2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

The Reviews Are In – Part 3: John Edwards At The Des Moines Register Debate

REVIEWS ARE IN – PART 3: DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

Former Clinton Advisor David Gergen: “John Edwards Was the Best.” David Gergen said on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” last night, “John Edwards was the best today. He was the most focused. I think he actually walked away with some honors today.” [CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” 12/13/07]

NBC’s Tim Russert: Focus Groups “Indicated a Strong Showing by John Edwards;” Edwards Gave a “Forceful” Performance in the Debate.  Tim Russert:  “The focus groups after the debate by the various cable networks indicated a strong showing by John Edwards.  He was a forceful trial lawyer on display, articulating the message of populism, talking about the greed in Washington.”  [MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 12/14/07]

NBC’s David Shuster: Edwards “Absolutely” Won; “the Person Who Has Been on the Change Bandwagon the Longest and Has Been Pushing It in the Economic Sense Is John Edwards.” Joe Scarborough: “Let’s talk first about John Edwards last night and his debate performance. We’re going to be talking to him in a minute. Did he win the debate last night?” David Shuster: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Edwards was passionate as he always is, but here’s one thing that is really important, Joe.  And that is, the more you hear the candidates talk about change, that’s just half of the equation. The other half of it in Iowa is this idea of economic progress. We went to Newton, Iowa - to the Maytag factory which had been closed.  And every single person we talk with there who is concerned about the economy says they are supporting John Edwards and they are committed.  And so the more you hear the candidates talking about well we need change, I think the person who has been on the change bandwagon the longest and has been pushing it in the economic sense is John Edwards.  And that does seem to be the issue that’s resonating right now.” [MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 12/14/07]

Newsweek’s Andrew Romano: “With the Most to Gain Today, John Edwards Probably ‘Gained’ the Most.” “I will, however, say this. With the most to gain today, John Edwards probably ‘gained’ the most. The media wants a two-way race between Obama and Clinton, and always has; it’s simply a cleaner narrative to write.  But after focusing for a full news cycle on what a Clinton surrogate said about Obama’s past drug use--and how the Obama campaign responded--reporters are suddenly ‘remembering’ (by virtue of seeing him on stage) that Edwards exists (and is still viable). Yesterday, no one was listening. Today, they are. With the spotlight shining down, Edwards delivered a laserbeam performance, emphasizing his core ‘people vs. the powerful’ message by repeating the word ‘corporate’ or ‘corporation’ 13 times over the course of 90 minutes. It was a savvy strategy. Clinton and Obama finished the debate exactly where they started--discussing drugs. Edwards got more attention than he’s had in weeks. I’d call that a win.” [Newsweek’s “Stumper,” 12/13/07 (https://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2007/12/13/live-blogging-the-iowa-democratic-debate.aspx)]

Politico.com’s Ben Smith: Edwards “Won High Marks from Undecided Voters.”  “Edwards, meanwhile, won high marks from undecided voters in cable network focus groups for answers that drew heavily, and often verbatim, from his stump speech. Asked about his New Year’s resolution, for instance, Edwards stayed right on message, resolving ‘to remember…that somewhere in America tonight a child will go to bed hungry.’” [Politico.com, 12/14/07 (https://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=D58896AD-3048-5C12-006169DB45AADA67)]

ABC’s “The Note”: Edwards “Probably Turned in the Best Performance.”  “It was former senator John Edwards, D-N.C., who may probably turned in the best performance, returning repeatedly to the I’ll-fight-for-you mantra he’s taking to caucus-goers. Edwards ‘was relentlessly on message, sounding strong, and making a very good case to keep this a three-person race.’”  [ABC News’ “The Note,” 12/14/07 (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3105288&page=1)]

