Edwards Defends Obama Against Clinton MLK Comments - "enormous pride" in Obama's success

[jefferson_dem]

Edwards Defends Obama Against Clinton MLK Comments
Share January 13, 2008 12:19 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: At a campaign stop at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, South Carolina, former Sen. John Edwards used the pulpit to address controversial comments New York Senator Hillary Clinton made about Martin Luther King - suggesting that he needed a president's help to make significant strides in the civil rights movement.

"I must say I was troubled recently to see a suggestion that real change that came not through the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, but through a Washington politician," said Edwards in front of a congregation of nearly 300 people.

"I fundamentally disagree with that. Those who believe that real change starts with Washington politicians have been in Washington too long and are living a fairytale."

Edward was speaking about a recent interview Sen. Clinton recently gave Fox News where she said, "Dr King’s dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when he was able to get through Congress something that President Kennedy was hopeful to do, the president before had not even tried, but it took a president to get it done."

Clinton continued," That dream became a reality, the power of that dream became real in people’s lives, because we had a president who said ‘we’re going to do it,’ and actually got it done."

Clinton’s comments were made late last Monday and were a direct reaction to what Obama said earlier in the day, defending himself against Clinton’s contention that he offers false hopes.

Today Edwards defended Obama saying, "We’ve come a long way in the 54 years that I’ve been on this earth. But not far enough. We still have work to do. And the hopes that both Sen. Obama and I have for this nation and this country that we love so much these are not false hopes, they’re real hopes."

At the start of his remarks Edwards noted, "As someone who grew up in the segregated South, I feel an enormous amount of pride when I see the success that Sen. Barack Obama having in this campaign." He joking added, "I’d be less than honest if I didn’t say that some days I wish he was having a little less success."

<SNIP>

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/edward-defends.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. A great quote from JE

Can't wait to see these guys working together someday.

[bunnies]

8. Ditto. nt

[Yael]

17. You and me both

[AX10]

2. Edwards just made the case to NOT vote him.

If politicians are not making the changes, then why should we vote for you to be a political leader?
Fair question.

[skipos]

6. Because real change will not come from triangulating Hillary

Anyone who likes the status quo should vote for her though.

[AX10]

9. Hillary will bring great change.

She is smart enough to get herself into power first.
I must admire Edwards strategy, however it is risky. He is coming head on against very powerful interests and that is why he is being ignored by the MSM.

Should the economy collapse as it did in 1929, then Edwards would become very formidable.
He would be the nominee. See, things are not good right now and they will get worse in the next year or two. However, the vast majority of people are still able to live. Hunger and job losses are not widespread (yet, at least). We have to tighten our belts as the economy is going through a rough time right now, which will get only worse within the year.

Edwards is taking the FDR approach. The powers that be do not like that. The only way he gets traction is if he gets the nod in a brokered convention, or something very bad happens.
The other way is for him to get his message out via the "grass roots" method.

[skipos]

11. If Hillary's windsock and poll testing show people want change, maybe. Maybe not. nt

[Cha]

24. hillary's windsock! Somebody should

fill it with.."People want the truth!" She's be outta luck.

[Yael]

18. "He is coming head on against very powerful interests"

Um, thats the point. :P:

I don't know about you, but I am tired of special interests running this country.

Our government is a wholly owned subsidiary of the pharmaceutical industry today and it is time for that to end.

[Adelante]

3. Very nice

Smart, too.

[cali]

4. I'm beginning to think that JE is the only

one truly taking the high road in this mess.

[Yael]

19. Did you just say somthing positive about JRE?

Good on you -- and thanks!

[Cha]

25. Really! John Edwards had

an epiphiany since his disasterous years before 2004 and there are many many people who are capable of changing for the better. And there's also people who are quite capable of going over to the dark side. Look at dennis hopper and a few of the pundits who are lured by the money theme.

[cali]

27. I've posted quite a bit positive about JE

Yesterday I posted an OP that was positive about him. Anytime he does something that I think is particularly positive I congratulate him.

