2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Iowa First Lady Mari Culver Endorses John Edwards For President

IOWA FIRST LADY MARI CULVER ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT
Endorsement Builds on Edwards’ Growing Momentum in Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa – On the last day of his “Main Street Express” bus tour and following a widely praised debate performance, today Senator John Edwards will receive the endorsement of Iowa First Lady Mari Culver.  Culver believes Edwards’ lifetime of fighting for those without a voice makes him the best candidate to stand up for America’s families and bring change to America.  Culver’s endorsement adds to Edwards’ growing momentum in the final weeks before the Iowa caucuses.  Edwards recently was endorsed by Congressman Bruce Braley and continues to gain support from community leaders and undecided caucus goers.

“With all the challenges facing our country, we need a leader who will fight for our families,” said Culver.  “I am proud to endorse John Edwards for President. John has spent his career standing up for children and families in their hour of need.   I admire his commitment to speaking out for those who have no voice and look forward to working with him to make sure children here in Iowa and across the country are safe and secure and have the opportunity to realize their dreams.”

“I am honored to have Mari’s support,” said Edwards.  “She has been a passionate advocate on behalf of families and children in crises.  Her commitment to helping the less fortunate is exactly the kind of the leadership America so desperately needs.  With Mari’s help and the help of the people of Iowa, we can build the One America we believe in.”

Culver’s support adds to Edwards’ strength in Iowa.  He has strong grassroots organizations in all 99 Iowa counties.  He also enjoys the support of Caucus for Priorities, which represents 10,000 Iowa caucus goers.  Edwards has the support of numerous labor groups who are actively working to put him in the White House.  He has been endorsed by the Iowa State Council of the SEIU and 11 other SEIU state councils representing more than a million SEIU members. Additionally, he has been endorsed by the Iowa Postal Workers Union, the United Steelworkers, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the Transport Workers Union of America, the United Mine Workers of America and the UNITE HERE Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board.

Culver will join Edwards today at his “Main Street Express” bus tour finale events in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport. During the eight-day tour, Edwards has been highlighting his plans to fight for regular families like the ones he grew up with in his small, rural hometown.

Edwards Campaign Unveils New “Fight” Television Ad In Iowa

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN UNVEILS NEW “FIGHT” TELEVISION AD IN IOWA

In the ad, Edwards says that saving the middle class from corporate greed is the fight he was born for

Des Moines, Iowa – Inspired by the enthusiasm generated by Senator John Edwards’ discussion of economic issues during the Des Moines Register debate on Thursday, today the campaign unveiled a second new television ad in Iowa called “Fight.”

“The moral test of our generation is whether we’re going to allow this broken system to go on without a fight or take on corporate greed and stand up for the middle class and American jobs before it’s too late,” Edwards says in the ad. “They aren’t going to just give their power away. Saving the middle class is going to be an epic battle, and that’s a fight I was born for.”

Full Script of “Fight:”

This isn’t about petty politics or good intentions.

Corporate greed and influence in Washington are stealing our children’s future.

The moral test of our generation is whether we’re going to allow this broken system to go on without a fight or take on corporate greed and stand up for the middle class and American jobs before it’s too late.

They aren’t going to just give their power away.

Saving the middle class is going to be an epic battle, and that’s a fight I was born for.

I’m John Edwards, and I approved this message.

Edwards Campaign Unveils New "Voice" Television Ad In Iowa

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN UNVEILS NEW “VOICE” TELEVISION AD IN IOWA

In the ad, Edwards says he will stop letting corporations and their lobbyists run the country so that people like James Lowe can get the health care they need

Des Moines, Iowa –Today, the John Edwards for President campaign unveiled a new television ad in Iowa called “Voice.”

In the ad, Senator Edwards shares the story of James Lowe, a former coal miner from Wise County, Virginia, who could barely speak for 50 years because he didn’t have health care and couldn’t afford the operation he needed to fix his cleft palate. Edwards met Mr. Lowe at the site of a Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic during his “Road to One America” tour in July. It was at this free rural clinic, a year ago, that Mr. Lowe finally met with medical professionals willing to donate their time to perform the surgery he needed so he could finally speak. 