TPM’s Greg Sargent: “Edwards Debate Performance Wows CNN and Fox Focus Groups.” “For all the fireworks between Hillary and Obama at the debate, it was John Edwards who most impressed the voters who were assembled by CNN and Fox News to gauge reaction…Meanwhile, ABC News’ Rick Klein kept an eye on the Fox News dial sessions with voters and says that Edwards’ answers repeatedly drove voter responses high up and off the charts.” [TPM Election Central, “Edwards Debate Performance Wows CNN And Fox Focus Groups,” 12/13/07 (https://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/edwards_debate_performance_wows_cnn_and_fox_focus_groups.php)]

The New Republic’s Noam Scheiber: “Edwards Was “as Crisp as Ever;” “If … You Were Tuning in for the First Time Today, You Could Easily Have Been Impressed with His Coherence and Forcefulness.”  In a post entitled “How Some of Us Got the Debate Wrong,” Noam Scheiber of The New Republic wrote, “Talking to other journalists after the debate, I got the impression that they weren’t so excited about Edwards’s performance. (That was true of me and Mike, too.) So a lot of us were surprised to hear the cable networks’ focus groups proclaim him the winner. But this may be one of those instances of political journalists being a horrible proxy for ordinary voters. It’s not that we in the media thought Edwards was lousy--to the contrary, most thought he was as crisp as ever. It’s just that all the material was pretty familiar. If, on the other hand, you were tuning in for the first time today, you could easily have been impressed with his coherence and forcefulness. The man is just a damn good trial lawyer. And the kinds of people he used to persuade in courtrooms are precisely the kinds of people who’ll decide the outcome of the caucuses.”  [The New Republic’s “The Stump,” (https://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_stump/default.aspx)]

CNN’s Donna Brazile: Edwards’ Moment Came While Talking About Standing with Workers at the Maytag Plant. CNN’s Donna Brazile said, “John Edwards gave a very consistent performance.  He talked about corporate greed.  He talked about fighting for the middle class. He was very specific.  I thought his moment came when he reminded the voters in Iowa that he was there in Newton when the Maytag plant closed.  That was a way of saying, ‘I know your pain, I’ve known you now for four years, Trust me, I’ll continue to fight for you.’”  [CNN, 12/13/07]

TIME’s Mark Halperin: “If Enough Iowa Democrats Watched the Debate, Vegas Harpies Would be Dumb as an Ear of Corn to Bet Too Much Against This Guy in the Caucuses.” “Grade: A- | Displayed with mechanized efficiency the same confidence and warm populism that he has nearly perfected on the campaign trail. Talked about his family’s working-class roots and the daily struggles of real Iowans with the silky polish of the world-class trial lawyer that he once was. If enough Iowa Democrats watched the debate, Vegas harpies would be dumb as an ear of corn to bet too much against this guy in the caucuses.”  [TIME’s “The Page,” 12/13/07 (https://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1694387_1694389,00.html)]

Iowa Congressman Boswell Endorses Hillary Clinton

Congressman Boswell Endorses Hillary Clinton
Senior Iowa Democratic House Member Announces His Support for Hillary Clinton

Des Moines, IA – Citing her strength and experience, and calling her the Democrats’ best chance to win the White House, Congressman Leonard Boswell today endorsed Hillary Clinton for President.

Boswell, who has served in Congress for the past decade and is a Vietnam veteran, praised Clinton for her 35 years of experience fighting for change.  “Our next leader must have the vision and the know-how to make our country energy independent, bring healthcare to the uninsured and end the war in Iraq,” he said.  “We need someone with the strength and experience to take on the toughest challenges.  We need someone who's got a lifetime record of getting results.  I know just the person: my friend, Hillary Clinton.”

Boswell also called Clinton the most electable candidate in the race.  “The country cannot afford for the Democrats to lose another election.  There’s too much at stake.  She’s the most qualified candidate and has the best chance at winning back the White House.”

Boswell made his endorsement this morning at a news conference with Clinton in Des Moines.  A video announcement was also e-mailed to supporters across Iowa.

“I honored and thrilled to have Congressman Boswell’s support,” Hillary Clinton said. “As the longest serving Iowa Democratic Member of the House, he understands what is most important to Iowans and their families. We share many of the same values and goals for our country; such as restoring America’s standing around the world, ending the war in Iraq and ensuring that every American has health care.”

