2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Edwards Receives Support Of Transport Workers Union

EDWARDS RECEIVES SUPPORT OF TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION
Workers that keep America moving and protect homeland security choose Edwards

New York, New York – The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president at the union’s international headquarters in New York City. Edwards was joined by TWU International President James C. Little, TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint, and rank and file members from early caucus and primary states for the announcement.

“I’m proud to stand in New York with members of the Transit Workers Union, who keep the city moving and help keep New Yorkers safe,” said Edwards. “The men and women of the TWU serve on the front lines of our country’s homeland security, protecting public transportation users, the nation’s railways, and skies. These are the workers who get us to our jobs and our families.

“For too long, these good union men and women and millions of other working families have been ignored by a broken system in Washington. I’m looking forward to campaigning with them in early primary states and key general election battleground states, and as president I’ll fight for them every day, so we can honor their hard work and make our transportation infrastructure safe and secure.”

Nationwide, TWU has a total of 200,000 active and retired members, which brings Edwards over the 2 million member mark for union support – the largest bloc of any presidential candidate. In the last week, Edwards has received endorsements from the Carpenters, who represent 520,000 active members, the Steelworkers with 1.2 million active members and retirees, and the Mine Workers with 105,000 active members and retirees.

“Some candidates seem to be figuring out how to best triangulate on campaign issues,” said TWU President James C. Little. “John Edwards takes on subjects such as job security, health care, retirement and the growing gap in wealth between the rich and the middle class in a straight forward way that the country and working families desperately need.”

This endorsement further enhances Edwards’ strength in early states and in many key battleground states necessary for Democrats to win back the White House. Close to half of the TWU members and retirees live in states that will caucus or vote on or before February 5th, including 8,000 active and retired members in Nevada, 10,000 active and retired members in Oklahoma, 12,000 active and retired members in California, 8,000 active and retired members in New Jersey, and over 50,000 active and retired members in New York.

Edwards Receives Support Of Steelworkers And Mine Workers Unions

EDWARDS RECEIVES SUPPORT OF STEELWORKERS AND MINE WORKERS UNIONS

Official endorsement at Pittsburgh Labor Day rally gives Edwards largest bloc of union support among presidential candidates so far

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The United Steelworkers (USW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president. Following the Thursday endorsement of Edwards by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in America, the two endorsements announced today at a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh with union members and their families give Edwards the largest bloc of union support so far – combined, more than 1.8 million members and retirees – among any of the presidential candidates.

“I am especially honored to receive the support of the Steelworkers and Mine Workers unions,” said Edwards, “These are the workers who built the middle class in America, and they are the backbone of the American labor movement. They understand how important it is to fight back when jobs, safety, standards and our values are at risk – and they know what’s at stake in this election.”

“These workers have felt the negative impact of a broken system in Washington that is rigged against America’s working families for far too long – whether it’s the tragic lack of oversight in mine safety, trade agreements written to benefit multinational corporations while they ship American jobs overseas, or the millions of working Americans who still can’t afford health insurance,” added Edwards. “As president, I will proudly lead the fight on behalf of working families with their support – and together we will win.”

Representing 1.2 million workers and retirees, the USW is the nation’s largest private sector industrial union. Following extensive outreach to USW members that included a poll of the union’s 15,000 activists, as well as a nationwide survey of the union’s membership, the USW International Executive Board voted unanimously on Sunday, September 2nd to endorse Edwards.

The UMWA represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. Their membership includes more coal miners than any union in the world

Both Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard and UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts announced their endorsement by making clear the stakes hard-working families face and laying out why Sen. Edwards is the best candidate to lead the fight for change in America. 

“Senator John Edwards is committed, as he has been throughout his life, to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government,” said Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard. “Edwards is right on the issues that matter to us, and he’s the candidate with the best chance of winning in the general election. The big corporations don’t need another president who does their bidding. It’s time we had a president who will fight for working people – and that’s what John Edwards will do.”

“Senator Edwards’ positions on the issues of importance to UMWA members make him the best fit of all the candidates for president,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “We need a president who cares about ordinary working people instead of the richest Americans and the big multinational corporations. We believe John Edwards is that person, and we will work as hard as we know how on his behalf anywhere and everywhere we can.”

Close to 1,000 people were expected at the Pittsburgh Labor Day rally where the unions’ official endorsements were announced. Sen. Edwards was joined on stage by USW President Leo Gerard, UMWA International President Cecil Roberts and local union members. Elizabeth Edwards and Edwards Campaign Manager David Bonior also attended the event.

Edwards Signs Four State Pledge

EDWARDS SIGNS FOUR STATE PLEDGE

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards today signed the “Four State Pledge” to show his support of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.  By signing the pledge, Edwards has agreed not to campaign in any state, other than the 4 designated early states, that schedules a presidential primary or caucus before February 5, 2008.  The pledge is written and sponsored by the State Democratic Parties in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.