“Fifty years without a voice – in America,” Edwards says in the ad. “This is wrong. It is immoral. When are we going to stop letting drug companies, insurance companies and their lobbyists run this country? America belongs to us. James Lowe finally got his voice, now it’s time for yours.”

“I am proud to support John Edwards and to lend my story to his fight to stand up for the millions of hardworking Americans who don’t have a voice in Washington,” said Mr. Lowe. “The American people need health care, and we need it badly. When John Edwards is president, I know that’s exactly what we will get.”

Edwards was the first candidate to propose a plan for true universal health care.  As president, he will take on the drug and insurance companies and guarantee health care for every American, while cutting costs and improving care.

Full Script of “Voice:”

I met a man named James Lowe who was born with a cleft palate.

He had no voice for 50 years, because with no health care, he couldn’t get a simple operation.

Fifty years without a voice – in America.

This is wrong. It is immoral.

When are we going to stop letting drug companies, insurance companies and their lobbyists run this country?

America belongs to us.

James Lowe finally got his voice, now it’s time for yours.

I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.

The Reviews Are In – Part 3: John Edwards At The Des Moines Register Debate

REVIEWS ARE IN – PART 3: DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

Former Clinton Advisor David Gergen: “John Edwards Was the Best.” David Gergen said on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” last night, “John Edwards was the best today. He was the most focused. I think he actually walked away with some honors today.” [CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” 12/13/07]

NBC’s Tim Russert: Focus Groups “Indicated a Strong Showing by John Edwards;” Edwards Gave a “Forceful” Performance in the Debate.  Tim Russert:  “The focus groups after the debate by the various cable networks indicated a strong showing by John Edwards.  He was a forceful trial lawyer on display, articulating the message of populism, talking about the greed in Washington.”  [MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 12/14/07]

NBC’s David Shuster: Edwards “Absolutely” Won; “the Person Who Has Been on the Change Bandwagon the Longest and Has Been Pushing It in the Economic Sense Is John Edwards.” Joe Scarborough: “Let’s talk first about John Edwards last night and his debate performance. We’re going to be talking to him in a minute. Did he win the debate last night?” David Shuster: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Edwards was passionate as he always is, but here’s one thing that is really important, Joe.  And that is, the more you hear the candidates talk about change, that’s just half of the equation. The other half of it in Iowa is this idea of economic progress. We went to Newton, Iowa - to the Maytag factory which had been closed.  And every single person we talk with there who is concerned about the economy says they are supporting John Edwards and they are committed.  And so the more you hear the candidates talking about well we need change, I think the person who has been on the change bandwagon the longest and has been pushing it in the economic sense is John Edwards.  And that does seem to be the issue that’s resonating right now.” [MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 12/14/07]

Newsweek’s Andrew Romano: “With the Most to Gain Today, John Edwards Probably ‘Gained’ the Most.” “I will, however, say this. With the most to gain today, John Edwards probably ‘gained’ the most. The media wants a two-way race between Obama and Clinton, and always has; it’s simply a cleaner narrative to write.  But after focusing for a full news cycle on what a Clinton surrogate said about Obama’s past drug use--and how the Obama campaign responded--reporters are suddenly ‘remembering’ (by virtue of seeing him on stage) that Edwards exists (and is still viable). Yesterday, no one was listening. Today, they are. With the spotlight shining down, Edwards delivered a laserbeam performance, emphasizing his core ‘people vs. the powerful’ message by repeating the word ‘corporate’ or ‘corporation’ 13 times over the course of 90 minutes. It was a savvy strategy. Clinton and Obama finished the debate exactly where they started--discussing drugs. Edwards got more attention than he’s had in weeks. I’d call that a win.” [Newsweek’s “Stumper,” 12/13/07 (https://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2007/12/13/live-blogging-the-iowa-democratic-debate.aspx)]

Politico.com’s Ben Smith: Edwards “Won High Marks from Undecided Voters.”  “Edwards, meanwhile, won high marks from undecided voters in cable network focus groups for answers that drew heavily, and often verbatim, from his stump speech. Asked about his New Year’s resolution, for instance, Edwards stayed right on message, resolving ‘to remember…that somewhere in America tonight a child will go to bed hungry.’” [Politico.com, 12/14/07 (https://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=D58896AD-3048-5C12-006169DB45AADA67)]

