2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Edwards Launches First Ad In Iowa

Edwards Launches First Ad in Iowa; Expands Effort to Urge Congress to Stand Firm on Iraq
Invites Iowans to Join Him in Speaking Out Against the War

Des Moines, Iowa – The John Edwards for President campaign today launched its first advertisement in Iowa as Senator John Edwards invited Iowans to join him in speaking out against the war in Iraq.  The ad is running statewide, including cable and broadcast television, beginning today.  It features Iowans who call on Congress not to back down to President Bush’s veto of the Iraq war funding resolution. 

“The American people have given Congress a mission to end the war - but that mission hasn't been accomplished yet,” said Edwards.  “Since President Bush continues to ignore the will of the American people, Congress has an important responsibility to stand firm.  This is a time for political courage, not political calculation. Congress needs to hear the message of Iowans and use its power to bring this war to an end.”

Edwards is also inviting citizens to submit their own video messages using YouTube technology, and he will release an expanded version of the Iowa ad online as more and more video messages are submitted. A previous online advertisement launched last week has already reached more than 170,000 views on YouTube.

The new ad is available at http://johnedwards.com/wethepeople-iowa

Script:

President Bush isn’t listening to Iowans.

He vetoed Congress’s plan to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home.

We, the People, want Congress to stand firm.

Don’t back down.  Send him the same bill that you sent him before.

Iowans support our troops. And we have a responsibility to bring them home.

Because stopping a President who believes he can do no wrong...takes people with the courage to do what’s right.

I’m John Edwards and I approve this message.

Actor Danny Glover And Prominent Civil Rights Activists Endorse John Edwards

PROMINENT CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS ENDORSE EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

New Orleans, Louisiana - During his visit to New Orleans and Baton Rouge today, Senator John Edwards received the support of three prominent civil rights activists. Actor Danny Glover, Louisiana civil rights activist Kwame Asante and Mississippi civil rights activist Derrick Johnson all endorsed Edwards for president. 

Glover and Asante joined Edwards today in New Orleans, where they worked on a damaged house in the 9th Ward and then visited Orelia Tyler, whose home Edwards worked on during his presidential announcement.  Today, Edwards is also speaking at the National Conference of Black Mayor' 33rd Annual Convention in Baton Rouge, where he will discuss how we can help New Orleans recover and how we can work to end inequality in our country. 

Glover endorsed Edwards saying, "John Edwards brings everyone to the table. His words, actions, and policies speak to all of us. He brings integrity, honesty, and a spirit of activism that challenges each of us to do more to make this a better nation and a better world. I know him, I trust him, and I know he will be a great president."

Asante said, "There is no greater a need or more important a time for our country to have a president that responds to the call of the people. Senator John Edwards' attendance at the National Conference of Black Mayors Convention in Louisiana is an example of his desire to answer that call. I support John Edwards by joining him on Friday in the 9th Ward of New Orleans to continue the work of rebuilding homes in New Orleans." 

Johnson said, "John Edwards brings a level of integrity that this country needs and deserves."

Iowans Join Edwards In Groundbreaking Ad

Iowans Join Edwards in Innovative Call for Congressional Courage on Iraq
Groundbreaking Ad Uses YouTube Technology to Send Message from “We the People”

Des Moines, Iowa – Iowans are among the first to join with Senator John Edwards in recording their own message to Congress urging them to stand up to President Bush and end the war in Iraq. Using YouTube technology, Edwards has invited Iowans and people from across the country to add their voices to an innovative TV and online advertising campaign that tells Congress to stand firm against President Bush and send him the same Iraq funding bill again and again until he signs it and brings the war to an end.

A new version of the ad featuring the Iowans is available on http://www.johnedwards.com/wethepeople. As more and more people send in video clips, they will be added and the new ad will be posted on YouTube and JohnEdwards.com.

“Iowans have joined this important call to bring our troops home and standing up to the President, and their message must be heard,” said Edwards. “Congress should answer the president's veto by sending him another bill with a timetable for withdrawal. And if he vetoes that one, they should send him another and another until we end this war and bring our troops home.  It’s time for Congress and the President to listen to the voices of the American people."

“People sent a clear message in the last election that it’s time to end this war,” said Mary Clark of Carlisle, one of the Iowans featured in ad.  “I hope that Democrats and Republicans in Congress take our message seriously, and do whatever it takes to get our troops home.  Our troops have shown enormous courage, but now we need our Congress to do the same.”

Edwards said that the messages from regular Iowans are particularly important now that President Bush has vetoed legislation to bring our troops home.  He has expressed great concern at reports that Congressional negotiators have taken a timetable for withdrawal off the table in talks with the White House.

A 30 second version of the ad is running in the Washington, D.C. media market - so that Congress will hear the message – while the longer version, including a growing number of people who have submitted their own video, will continue to run on the John Edwards website and YouTube.

Iowans who have added their voices to the ad include Mary Clark of Carlisle, Jackie Rote of Ankeny, Erika Horstmann of West Des Moines, Karen Miller of West Des Moines, and Dan Kelley of Newton.

