Midwestern Newspapers Favor Obama over McCain

The Des Moines Register has endorsed Barack Obama today, joining the Charlotte Observer, the Baltimore Sun, the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, and the Hartford Courant, whose editorial board has endorsed a Democratic candidate only twice in 244 years.

The DMR endorsement is oddly enough based on something McCain's campaign has been touting for two years: being tested. Despite endorsing McCain last December as the Republican nominee, the DMR believes that Barack Obama has made it through many hoops in Iowa, such as winning the Iowa caucus.

From the DMR:

First test: winning the Iowa caucuses, perceived by many as an improbable feat for a black candidate in an overwhelmingly white state. But Obama believed in the power of his ideas and ideals, and the capacity of Americans to unite around them.

Eleven months later, after more than 80 days spent campaigning in the state, Iowans awarded him victory. They had heard his soaring oratory and sensed his uncommon intelligence, but they also witnessed much more: the consistency of his calls for unifying around common purpose, rather than pandering to age-old divisions, and the way he remained unflappable and his staff disciplined no matter what tumult the campaign trail delivered.

Those qualities have become even more pronounced this fall, during an increasingly negative general-election campaign against Republican Sen. John McCain and descent of the nation's economy into the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. It has been Obama, not the more experienced McCain, who kept his center as events tilted crazily.

Obama has earned the Register's endorsement for the presidency because of his steadfastness in the face of uncertainty, his clear-eyed vision for a more just America and his potential for rallying the country to do great things.

The DMR also liked Obama's approaches to shoring up the middle class by expanding health care coverage and the creation of green collar jobs. Not mentioned in the editorial, but is well known that McCain is against subsidies for ethanol, and that view doesn't sit well with midwesterners.

Like other newspapers, some whom endorsed Bush last time (the DMR did endorse Kerry in 2004), the DMR believes McCain has run an "erratic" campaign.

Worst of all, in grasping for political edge in his choice of a running mate, he burdened his ticket and potentially the country with an individual utterly unqualified to ascend to the presidency. Before choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain emphasized the importance of experience and sound judgment in fighting terrorism and confronting a restive Russia and a rising China. He has also questioned Obama's readiness to be commander in chief. Then he picked a running mate who clearly isn't ready.

Sarah Palin's unreadiness to be President is a common theme in why McCain isn't being endorsed.

he DMR concluded, "An Obama presidency presents the best hope for a unified America that aspires to greatness again."

The Bloomington Pentagraph (which leans Republican) also endorsed Obama, stating similar reasons to the DMR. The Chicago Tribune, a bastion for Republican endorsements, even went for Obama two weeks ago. So did the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, according to Editor and Publisher. Likewise the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Kansas City Star.

Then there is my town's newspaper, the News-Gazette, who thinks McCain can answer that 3am phone call quicker and wiser than Obama. But the News-Gazette doesn't say if Sarah Palin is ready if McCain can't answer that call.

Colin Powell Channels John Edwards on MTP

John Edwards sent himself into public exile during the general election in order not to distract attention from the Democratic candidates' campaigns, most especially the Obama-Biden campaign. It was too bad that Edwards had to disappear because all of us wanted to hear Obama to talk more about poverty, as he promised, but with the financial meltdown that impacted the middle class, the working poor, who were already behind, got left out of the conversation.

Until today.

On Meet the Press, moderator Tom Brokaw asked Colin Powell about the overlooked issues in the campaigns:

MR. BROKAW: What's not on the screen right now that concerns you that should be more prominent in the minds of the American people and the people running for president?

GEN. POWELL: I think the American people and the gentlemen running for president will have to, early on, focus on education more than we have seen in the campaign so far. America has a terrible educational problem in the sense that we have too many youngsters not finishing school. A third of our kids don't finish high school, 50 percent of minorities don't finish high school. We've got to work on this, and my, my wife and I are leading a campaign with this purpose.

Also, I think, the new president has to realize that the world looks to America for leadership, and so we have to show leadership on some issues that the world is expecting us to, whether it's energy, global warming and the environment. And I think we have to do a lot more with respect to poverty alleviation and helping the needy people of the world. We need to increase the amount of resources we put into our development programs to help the rest of the world. Because when you help the poorest in the world, you start to move them up an economic and social ladder, and they're not going to be moving toward violence or terrorism of the kind that we worry about.

