2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Edwards Launches 60-second Spot In Iowa Entitled “Heroes”

Edwards launches 60-second spot in Iowa entitled “Heroes” on Thursday, as part of seven-day “American Heroes Week”

Des Moines, Iowa – The campaign’s first major television buy, a 60-second spot entitled “Heroes,” begins airing in Iowa today. In the ad, Edwards reaffirms his commitment to stand up and fight for America’s true heroes – the working men and women of our country. The full ad can be viewed here: http://www.johnedwards.com/iowa.

The launch of the ad will kick-off “American Heroes Week,” where for seven days Edwards will travel to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and New Orleans to focus on the real heroes of America, including America’s workers, the people of New Orleans, teachers, veterans, soldiers and our first responders.

MSNBC Democratic Debate in Philadelphia – John Edwards Reviews Pile In

REVIEWS PILE ON: EDWARDS MOST EFFECTIVE AND ARTICULATE CHALLENGER TO CLINTON

TIME’s Mark Halperin Gave Edwards’ Debate Performance an “A”; Edwards “Came Across As Presidential, Optimistic and Patriotic — Essential for a Winner.” “Impressively he remained above the Clinton-Obama fray (no "look at me" antics) but swept in to best them while the media waited for the pair to duke it out. Calm and cool, he went after Clinton on (let's face it) character, and only occasionally seemed to be trying too hard. Hit both his Democratic and Republican targets with acute precision and impact. Appeared tough enough to perform well in a general election, with the kind of articulate passion he formerly demonstrated in the courtroom. Came across as presidential, optimistic and patriotic - essential for a winner.” [http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1678242_1678241,00.html, 10/31/07]

David Yepsen: “John Edwards Emerged As the Evening’s Most Effective and Articulate Challenger to Clinton.” In a blog post titled, “Johnny Be Good,” Yepsen wrote, “John Edwards emerged as the evening’s most effective and articulate challenger to Clinton.  She turned in an uneven, sometimes waffling performance…Edwards came ready for the scrap and he helped his candidacy.” [Des Moines Register, 10/30/07 (http://blogs.dmregister.com/?cat=33]

New York Times: Obama “Was Frequently Overshadowed by Former Senator John Edwards.”  “But for all the attention Mr. Obama drew to himself coming into the debate, he was frequently overshadowed by former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, who — speaking more intensely and frequently — repeatedly challenged Mrs. Clinton’s credentials and credibility. ‘Senator Clinton says that she believes she can be the candidate for change, but she defends a broken system that’s corrupt in Washington, D.C.,’ Mr. Edwards said. ‘She says she will end the war, but she continues to say she’ll keep combat troops in Iraq and continue combat missions in Iraq. To me, that’s not ending the war; that’s the continuation of the war.’ He added, ‘I think the American people, given this historic moment in our country’s history, deserve a president of the United States that they know will tell them the truth, and won’t say one thing one time and something different at a different time.’” [New York Times, 10/31/07 (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/us/politics/31debate.html)]

ABC’s George Stephanopoulos: “I Think It Was a Good Night for John Edwards.  I Think One of His Best Nights of These Debates So Far.” George Stephanopoulos: “I think it was a good night for John Edwards.  I think one of his best nights of these debates so far.  He was very, very clear.  He didn’t back down at all. He knew exactly what he wanted to say about Hillary Clinton, again, that she can’t bring about change.” [ABC, “Good Morning America,” 10/31/07]

CQ’s Craig Crawford: “I Thought It Was Edwards’ Best Performance So Far.” On MSNBC: Chris Matthews: “Who was ready to be her number one challenger between now and January?”… Craig Crawford: “I thought it was Edwards’ best performance so far.” Crawford later wrote, ““John Edwards was truly passionate about taking on Clinton, targeting her centrist views as ‘doubletalk’ and accusing her of falling in line with hawkish ‘neo-conservatives’ on Iran. Indeed, it was the former North Carolina senator’s most forceful debate performance so far.” [MSNBC, 10/30/07; http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2007/10/clinton-as-debate-target-reaff.html, 10/31/07]