ABC’s “The Note”: Edwards “Probably Turned in the Best Performance.”  “It was former senator John Edwards, D-N.C., who may probably turned in the best performance, returning repeatedly to the I’ll-fight-for-you mantra he’s taking to caucus-goers. Edwards ‘was relentlessly on message, sounding strong, and making a very good case to keep this a three-person race.’”  [ABC News’ “The Note,” 12/14/07 (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3105288&page=1)]

TPM’s Greg Sargent: “Edwards Debate Performance Wows CNN and Fox Focus Groups.” “For all the fireworks between Hillary and Obama at the debate, it was John Edwards who most impressed the voters who were assembled by CNN and Fox News to gauge reaction…Meanwhile, ABC News’ Rick Klein kept an eye on the Fox News dial sessions with voters and says that Edwards’ answers repeatedly drove voter responses high up and off the charts.” [TPM Election Central, “Edwards Debate Performance Wows CNN And Fox Focus Groups,” 12/13/07 (https://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/edwards_debate_performance_wows_cnn_and_fox_focus_groups.php)]

The New Republic’s Noam Scheiber: “Edwards Was “as Crisp as Ever;” “If … You Were Tuning in for the First Time Today, You Could Easily Have Been Impressed with His Coherence and Forcefulness.”  In a post entitled “How Some of Us Got the Debate Wrong,” Noam Scheiber of The New Republic wrote, “Talking to other journalists after the debate, I got the impression that they weren’t so excited about Edwards’s performance. (That was true of me and Mike, too.) So a lot of us were surprised to hear the cable networks’ focus groups proclaim him the winner. But this may be one of those instances of political journalists being a horrible proxy for ordinary voters. It’s not that we in the media thought Edwards was lousy--to the contrary, most thought he was as crisp as ever. It’s just that all the material was pretty familiar. If, on the other hand, you were tuning in for the first time today, you could easily have been impressed with his coherence and forcefulness. The man is just a damn good trial lawyer. And the kinds of people he used to persuade in courtrooms are precisely the kinds of people who’ll decide the outcome of the caucuses.”  [The New Republic’s “The Stump,” (https://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_stump/default.aspx)]

CNN’s Donna Brazile: Edwards’ Moment Came While Talking About Standing with Workers at the Maytag Plant. CNN’s Donna Brazile said, “John Edwards gave a very consistent performance.  He talked about corporate greed.  He talked about fighting for the middle class. He was very specific.  I thought his moment came when he reminded the voters in Iowa that he was there in Newton when the Maytag plant closed.  That was a way of saying, ‘I know your pain, I’ve known you now for four years, Trust me, I’ll continue to fight for you.’”  [CNN, 12/13/07]

TIME’s Mark Halperin: “If Enough Iowa Democrats Watched the Debate, Vegas Harpies Would be Dumb as an Ear of Corn to Bet Too Much Against This Guy in the Caucuses.” “Grade: A- | Displayed with mechanized efficiency the same confidence and warm populism that he has nearly perfected on the campaign trail. Talked about his family’s working-class roots and the daily struggles of real Iowans with the silky polish of the world-class trial lawyer that he once was. If enough Iowa Democrats watched the debate, Vegas harpies would be dumb as an ear of corn to bet too much against this guy in the caucuses.”  [TIME’s “The Page,” 12/13/07 (https://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1694387_1694389,00.html)]

The Reviews Are In – Part 2: John Edwards At The Des Moines Register Debate

REVIEWS ARE IN – PART 2: DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

CNN Focus Group Declared Edwards the Winner.  A CNN focus group of 23 undecided registered Democrats in Iowa who watched the debate declared John Edwards the winner of the debate.   CNN’s Mary Snow: “Twenty-three registered Democrats came in here undecided.  We asked them who they felt performed the best in this debate and they concluded they felt that John Edwards performed the best, with Senator Clinton right behind him.  Now of course, this is unscientific, but also the other question posed to them.  If the election were held today, who would you vote for?  And in that question, John Edwards came in first, Senator Barack Obama second, and Senator Clinton came in third.” Those participating in the CNN dial group said they would vote for Edwards.  “If you were going to vote today, for whom would you vote?”:  Edwards 39%, Obama 26%, Clinton 22%. [CNN, 12/13/07]