“This election, more than any other, is about real change and choosing the candidate who is going to fight for that change,” said Edwards.  “Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina need to be first because in these states ideas count, not just money. These are places where voters get to look the candidate in the eye and measure their policies, ideas, and integrity.  That’s why I am signing this pledge.  This tried-and-true nominating system is the only way for voters to judge the field based on the quality of the candidate, not the depth of their war chest.

“I strongly encourage my fellow candidates to support this four state pledge.  The Democratic Party is the party of ideas, not money; Main Street, not Wall Street; and real people, not Washington insiders, and signing this pledge reaffirms that.”

Edwards Receives Support Of Carpenters Union

EDWARDS RECEIVES SUPPORT OF CARPENTERS UNION
Union endorses Edwards as the strongest candidate to win the election and help working Americans

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, representing more than 520,000 members from all political affiliations, today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president.  After carefully considering all the candidates from both parties, the Carpenters Union chose Edwards as the candidate with the best chance of winning the White House and the person who will best represent hard-working families.  Following a meeting with the union's executive board and 35 key leaders from throughout the United States last week in Las Vegas, they voted overwhelmingly to endorse Edwards. The formal endorsement will be made at a rally of union members on September 8th in New Hampshire.  Edwards' endorsement is the union's first endorsement in the primaries in several presidential cycles.

"I am honored to receive the support of the Carpenters Union," said Edwards.  "For more than a century, they have been fighting for working Americans and standing up for the values that have made our country great - hard work, responsibility, and fairness.  America was built by men and women who worked with their hands, and it's labor that made our country great. I look forward to joining with the Carpenters to build One America, where every person has the chance to work hard and get ahead."

"Our endorsement is based on the Senator's outspoken support for all of organized labor and his focus on America's working families," said Carpenters President Douglas J. McCarron.  "In addition to his support for labor, our leadership was particularly impressed with the Senator's strong stand on trade."

"We also believe that Senator Edwards will have a great appeal in a general election," McCarron continued.  "He has the ability to reach out to moderate voters, including the members of our union, and to address their very real concerns about jobs, health care and the economy."

Senator Edwards believes that in order to strengthen the middle class and build One America, we need to strengthen the union movement in our country.  He has traveled across the country to walk picket lines and has helped organize thousands of workers into unions.  Edwards is a strong supporter of workers' rights and has laid out a comprehensive agenda to help working families, which includes raising the minimum wage, guaranteeing universal health care, enacting smart and safe trade policies and protecting a worker's right to organize.

"More than ever, America needs a president who will stand up for working families and the middle class," Edwards said.  "I have walked picket lines and helped organize thousands of workers, and I've seen firsthand what unions go through every single day trying to protect the right to organize, trying to bargain collectively, and trying to get a decent wage and health care.  If we're going to grow the middle class and ensure fairness, we need to strengthen workers' rights.  I have always stood on the side of working Americans and I always will."

Edwards Statement On Caucus And Primary Calendar Chages

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON CAUCUS AND PRIMARY CALENDAR CHANGES

Des Moines, Iowa – As the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and By-Laws Committee prepares to meet this weekend, Senator John Edwards released the following statement:

“I strongly support the important and traditional role that Iowa and New Hampshire have played in the presidential nominating process for decades -- and they will play the same role this time. My campaign will – as all presidential campaigns should -- respect Iowa's special place as the nation's first caucus, and New Hampshire's place as the first primary.”

Edwards Outlines Vision to End The Game In Washington And Build One America

EDWARDS OUTLINES VISION TO END THE GAME IN WASHINGTON AND BUILD ONE AMERICA Delivers major speech about how we can make Washington work for the American people instead of establishment elites 

Hanover, New Hampshire - During a major speech at the start of his "Fighting for One America" bus tour in New Hampshire, Senator John Edwards today outlined the choice facing our country -- whether we have a government that benefits the establishment or a government that works for the American people -- and his vision of One America where Washington works for regular families, instead of powerful interests and every American has the chance to go as far as their hard work and God-given talents will take them.

"We as a nation must choose whether to do what America has always done in times like these - change direction and move boldly into the future for the sake of our children, if not for ourselves, or wander in the same stale direction we have traveled in our recent past," said Edwards.  "The choice we must make is as important as it is clear. It is a choice between looking back and looking forward. It is caution versus courage. Old versus new. Calculation versus principle. It is a choice between the failed compromises of the past and the bright possibilities of our future. Between resigning ourselves to Two Americas or fighting for the One America we all believe in."