The Nation’s Ari Melber: “John Edwards Had the Strongest Showing.”  “John Edwards had the strongest showing, pounding Clinton as the status quo candidate. ‘If you believe that combat missions should be continued in Iraq [with no timetable],’ he said, ‘then Senator Clinton is your candidate.’ Edwards repeatedly presented himself as the most credible ‘change’ candidate.”  [http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=247326, “Edwards & Obama Confront Clinton In Dem Debate...” 10/30/07]

Daily Kos Readers Declared Edwards the Winner.  According to the Daily Kos poll following the debate, “Who do you think won the debate,” John Edwards led the pack with 33% of the 8,588 votes cast, followed by Obama at 21%, and Clinton at 16%.  [http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/30/224542/32, accessed 9:04 a.m. on 10/31/07]

CBS’s Jeff Greenfield: “It Was Former Senator John Edwards Who Used the Toughest Language” On Iran. “But it was former Senator John Edwards who used the toughest language, at one point reacting with incredulity to her claim that a vote to brand the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as terrorists was a way of opposing the president.” [“The Early Show,” CBS, 10/31/07]

The Nation’s John Nichols: Edwards “Ended the Night as the Candidate Who Had Done the Best Job of Defining Himself as the Alternative to Hillary Clinton.” “It wasn't just a fight about Iran, however. Edwards hit hard, and effectively, on every front. After detailing the front-runner's contributions from defense contractors and other corporate interests, he said. ‘If people want the status quo, Senator Clinton's your candidate.’ That's tough talk. Blunt talk. The sort of talk that Barack Obama seemed to suggest that he was going to deliver Tuesday night. But it came from John Edwards, who ended the night as the candidate who had done the best job of defining himself as the alternative to Hillary Clinton.” [http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?bid=15; http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20071031/cm_thenation/15247313, 10/30/07]

The Nation’s John Nichols: “Edwards, Not Obama, Hits Clinton Hardest, Smartest.”  “It was supposed to be the night Barack Obama took Hillary Clinton down.  But, when all was said and done, Obama was a bystander…Where Obama was unfocused and ineffectual, John Edwards landed plenty of blows. The former senator from North Carolina began by suggesting that ‘it's fair’ to talk about essential differences between the candidates. Then he highlighted a big one. ‘(Clinton) says she'll stand up to George Bush,’ argued Edwards. "In fact, she voted to give George W. Bush the first step to war on Iran...’… It was a smart, at times intense dialogue…But Edwards owned the moment. Accusing Clinton of voting for an Iran resolution that read like it was ‘written literally by the neo-cons,’ the 2004 vice presidential nominee declared, ‘We need to stand up to this president. We need to make it absolutely clear that we will not let Bush, Cheney and this administration invade Iran.’”  [http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?bid=15; http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20071031/cm_thenation/15247313, 10/30/07]

NBC’s Tim Russert: “Edwards Was More Aggressive, More on the Offense than Barack Obama.”
Meredith Viera: “So did Edwards emerge?” Tim Russert: “I think Edwards emerged as the most aggressive candidate against Hillary Clinton…But clearly, looking at their performance last night, Edwards was more aggressive, more on the offense than Barack Obama.”  [NBC’s “Today Show,” 10/31/07]

Marc Ambinder: “John Edwards’s Instruments of Persuasion Were Sharper and Louder.” “In this discordant symphony – ‘A Clintonian Lament’ -- John Edwards’s instruments of persuasion were sharper and louder; Barack Obama’s were more resonant and more subtle.  In music terms, Edwards played the French horn; Obama played the violin. Or, as the New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza told me during a commercial break, ‘It’s the difference between someone who goes to law school and becomes a prosecutor and someone who goes to law school and becomes a law professor.’” [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/10/obbidoddwardsson_versus_hillar.php, 10/30/07]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Still Seems Better, Though, at Finding Compelling Ways to Set Himself Apart.” “11:05 pm ET: Rick Klein wrapping it up -- Hillary Clinton gave a truly bad answer at the end, on illegal immigration, one that feeds the argument Obama and Edwards were making all night. Did Obama clear the bar he set for himself? Probably yes, but not with much room to spare. Edwards still seems better, though, at finding compelling ways to set himself apart. And other surprises -- how about Joe Biden taking on Rudy Giuliani? Is he the new George W. Bush, in terms of punching-bag status?” [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/10/live-blogging-2.html, 10/30/07]

