Martin Luther King III urges John Edwards to stay in the race

[Catchawave]

http://www.johnedwards.com/news/20080121-mlk-iii-letter.pdf

copy of letter:

January 20, 2008

The Honorable John E. Edwards
410 Market Street
Suite 400
Chapel Hill, NC 27516


Dear Senator Edwards:

It was good meeting with you yesterday and discussing my father’s legacy. On the day when the nation will honor my father, I wanted to follow up with a personal note.

There has been, and will continue to be, a lot of back and forth in the political arena over my father’s legacy. It is a commentary on the breadth and depth of his impact that so many people want to claim his legacy. I am concerned that we do not blur the lines and obscure the truth about what he stood for: speaking up for justice for those who have no voice.

I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election.

You know as well as anyone that the 37 million people living in poverty have no voice in our system. They don’t have lobbyists in Washington and they don’t get to go to lunch with members of Congress. Speaking up for them is not politically convenient. But, it is the right thing to do.

I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign. I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.

From our conversation yesterday, I know this is personal for you. I know you know what it means to come from nothing. I know you know what it means to get the opportunities you need to build a better life. And, I know you know that injustice is alive and well in America, because millions of people will never get the same opportunities you had.

I believe that now, more than ever, we need a leader who wakes up every morning with the knowledge of that injustice in the forefront of their minds, and who knows that when we commit ourselves to a cause as a nation, we can make major strides in our own lifetimes. My father was not driven by an illusory vision of a perfect society. He was driven by the certain knowledge that when people of good faith and strong principles commit to making things better, we can change hearts, we can change minds, and we can change lives.

So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father’s words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.

Sincerely,





Martin L. King, III

[Critters2]

1. This is wonderful!

Thank you, MLK III!

I hope this gets well-publicized, but I'm fairly sure it won't.

[dandylion]

71. Don't be so sure!

I'm sending this to everyone on my email list!
It's fantastic news and a great show of support for our candidate!

[pamela]

78. Let's Email MLK III and thank him...

Here is his email: [e-mail]

[Catchawave]

79. What a great idea! Done!

:kick:

[maddezmom]

2. I hope he heeds his words

:thumbsup:

[asdjrocky]

3. Now how do we get that letter on the front page of every paper in America?

I'm serious. What do we do with this?

[monmouth]

7. That is key. Copies need to sent everywhere!!

[Catchawave]

11. Feel free to pass it around !

Especially to your local papers editors....and the super tuesday states' too :D

[Divine Discontent]

51. my friend is sending a copy to the local papers in his area

I will be doing the same, good to see so many people saying they will be sending this out. We need to tell the papers to print this because, it obviously would have been headline news had obama or Clinton received such a letter from the grandson of the late Dr. King.

[Kajsa]

62. That's what we need to do!

How can we get this out- and get their attention?

[Kajsa]

64. Tech support question-regarding letter.

The LA Times doesn't accept
attachments on their e-mail.

How do I send this out?

Copy and paste with a link?
Remember- they are NOT Edwards friendly.
:grr:

Thanks.

;-)

[LSK]

4. K&R

[ursi]

5. wow! K & R!

[Ninga]

6. Awesome and inspiring and encouraging. Thank you MKL III for your gracious acknowledgement

of Edwards core values, and your letter, clearly a validation of Edwards candidacy.

[stravu9]

16. This IS HUGE!!!!

Why is it not in the MAIN STREAM MEDIA!

[goclark]

82. That is a high tribute to Sen. Edwards and well deserved

He is running such a clean and sincere race.

At least I know that if OBAMA doesn't win, I would really vote for Edwards.

I am so disappointed that I have lost faith in the Clinton family. IMO they are power hungry and it shows.

Edwards is in it for all the right reasons in my view.

Go OBAMA, Go EDWARDS!

[asdjrocky]

8. I am so on this guys.

We'll be all over this with EEM, and everyone I know.

[Catchawave]

61. Thanks Rocky !

You're doing a great job with the EMM :toast:

[kelligesq]

9. really moving. wish they would read that on tv

:cry:

[mzmolly]

10. What a beautiful letter.

:toast:

"Economic justice" sums up exactly why I'm a Democrat and why I support John Edwards.

[SeattleGirl]

12. Yes!!!

:bounce: :bounce:

[stravu9]

13. YEAH!!!

Go John!