[asdjrocky]

60. I've noticed Cali is honest with her thoughts-

I've seen a few positive posts.

[asdjrocky]

59. Thanks for checking in Cali-

Good to see you!

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. More politics from Edwards. He knows politically he must get rid of Clinton

[rateyes]

7. This was genius:

"...living a fairytale."

I wonder what incident that line brought to people's minds. Genius, I tell you.

[Usrename]

10. Best line so far, from any campaign.

I wish this would get past the blogs and on to the M$M.

[creeksneakers2]

12. Edwards should quit

He can't win. Its OK for him to hang around to make a case for himself but he can't do just that. He has to make inflammatory remarks to prolong a problem the party is having now that hurts both sides. As usual, Edwards twists what the Clintons said and plays on emotions with distortions and fancy rhetoric.

Edwards' campaign is imploding. In the last week he's fallen from 23% in the Rasmussen poll to 12%. That's half his votes gone, an 11% drop. The only thing Edwards is accomplishing now is harm to the party and a delay that keeps his ego from accepting that he lost.

[acmavm]

13. Oh yeah, he's such a divisive opportunist. Oh wait, that's honor is split

between Hils and Barrie. One screams race while the other screams mysoginy.

He should quit? That's a laugh. He's the only dem running.

[cali]

31. what the heck is "mysoginy"?

LOL! And unfortunately both racism and sexism have reared their ugly heads in this campaign.

[acmavm]

62. Misogyny is what I meant. But then only the biggest pain in the ass on

this entire board wants to nitpick on something like the wrong spelling of a word. Which, by the way, I've see you do many a time when you're posting one of your hysterical, pointless rants.

You bet both racism and misogyny are part of this campaign. People with weak candidates who have nothing but a record of self-serving actions like Hillary or who hedges his bets by voting 'present' on the most important bills taken up by the Senate (when he bothers to show up) have nothing else they can do but whine and piss and moan about how they're being picked on.

And you, the best you can do is bitch about spelling? You're slipping. You're really more pathetic and catty than that. Better luck next time.

[AzDar]

76. .......

:applause:
Go, Johnny, Go!

[whatdoyouthink]

16. I disagree

He is having his best fundraiser as of late - and new People are Seeing (& joining) - that he would make a great leader for this party / country

And as long as he is polling more then 10% any-were and getting more then 10% Every-were - why should he...if all else fail - we (Progressives) will get a say (seat) at the Convention

Don't know what in John Heart (do you) Maybe seen the light? or maybe because his wife is sick? I don't know - But when your behind = Nothing to lose

Go Johny Go

[KittyWampus]

49. Don't you realize how insulting that is to his supporters?

[creeksneakers2]

55. I know they hate when its written

I insulted Edwards but I didn't insult his supporters this time. I don't like it when they post dirty slams about Hillary. I especially dislike Edwards. He's such a creep. He tries to make it look like he's defending Obama when he is actually piling on Hillary.

If Edwards or his supporters stop with the nasty attacks I'll quit posting anything negative about Edwards. I'm fine with him staying in the race and his supporters looking for a symbolic victory. Just stop trashing the potential nominees.

[indimuse]

14. well JE is OUT

I've had it! :grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
THis is PURE jealousy from JE and Sexism..

I think we all know we have come far enough and you JE have just helped to set us back! Another wimp with a mic!

[OzarkDem]

46. Welcome to DU

Do you earn a pretty good living at this?

[indimuse]

15. well JE is OUT

I've had it! :grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
:grr:
:nuke:
THis is PURE jealousy from JE and Sexism..

I think we all know we have come far enough and you JE have just helped to set us back! Another wimp with a mic!

[Adelante]

20. Sexism?

How's that?

[indimuse]

22. it is what it is...

Have you not seen ANY of the debate!???? that's all I have to say about that!

[Yael]

26. Dear lord

goose stepping, I see.

*yawn*

[Yael]

21. WTF are you talking about?

[City Lights]

28. Get a grip!

:eyes:

[cali]

29. Sexism? Where the heck is the sexism?

don't run around accusing others of playing the "race card" if you're going to start shrieking sexism when there clearly is NONE.

