Sen. Edwards touts working-class values

[chimpymustgo]

By Nancy Cicco
[e-mail]

PORTSMOUTH - Positioning himself as the presidential candidate for the average Joe, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., drew sharp contrasts between himself and President Bush Tuesday night during a question-and-answer campaign call at Prescott Park.

More than 200 spectators gathered in lawn chairs to hear Edwards speak in a riverfront section of the park that overlooks the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

The shipyard scene appeared to serve Edwards well as he accentuated his working-class roots by shooting darts at Bush’s heritage of family privilege.

"His values are not our values. They are not the values of the American people," Edwards said. "I hope we still believe in an America where the son of a mill worker can still beat the son of a president."

Edwards saved a few tongue-lashings for U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who, the senator said, "thinks he can do anything" when it comes to administering the provisions in the Patriot Act.

"When I am president of the United States, we will certainly have a new attorney general; I can tell you that," said Edwards.

Edwards touched on several planks in his platform, including his desire to ultimately bring universal health care to the nation; provide free college tuition to students willing to work at least 10 hours a week; repeal Bush’s tax policy; and work to place the country’s best teachers in the most troubled school districts.

If elected president, the senator also said he would establish a federal agency to safeguard civil liberties, and he would work to provide $50 billion to state and local governments to avoid budget rollbacks and layoffs of police officers, firefighters and first responders.

-snip-

Edwards criticized Bush for programs that serve only the wealthiest in the country and countered the stance of some Democrats, he said, who believe the government should dictate to people what is best for them. Instead, Edwards wants to shake off the malaise of voters in order to "tie together" Americans, especially in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001.

"We have to convince the American people that it is in their self-interest for the person beside them to do well," he said. "What we want is for the American people to help govern themselves."

-snip-

"I’m more impressed having heard him," said Margaret Sofio, of Portsmouth. "He’s been really open and honest in his answers. ... I think his values message is a good one."

-snip-

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/07162003/news/39622.htm

******

Another impressive outing for John Edwards last night in New Hampshire.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

1. Edwards, will you repeal NAFTA?

We're waiting. Will you work with populist Democrats and centrist Republicans to repeal NAFTA? Will you require US chartered corporations to be loyal to our country?

Edwards may be the real deal, let's start talking specifics!

[AP]

2. David Broder wrote that DLC doesn't like Edwards because he isn't

on board with global free trade. A few too many of his votes in the Senate have protected NC workers, rather than Wall St international trade interests.

[AP]

3. We have to convince the American people that it is in their self-interest

for the person beside them to do well.


I have agreed with this sentiment for as long as I can remember. I am so glad that a candidate for president is chosing this as a theme for his candidacy.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. Edwards is for the working class!

He won't allow himself to become the "Bitch" of the DLC/GOP pro-corporate mafia!

[chimpymustgo]

5. Edwards is from the people, of the people, FOR the people.

Hey that's not bad...

www.johnedwards2004.com

[TheBigGuy]

6. ...reclaiming the Southern Populist style in US politics.

Edwards seems to be really working in the fields of Southern Populism w. his political style. Too often this style has been tarnished by racism (George Wallace comes to mind).....but Edwards is really giving voice to the class issues that orignially gave impetus to this political tendancy.

I really hope this guy wins a few primarys.

[chimpymustgo]

7. Hey, he's going to win the nomination!

Gotta be optimistic.

[blm]

8. dupe

.

[blm]

9. He's not doing as badly as some made out...

he was just pacing himself. and doing his groundwork. IMO, the worst Edwards gets coming out of this is Attorney General.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

10. i think that edwards

would make a better secretary of state personally. and if kucinich doesn't get the nomination, I think that he would make a great HHS secretary, and clark could be secretary of defense if he's not chosen for VP.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

11. i think that edwards

would make a better secretary of state personally. and if kucinich doesn't get the nomination, I think that he would make a great HHS secretary, and clark could be secretary of defense if he's not chosen for VP.

[chimpymustgo]

12. I think Edwards would make a fantastic President.

His optimism, his ideas, his leadership could turn this country around.