[bluethruandthru]

14. Wow! n/t

[kelligesq]

15. Everyone send it to your newspaper Letter to the Editor right away before the vote

:bounce: so important

[Lugnut]

17. K&R n/t

[Catchawave]

18. Kick for the Post Debate Crowd

:kick:

[kelligesq]

19. Kick it and post it on cnn.com politics where ppl r posting on this debate pls

Puhleez

[Catchawave]

23. Great idea !

[saracat]

20. This beter than an endorsement."his father would be proud".

no wonder barak wouldn't say MLK would endorse him!

[edgery]

22. That last sentence says it all

We need to get this to newspaper in South Carolina before Wednesday evening service!

[Catchawave]

42. Yes, brought tears to my eyes

and Yes, every SC newspaper should have been contacted by now. DU does the media bomb well :)

Now if they only "report" it so WE can decide :silly:

[Generator]

21. Well yeah

[stravu9]

25. If Doctor King Were Alive Today!

This is GREAT!

[More Than A Feeling]

24. K+R!

[Elspeth]

26. Good for Edwards.

...

[Tennessee Gal]

27. This is a tremendous letter of confidence in John Edwards.

This needs to be spread far and wide.

[Catchawave]

28. We fight along side of JRE too....all the way to the convention!

[Gloria]

29. Keep fighting, John!!!

[Phred42]

30. Now THAT's an Endorsement!

Thank you Martin L. King, III

Maybe I'll get a chance to vote for him too while the MSM and Corporations attempt to drive him out.

[Plucketeer]

31. FANTASTIC!!!

Yes, John. You're the only one speaking OUR issues. The ONLY one. Keep fighting John. Keep fighting! :kick:

[peacock]

32. Wow!

[lisainmilo]

33. Very Honorable!

Nice!

[jannyk]

34. Kicketty Kick & R - Awesome!!!!!

[OzarkDem]

35. Very impressive, says a lot n/t

[krabigirl]

36. Wow!

[NOLALady]

37. Hell Yeah!

[Irishonly]

38. K&R

[Maat]

39. Oh, wow! What a wonderful letter, from a great person in his own stead.

I'd frame that letter and keep it forwever! It is very eloquent.

[ncliberal]

40. That's a beautiful letter! nt

[avaistheone1]

41. Very gracious of MLK III

Let's give John Edwards a shout out. He has always made economic justice the front burner of his campaign.

[pauldg0]

43. I am soooooooooooo happy !!!!...........

This is a great honor for John Edwards. I pray every day that John Edwards will get favor from our Lord and God !!

John Edwards, we all love you.

Go John Edwards 08

[Spiffarino]

44. I disagree on one of MLK Jr.'s points.

I know you know what it means to come from nothing.

On the contrary...John Edwards has fine, hard-working parents who did everything they could to see that he got an education and a good upbringing. And I believe John and MLK, Jr. would agree.

Great letter and I'm gratified that he recognizes the value of John Edwards to this year's presidential election. I hope and pray Edwards makes a big comeback, but at the very least that his message makes a big impression on all Democrats.

[bobbolink]

89. He *did* come from nothing. It was later, when he was older, that his father

was promoted, and they were able to help him with education.

[drm604]

45. K&R

:kick:

[Monty__]

46. That's great

and I'm proud that John is staying in the race because like he said tonight, he's not doing it for himself.

[Monty__]

47. Also....

I just forwarded this to my wife's entire family who are Obama supporters.

[stickernation]

57. now THAT is some STRATEGY monty !!!

:thumbsup: way to go... WAY TO GO !!!! :applause:

[2hip]

48. Now THAT's an Endorsement worth having!

"My father would be proud."

That's got to mean so very much to John!




              Edwards '08 tees!

[Nutmegger]

49. I just read this again

What an extremely touching letter. I'm more proud than I ever was to support John Edwards.

R&K

[Horse with no Name]

50. What a wonderful testimonial to John

K&R

[Yuugal]

52. K&R

[NoGodsNoMasters]

53. Touching.

...and he deserves it!

[Emit]

54. wow.

just wow.

I wish more average voters understood what this means.

They get spoonfed Obama Clinton and think they have no other choice.