CNN: Edwards’ Answer on Education Was One of Debate’s Strongest Moments. CNN’s Mary Snow: “Also when the candidates were talking about education, that really resonated with the people here in this room, 23 registered democrats who are undecided.  Take a look at how they responded when John Edwards was talking about his education plans.” Video of Edwards: “We need to radically change No Child Left Behind.  And if that doesn’t work, we should get rid of it.”  Snow: “Those were two of the strongest moments.”  [CNN, 12/13/07]

NBC's Chuck Todd: “Edwards Seemed To Do a Good Job of Talking to Iowans Specifically.” “Edwards seemed to do a good job of talking to Iowans specifically; he strikes me as being the John Edwards of late 2003; Could he be on a similar comeback trail that he experienced in '03 in Iowa? Time will tell.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/13/514795.aspx]

TIME’s Mark Halperin: Edwards “displayed with mechanized efficiency the same confidence and warm populism that he has nearly perfected on the campaign trail. Grade: A-” [https://thepage.time.com/excerpts-from-mark-halperins-debate-report-cards-2/]

CBS’ Vaughn Ververs: “If There Was a Winner, It May Have Been Edwards.” “If there was a winner, it may have been Edwards. His answers to almost every question hewed to his populist themes of sticking up for the disadvantaged and sticking it to corporate America. That should play well among Democrats in Iowa.” [https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/13/politics/horserace/entry3615380.shtml]

Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “One of the Most Gifted (if Not the Most Gifted) Debater on Any Stage.” [https://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/12/democratic_debate_winners_and_3.html] “John Edwards (First 45 minutes): Edwards is, without question, one of the most gifted (if not the most gifted) debater on any stage. And, for the first 45 minutes of the debate his populist ‘us versus them’ message really hit home. ‘Corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government,’ he said at one point; ‘You have to be willing to fight....I have been fighting these people and winning my entire life,’ he said at another.”

Bleeding Heartland Blog: “Edwards Did Indeed Win the Debate.” Chris Woods wrote, “I'm going to argue that John Edwards did indeed win the debate.  He articulated a coherent message that blamed corruption, greed, and entrenched interests for the problems America faces.  He also clearly told viewers that the only way to enact the policies and proposals that the candidates have promised is to elect a president that will unite America to stand up and fight back against these people.  His criticisms were constant, his answers honest, and his leadership potential was clear.  He told us how he is fighting for the middle class, and how he's the candidate to truly enact change.” [https://www.bleedingheartland.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=759]

Focus Group of Iowa Voters Declares Edwards the Winner.

Frank Luntz: “I want you to raise your hands if you walked in here with John Edwards as your first choice. One, two of you. How many of you thought John Edwards won the debate? [Majority of crowd raises hand.] What was it about John Edwards – you didn’t pick him – but what was it about John Edwards you thought stood out?”

“Very believable…He came in there with answers”: Democratic voter #1: “I had John Edwards coming in number three, and he was very believable, he didn’t beat around the bush, he talked about the strong interest groups that he’s been fighting for all the time, and he has a plan. He came in there with answers.”

“Refreshingly authentic…I was very moved”: Democratic voter #2: “I thought he was refreshingly authentic. I didn’t expect it and I was very moved by many of his words.”

“I was really moved”: Frank Luntz: “Susan, you weren’t an Edwards person when you walked in…” Democratic voter, Susan: “Edwards was my third choice when I walked in.” Luntz: “And yet you thought he won.”  “He was concise, he got to the point, he answered the questions without beating around the bush, and I was really moved when he talked about how he has worked all his life like David v. Goliath. That impressed me.”

“He was my third choice, now he is my first”: Democratic voter #4: “That was my line exactly. Authenticity, number one. I think he would go after the corporations that are causing much of the trouble in the world today. He was my third choice, now he is my first.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]

Iowa Focus Group Gave Edwards’ Answers Two of Their Best Scores.  Frank Luntz said about a focus group of Iowa voters watching the debate: “Well, the Democrats, and this has been consistent from when we started, the Democrats are happier with their candidates today than the Republicans were with their candidates yesterday, and so it's very tough to choose the top dial scores - John Edwards had two of them.”

