Welcome to today's Edwards Evening News! Today I kind of borrowed the title from another article, but after the clarity of the differences on numerous issues in the debate last night, it seemed pretty appropriate. When you living inside history, its hard to know what a turning point is, but this just might be it. Along with some debate round-up, a few other things for you:
1. John Edwards offers a clear choice - debate wrap-up
2. Edwards starts an advertising push in Iowa.
3. GLBT leaders are making the case for Edwards.
4. Trick or treat? A Halloween pitch.
5. Edwards picks up New Hampshire SEIU.
Cross-posted at the EENR Blog. Enjoy!
1. John Edwards offers a clear choice - debate wrap-up
Well, if you watched the debate last night you already know, and if you didn't watch it, despite the press's bad track record on covering Edwards, some things are just too obvious to ignore. Read through the reviews. Here's one I particularly liked below:
MJ Rosenberg's at Edwards Won:
"But, of the three heavyweights, I was most impressed by Edwards. He combined toughness and vision. Somehow I can imagine that Edwards' agenda for America would have a name like "New Deal" or "Great Society" in other words a rubric that suggests that his program for America would be larger than just his persona. I like that. I'm not so sure about the others.
I think Edwards will win Iowa and then we'll have a real race, one with an almost level playing field. It is not over. That is the main thing I learned last night.
Not over by a long shot."
"Larger than just his persona" - exactly right I think. Here's what the author might be refering to:
"But the question is, are you willing to look your children in the eye tonight and say, "I'm going to turn this mess over to you? Because if you turn your back on the incompetence and the corruption that exists in Washington today, that's exactly what you're saying. You're saying, "I'm going to let my children and my grandchildren take care of that. I'm not willing to do that."
And Edwards very clearly and without rancor pointed that anyone who thinks that all the candidates are the "same" really really really has not been paying attention. This is a primary and an election about choices, a battle for the soul of the democratic party and we can't afford to hang out on the sidelines:
About Iraq and lessons learned - a clear choice
Edwards had a bit more to say on this after the debate:
"This is a real difference between Senator Edwards and Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton says she wants to end the war, but she also says she will keep combat missions in Iraq. Keeping combat missions in Iraq means she will extend the war. John Edwards will end the war.
"John Edwards' plan for Iraq is very simple: No combat troops. No combat missions. No combat, period. And not by 2013, by 2009."
About Iran - a clear choice
and of course when Leiberman defends Hillary and wonders why people mistrust him, that makes the choice pretty stark.
About change - a clear choice
The campaign also released a fun statement that seems to sum things up about right.
For more see the in-depth wrap-up.
2. Edwards starts an advertising push in Iowa.
Politico has the scoop on the new 12 page mailer that Iowans just received:
The glossy, 12-page mailing is a fairly major investment for a campaign up against a cap in state spending, and it arrived yesterday, a day before what's expected to be his first major ad buy in the state.
Combined, it's a "new media push in Iowa that will knock everyone's socks off," as a California Edwards backer and fundraiser, lawyer Melissa Brown, wrote in an e-mail announcing a West Coast swing next month.
They have a link to each page so check it out, and as the bold indicates, watch out for more advertising.
3. GLBT leaders are making the case for Edwards.
Prominent LGBT leaders supporting Edwards are making the case for why the LGBT community should support John Edwards. Here's the intro from the memo:
The 2008 Presidential elections offer our country and our community a chance to make history, by fundamentally restructuring American politics from the White House to the statehouse. That is why we are supporting Senator John Edwards for President and hope that you will consider joining us.
Check out his website for more details on his LGBT platform and endorsements here, here, and here.
4. Trick or treat? A Halloween pitch.
This pretty much speaks for itself. If you think below is a November nightmare, click on the picture and help a 50 state strategy happen:
5. Edwards picks up New Hampshire SEIU.
Despite some Huckabee shenanigans, Edwards officially received the New Hampshire SEIU endorsement today:
"We are thrilled to have the support of the the hard-working families of the New Hampshire State Employees' Association (SEIU local 1984). John Edwards' commitment to guaranteeing universal health care, the work he has done standing shoulder-to-shoulder with organized labor and his strength as the candidate who can win the general election next year and bring a pro-union, pro-working family agenda to the White House have earned him this critical support in New Hampshire. John Edwards is proud to have the strong endorsement of the SEA and looks forward to working with the men and women of SEIU in New Hampshire to build One America where every single American has health care coverage and where everyone who works hard has the chance to get ahead."
Kind of nice that two neighboring states (along with 10 others) have also endorsed and are ready to help out isn't it?
And thats the news! Oh, and since you've been good and come this far - here's a Halloween treat for you audiophiles: Edwards on Hartman Radio show today