[indimuse]

33. blah blah blah cali...have a race card while your at it...SC...

Thursday, January 10th 2008, 12:46 PM


Xanthos for News

Barack Obama speaks at St. Peter's College in Jersey City. (CLICK PHOTO FOR AUDIO SLIDESHOW)

Keane/Reuters

John Edwards greets crowd on South Carolina campaign stop at Clemson University.
WASHINGTON - Look out, Hillary! Barack Obama is coming out swinging since you knocked him to the mat in New Hampshire.

"We have to make sure that we take it to them just like they take it to us," Obama vowed.

As Clinton basked in the glory of her miraculous rebound, a scrambling Obama and his campaign team launched the first flurry of body blows.

Obama's national campaign co-chairman, Jesse Jackson Jr., slammed Clinton's now-famous misty-eyed moment by wondering aloud why she didn't shed public tears for victims of Hurricane Katrina, for example.

"They have to be looked at very, very carefully in light of Katrina, in light of other things that Mrs. Clinton did not cry for," Jackson told MSNBC.

"Particularly," he emphasized, "as we head to South Carolina, where 45% of African-Americans will participate in the Democratic contest, and they see real hope in Barack Obama."

[cali]

37. LOL!

I've repeatedly condemned Jackson. His remarks were horrid. YOU? You've endorsed every bit of slimy shit that's been expelled from the body of the Clinton campaign. Have fun with that, sweetums.

[indimuse]

38. Slimy is right ...

delusion is your friend...wink.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCSpjX67No

[Evergreen Emerald]

40. Wow. That was powerful. I did not hear that Jackson said that.

He should be denounced immediately. Why are people not talking about this?

[indimuse]

42. yes I agree..

I didn't know until today...good ole protect Obama media!
btw...I appreciate all of your post...this is exhausting.. you are right on!

[Evergreen Emerald]

53. thanks...

I appreciate that. I just got through running for a couple of miles. That may help my disposition!

[kenfrequed]

65. Ah yes...

The same media that somehow made whether or not Obama wearing a flag pin is a story? Or is it the same media that conflated or mistook his name with Osama's?

Hillary has had two years worth of free publicity in her run up to the election. Any other candidate would have gone clover hunting for a week to get that kind of edge. And let us not forget the candidates that the media marginalized and ignored into inexistence from the start. Had this been a fair campaign I think Kucinich might have actually gotten more than 8 minutes during a 2 hour debate to speak.

Of course Obama did get a treatment similar to Hillary's by the media, but to hear one of her supporters complain about it drives me friggin nuts.

[indimuse]

68. I see you like denial googles...

helloooooooooooooooooo

[kenfrequed]

70. I love non-discussion denials.

Ok so what are you kicking about anyhow?

Did the media not talk about Obama and Hillary's candidacies for over two years?

What about the Obama stories that the news ran? Neither event happened then?


I do not know why you are accusing me of being in denial. It just isn't factually justified.

[OzarkDem]

47. its in the GOP talking points

[tammywammy]

35. Sexism?

What exactly did Edwards say that was sexist?

[gmudem]

36. The Hillary who cried wolf

When Hillary supporters say anything that is critical of her is sexist, it's hard to take it seriously when something actually IS sexist.

Guess what indimuse, criticizing Hillary IS NOT sexist. Deal with it.

[Cha]

23. I knew IT! hillary's in the fucking fairytale.

"I fundamentally disagree with that. Those who believe that real change starts with Washington politicians have been in Washington too long and are living a fairytale."

John Edwards is fantastic and I really hate to see it when Obama supporters diss 'im!

Edwards has the freakin' money quotes.. "At the start of his remarks Edwards noted, "As someone who grew up in the segregated South, I feel an enormous amount of pride when I see the success that Sen. Barack Obama having in this campaign." He joking added, "I’d be less than honest if I didn’t say that some days I wish he was having a little less success."