Edwards Calls For News Networks To Make Debate Footage Available

EDWARDS CALLS FOR NEWS NETWORKS TO MAKE DEBATE FOOTAGE AVAILABLE

Chapel Hill, North Carolina -- Senator John Edwards sent the following letter to news networks, asking them to make video footage from the presidential debates that they broadcast available to the public.

Dear Messrs Walton, Moonves and Zucker, Mses. Sweeney and Kerger, and Dr. Dean:

Selecting a president is the most important responsibility Americans have.  In an age of 30-second ads, 7-second sound bites and media consolidation, making an informed decision is harder than ever.

That is why I am asking each news network to make video footage from the presidential debates that they broadcast available on the internet for the public to view and use responsibly.  I am also asking Chairman Dean, who is playing a valuable role in organizing many of the Democratic primary debates, to use his influence with the networks to make the debates more broadly available.

The Creative Commons license terms offer an easy way to ensure that the networks' rights are protected.  Much of the content on my own campaign web site is available under just such a license.

Commercial constraints are severe enough in their effect in diluting the substance of our campaigns.  Limiting access to long-form televised debates makes matters worse.

Sincerely,

John Edwards

Raul M. Grijalva and Arizona Leaders Endorse Edwards

Congressman Raul M. Grijalva and Arizona Leaders Endorse Edwards for President

Tucson, Arizona - As Senator John Edwards visits Tucson today for a community meeting, several Arizona Democratic leaders are endorsing Edwards for president, including Congressman Raul M. Grijalva.

"I am honored to have Raul's support and the support of all these great Arizona leaders," said Edwards. "Working together we can restore America's place of moral leadership in the world and lift up all Americans."

"I strongly believe that John Edwards is the right man for the Democrats to nominate for the White House in 2008," said Grijalva. "He has shown principled leadership on the way in Iraq and on economic opportunity in America."

John Edwards Launches Groundbreaking, Multimedia Ad

EDWARDS USES FIRST MEDIA BUY TO URGE CONGRESS TO STAND FIRM AGAINST PRESIDENT BUSH ON IRAQ LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING, MULTIMEDIA AD
By Using YouTube Technology, Americans from Across The Country Will Be Able To Participate in New, Innovative Ad Airing on TV and Web

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Following President Bush's veto of the Iraq funding bill, Senator John Edwards and people across the country are joining together to urge Congress to stand firm against the President in a new, groundbreaking ad.  The ad, which will run in the Washington, D.C. media market and on the John Edwards website and YouTube, features regular Americans calling on Congress to stand up to President Bush and send him the same Iraq funding bill again and again until he signs it and brings the war to an end. 

"President Bush vetoed a bill that supports our troops and ends the war in Iraq that he declared won four years ago," said Edwards.  "Congress needs to stand firm and strong. Congress should answer the president's veto by sending him another bill with a timetable for withdrawal. And if he vetoes that one, Congress should send him another and another until we end this war and bring our troops home."

Edwards launched his campaign for the presidency by asking Americans to take action today to change our country. He is continuing this call by asking Americans to record their own personal messages urging Congress to stand up to President Bush.  After the first cut of the ad airs, the John Edwards for President campaign will then incorporate these messages into future versions of the ad, which will be posted on the John Edwards website and YouTube.  Edwards' new, innovative ad does more than spread Edwards' message and keep pressure on Congress, it allows the American people to directly share their messages with Congress in an unprecedented way, and shows Congress that this message is not just from him, but from the American people.

The campaign will also ask Americans to speak out against the war by donating money to air the ad. Last week, Edwards launched an emergency online petition to Congress by sending a national email and putting up blog ads.  The petition urges Congress to not back down against President Bush, and has already gathered over 87,000 signatures.  The campaign continues to use the latest technology to get more Americans involved in the campaign, because Edwards believes that in order to change our country, we all need to stand up and take action today. 

The script of the ad is below:

Person 1: President Bush isn't listening to us.
Person 2: It's time to end the war.

Person 3: Congress passed a plan to end it.
Person 4: And bring our troops home.

Person 5: But the President vetoed it.

Person 6: We want Congress to know
Person 7: We are with you.
Person 8: Don't back down to President Bush.
Person 1: Send him the same bill again and again.

Person 9: We the people
Person 9: Will stand with you.
Person 2: Because stopping a President who believes he can do no wrong Person 1: -- takes people with courage to do what's right.

John Edwards: I'm John Edwards and I approve this message.

To view the ad, please go to: http://www.johnedwards.com/wethepeople

John Edwards Gains Support Across Wisconsin

EDWARDS GAINS SUPPORT ACROSS WISCONSIN

Chapel Hill, North Carolina -- As Senator John Edwards' campaign continues to gain support from Democratic leaders in every part of the country, today the campaign announced the support of prominent leaders in Wisconsin, including State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and former Governor Tony Earl.  In March, Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, endorsed Edwards for President.

State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass said, "As the new State Treasurer of Wisconsin, I am supporting John Edwards for President.  John Edwards understands that all Americans must take responsibility for changing our country, and he exhibits the leadership and the plan to help save our middle class, develop better health care for all citizens, and improve our standing in the world.  As a lifelong union member dedicated to public service, I know that John Edwards has spent much of his career as a champion for workers' rights and fighting the scourge of poverty among our working class citizens."