Edwards’ Answer on Education Was a “Homerun, But It Goes Even Higher When He Gets Specific.” Luntz: “Remember that our yellow lines, our gold lines, those are [liberals], the blue lines are moderates – the higher the lines go the more favorable the reaction. Edwards had begun this clip talking about education and it was a homerun, but it goes even higher when he gets specific, let's take a look.  [JRE answer] He is off the charts.”

“When He Is Talking About Health Care, Middle-Class Tax Cuts. ..These Lines, at Certain Points, They Can't Get Higher Than That.” Luntz: “When he is talking about health care, middle-class tax cuts. ..these lines, at certain points, they can't get higher than that. John Edwards also did a clip on education; let's roll that second clip. Again, it was not just the generalities and the principles. When Edwards talked about exactly what he was going to do, it scored as well as anything we have tested in the debates.  [JRE answer] Once again, he’s off the charts. The Edwards language was very effective today on all these issues, because he had passion, he had focus, and as our participants said, he had a beginning, middle and an end. Very impressive.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]

The Reviews Are In: John Edwards At The Des Moines Register Debate

REVIEWS ARE IN: DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

Focus Group of Iowa Voters Declares Edwards the Winner. Fox News’ focus group of Democrats in Iowa watching the debate declared Edwards the winner of the debate. Luntz: “I want you to raise your hands if you walked in here with John Edwards as your first choice. One, two of you. How many of you thought John Edwards won the debate? [Majority of crowd raises hand.] What was it about John Edwards – you didn’t pick him – but what was it about John Edwards you thought stood out?” Democratic voter: “I had John Edwards coming in number three, and he was very believable, he didn’t beat around the bush, he talked about the strong interest groups that he’s been fighting for all the time, and he has a plan. He came in there with answers.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]
Mark Halperin’s Debate Grades: “Edwards A-“
Edwards A-
Obama A-
Clinton B+
Richardson B+
Biden B-
Dodd C
[https://thepage.time.com/2007/12/13/game-on-7/]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Though Wins On My Scorecards.”  “3:25 pm ET: Edwards though wins on my scorecards -- he was relentlessly on message, sounding strong, and making a very good case to keep this a three-person race.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]
Des Moines Register: “He’s Good;” Praised Edwards’ Answer on New Year’s Resolution. Edwards' strength | Posted 12/13/2007 2:19 PM CST | “‘Somewhere in America tonight, a child will go to bed hungry.’ said Edwards. ‘Somewhere in America today...a father will lose his job.’ All of us are going to be just fine, he said of fellow candidates. ‘What's at stake is whether America is going to be just fine.’ He's good.” [https://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=6aa49eec18864cf1814cf819f68a476d&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a6aa49eec18864cf1814cf819f68a476dPost%3a89009a41-e7af-49f7-8011-9e960abb4fad&sid=sitelife.desmoinesregister.com]

Fox News’ Major Garrett: “Edwards: Looks Crisp and Confident and Has Clearly Honed His Populist Message.” “Edwards: Looks crisp and confident and has clearly honed his populist message about the role of corporate influence on American political life, his line ‘corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government,’ will stand as one of the punchiest of the day and crystallizes his campaign theme. His fumbling of his desire that this generation leave the nation in better shape than it was found left a humanizing and humorous feeling in the air.”
[https://bourbonroom.blogs.foxnews.com/2007/12/13/democratic-debate-impressions/]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Is ‘Driven in [His] Gut.’ Once Again, He Brings It Back to a Clear, Concise Message.” “3:22 pm ET: Edwards is ‘driven in [his] gut.’ Once again, he brings it back to a clear, concise message.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]
Marc Ambinder: “But Who Did Best?... On Balance, Clinton and Edwards.” “But who did best?... On balance, Clinton and Edwards.... Why them, and not Obama? Because Clinton and Edwards repeatedly wove their answers into a larger argument…. Almost every other phrase out of John Edwards’s mouth contained the words “corporate power..” or “entrenched interests.” And Edwards wasn’t aggressive.” [https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/12/democratic_debate_first_take.php]