NBC's Domenico Montanaro: “Clinton Blurring the Lines AGAIN, Now on Illegal Immigrant Driver's Licenses… Edwards Called Her on It.” “Is Clinton blurring the lines AGAIN, now on illegal immigrant driver's licenses. She said the plan makes sense, but can't commit apparently. She said she didn't say she supports the plan, when Dodd said she did. Russert tried to pin her on it, and she obfuscated again. Edwards called her on it, evoking Bush-Cheney, saying Americans were tired of ‘double talk.’ Obama nodded and got called on and he got to chime in as well. Does this become a problem for her? Can she directly answer a question?”  [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/30/439655.aspx, “Clinton having it both ways... again?” 10/30/07]

The Politico’s Ben Smith: “John Edwards Kept Up the Pressure Most Skillfully on Clinton… Drove His Point Home When She Refused to Say Whether She Supports” Spitzer’s Plan.  “John Edwards kept up the pressure most skillfully on Clinton, putting his courtroom skills to use to build a case, at times mockingly, against the New York senator … Edwards drove his point home when she refused to say whether she supports New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to give drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants.” [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6633.html, 10/31/07]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “It's Rare That a Highlight Comes This Late in a Debate, But Edwards Picks up on That Inconsistency On Immigration.”  “10:56 pm ET: It's rare that a highlight comes this late in a debate, but Edwards picks up on that inconsistency on immigration: ‘Sen. Clinton said two different things in the course of about two minutes.’ Obama: ‘I was confused on Sen. Clinton's answer.’ And Obama calls the Spitzer plan ‘the right idea.’”[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/10/live-blogging-2.html, 10/30/07]

CNN’s Candy Crowley: Edwards “Stepped Up His Game.” Appearing on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, Candy Crowley said, “John Edwards, who has never been shy about going after the frontrunner, stepped up his game, questioning her candor.” [CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” 10/30/07]

CQ’s Craig Crawford: “I thought Edwards made a good point when he said Republicans talk about you so much, because they want to run against you.” [MSNBC, 10/31/07] 

MSNBC Democratic Debate in Philadelphia – John Edwards Reviews Are In

MSNBC Democratic Debate in Philadelphia – Reviews Are In

NBC's Domenico Montanaro: “Edwards Came Back Stronger” Against Clinton on Iran. “But Edwards came back stronger, taking the liberal mantle. He said does any of this sound familiar. This was ‘literally in the language of the neo-cons.’ How is this Democrats standing up and saying no. That was impassioned and a strong response. Tries to show himself as the clear, sharp alternative. This is wedging going on. He might be elbowing Obama out of the way on this issue. His, albeit reasonable, but tepid answer on this, just wasn't grabbing the spotlight.” [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/30/439181.aspx, “Iran - who stands out,” 10/30/07]

New York Times’ Katharine Q. Seelye: Edwards Is “Making His Case Very Clearly to the Jury.”  “John Edwards’ experience as a trial lawyer shows, making his case very clearly to the jury. He suggests that Mrs. Clinton voted for the Iran resolution because she was moving from primary mode to general election mode. ‘Our responsibility should be in tell-the-truth mode,’ he said. Mrs. Clinton calls this a semantic difference.” [http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/live-blogging-the-democratic-debate-3/ , “Tell-the-Truth Mode,” 10/30/07]

Politico’s Ben Smith: Edwards Made the “Sharpest” Argument of the Evening on Iran.  Regarding the first half of the debate, Ben Smith wrote, “Edwards closed with his best argument, and the sharpest of the evening so far: If President Bush invades Iran in six months, ‘Are we going to hear, 'If only I’d known then what I know now ...’” [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1007/Semantics.html, “Semantics,” 10/30/07]

Marc Ambinder: “Edwards, so far, Has Made the Clearest Contrasts.” 9:20: “Edwards, so far, has made the clearest contrasts, but Obama has his paintbrush out too.” [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/10/the_story_so_far_the_entire_fi.php, 10/30/07]