[99th_Monkey]

55. May this letter -together w/ Edwards strong presence in SC debate- put John squarely "IN this race"

... all the way to the finish line over the rotting corpse of the GOP..

That was such a profoundly sincere, clear-as-a-bell statement.

I'm speechless. And, at such a critical time for Edwards and for this country.
From MLKIII's lips, to God's ear .... can I get a witness?

Go Johnny!! So many in our nation need you so much, and at the end of the day, we all do -- though we may not realize
how much quite yet.

You got the torch now dude. Run with it..

[AzDar]

56. We , as a nation, NEED Senator Edwards.

Some just don't know it yet...

[stickernation]

58. the challenge of leadership

"I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America."

SO WELL PUT. EDWARDS IS A CHALLENGE TO THE REST OF THE DEMOCRATIC FIELD.

IN A VERY PROFOUND WAY, HE IS A CHALLENGE TO EACH OF US AS WELL !!!

[liberalla]

59. K & R !

That's a great endorsement!

Onwards, Upwards, Edwards. 2008

[onehandle]

60. Kick! nt

[Kajsa]

63. What an outstanding endorsement!

Thank you, Martin L. King III.

Your father would be proud.
;-)


K&R


:kick:

[redqueen]

65. Now THAT is an endorsement.

:woohoo:

[Emit]

66. kick n/t

[redqueen]

67. Thanks!

I'd like to see this kicked for at least a day...

:hi:

[femrap]

68. k and r

what a boost to John.

[redqueen]

70. We certainly hope so!

I wouldn't be shocked to see this get next to zero coverage in the M$M, though.

So it's up to us to spread the word... and hope the voters don't march to the media's horse-race drumbeat!

:kick:

[Monty__]

72. I've already forwarded it

to everyone I know, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Obama supporter, Clinton supporter...

[redqueen]

73. Thank you!

:loveya:

[bobbolink]

88. I'm making copies and sticking it in peoples' faces!

I have absolutely no shame when it comes to my survival issues.

~~guffaw~

Help me spread *this* word!

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[ClayZ]

69. K and R

[ChiciB1]

74. How Can ANYONE Read That Letter & Not Want To Cry... Oh My Heart

hurts so badly! What are you doing America?? Tell me WHAT????

[redqueen]

77. *sigh*

:hug:

[bobbolink]

90. I'm with you all the way, and I live this everyday! Closed minds, closed hearts---and these are the

"liberals".

It HURTS.

:cry:

Thanks for voicing this.... it helps me to feel a little less alone.

:hug:

[ChiciB1]

93. That ONE Picture Says So Very Much... I Also Live With Closed Minds

closed hearts and all the rest. But I live in the land of Flor-EE-DUH in that weird county that lost all those votes! And so many of the Democrats here are rather DLC! But I have friends here in Florida that really support Edwards with as much fervor as we do. And others on my email list think he's the ONLY one!

As with many here, I had to send it out to all!

And one for you :hug: or maybe two :hug:

[iamjoy]

75. I Must Send This

I'm at work now, so I will do it when I get home

[redqueen]

76. Thank you!

:hi:

[smokey nj]

80. K&R!!!

[qanda]

81. That was a great letter

Very moving.

[redqueen]

85. Isn't it though?

*sigh*

:)

[focusfan]

83. John Edwards is the Democrate that everybody needs

John is the only one suited to be president 

[AntiFascist]

84. K&R ! In his heart, MLK would surely want a trial lawyer like Edwards to succeed....

in this race, representing the interests of a community that has been abused by our elitist and corportist government.

[GOPBasher]

86. Wow, what an awesome letter! :-) n/t

[ncliberal]

87. kicking a great letter. nt

[citizen snips]

91. K&R

That is a very inspirational letter

[Kurovski]

92. K&R. (nt)

[MADem]

94. Best endorsement of the entire campaign, so far!!

If I were Edwards, I'd mail that baby to every household in South Carolina!!!

[pauldg0]

96. Me too!!

John, can you get that out to everyone..........full 100% coverage..would that cost much?

[Danger Mouse]

95. K and R for my man, John Edwards.

Never give up, never surrender!

...what is this, galaxy quest? :hi:

[Yanez Houston Jordan]

97. A vote for Edwards is a vote to win him enough delegates to push the nominee (if not him) to the

progressive end of the party.

That's a good enough reason for me.