Edwards discussed how our system is rigged against regular Americans.  With more than 60 lobbyists for every member of Congress, powerful interests and their Washington lobbyists write our policies to give themselves every break imaginable, while regular families struggle to get by, let alone get ahead.  From our health care policies to our energy policies to our economic policies, Washington insiders write the laws to increase their power and benefit their bottom lines.  Edwards believes the American people need to take responsibility for our country, and end the game in Washington, so we can return our government to a government of, by and for the people.

"It's time to end the game," said Edwards.  "It's time to tell the big corporations and the lobbyists who have been running things for too long that their time is over. It's time to challenge politicians to put the American people's interests ahead of their own calculated political interests, to look the lobbyists in the eye and just say no.  And it's time for the American people to take responsibility for our government - for in our democracy it is truly ours."

Edwards has been fighting powerful interests his entire life and knows that they will not give up their power without a fight.   He believes we need courage, conviction and big ideas to change our country.  Edwards is a strong supporter of public financing of campaigns and has called for federal candidates to stop taking money from Washington lobbyists.  Edwards believes getting rid of Washington lobbyist money is an important step to ending the game in Washington, but to truly end the game, the American people need to stand up and take our government back.  He has seen firsthand the power of the American people and believes that by joining together and taking action today, we can fundamentally change our country and build One America.

John Edwards Iowa Bus Tour Clear Lake

 

Ed Fallon Endorses John Edwards As The Strongest Candidate For President

ED FALLON ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS AS THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

Des Moines, Iowa – The John Edwards for President campaign today announced that former Iowa gubernatorial candidate and state representative Ed Fallon has endorsed Senator John Edwards in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"John Edwards is the only candidate who has offered progressive solutions on everything from universal health care to solving the global climate crisis," Fallon said. "He has been a strong and clear voice on ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home. He also has the backbone to stand up to the big corporations and the courage to tackle problems that other politicians simply ignore – like ending poverty in America. John Edwards can and will lead our party to victory in November 2008."

"I am honored to have Ed Fallon's support," Edwards said. "As a leading progressive voice in the Democratic Party, Ed understands the needs of Iowans, and I look forward to working with him in Iowa to build support for an agenda of bold change."

Jeff Link Endorses Edwards, Joins Campaign To Change America

JEFF LINK ENDORSES EDWARDS, JOINS CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE AMERICA Veteran Strategist Has Proven Record of Success in Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa – The John Edwards for President Campaign announced today the addition of Jeff Link as an adviser on message and strategy. Link, a Burlington native, is widely respected as one of the top Democratic operatives in Iowa.

“I’m honored to have Jeff Link joining our campaign,” Senator Edwards said. “He shares my view that we need real change in this country, and that change begins in Iowa. His skills and experience will help us to engage Iowans in an important cause: ending the war in Iraq, guaranteeing health care to all, and expanding opportunities for every American.”

“Not only does John Edwards have the boldest agenda of change and taking on special interests, but he is the strongest candidate to carry our party to victory next November,” Link said. “He is the only candidate who has won in a solidly red state and in poll after poll he is the best Democratic candidate against whomever the Republicans nominate. I’m honored to be a part of his team.”

Jeff Link has nearly two decades of Iowa political experience and is widely respected as one of the state’s top political strategists. During law school, Link founded LinkStrategies, ran the Gore-Lieberman 2000 campaign in Iowa. Link served as Senior Communications Strategist for former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack’s presidential campaign.

Edwards' 2007 "Fighting for One America" Iowa Bus Tour To Launch This Monday, August 13th

EDWARDS' 2007 “FIGHTING FOR ONE AMERICA” IOWA BUS TOUR TO LAUNCH THIS MONDAY, AUGUST 13th

Edwards Will Highlight His Bold Policies and Vision for America While Visiting 31 Communities and Thousands of Caucus Goers from August 13 to August 19

Des Moines, Iowa – Senator John Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards will kick off the 2007 “Fighting for One America” Iowa bus tour on August 13, 2007, with a supporter rally at campaign headquarters in Des Moines. The seven-day, 31-county bus tour will take the Edwards family from the Iowa State Fair to town hall meetings and community gatherings across the state, culminating in the Democratic Presidential Debate on August 19 at Drake University.

“Elizabeth and I are excited to bring our family back to Iowa and to talk to so many Iowans about our fight to build the One America we all believe in,” Edwards said. “From Ida Grove to Iowa City, and everywhere in between, we are looking forward to sharing our vision for real change in America.”

Edwards continues to drive the Democratic agenda by leading with bold ideas. While Washington continues to offer only rhetoric, empty talk and half-measures, Edwards is offering courage, conviction and real ideas. Each day of the tour will focus on a different critical issue facing America - ending the war in Iraq, restoring economic fairness to rural America, rewarding work, delivering true universal health care, creating a new energy economy, strengthening education and building a One America where every person has a chance to succeed.