NBC's Chuck Todd: “Connected the Dots That Some Thought Obama Would Connect re: the Iran Issue. Early on, He's a Better Job of Drawing Distinctions with Clinton than Obama.” “Edwards just connected the dots that some thought Obama would connect re: the Iran issue. Early on, he's doing a better job of drawing distinctions with Clinton than Obama. Dropping ‘neo-con’ a few times in his response on Iran was a smart way to alert Democrats of his opposition. For the true activists, ‘neo con’ is a four-letter, um, phrase.”[http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/30/439182.aspx, “Edwards Puts Clinton On Side Of The ‘Neo-Cons’,” 10/30/07]

Marc Ambinder: “This Column Agrees With Chuck Todd.”  [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/10/this_column_agrees_with_chuck.php, 10/30/07]

Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “Edwards Shines Against Clinton.”  “So far in the debate, Obama has been one-upped by Edwards when it comes to challenging Clinton directly but that doesn't mean the Illinois Senator hasn't scored points of his own.”  [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/10/edwards_shines_against_clinton.html, “Edwards Shines Against Clinton, Obama Scores on His Background ,” 10/30/2007]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Another Good Edwards Line: ‘If People Want the Status Quo, Than They Want Sen. Clinton.’” [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/10/live-blogging-2.html, 9:50pm, 10/30/07]

Marc Ambinder: “Edwards Gets In A Good Line On Lieberman-Kyl.” “So… to put pressure on the Bush Administration is ... to vote yes on a resolution that [looked as if it] was written by the neocons? Has anyone read this thing?” [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/10/edwards_gets_in_a_good_line_on.php, 10/30/07]

The Hotline’s “On Call” Asked, “Edwards, The real Rocky?;” Said Edwards Was “Well Prepared.” “Seeking to draw attention away from the teased Obama/Clinton showdown, a well prepared and dogged Edwards says that Clinton refuses to impose a timetable on troop withdrawal in Iraq. He, on the other hand, will get combat troops out of Iraq by the end of his first year in office. There is, he said, ‘a clear difference’ between his position and Hillary's.” [http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/10/edwards_the_rea.html, “Edwards, The real Rocky?” “10/30/07]

NBC's Chuck Todd: “The Spin Tonight May Be, Obama Backed Down a Tad, While Edwards Decided to Fill the Vacuum.” “Edwards seems to be the one looking the opportunities to hit Clinton hard. Obama's hitting her, but not like Edwards. If the NYT interview hadn't happened this weekend with Obama, the spin on this first 40 minutes would be: Edwards stepping up his attempts to create a contrast with Clinton while Obama sits back hoping he benefits from the negative fallout. But because of the hype of the NYT interview, the spin tonight may be, Obama backed down a tad, while Edwards decided to fill the vacuum.” [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/30/439269.aspx, “It's Edwards v. Clinton... Again?” 10/30/07]

TAPPED’s Dana Goldstein: “‘Obama on the Attack’ Meme Was All Hype. Edwards, on the Other Hand Is… Talking About the ‘Clear Choice’ between the Candidates.” “So far, it's looking like the ‘Obama on the attack’ meme was all hype. Edwards, on the other hand, is doing what he's done in all these events, talking about the ‘clear choice’ between the candidates. He promises to end all combat operations in Iraq, and Clinton responds that she supports only a ‘very limited mission’ of Special Operations forces to ‘engage’ Al Qaeda in Iraq. She also wants American troops to continue to train Iraqi police. Edwards is really kicking, quoting the New York Times explaining Hillary's Kyl-Lieberman vote as a shift from primary to ‘general election mode.’ He says, ‘Our responsibility as presidential candidates is to be in 'tell the truth mode' all the time. We should not be saying something different in the primary than in the general election.’” [http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=10&year=2007&base_name=what_about_iraqb#030875, 10/30/07]

TAPPED’s Garance Franke-Ruta: Edwards “Takes More Effective, or at Least Cleanly Articulated” Contrast with Clinton. “Brian Williams wastes no time getting down to business, asking Barack Obama about his recent criticisms of Hillary Clinton. Obama responds nervously, with some sports story that neither I nor Dana got (go women's vote!) and making a stream of accusations against Clinton, including a slightly confused story about her Iraq war vote, when it sounded like he meant her Iran war vote. Clinton responds clearly and cleanly. John Edwards takes a more effective, or at least cleanly articulated, swipe next.” [http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=10&year=2007&base_name=opening_salvos#030870, 10/30/07]

