register ad. “It is already too late for far too many families who have lost their jobs throughout our state. John Edwards knows what we know – that saving the middle class and American jobs in the face of corporate greed is going to be a fight. I hope you will join our cause of saving the middle class and passing a better life onto our children because that is what is on the line in this election.

The Des Moines Register ad also featured the text of the speech Senator Edwards delivered last Friday in Dubuque defining the type of change America needs.

“To get real change, we need a president who will stand up against the big corporations and powerful interests who control Washington,” Edwards said. “Nobody who takes their money and defends the broken system is going to bring change. And unfortunately, nobody who thinks we can just sit down and talk them into compromise is going to bring change either. Why on earth would we expect the corporate powers and their lobbyists – who make billions by selling out the middle-class – to just give up their power because we ask them nicely?”

Transcript of “Bishop” (60 seconds):

DOUG BISHOP: Now I myself was a former Maytag employee – I was laid off September of 2004.

And I was asked “Would you and your family like to come up and meet Senator Edwards?”

And this is something I’ll never forget – he grabbed my seven-year-old son by the hand, he dropped to one knee, and he looked him straight in the eye and he said “I’m going to keep fighting for your daddy’s job, I promise you that.”

You know, that stuff sticks with you. That’s the kind of things we need in a leader in this country.

Not somebody that’s going to go to a big fundraiser and say “Write me a check for $2,300, and I’ll let you know you have my support.”

I want a guy that’s going to sit down and look a seven year-old kid in the eye and tell him “I’m going to fight for your dad’s job.” That’s what I want.

I’m going to do my best to make sure that my children aren’t the first generation of Americans that I can’t look them in the eye and say “You’re going to have a better life than I had.”

And I think the person that’s going to get that done is my friend, and yours, Senator John Edwards.

EDWARDS: I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.

Edwards Campaign Announces Key Leaders And Advisors in February 5th States

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES KEY LEADERS AND ADVISORS IN FEBRUARY 5TH STATES

Building on momentum in Iowa and New Hampshire, Edwards expands base of support in February 5th states across the country, citing particular strength in traditionally “red” states

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced key leaders and advisors in nine states that will hold presidential primaries and caucuses on February 5th.  These current and former elected officials join the campaign’s team of state advisors in all 22 February 5th states, who are already working to help the campaign build on momentum coming out of the nation's first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The announcement comes as the Edwards campaign highlighted the strength of its organization in February 5th states all across the country, including:

- State advisors in all 22 February 5th states
- Endorsements from seven labor unions that together represent more than 1.5 million members in February 5th states
- Endorsements from a majority of State House and Senate Democratic legislators in North Dakota and Oklahoma
- 706 One Corps chapters, the local service arm of the Edwards campaign, in February 5th states
- Statewide grassroots organizing calls held with advisors and supporters in all 22 February 5th states this month.

“There is no question John Edwards is surging in Iowa and New Hampshire,” said Edwards’ national campaign manager Congressman David Bonior. “And that momentum is only going to keep growing, as we head into Nevada, South Carolina and the February 5th states. With the help of the labor community and others, including the list of experienced leaders we are announcing today, the Edwards campaign has built a strong national organization with a wide base of support. We are well-positioned to capitalize on the momentum coming out of strong finishes in the four early primary states and turn it into victories for John Edwards in the February 5th states.”

“I am honored to join Senator Edwards’ team of advisors in February 5th states,” said former Georgia Congressman Ben “Cooter” Jones, who has campaigned for Edwards in both Iowa and New Hampshire. “Poll after poll shows John Edwards to be by far our strongest Democratic candidate in the general election. I’m not supporting John Edwards because of polls, but those same surveys show that John Edwards can win in the so-called ‘red states’ and that’s exciting to me. His strength at the top of the ticket will help other Democrats on the ballot in the South and in the Heartland. John Edwards transcends the ‘Blue State-Red State’ paradigm. He will make the Democratic Party a truly national party once again.”

In addition to adding to its list of key leaders and advisors, the Edwards campaign announced that it had held statewide grassroots organizing calls in all 22 February 5th states this month.

The Edwards campaign also has strong support from seven labor unions in February 5th states which have endorsed John Edwards and together represent more than 1.5 million members in those states. Edwards has earned the endorsement of: the United Steelworkers of America; the United Mine Workers of America; the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America; the Transport Workers Union; Service Employees International Union (SEIU) state councils in 12 states, including California, Minnesota, Idaho and Massachusetts; the Arizona Communications Workers of America; and the UNITE HERE Chicago and Midwest Joint Board, which represents members in Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri.

The key leaders and advisors in Minnesota

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (MN)
MN House Majority Leader Tony Sertich
MN House Asst. Majority Leader Aaron Petersen
Former MN State Senator Ted Mondale