Edwards was my choice way back when this first started but I wasn't passionate like I was with Dean and Gore so I've come around to Obama but I really like Edwards..he's not a flash..he's come to his way of thinking like a lot of us who are tired of the bullshit.

[cloudythescribbler]

30. Let's not get TOO romantic here -- Edwards is shrewd, and sees HRC's position is indefensible nt

[AnnieBW]

32. Obama/Edwards ticket

Is sounding better and better.

[OzarkDem]

45. What a joke

The guy who is wet behind the ears in charge while the most qualified candidate goes to state leader's funerals? I don't think so.

[Anouka]

56. So being vice-president is lesser than being First Lady/Spouse?

Is that all Al Gore did while Hillary was running the nation with Bill and no security clearance?

oh dear.

[OzarkDem]

57. Yes, Bill Clinton was an exception

Most presidents treat their VP's in the traditional way, as a ceremonial position, there to do the president's bidding, but not actively participating in governing. Obama is too egotistical and inexperienced to follow Clinton's lead.

John Edwards is the most qualified of the 3 Dem front runners. I can't imagine he wants to play second banana to anyone, and who can blame him?

[Inuca]

61. What exactly makes Edwards more qualified than Obama?

I am sure this was asked many times, I am not sure I ever saw an answer though...

[Barack_America]

34. Great quote. And smart.

It brings up the muck that is currently dragging the other two down and says, "hey, look at me, I'm clean!"

But that doesn't take away from the quote. It really was nice.

[DemCam]

39. Totally incomprehensible self-interest by Edwards. No surprise here.

[krabigirl]

41. As an Edwards supporter, I just tire of him aligning with Obama all the time. ro

He needs to distinguish himself from BOTH Clinton and Obama. Yeesh. Stop kissing butt! arrgghhh. I know he likes Obama, and that's fine, but they aren't running mates.

[ursi]

43. I love John Edwards. What a great quote!

[DaLittle Kitty]

58. Edwards Is Just Play'n "The Game" A Little. Good For Him!

:) :kick:

[OzarkDem]

44. He's staying neutral, good for him n/t

[Anouka]

48. Difference between Edwards Pride and Clinton Pride?

Clinton is proud of Obama (paternal/maternal),
while Edwards is proud of the success he sees (rivals)?

Trying to be fair, here, since I got on the slash Clinton bandwagon when it came to her remarks in front of a black congregation.

[Barack_America]

52. I don't like it from Edwards either, but at least when he says it...

It actually seems like he has some affinity for the man.

[femmedem]

75. I don't think Edwards is saying he's proud of Obama.

I think he's saying he's proud of the South for evolving.

[VotesForWomen]

50. wasn't hilary racist when she said the same thing? nt

[David Zephyr]

51. What a decent human being, John Edwards is.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

K&R.

[lisainmilo]

54. A shout out to Edwards....

((((((((((((((((THANK YOU JOHN EDWARDS ....WE LOVE YOU.......WE SALUTE YOU...:patriot:))))))))))))))))))

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

63. Edwards is truly a class act

I'm with Edwards first but Obama after that. The two need a close alliance.

[Imagevision]

64. FOXnews was actually defending Hillary this morning, Obama must be harder to smear!

[Essene]

67. the GOP will do everything they can to destroy obama

[Essene]

66. Glad to see people holding her accountable for her insanity

[loveangelc]

69. I have a feeling Edwards will give his delegates to Obama at the convention

I could be wrong but I can definitely see this happening.

[Seabiscuit]

71. A decent man with his heart in the right place! Well done Edwards, Well done. nt

[Califooyah Operative]

72. I'm proud of Obama and Edwards.

I wish I could say the same about Senator Clinton or her campaign.

[1776Forever]

73. Now that line about the fairytale makes one wonder who really is living in one???? Hillary maybe>>

I hope Edwards can play a BIG part in an Obama Administration - I see him going nowhere with Hillary, which is a good thing. :headbang:

[watrwefitinfor]

74. Kicking & Rec n/t