Dorothy Rodham And Chelsea Clinton Featured In New Hillary Ad

Dorothy Rodham and Chelsea Clinton Featured in New Hillary Ad

DES MOINES, IA – The Clinton campaign today launched a new ad in Iowa and New Hampshire, featuring Hillary, her mother, Dorothy Rodham, and her daughter Chelsea Clinton. 

The new 30-second spot, entitled, “Proud,” discusses the relationships and values that Hillary has learned from her family. It is the first spot that Chelsea Clinton appears in on behalf of her mom in her 2008 presidential campaign.

Following is the script for the ad.

Hillary for President

“Proud”

TV: 30

Hillary Clinton:  “I’m thrilled that I have my mother and my daughter with me tonight.  My mother, Dorothy Rodham, my daughter, Chelsea Clinton.   

“You know, as I travel around I see so many families who share the same values I was brought up with.   

“My mom taught me to stand up for myself and to stand up for those who can’t do it on their own.

“I’m proud to live by those values.  But what I’m most proud of is knowing who I’ve passed them on to.   

“I’m Hillary Clinton and I approved this message.”

Mike Huckabee At The Des Moines Register Republican Presidential Debate

Mike Huckabee Triumphs At Republican Presidential Debate

Johnston, IA – Former Arkansas Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee scored major points Wednesday during the Des Moines Register’s Republican Presidential Debate in Johnston, Iowa – the final debate before the January 3rd Iowa Caucus.

"My first priority is to bring our country together again. We are a polarized country, which has led to having a paralyzed government,” said Huckabee. “We are fighting each other – but who is fighting for this country?”

“We need to stop fighting among ourselves – and put the interests of the people above our own. We need to be the united people of the United States. The job of the President is to somehow remind us that we are a great, resilient nation that has to work together to solve all of these problems,” he said.

On topics ranging from education reform to health care and energy and the environment, Huckabee outlined a results-driven agenda that reflects his optimistic vision for America.

Huckabee, who served as governor of Arkansas for 10 ½ years, said he had “the most experience of anyone on the stage and an impressive record" on education. "We raised standards. We measured and held people accountable for results.”

While the primary responsibility for education is with the states, Huckabee said the federal government can play a “pivotal role by making sure that the best practices of what is working in the states gets to those states that are struggling.

“Any time you give governors the opportunity to know what works, they’ll use it because it creates jobs and economic development," he said.

Huckabee also asserted that a primary job of the President, besides being Commander-in- Chief, is to be “Communicator-in-Chief.” As President, Huckabee said he would use the bully pulpit to reform education.

“For a President to say it’s none of my business is recklessly irresponsible,” he said.

Noting that 6,000 students drop out of school every day and one-third of high school students do not graduate, he said “it is unacceptable that so many kids leave our schools every single day.”

Calling himself a passionate advocate of including music and the arts instruction as part of all students’ curriculum to increase creativity, he said: “We need to unleash what I call the ‘weapons of mass instruction’

During the debate, Huckabee affirmed that America’s mounting national debt is indeed a national security issue. “A country is not free if it can't produce three things for itself – its own food, its own fuel, and its own fighting apparatus. If we can’t do those three things, our national security is very much at risk,” said Huckabee.

Huckabee also stated that America’s health care system is “upside down.” When 80 percent of the two trillion dollars we spend on health care goes to chronic diseases, “if we don't focus on prevention, we'll never catch up," Huckabee said.

Regarding federal tax policy, Huckabee asserted that over 80 percent of the Americans believe the tax code is unfair. “That’s why we need the Fair Tax,” he said.

When asked, Huckabee said he supported market-based efforts to combat climate change. Whether humans are responsible for the bulk of climate change or not, he said the “reason that this issue should be important is that we don’t own this earth, we are stewards. We’ve done no harm if we take better care of this planet so it is in better shape for future generations when we give it back.”