Fred Barnes: I Thought One Person Did Well: John Edwards. “I thought one person actually did well, and that’s John Edwards and you know why? Because he relentlessly stuck to the same point. He got it across- that the biggest problem in America is corporate power and greed.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]
ABC’s Rick Klein: Fox Dialers Love Edwards’ Message “Join Together to Take This Democracy and Take This Country Back.” “3:02 pm ET: Here's Edwards shooting broad once again – ‘join together to take this democracy and take this country back.’ At least the fourth time he's sounded that theme -- if you're an angry Iowan, you've got to love that message. And the Fox dialers certainly do.”
[https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann: “He Knows His Iowa Audience.” 2:43 PM “Edwards named the closing of the Maytag plant in Newton as the ultimate illustration of how corporate America is hurting the middle class. It was an emotional and much-publicized event for plant workers here in Iowa, prompting cathartic displays such as the public demolition of a washing machine. Edwards visited Newton, Iowa, the week of the plant's closing. The crowd hit hardest by the factory buyout is the one with which Edwards' anti-corporate populism resonates the most. He knows his Iowa audience.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/13/514608.aspx]

ABC’s Rick Klein: Fox Dialers “Have Been Friendly to Edwards.”  “2:53 pm ET: Two-thirds of the way through now, roughly, I don't see this contributing significantly to the campaign's storylines. The Fox dial tests have been friendly to Edwards and Obama, if that means anything.”
[https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

TAPPED’s Dana Goldstein: “Edwards Is Great On Education.” “Edwards Is Great On Education:” “I'm always impressed with John Edwards' discussions of education policy during these debates. He begins with the importance of early childhood interventions, he criticizes NCLB while holding out hope it can be reformed, and he highlights the privileges suburban schools enjoy that rural and inner city schools lack. He circles back to discuss free college tuition for qualified high school graduates.”
[https://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=12&year=2007&base_name=edwards_is_great_on_education#103180]

ABC’s Rick Klein: Edwards “Quite Literally off the Charts with That Answer About the Tax System Being Rigged.”  “2:11 pm ET: Fox News is doing running dial-testing -- and John Edwards is quite literally off the charts with that answer about the tax system being rigged.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]
ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Is Looking Strong Today.”  “2:25 pm ET: Edwards: ‘What makes America America is at risk.’ ‘We need to take them on.’ Edwards is looking strong today.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

New York Times’ Katharine Q. Seelye: Edwards’ Catchy Line: Americans “Should Be Patriotic About Something Other Than War.” “2:44 p.m. | Catchy Line Mr. Edwards has a nice line that he uses all the time, but it’s still catchy: that Americans ‘should be patriotic about something other than war.’”
[https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/live-blogging-the-democratic-debate-4/]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards is Making Just About Every Response About His Fight-the-Establishment Message.” “2:41 pm ET: Edwards is making just about every response about his fight-the-establishment message. He's good at hitting a message over and over -- often what you need to do in a debate that doesn't have major highlights.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

Elizabeth Edwards Joins John Edwards At Today's Des Moines Register Debate

ELIZABETH, BOBBIE AND WALLACE EDWARDS JOIN JOHN EDWARDS AT TODAY'S DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

Des Moines, Iowa - Today, Senator John Edwards is participating in The Des Moines Register Democratic Presidential Debate, and is joined by his wife, Elizabeth Edwards and his parents, Bobbie and Wallace Edwards, who will be in the audience.  Edwards is running for president on behalf of his father and the men and women who worked with him in the mills.  Edwards believes every American should have the opportunity to work hard and build a better life for their family.

Bobbie, a retired postal worker, and Wallace, a former mill worker, worked hard to provide their children with a better life and instilled in Edwards the values of hard work and perseverance that continue to guide him today. With the support of his parents, the community and through his hard work, Edwards became the first in his family to go to college, and was able to achieve success.  He believes that every child in America should be given the same opportunities to succeed that he had.

Thursday's debate, sponsored by Iowa Public Television and The Des Moines Register, is being broadcast on CNN, C-SPAN3, Fox News Channel, C-SPAN Radio and Fox News Radio.

Des Moines Register Debate John Edwards Photo

Edwards Campaign Announces Ten New Offices In Iowa

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES TEN NEW OFFICES AND POSTS SIGNS IN EACH ONE HIGHLIGHTING STAND AGAINST PAC AND WASHINGTON LOBBYIST MONEY
Edwards is the ONLY Candidate Who Has Never Taken a Dime from PACs and Washington Lobbyists in His Life

Des Moines, Iowa – Today, building on John Edwards' growing strength in Iowa, the Edwards campaign announced ten new offices across the state that have opened in recent weeks.  In addition, the campaign is posting signs at each location highlighting that the offices are not paid for by PAC or Washington lobbyist contributions – and that John Edwards is the ONLY candidate who has never taken a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists ever. 