NBC's Domenico Montanaro: “Edwards Is More Sharper, Clearer on” Differences with Clinton; Edwards “Has Been the One to Capitalize on” Questions in the Debate. “Maybe it's not in his personality. Maybe it's about 2012 or 2016. Maybe it's Iowa Nice. But Obama just doesn't seem like he either can or wants to be direct on Clinton instead of continuing to talk about himself. Edwards is more sharper, clearer on these differences. It's interesting, but Edwards' campaign points out all of the things he has been first on, but others have gotten the attention for. Seems to me tonight, that Obama -- by virtue of answering the question first perhaps -- has brought something up first, but Edwards has been the one to capitalize on it.” [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/30/439255.aspx, “Obama's lack of directness,”10/30/07]

TAPPED’s Dana Goldstein: “Edwards Is Quite Right Here to Revise His ‘Two Americas’ Line In Describing Our Education System.”  “Hillary and Edwards both give a plug to early childhood education, while Edwards is quite right here to revise his ‘two Americas’ line in describing our education system, one for the affluent, and one for the poor.” [http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=10&year=2007&base_name=the_education_debate#030885, “The Education Debate,” 10/30/07]

TAPPED’s Garance Franke-Ruta: “Edwards Makes a Nice -- and Original -- Point Tying Outsourcing of American Jobs to the Influx of Poison Chinese Toys. I Haven't Heard That Argument Before.”  [http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=10&year=2007&base_name=outsourcing_the_toys#030883, “Outsourcing the Toys,” 10/30/07]

Edwards Unveils "Hunting And Fishing Bill Of Rights And Responsibilities"

EDWARDS UNVEILS “HUNTING AND FISHING BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES”
Announces Iowa Sportsmen and Sportswomen for Edwards Committee

Glenwood, Iowa – Today, as Senator John Edwards kicks off a four-day tour focused on supporting Iowa families and Iowa values, he unveiled a “Hunting and Fishing Bill of Rights and Responsibilities” to protect Iowa’s hunting and fishing tradition and to ensure that we protect our country’s natural resources for future generations. 

“Growing up in small, rural towns, I learned early that America has been blessed with a wealth of natural resources,” said Edwards. “Just as it is our right to enjoy America’s forests, mountains, fields and streams, it is also our responsibility to protect them for generations to come. But the Bush Administration has waged war on the environment, putting corporate interests ahead of our natural heritage at every turn. It’s time to reverse this destruction and renew our commitment to protecting our natural treasures.”

The Edwards campaign also announced Iowa Sportsmen and Sportswomen for Edwards – comprised of more than 350 Iowans who share Edwards’ commitment to protecting and nourishing the important traditions of hunting and fishing.

Edwards is committed to listening to the concerns and standing up for the values of regular, hard-working Iowa families from across the state. During this trip, Edwards will reach a major milestone in his campaign: having visited and answered questions from Iowans in all 99 Iowa counties.

Edwards grew up in small, rural towns where he spent time outdoors, hunted, fished and learned to appreciate our nation’s natural resources.  He believes all Americans have a right to enjoy these resources and share a responsibility to protect them.  His “Hunting and Fishing Bill of Rights and Responsibilities” outlines five principles for access to public lands, gun rights, conservation, and safe, healthy fishing.

Improve Access to Public and Recreational Lands.  Because too often Americans are unable to enjoy America’s natural places and wildlife, Edwards will support “Open Fields” programs that encourage private landowners to let people hunt and fish on their land. He also supports setting up regional Public Access Councils to give local sportspeople a voice in land management and, instead of opening up backcountry for logging and drilling the way President Bush has done, Edwards will work to preserve our roadless backcountry.

Protect the Tradition of Responsible Gun Ownership.  Edwards hunted when he was young and grew up in rural areas where owning a gun was part of a way of life.  He respects that way of life and believes that we can do two things at once: protect gun rights and promote gun safety.

Preserve Access to Clean, Healthy Water for Fishing.  Edwards will restore the Clean Water Act’s authority over all our nation’s waters and fight mercury pollution in our fish by requiring power plants to reduce their emissions.