The Reviews Are In – Part 2: John Edwards At The Des Moines Register Debate

REVIEWS ARE IN – PART 2: DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

CNN Focus Group Declared Edwards the Winner.  A CNN focus group of 23 undecided registered Democrats in Iowa who watched the debate declared John Edwards the winner of the debate.   CNN’s Mary Snow: “Twenty-three registered Democrats came in here undecided.  We asked them who they felt performed the best in this debate and they concluded they felt that John Edwards performed the best, with Senator Clinton right behind him.  Now of course, this is unscientific, but also the other question posed to them.  If the election were held today, who would you vote for?  And in that question, John Edwards came in first, Senator Barack Obama second, and Senator Clinton came in third.” Those participating in the CNN dial group said they would vote for Edwards.  “If you were going to vote today, for whom would you vote?”:  Edwards 39%, Obama 26%, Clinton 22%. [CNN, 12/13/07]

CNN: Edwards’ Answer on Education Was One of Debate’s Strongest Moments. CNN’s Mary Snow: “Also when the candidates were talking about education, that really resonated with the people here in this room, 23 registered democrats who are undecided.  Take a look at how they responded when John Edwards was talking about his education plans.” Video of Edwards: “We need to radically change No Child Left Behind.  And if that doesn’t work, we should get rid of it.”  Snow: “Those were two of the strongest moments.”  [CNN, 12/13/07]

NBC's Chuck Todd: “Edwards Seemed To Do a Good Job of Talking to Iowans Specifically.” “Edwards seemed to do a good job of talking to Iowans specifically; he strikes me as being the John Edwards of late 2003; Could he be on a similar comeback trail that he experienced in '03 in Iowa? Time will tell.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/13/514795.aspx]

TIME’s Mark Halperin: Edwards “displayed with mechanized efficiency the same confidence and warm populism that he has nearly perfected on the campaign trail. Grade: A-” [https://thepage.time.com/excerpts-from-mark-halperins-debate-report-cards-2/]

CBS’ Vaughn Ververs: “If There Was a Winner, It May Have Been Edwards.” “If there was a winner, it may have been Edwards. His answers to almost every question hewed to his populist themes of sticking up for the disadvantaged and sticking it to corporate America. That should play well among Democrats in Iowa.” [https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/13/politics/horserace/entry3615380.shtml]

Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “One of the Most Gifted (if Not the Most Gifted) Debater on Any Stage.” [https://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/12/democratic_debate_winners_and_3.html] “John Edwards (First 45 minutes): Edwards is, without question, one of the most gifted (if not the most gifted) debater on any stage. And, for the first 45 minutes of the debate his populist ‘us versus them’ message really hit home. ‘Corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government,’ he said at one point; ‘You have to be willing to fight....I have been fighting these people and winning my entire life,’ he said at another.”

Bleeding Heartland Blog: “Edwards Did Indeed Win the Debate.” Chris Woods wrote, “I'm going to argue that John Edwards did indeed win the debate.  He articulated a coherent message that blamed corruption, greed, and entrenched interests for the problems America faces.  He also clearly told viewers that the only way to enact the policies and proposals that the candidates have promised is to elect a president that will unite America to stand up and fight back against these people.  His criticisms were constant, his answers honest, and his leadership potential was clear.  He told us how he is fighting for the middle class, and how he's the candidate to truly enact change.” [https://www.bleedingheartland.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=759]

Focus Group of Iowa Voters Declares Edwards the Winner.

Frank Luntz: “I want you to raise your hands if you walked in here with John Edwards as your first choice. One, two of you. How many of you thought John Edwards won the debate? [Majority of crowd raises hand.] What was it about John Edwards – you didn’t pick him – but what was it about John Edwards you thought stood out?”

“Very believable…He came in there with answers”: Democratic voter #1: “I had John Edwards coming in number three, and he was very believable, he didn’t beat around the bush, he talked about the strong interest groups that he’s been fighting for all the time, and he has a plan. He came in there with answers.”

“Refreshingly authentic…I was very moved”: Democratic voter #2: “I thought he was refreshingly authentic. I didn’t expect it and I was very moved by many of his words.”

