So it has come to pass that Elizabeth Edwards has died.
Despite having more things thrown at her than anyone I've ever had the chance to support in my entire political life, she managed to represent, in her very presence, a sense of grace and kindness and concern for those who were looking to have a better life than the one they had now, and I don't know that I could ever live up to the quiet courage she showed as her life came to an end.
And, bless her heart, it appears that she took the time to make sure that her kids knew her, and that she helped them put away enough "past" to, hopefully, ease some of the pain of the future.
But now the time has come to look beyond death, and, John...that's why I want to talk to you today.
When John and Elizabeth lost their beloved son Wade, in 1996, they could have rolled up together in a ball, bemoaning their fate, giving up on themselves, on life and on the ideal that is America.
They did not.
When Kerry and Edwards took their run for the Presidency in 04, and perhaps had their hopes, and the hopes of our Nation perhaps stolen from them in Ohio, John might have then retired form public service for life, and return to his home to enjoy his millions.
This is a call to all those who support the progressive platform that John Edwards pushed throughout the primary season. Even if you currently support another candidate actively, this is a call to you. And even if you are just unable to support anyone but John, this is a call to you. And even if you never actively supported John Edwards but you admired the stands he took on issues, there is something you can do.
Now, I've spoken to both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. They have both pledged to me and more importantly through me to America, that they will make ending poverty central to their campaign for the presidency.
And more importantly, they have pledged to me that as President of the United States they will make ending poverty and economic inequality central to their Presidency. This is the cause of my life and I now have their commitment to engage in this cause.
John Edwards is one of those rare political figures who is both capable of inspiring hope while taking up the most difficult and tumultuous fights.
With the announcement of his pending withdrawl from the race for the Democratic nomination for President this year, there will be millions of Americans struggling to decide where to pledge thier ongoing support. Neither Hillary Clinton, nor Barack Obama can represent precisely the firebrand populism of the Edwards campaign, but on issue after issue, there is strong reason for Edwards supporters to join the rising movement for change that has been inspired by the Obama candidacy.
Barack Obama had this to say about Edwards withdrawl from the race:
"John Edwards has spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn't popular to do or covered in the news. At a time when our politics is too focused on who's up and who's down, he made a nation focus again on who matters - the New Orleans child without a home, the West Virginia miner without a job, the families who live in that other America that is not seen or heard or talked about by our leaders in Washington."
Obama added, "John and Elizabeth Edwards have always believed deeply that we can change this - that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose. So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America."
From all of us Obama supporters to all of you Edwards supporters: we are here to welcome you with open arms.
(XPosted 1/30/2008 10:10 AM PST on MyDesert.com as BluePalmSpringsBoyz)
The media has reported that former-Sen. John Edwards plans to withdraw as a Democratic candidate for the nomination for President. It is a sad day as for many supporters, Edwards epitomized someone who early in the process opposed the disastrous policies of the so-called Pres. George Bush in Iraq and Iran, who was overwhelmingly supportive of LGBT issues, who spoke on behalf of the poor and working people of this country, and who set a mature tone for the Democratic campaign in general.
Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voters' sympathies, The Associated Press has learned.
The two-time White House candidate notified a close circle of senior advisers that he planned to make the announcement at a 1 p.m. EST event in New Orleans that had been billed as a speech on poverty, according to two aides. The decision came after Edwards lost the four states to hold nominating contests so far to rivals who stole the spotlight from the beginning - Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
The former North Carolina senator will not immediately endorse either candidate in what is now a two-person race for the Democratic nomination, said one adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of the announcement. Both candidates would welcome Edwards' backing and the support of the 56 delegates he had collected.
Obviously the big question is how his votes will get redistributed. For us in California it's especially interesting, because if Obama can peel off enough of the Edwards supporters, we're going to have one dramatic night next week.
An added wrinkle is the votes already cast. Edwards' supporters have been among the most dedicated and loyal in this campaign, and many of his California supporters have already mailed in their ballots. As Brian pointed out yesterday, the VBM return rates are "low" overall so there may be a significant chunk of Edwards backers who haven't voted and could decide the outcome here.
So what will they do? Or, if you're an Edwards supporter, what do you plan to do?
(XPosted in the BluePalmSpringsBoyz Blog 1/29/2008 7:50 PM PST on MyDesert.com)
The National and local news media usually only focus on who 'wins' the caucus or primary race. They provide little information on election night regarding the important race, that for delegates.
This is interesting stuff from CNN.com, see http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#R for the Republican totals and http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#val=D for the Democratic totals.
"LGBT Americans are entitled to equal respect and dignity under our laws. Discrimination is morally wrong. All Americans should have the same freedoms and the same responsibilities."
-- John Edwards
John Edwards has been a consistent supporter of the LGBT community, unlike most of the other candidates. And, as we know, Elizabeth Edwards is an even bigger supporter.
Edwards supports the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities for LGBT couples and supports the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act which was enacted under Pres. Bill Clinton. Elizabeth Edwards goes even further, supporting Marriage Equality.
Edwards also opposes workplace discrimination against the LGBT community and, while still in the Senate, co-sponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Edwards supports the rights and privileges of the LGBT community to serve in the Armed Forces and opposes the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policies of the Pres. Bill Clinton Administration.
Edwards also believes that same-sex couples should enjoy the same adoption and family privileges as opposite-sex couples.
Edwards supports additional Hate Crimes legislation and while in the Senate, co-sponsored legislation providing law enforcement with tools to investigate and prosecute hate crimes based on perceived and actual sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Finally, Edwards supports full funding for research and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Edwards was the first Presidential candidate to propose a comprehensive program regarding HIV/AIDS.