Secure our Natural Heritage for Future Generations. Edwards will get the Bureau of Land Management back in the business of protecting our public land instead of working for the oil and gas industry. He will re-invest in the National Park system and work to protect our habitats from invasive species that are skyrocketing in part because of foreign imports that the current administration isn’t willing to regulate.

Expect Citizens to Share Responsibility for Stewardship. Edwards will create new ways for regular Americans to take responsibility for conserving America’s natural treasures. He will help private landowners protect their land through the Conservation Reserve Program and will create an Outdoor Career Corps to train young people for jobs in conservation or park rangers. Finally, when national parks need to cull their game species because of over-population, Edwards supports saving taxpayers millions by having local hunters, instead of paid sharpshooters, do the job.

Edwards To Complete Visits To All 99 Iowa Counties During Four-Day Tour Of Iowa

EDWARDS TO COMPLETE VISITS TO ALL 99 IOWA COUNTIES DURING FOUR-DAY TOUR OF IOWA
Milestone Reflects Commitment to Answering Questions, Standing Up for Regular Iowans

Des Moines, Iowa – On Saturday, October 27th, 2007, the final day of a four-day tour across Iowa to support Iowa families and Iowa values, Senator John Edwards will reach a major milestone in his campaign: having visited and answered questions from Iowans in all 99 Iowa counties.  Edwards will celebrate this milestone at a “99 County, 50 State Path to Victory” event in Des Moines on Saturday evening.

“I am proud that I will have visited and taken questions from caucus goers in all of Iowa’s 99 counties,” said Edwards.  “I have been able to listen to the concerns of regular, hard-working Iowans from across the state.  I am committed to being a voice for regular Americans, whether they live in the biggest city or the smallest town.  I am also committed to competing and winning in all 99 counties and all 50 states.  Americans from every part of the country need a president who will listen to them and fight for them.”

Saturday’s milestone will be the latest in a series of recent victories for the campaign and adds to the momentum growing behind Edwards in recent weeks. Earlier this month, for example, Edwards won the endorsement of the Iowa Service Employees International Union and 10 other SEIU state councils representing more than one million workers.  Building on the campaign’s grassroots momentum, today the Edwards campaign launched an Iowa Online Action Center so Iowans have the chance to help Edwards change America from the comfort of their own home. The Iowa Action Center empowers Iowans to:

• Join the campaign, supporter groups, and mobile list
• Take action online by inviting friends to join the campaign
• Submit letters to the editor
• Write a testimonial about why they are supporting Edwards
• Read more about Edwards’ plans for our country

The Iowa Action Center is part of the campaign’s effort to build grassroots organizations in all 99 counties.  The Edwards campaign is on track to be the first campaign to announce steering committees in every county.  The campaign has also announced County Chairs and Rural County Chairs in all 99 counties.

Tomorrow, Edwards will start his trip to Iowa by announcing his plans to protect the hunting and fishing tradition.  During the trip, he will also deliver a major policy address in Des Moines, and hold numerous community meetings around the state to take questions from regular Iowans on important issues.

Edwards Receives Support Of Iowa Postal Workers Union

EDWARDS RECEIVES SUPPORT OF IOWA POSTAL WORKERS UNION
Union Votes Overwhelmingly to Endorse Edwards as the Strongest Candidate to Win the Election and Help Working Americans

Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Postal Workers Union, representing more than 3,000 workers in all 99 counties, today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president. The union’s executive board voted at their fall meeting in Bettendorf to support Edwards because they know he will stand up for hard-working families and is the strongest candidate to win the White House. The Iowa Postal Workers Union is the statewide branch of the AFL-CIO-affiliated American Postal Workers Union.

"I am honored to receive the support of the Iowa Postal Workers Union," said Edwards. "My mother worked in the postal service, so I know firsthand the values and hard work that this union stands for. Postal workers play a critical role in the day-to-day life of our country and they deserve our gratitude.  I look forward to joining with the Iowa Postal Workers Union to bring about the big, bold change America desperately needs.”

"We are proud to endorse John Edwards for president because of his unparalleled commitment to strengthening America’s workers and helping them organize across the country," said Iowa Postal Workers President Bruce Clark.  "For too long, Washington has ignored working Americans and George Bush has actively worked to weaken workers’ rights in America. John Edwards is far and away the strongest candidate to win the White House, take on the special interests and stand up for hard-working Americans. While any of the Democrats running would be preferable to any of the Republicans for working people, only John Edwards has taken clear, specific stands on labor rights, health care, trade, working to end poverty and all the issues so vital to all the workers of America."