"I am glad to have the chance to support John Edwards for president again, as I did in 2004," said Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "The issues he raised in his campaign four years ago, especially the issue of poverty, are even more pressing today. John Edwards will restore our moral leadership in the world and lead a grassroots movement to lead our nation forward at this critical time in our history."

Former Governor Tony Earl endorsed Edwards saying, "John Edwards understands the concerns of ordinary people and is best prepared to address them.  In addition he is our most electable candidate."

The Wisconsin Democratic leaders endorsing Edwards for President are:

• Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee
• State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass
• Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz
• Former Governor Tony Earl
• Public Service Commissioner Mark Meyer
• State Senator Russ Decker, CoChair of the Committee on Joint Finance
• State Senator Jon Erpenbach
• State Senator Bob Jauch
• State Senator John Lehman
• State Senator Bob Wirch
• State Representative Jennifer Shillin
• State Representative David Travis, Former Majority Leader
• State Representative Amy Sue Vruwink
• State Representative Sondy PopeRoberts
• State Representative Donna Seidel
• State Representative Mike Sheridan, UAW Local 95 President* (for identification purposes only)
• Dottie LeClair, 2nd Vice Chair of State Democratic Party of Wisconsin

Edwards Statement On Toyota Outselling General Motors

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON TOYOTA OUTSELLING GENERAL MOTORS

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards today released the following statement on the news that Toyota has outsold General Motors to become the worldwide leader in auto sales for the first time in history:

"The news that Toyota has passed GM as the world's top automaker while President Bush stubbornly pursues a one-sided trade deal with South Korea vividly demonstrates the stakes of the next election for American workers.  For decades, American automakers and auto workers haven't just built automobiles, they've built the American middle class that's now been decimated by the failure and neglect of our national economic policies.   A dangerous combination of bad trade policies and inattention to economic crises like out-of-control health care and energy costs is squeezing the life out of our manufacturing economy. This pattern will continue until we have an administration that focuses first on the needs of ordinary Americans instead of catering to those on top.

"The President should abandon his dogged pursuit of a trade deal that kicks American automakers when they're down. We already buy more than 100 times more South Korean cars than they buy from us.  Any trade deal should start with South Korea fully and fairly opening their market to American autos.  For over 50 years, South Korea has been one of our most valuable allies in Asia, but even friends should bargain fairly and, unfortunately, we know from previous experience that South Korea has not lived up to its agreements on autos."

South Carolina State Representatives Enourage Colleagues To Support John Edwards

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE REPRESENTATIVES ENCOURAGE COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Columbia, South Carolina - Today, three prominent African American South Carolina State Representatives are sending a letter to over 500 black state legislators from across the country, discussing why they support Senator John Edwards for president.  State Representatives Bill Clyburn, Lonnie Hosey and Chris Hart, who have all endorsed Edwards for President, are encouraging their colleagues to join them in supporting Edwards, believing he is the best candidate to address the concerns of their communities and bring about bold change for America.

"When it comes to the issues that state and local governments deal with everyday, like affordable health care and expanding opportunity, Senator Edwards leads this campaign with tangible and achievable plans," wrote Clyburn, Hosey and Hart.

In their letter, Clyburn, Hosey and Hart, mention Edwards' work over the past few years to ensure justice - walking the picket line with workers in Miami, working to raise the minimum wage in six states and traveling to Louisiana with 700 college students over Spring Break to help with rebuilding efforts.   They also cite Edwards' detailed plans to ensure opportunity for all Americans as a reason they support Edwards.  His plans to end poverty, provide universal health care, make college available to everyone and fight global warming would improve local and state communities across the country. 

Prominent New Hampshire Leaders Endorse John Edwards

PROMINENT NEW HAMPSHIRE LEADERS ENDORSE JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT
NEW HAMPSHIRE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE FORMED TO LEAD GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN ACROSS NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester, New Hampshire - Building on its momentum in the state, the John Edwards for President Campaign announced today that prominent leaders from across New Hampshire have endorsed Senator John Edwards for President.  These endorsers will join Edwards' New Hampshire Leadership Committee and help build a grassroots campaign across New Hampshire.

"I am honored to have the support of so many great New Hampshire leaders," said Edwards.  "I plan to continue to campaign hard in New Hampshire and look forward to working with these leaders to strengthen our grassroots campaign here in New Hampshire, so every voter knows my plans for big, bold change for America."

Laurie McCray, a veteran activist from the Seacoast region endorsed Edwards saying, "We have proven over the last two years that building grassroots, 'outside-in' movements is the recipe for creating change in New Hampshire. I believe that the Edwards campaign is the next great example of this, and I am thrilled to be a part of the movement."

"My commitment to Senator Edwards is as strong today as ever," said former State Senator and Edwards 2004 State Director Caroline McCarley. "John Edwards has spoken with distinct clarity about the great moral issues of our time and his plans to address them, and I am honored to stand with him once more."

Edwards continues to gain strength in New Hampshire and is also the only Democratic candidate to receive endorsements from members of the New Hampshire State Senate.