Today is the second day of Edwards eight day Iowa bus tour aboard the "Main Street Express" – which has a sign on the back which reads: "Not Fueled by PAC or Washington Lobbyists – EVER."

“Our campaign is continuing to gain strength in Iowa – based on the support of regular Americans, not lobbyists and special interests,” said Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the campaign’s Iowa state director.  “We continue to open offices, sign up supporters and aggressively reach out to undecided caucus goers in all 99 counties.  We want every Iowan to know heading into caucus night that John Edwards is the only candidate in this race who has never taken a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists.  When he’s president, he won’t be looking out for special interests – just the interests of the American people.”

In recent weeks, the Edwards campaign has opened ten new offices, bringing the total number of offices in Iowa to 25.  Edwards is committed to reaching out to caucus goers in every county in Iowa. He is the only candidate to visit and take questions from Iowans in all 99 counties twice.

The new offices are in Algona, Decorah, Fairfield, Grinnell, Keokuk, Maquoketa, Marshalltown, Muscatine, Newton, and Spirit Lake.  A full listing of Senator Edwards' offices is available online at https://www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa/Offices

Text of the signs:
NOT Paid for by PACs or Washington Lobbyist Money – EVER
Only one candidate has never taken a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists.

Edwards Launches New Ad Featuring The Faces Of South Carolina

EDWARDS LAUNCHES NEW AD FEATURING THE FACES OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Campaign launches its fourth commercial, "Heroes,” in South Carolina, highlighting South Carolina's hardworking men and women

Columbia, South Carolina – In the newest South Carolina ad, “Heroes,” Senator John Edwards reaffirms his commitment to honoring and fighting for America’s true heroes – the working men and women of South Carolina. The ad features footage of Edwards speaking at a campaign event interspersed with images of hardworking Americans – including plant worker Mike Evatt of Seneca, Dr. James Blassingame of Sumter and soul food restaurant owner Martha Grant.

“If you're looking for heroes, don’t look to me,” Edwards says in the ad. “Don’t look to Elizabeth. We have support. We have health care. We have the American people behind us. Look to them. They are the ones who we speak for. They are the ones that we stand up for.  It is time for our party, the Democratic Party, to show a little backbone, to have a little guts.  To stand up for working men and women. If we are not their voice, they will never have a voice.”

The launch of this ad builds on Edwards’ growing momentum in South Carolina. Edwards leads Democratic candidates in both campaign stops and money raised in the Palmetto state. Edwards became the first Democratic candidate to launch television ads in South Carolina with his first ad, “American Jobs, America’s Workers” which aired in November. Since then,the campaign has aired two additional ads, including a special Thanksgiving Day message and “Born,” which highlights Edwards’ South Carolina roots and features him outside his childhood home in Seneca, South Carolina. The latest ad, “Heroes,” features hardworking Americans from across South Carolina from Seneca to McClellanville, Columbia to Georgetown.

Last week, Edwards traveled to his hometown of Seneca with his parents, Bobbie and Wallace to visit his childhood home and open the new Oconee County Democratic Headquarters. Later in the day, Edwards addressed 1,000 newly registered voters at his father's high school alma mater, Walhalla High School, before attending the Charleston County Women's Democratic Holiday Party.

A full transcript of the script for the “Heroes” ad is included below.

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Full Transcript of Ad:
If you're looking for heroes, don’t look to me. Don’t look to Elizabeth. We have support. We have health care. We have the American people behind us.
Look to them. They are the ones who we speak for. They are the ones that we stand up for.
And Elizabeth and I decided, in the quiet of a hospital room, after 12 hours of tests and after getting very bad news, what we were going to spend our lives doing, for all those that have no voice.
We’re not going to quietly go away. Instead we’re going to go out and fight for what it is we believe in.
It is time for our party, the Democratic Party, to show a littlebackbone, to have a little guts. To stand up for working men and women. If we are not their voice they will never have a voice.
I'm John Edwards and I approve this message.