“I was really moved”: Frank Luntz: “Susan, you weren’t an Edwards person when you walked in…” Democratic voter, Susan: “Edwards was my third choice when I walked in.” Luntz: “And yet you thought he won.”  “He was concise, he got to the point, he answered the questions without beating around the bush, and I was really moved when he talked about how he has worked all his life like David v. Goliath. That impressed me.”

“He was my third choice, now he is my first”: Democratic voter #4: “That was my line exactly. Authenticity, number one. I think he would go after the corporations that are causing much of the trouble in the world today. He was my third choice, now he is my first.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]

Iowa Focus Group Gave Edwards’ Answers Two of Their Best Scores.  Frank Luntz said about a focus group of Iowa voters watching the debate: “Well, the Democrats, and this has been consistent from when we started, the Democrats are happier with their candidates today than the Republicans were with their candidates yesterday, and so it's very tough to choose the top dial scores - John Edwards had two of them.”

Edwards’ Answer on Education Was a “Homerun, But It Goes Even Higher When He Gets Specific.” Luntz: “Remember that our yellow lines, our gold lines, those are [liberals], the blue lines are moderates – the higher the lines go the more favorable the reaction. Edwards had begun this clip talking about education and it was a homerun, but it goes even higher when he gets specific, let's take a look.  [JRE answer] He is off the charts.”

“When He Is Talking About Health Care, Middle-Class Tax Cuts. ..These Lines, at Certain Points, They Can't Get Higher Than That.” Luntz: “When he is talking about health care, middle-class tax cuts. ..these lines, at certain points, they can't get higher than that. John Edwards also did a clip on education; let's roll that second clip. Again, it was not just the generalities and the principles. When Edwards talked about exactly what he was going to do, it scored as well as anything we have tested in the debates.  [JRE answer] Once again, he’s off the charts. The Edwards language was very effective today on all these issues, because he had passion, he had focus, and as our participants said, he had a beginning, middle and an end. Very impressive.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]

Bill Richardson Statement At The Des Moines Register Debate

Richardson Clear Winner at Final Democratic Debate before Iowa Caucuses
Richardson says Iraq is most important issue facing America at Des Moines Register debate

DES MOINES, IA-- At the Des Moines Register debate today, New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson demonstrated that he will be ready to lead from his first day in the Oval Office.

Clearly the most Presidential of the candidates, Richardson turned the conversation back to the most important issue facing America: the war in Iraq. Richardson reiterated his profound commitment to ending the war quickly and safely.

"I am going to focus on one issue because I am concerned about the fact that, in the media and in the last debate, the Iraq war was not discussed," Richardson said. "Somehow we are losing sight that this is the fundamental issue affecting our country. This is not just because we need to come together as a country, as this war has divided us enormously, but also because it is the key to what we do to give health care, our kids, and creating jobs a chance.

"37 American troops died in November. We have over 60,000 of our troops with mental trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, and we have a VA system that is not responding. This is such an urgent, fundamental issue, and I can tell you that as I have gone to every one of the 99 counties in Iowa, this is the number one issue affecting this country and Iowa caucus-goers."

Campaign manager Dave Contarino echoed Richardson's strong stance on the Iraq war.

"Governor Richardson believes that our brave troops have done all that they can in Iraq," campaign manager Dave Contarino said. "There is no military solution to the Iraq war, only a political one. Governor Richardson does not want to see one more American soldier die in the midst of Iraq's civil war. It is past time for our troops to come home. Only in this way can we invest in top domestic priorities such as universal health care and education."

At the debate, Richardson proposed an ambitious agenda for his first year in office.

"In my first year, I would pull all of our troops out of Iraq, leaving no residual forces behind and providing a specific plan for a safe withdrawal," Richardson said. "I would make a major effort to pass universal health care; it will take two or three years to implement. I would announce an energy revolution because I think that reducing our dependence on oil is one of our most urgent priorities.