The Iowa Postal Workers Union joins Iowa SEIU and nine other SEIU State Councils, the United Steelworkers, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the Mine Workers Union and the Transport Workers Union in supporting Edwards’ campaign for change. These unions will work to share Edwards’ ideas to change America with caucus goers across the state.

Edwards believes that to strengthen the middle class and build One America, we need to strengthen the union movement in our country.  He has traveled across the country to walk picket lines and has helped organize thousands of workers into unions. Edwards is a strong supporter of workers' rights and has laid out a comprehensive agenda to help working families, which includes raising the minimum wage, guaranteeing universal health care, enacting smart and safe trade policies and protecting a worker's right to organize.

Edwards Wins Endorsements Of iowa SEIU And Nine Other Major State SEIU Councils

EDWARDS WINS ENDORSEMENT OF IOWA SEIU AND NINE OTHER MAJOR STATE SEIU COUNCILS
Close to one million SEIU members choose Edwards because he has the strength and vision to win both the primary and the general election

Des Moines, Iowa – Today, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) state councils from Iowa, California, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio and Oregon announced they have endorsed Senator John Edwards for president, totaling close to one million SEIU members.

Representatives from several of the ten state councils joined Edwards for a press conference at the Eckstein Medical Research Building in Iowa City. The endorsements will allow these SEIU state councils, which collectively represent over 930,000 members, to organize efforts to turn out caucus goers on Edwards’ behalf within Iowa, and in any other state where the SEIU state councils have also endorsed Edwards.  SEIU state councils across the country will be determining their endorsement decisions in the coming weeks.   

“John Edwards is the only Democratic candidate with the vision, leadership and strength needed to win, not just the primary but also the general election,” said Dave Regan, representing the state councils of Ohio and West Virginia.  “In the battleground states that I represent, Edwards’ broad appeal and strength at the top of the ticket will help Democrats in races at every level. He will help us build a true mandate that will bring real change to Washington, end the war in Iraq, bring truly universal health care, labor law and immigration reform – and these are the things that will improve the lives of working families across America.”

“As a Registered Nurse who knows first hand the need for health care reform, it's a great honor to announce that the members of SEIU Iowa have chosen to endorse John Edwards for president of the United States,” said Iowa SEIU Local 199 president Cathy Glasson. “In Iowa, we are uniquely positioned to see and hear the candidates, and members are well informed on the issues important to working families. John Edwards earned our support by taking a strong stand on health care and because he offers our members the greatest hope for restoring the American Dream.”

“California SEIU members know that John Edwards will be the best labor president in the history of the United States,” said Sal Rosselli, president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers West. “His proposals are far and away the best among the candidates on the issues that matter most to working Americans.  Edwards has taken principled stands on workers’ behalf, when others took more cautious positions on issues that demand bold action.”

Added Tyrone Freeman, president of United Long Term Care Workers West, “We embrace his vision for opportunity for working people, and are proud to join his campaign of optimism, conviction and action that will bridge the divide between the two Americas.  We will do everything in our power, in Iowa, California and across America to ensure that he ends up in the White House.”

“John Edwards understands the everyday struggles faced by working families across the country,” said TJ Janssen, a homecare worker from Wenatchee, Washington. “His commitment to ensuring quality affordable health care for every American is why I’m so excited to be supporting his campaign.”

The 2,000 members of the Iowa SEIU voted to endorse Edwards for the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday evening. On Friday, the membership of the California state council of the SEIU, which represents more than 656,000 working families, also voted to endorse Edwards. SEIU state councils from Washington (103,000 members), Michigan (70,000 members), Idaho (450 members), Montana (500 members), Minnesota (28,000 members), Ohio (22,000 members),West Virginia (4,000 members), and Oregon (46,000 members), also announced their endorsements on Monday.

“SEIU is at the forefront of the fight to make work pay and provide economic security to hardworking families. I have proudly stood with them on the frontlines of the fight for working Americans for years, and I am honored to earn their members’ support in each of these states today,” said Edwards. “Together, I believe we can fix the broken system in Washington that has been rigged by corporate interests, and we can make this country work for regular Americans again.”