There's a new Gallup poll of California which finds Senator Clinton and Senator McCain currently leading in California. What's interesting is the margins. Clinton leads Obama by a 47-35 margin with Edwards at 10, tighter than the race has been since about a year ago. Which is notable in itself, but also compared to national polling (average of the last seven national polls from Pollster.com): Clinton over Obama and Edwards, 44.1% - 32.3% - 13%. Those polls, unlike the new Zogby poll, include Kucinich bouncing between 1 and 4 percent. I'd discuss the Republican side but the national polling all has Thompson so it doesn't really reflect the current situation.
So my question is, who's leading who?
Also: LA Times/CNN/Politico poll of California makes the Dem race at 49-32-11. Also mentions that "3 in 10 likely voters said they could change their minds."
Via Newseum, here's how Barack Obama's victory over Hillary Clinton in South Carolina is playing above the fold in today's California's Sunday papers:
Bakersfield Californian: Obama routs Clinton in S.C. North County Times (Escondido): Obama romps in South Carolina LA Daily News: Obama defeats Clinton in rout in S. Carolina LA Times: Obama easily captures strongest win yet in S.C. Modesto Bee: Obama crushes Clinton in South Carolina primary Sacramento Bee: Obama's big win sets up next fight San Diego Union-Tribune: Obama thrashes rivals in S.C. San Francisco Chronicle: OBAMA WINS BIG IN S. CAROLINA Orange County Register: Obama runs away with S.C. Contra Costa Times: Obama nets huge win in S. Carolina
More after the flip and please use the comments to let us everyone know what you're doing and seeing locally.
Delegate rules in Super Tuesday states might not produce clear front-runners
...
In a two- or three-person race such as the Democrats', proportional allocation means candidates will win some delegates in virtually every state, raising the possibility of a tie, or at least an unsettled race, after Super Tuesday. If there's no final decision on Super Tuesday, operatives in both parties said, attention would turn to primaries in Texas and Ohio on March 4, in Pennsylvania on April 22 and in other states.
...
"We're in uncharted territory," said Burdett Loomis, a University of Kansas political-science professor.
We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
And then -- and then, finally, if you're one of the millions of Americans who have yet to cast your vote in this democratic process, beginning on February 5th and moving beyond, your voice will be heard and we will be there with you every single step of the way.
Join us in this movement. Join in this campaign. Let's make America what it's capable of being.
God bless you all and thank you for your support and thank you for being here and thank you for your voice.
The National and local news media usually only focus on who 'wins' the caucus or primary race. They provide little information on election night regarding the important race, that for delegates.
This is interesting stuff from CNN.com for the Republican totals and CNN.com for the Democratic totals (kudos to grodriguez for providing the link in his blog).
The magic number of delegates for the Democratic nominee is 2,025. Thus far, 443 Democratic delegates have been chosen, including those from today's South Carolina Democratic primary as well as the so-called Super Delegates (e.g., governors, U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives). This means that only 10.94% of the Democratic delegates are committed to date.
Barack Obama has decisively won the South Carolina primary over Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. At this point, all that remains to be seen is how far Clinton will fall back of Obama. Edwards likely third place finish will surely be a big disappointment.
So, how does this affect California's February 5 primary? Surely there will be some kind of SC bump for Obama, but will it be enough to challenge Clinton who was running solidly ahead as of last week's Field Poll. And with vote-by-mail turnout being pretty low up to this point, were people waiting for this election before casting their votes. What do you think? Did this affect your vote?
In America today, families are working harder to get by.
Half of American families say they are living paycheck to paycheck,
and 3 out of 10 American workers have not been able to save a dime for their retirement.
FISA is grabbing national attention today as the debate rages on the floor of the Senate, and on the heels of Senator Feinstein's response to Robert's post at Courage, Senator John Edwards is calling for citizen pressure on Senators Boxer and Feinstein. The heat is on and Edwards isn't mincing words on this one- "It's wrong for your government to spy on you." No kidding.
Senator Feinstein's parsing position that would give away the keys to the store and validate immunity for Bush on this issue is a classic example of Democrats conceding the issue without a fight. When Bismarck declared politics to be the art of the possible, it's hard to imagine he meant the art of what is immediately possible. Time and again, this administration has demonstrated that it is not only foolish but reckless to operate in "good faith" when the Constitution is involved, and moving constitutional judicial proceedings behind closed doors doesn't inspire much good faith in me.
Anyways, the leadership from John Edwards on this issue is much appreciated and a big boost to proponents of basic freedom. It appears that Senator Clinton will not support the Dodd filibuster by returning to Washington and Obama has, so far as I know, not moved to add support either. That's disappointing but not entirely unexpected as the battle continues over every single Senator.
Keep up the pressuring phone calls to make sure that Senator Feinstein knows we're serious about this one.
First Iowa . . . then New Hampshire . . . and once again in Nevada! Women voters are dominating at the polls!!!
In all three contests the percentage of female to male voters was a consistent 60% to 40%. The reality behind these percentages is even more significant because the number of total voters is also greater than ever before.
Why is this happening? It was former Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neil who said, "All politics are local." Local issues are often about education, health care, child care - issues which resonate most strongly with women. Our individual experiences define our needs and our dreams and in turn our needs and dreams mold our opinions. Women are voting in greater numbers in this primary because there is a woman running for president.
John Edwards is one of those rare political figures who is both capable of inspiring hope while taking up the most difficult and tumultuous fights.