"Then what I would do is simply say to the American people, as your President, I am going to follow the Constitution of the United States. That means bringing back habeas corpus, not using torture as a tool in our foreign policy, and rejoining the Geneva Conventions. That means no eavesdropping on our own citizens. That means restoring ourselves as a nation that will respect the balance between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. We will be the conscience of the world, not the world's policeman."

Richardson has visited every one of Iowa's 99 counties and has a strong organization in the state. Combined with today's debate performance, he has growing momentum going into the January 3rd caucuses.

The Reviews Are In: Hillary Clinton At The Des Moines Register Debate

The Reviews Are In: 'Presidential,' 'Major Home Runs,' 'Back In Her Groove'

CNN’S CANDY CROWLEY – 'THIS WAS A VERY PLEASANT, POSITIVE, PRESIDENTIAL-LOOKING HILLARY CLINTON' [CNN, 12/13/07]

UNDECIDED VOTER: ‘I DECIDED TO GO TO FOR SEN. CLINTON… I THOUGHT SHE HIT SOME MAJOR HOME RUNS… SHE REALLY SHOWED SHE COULD BE A GREAT LEADER': “Absolutely, I decided to go to for Sen. Clinton. I thought she was terrific in the debate, I thought she hit some major home runs. She was so specific in all of her answers and I think she really showed she could be a great leader.” [CNN, Focus group of undecided voters, 12/13/07]

DES MOINES REGISTER’S CAROL HUNTER – 'CLINTON’S HUMOR COMES THROUGH':  “Clinton offered a humorous moment: Do you want us to raise our hands on global warming? she offered to Washburn. After yesterday, when some Republicans flat out refused to raise hands, everyone laughed.  Clinton's humor comes through.”  [Des Moines Register, 12/13/07 ]

ABC NEW’S RICK KLEIN – HILLARY WAS 'BACK IN HER GROOVE':  “Clinton seemed to get back into her groove for much of the afternoon -- good, strong close for her.” [ABC News, Political Radar, 12/13/07 ]

THE ATLANTIC’S MARC AMBINDER – HILLARY WAS  'VERY STRONG':  “Clinton’s opening statement was very strong.”  [The Atlantic, 12/13/07 ]

NBC NEWS’ CHUCK TODD – HILLARY DELIVERS 'PLENTY OF GOOD MOMENTS': [First Read, MSNBC, 12/13/07 ]

DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST STEPHANIE CUTTER – HILLARY ‘DID VERY WELL TODAY… HER CLOSING ARGUMENT WAS FANTASTIC.’ “I think that to the extent that you thought Hillary Clinton had lost her footing, she got it back today… I think that anytime you talk on substance, Hillary does very well and she did very well today, she had some good moments about energy independence, about the type of change she will achieve. And her closing argument was fantastic.” [CNN, 12/13/07]

The Reviews Are In: John Edwards At The Des Moines Register Debate

REVIEWS ARE IN: DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

Focus Group of Iowa Voters Declares Edwards the Winner. Fox News’ focus group of Democrats in Iowa watching the debate declared Edwards the winner of the debate. Luntz: “I want you to raise your hands if you walked in here with John Edwards as your first choice. One, two of you. How many of you thought John Edwards won the debate? [Majority of crowd raises hand.] What was it about John Edwards – you didn’t pick him – but what was it about John Edwards you thought stood out?” Democratic voter: “I had John Edwards coming in number three, and he was very believable, he didn’t beat around the bush, he talked about the strong interest groups that he’s been fighting for all the time, and he has a plan. He came in there with answers.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]
Mark Halperin’s Debate Grades: “Edwards A-“
Edwards A-
Obama A-
Clinton B+
Richardson B+
Biden B-
Dodd C
[https://thepage.time.com/2007/12/13/game-on-7/]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Though Wins On My Scorecards.”  “3:25 pm ET: Edwards though wins on my scorecards -- he was relentlessly on message, sounding strong, and making a very good case to keep this a three-person race.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]
Des Moines Register: “He’s Good;” Praised Edwards’ Answer on New Year’s Resolution. Edwards' strength | Posted 12/13/2007 2:19 PM CST | “‘Somewhere in America tonight, a child will go to bed hungry.’ said Edwards. ‘Somewhere in America today...a father will lose his job.’ All of us are going to be just fine, he said of fellow candidates. ‘What's at stake is whether America is going to be just fine.’ He's good.” [https://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=6aa49eec18864cf1814cf819f68a476d&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a6aa49eec18864cf1814cf819f68a476dPost%3a89009a41-e7af-49f7-8011-9e960abb4fad&sid=sitelife.desmoinesregister.com]