The state SEIU endorsements bring Edwards close to the three million mark in union support. In September, Edwards earned the endorsement of the Transport Workers Union of America (200,000 active and retired members), the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (520,000 active members), the United Steelworkers (1.2 million active members and retirees), and the United Mine Workers of America (105,000 active members and retirees). 

John Edwards Wins Endorsement Of Iowa SEIU

EDWARDS WINS ENDORSEMENT OF IOWA SEIU
Iowa SEIU members say Edwards has the best plans to make Washington work for working Americans

Des Moines, Iowa – Today, the Iowa state council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) will announce its endorsement of Senator John Edwards for president. The announcement will take place at a press conference with the Iowa SEIU Local 199 at the Eckstein Medical Research Building in Iowa City. A number of other SEIU State Councils will also be announcing their endorsement of Edwards as part of the event – giving Edwards' organization in Iowa a significant boost from around the country. The endorsements will allow these SEIU state councils to organize efforts to turn out caucus goers on Edwards’ behalf within Iowa, and in any other state where the SEIU state councils have also endorsed Edwards.

“As a Registered Nurse who knows first hand the need for health care reform, it's a great honor to announce that the members of SEIU Iowa have chosen to endorse John Edwards for president of the United States,” said Iowa SEIU Local 199 President Cathy Glasson. “In Iowa, we are uniquely positioned to see and hear the candidates, and members are well informed on the issues important to working families. John Edwards earned our support by taking a strong stand on health care and because he offers our members the greatest hope for restoring the American Dream.”

“SEIU is at the forefront of the fight to make work pay and provide economic security to hardworking families. I have proudly stood with them on the frontlines of the fight for working Americans for years, and I am honored to earn their support today,” said Edwards. “Together, I believe we can fix the broken system in Washington that has been rigged by corporate interests, and we can make this country work for regular Americans again.”

In September, Edwards earned the endorsement of the Transport Workers Union of America (200,000 active and retired members), the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (520,000 active members), the United Steelworkers (1.2 million active members and retirees), and the United Mine Workers of America (105,000 active members and retirees). 

John Edwards Statement On Al Gore Receiving The Nobel Peace Prize

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON GORE RECEIVING THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards released the following statement:

“Congratulations to Al Gore.  The Nobel Peace Prize rewards three decades of Vice President Gore’s prescient and compelling – and often lonely – advocacy for the future of the Earth.  His leadership stands in stunning contrast to the failure of the current administration to pursue policies that would reduce the harm of global warming.

“The Nobel Committee's recognition of Vice President Gore shines a bright light on the most inconvenient truth of all – the selection of George Bush as president has endangered the peace and prosperity of the entire planet.

“Two terms later, Americans are ready for bold change, ready to be patriotic about something other than war and ready to take action to stop global warming before it's too late.  The stakes are sky-high – as Al Gore predicted, our Earth is in the balance.”

Iowa State Senator Daryl Beall Endorses John Edwards

STATE SENATOR DARYL BEALL ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT
Endorsement comes days after State Representative Nathan Reichert endorses Edwards

Des Moines, Iowa – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced that State Senator Daryl Beall (D-Fort Dodge) is endorsing Senator John Edwards as the best Democrat to take back the White House and change our country.  Edwards’ campaign continues to gain momentum and support across the state.  Beall’s endorsement comes just days after State Representative Nathan Reichert endorsed Edwards for president.

“Daryl Beall is a true Iowa leader and I am proud to have his support,” said Edwards.  “Throughout his career, Daryl has worked hard to build a better life for the people of Iowa.  He has been a strong advocate for those who are often forgotten by Washington – our veterans, our children and the less fortunate.  His leadership and experience will be valuable assets to my Iowa campaign and I look forward to working with him to change our country.”

“We need John Edwards in the White House,” said Beall.  “He will work every day to build an America we can be proud of – an America that is respected around the world and an America where hard work is valued once again. John Edwards has the right combination of proven experience, passion and vision to be a great president. He also has the ability to reach out to and attract support from independents and even cross-over Republicans to be the president of all Americans. I am proud to be a part of John Edwards’ campaign and look forward to working to make him our next president.”