Fox News’ Major Garrett: “Edwards: Looks Crisp and Confident and Has Clearly Honed His Populist Message.” “Edwards: Looks crisp and confident and has clearly honed his populist message about the role of corporate influence on American political life, his line ‘corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government,’ will stand as one of the punchiest of the day and crystallizes his campaign theme. His fumbling of his desire that this generation leave the nation in better shape than it was found left a humanizing and humorous feeling in the air.”
[https://bourbonroom.blogs.foxnews.com/2007/12/13/democratic-debate-impressions/]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Is ‘Driven in [His] Gut.’ Once Again, He Brings It Back to a Clear, Concise Message.” “3:22 pm ET: Edwards is ‘driven in [his] gut.’ Once again, he brings it back to a clear, concise message.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]
Marc Ambinder: “But Who Did Best?... On Balance, Clinton and Edwards.” “But who did best?... On balance, Clinton and Edwards.... Why them, and not Obama? Because Clinton and Edwards repeatedly wove their answers into a larger argument…. Almost every other phrase out of John Edwards’s mouth contained the words “corporate power..” or “entrenched interests.” And Edwards wasn’t aggressive.” [https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/12/democratic_debate_first_take.php]

Fred Barnes: I Thought One Person Did Well: John Edwards. “I thought one person actually did well, and that’s John Edwards and you know why? Because he relentlessly stuck to the same point. He got it across- that the biggest problem in America is corporate power and greed.” [Fox News, 12/13/07]
ABC’s Rick Klein: Fox Dialers Love Edwards’ Message “Join Together to Take This Democracy and Take This Country Back.” “3:02 pm ET: Here's Edwards shooting broad once again – ‘join together to take this democracy and take this country back.’ At least the fourth time he's sounded that theme -- if you're an angry Iowan, you've got to love that message. And the Fox dialers certainly do.”
[https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann: “He Knows His Iowa Audience.” 2:43 PM “Edwards named the closing of the Maytag plant in Newton as the ultimate illustration of how corporate America is hurting the middle class. It was an emotional and much-publicized event for plant workers here in Iowa, prompting cathartic displays such as the public demolition of a washing machine. Edwards visited Newton, Iowa, the week of the plant's closing. The crowd hit hardest by the factory buyout is the one with which Edwards' anti-corporate populism resonates the most. He knows his Iowa audience.” [https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/13/514608.aspx]

ABC’s Rick Klein: Fox Dialers “Have Been Friendly to Edwards.”  “2:53 pm ET: Two-thirds of the way through now, roughly, I don't see this contributing significantly to the campaign's storylines. The Fox dial tests have been friendly to Edwards and Obama, if that means anything.”
[https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

TAPPED’s Dana Goldstein: “Edwards Is Great On Education.” “Edwards Is Great On Education:” “I'm always impressed with John Edwards' discussions of education policy during these debates. He begins with the importance of early childhood interventions, he criticizes NCLB while holding out hope it can be reformed, and he highlights the privileges suburban schools enjoy that rural and inner city schools lack. He circles back to discuss free college tuition for qualified high school graduates.”
[https://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=12&year=2007&base_name=edwards_is_great_on_education#103180]

ABC’s Rick Klein: Edwards “Quite Literally off the Charts with That Answer About the Tax System Being Rigged.”  “2:11 pm ET: Fox News is doing running dial-testing -- and John Edwards is quite literally off the charts with that answer about the tax system being rigged.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]
ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards Is Looking Strong Today.”  “2:25 pm ET: Edwards: ‘What makes America America is at risk.’ ‘We need to take them on.’ Edwards is looking strong today.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

New York Times’ Katharine Q. Seelye: Edwards’ Catchy Line: Americans “Should Be Patriotic About Something Other Than War.” “2:44 p.m. | Catchy Line Mr. Edwards has a nice line that he uses all the time, but it’s still catchy: that Americans ‘should be patriotic about something other than war.’”
[https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/live-blogging-the-democratic-debate-4/]

ABC’s Rick Klein: “Edwards is Making Just About Every Response About His Fight-the-Establishment Message.” “2:41 pm ET: Edwards is making just about every response about his fight-the-establishment message. He's good at hitting a message over and over -- often what you need to do in a debate that doesn't have major highlights.” [https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/live-blogging-1.html]

Biden Campaign Manager Luis Navarro Statement From Today’s Des Moines Register Presidential Debate

BIDEN’S EXPERIENCE SHINES ONCE AGAIN

Des Moines, IA (December 13, 2007) – Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro issued the following statement following today’s Des Moines Register presidential debate: 

”Sen. Joe Biden today once again showed that he is ready to lead on issues that Americans care about, including the economy, trade, health care and the environment.  Americans want action, not more slogans.  Sen. Biden has the right experience and has exhibited the leadership necessary to fix the problems left behind as a result of Bush’s disastrous policies.  He can bring together folks from both sides of the aisle and also expand the majority we will need to get things done in Congress.  Most importantly, he will be ready to lead from day one.” 

Chris Dodd Statement From The Des Moines Register Debate

DODD WINS FINAL DEMOCRATIC DEBATE OF THE SEASON
EXHIBITS EXPERIENCE, ELECTABILITY AT DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE

DES MOINES – Emphasizing his record of results and leadership in achieving real change for American families, Presidential candidate Chris Dodd proved at today’s Des Moines Register Presidential Debate that his experience and ability would make him the most electable candidate in the general election and the most prepared leader to sit in the Oval Office. In the final debate before the Iowa Caucuses, Dodd made the most powerful case to Iowa’s still-undecided majority that, when celebrity, money, and rhetoric fizzle away, he stands as the candidate with proven results, proven electability, and proven ability to lead the country to real change.

Dodd repeatedly demonstrated the breadth and depth of his knowledge on the critical and complex issues that will arise both on the general election campaign trail and in the White House.  His understanding of the federal budget showed when explaining how he would balance domestic priorities with the financial burden of the Iraq war:

“We need to have an economy that’s driving to growth and creating jobs – which is the best social program anyone ever created – with a sense of optimism,” said Dodd.  “And then simultaneously, as you grow and deal with the underlying waste that’s occurred, bring an end to the war in Iraq, which costs us $10 billion every month.  Then we can begin to put that discipline back into the process, which all Americans are looking for.” 

Having just completed a speaking tour across Iowa on the importance of the rule of law to our nation’s security, Dodd emphasized the role of human rights in our nation’s foreign policy:

“It needs to be understood in the very beginning of my Presidency that if you're going to do business with the United States, human rights is fundamentally important,” said Dodd, who is a senior member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee.  “We care about it; the world cares about it, and that's one way to enhance our reputation, restore our footing and moral authority in the world by insisting that this be a part of that seamless conduct of the nation's foreign policy.”

Dodd differentiated himself from the rest of the candidates when speaking about America’s relationship with China.  As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Dodd has been working to create more of a level playing field on which the United States can compete with China:

“I think Americans are tired of this conversation somehow that it’s ‘business as usual.’  It’s not. We don’t have the same access to their shelves, to our services that we’d like to sell in their country, they’re very, very restrictive. We need to get a lot tougher on this. Fair – not loud, but fair – if we’re going to have a better relationship or before long, this will no longer be the most desirous market for them. We will have disadvantaged our country substantially. This is a major, major issue that needs to be addressed with a lot more thoughtfulness than it’s getting today.”