Powell is borrowing from what JRE said to the Council on Foreign Relations 17 months ago:

There's an emerging consensus inside the armed forces that we must move beyond the idea of a war on terror. The Commander of the U.S. Military's Central Command recently stated that he would no longer use the "long war" framework. Top military leaders like retired General Anthony Zinni have rejected the term. These leaders know we need substance, not slogans—leadership, not labels.

The question is, what should replace the war on terror? Since the end of the Cold War, folks here at CFR and elsewhere have been engaged in an effort to be the next George Kennan and define the era. As all of you know, we need a new strategy for rebuilding a strong military for a new century.

Any new strategy must include new preventive measures to win the long-term struggle and fuel hope and opportunity. This includes strong and creative diplomacy, and also new efforts to lead the fight against global poverty. I've proposed a plan to lead an international effort to educate every child in the world. As president, I would increase foreign assistance by $5 billion a year to make millions of people safer, healthier, and more democratic, and by creating a cabinet-level post to lead this effort.

In fairness to the Obama-Biden campaign, they did mention global poverty in their position paper on Foreign Policy:

Fight Global Poverty: Obama and Biden will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and they will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal. They will help the world's weakest states to build healthy and educated communities, reduce poverty, develop markets, and generate wealth.

It was good though that someone was able to remind voters that poverty is widespread and that we are all interconnected in terms of national security. It's just the American people are hurting and we have to put them first.

I thank General Powell for relaying John Edwards' ideas and putting them back on the burner.

Powell's endorsement of Obama can be found here.

Endorsing Obama-Biden: The Change of Partnership

As BW readers can tell, I am effusive about the pick of Joe Biden to Obama's ticket.

I called my momma, the dyed-in-wool-Democrat, who had many doubts about Obama as I did. Especially since Obama had voted more than 130 times "present" while in the Illinois legislature and I didn't know his positions since when he ran against a wingnut carpetbagger, I didn't get to hear what his positions were on many issues . I couldn't understand why Planned Parenthood thought Obama was fine on their issues. And I still don't.

Obama is a very, very cautious politician. Too cautious to be a leader, so I thought. Until yesterday.

Joe Biden is not the best orator. I remember he had to follow JRE at the Harkin Steak Fry as the last candidate, and to be truthful, I felt sorry for him. It was 4:00 and most folks wanted to get home before dark. But he still spoke from his heart. I think Obama probably thought that was endearing.

So, Obama did go for change: someone to be his real partner, someone who could help define (besides JRE) why Washington is broken. Someone who has tried to fix it and couldn't, but decided new blood transfusion might revive our country. And Biden is the surgeon to do it.

I'm endorsing an Obama-Biden partnership for our country today. And it is the right change, if Obama sticks to his word about it (he tends to throw many under the bus). I will hold a President Obama accountable for it.

Here's a note I sent to his campaign yesterday:

Dear Senators Obama and Biden:

Yesterday was the most remarkable day in the life of a John Edwards supporter. I hold John and Elizabeth Edwards deeply in my heart as they go through some trials that will make them stronger in the long run, as Senator Obama expressed about Senator Biden in his tragedy before he was sworn into the Senate.
I ask sincerely that just because the Edwardses are in their own media ridden challenges not to lay aside the poverty and health care issues to be in front that Senator Obama promised to Senator and Mrs. Edwards. Those promises should be honored.

Senator Biden brings so many strengths to this ticket. I feel comfortable about voting for a ticket, and to me, it should sold as a partnership as Senator Obama brought up yesterday. Please do not allow Senator McCain to define a small gaffe, in which Senator Obama is accustomed to hearing from someone else "the next President of the US"; Senator Obama' excitement was about the partnership and the readiness of the team.

I just donated for the first time to this campaign, albeit is a small one and that's what I can afford. And I'm fired up, ready to go with posting any Youtubes or classic zingers that I heard and continue to hear from Senator Biden. Finally, I have belief that in addition to your healthy egos, there is a sense of purpose in getting things done for the people of America. My challenge to you is to figure out the timing of the bold changes, particularly in health care, for our citizens.

And Senators, I think both of your best advisors are "drop-healthy" gorgeous: Future First Lady Michelle Obama, and Jill Biden, the Future First Lady of Observatory Drive.

Sincerely yours,
Benny

Update: I just got this message from Joe Biden to display this video:



Fired up, ready to go for the change we want to see. Joe-bama, O-Biden. Works for me. It works for my momma, as she is now ready to support this ticket. And she is 77 years old. She knows that McCain (and his many houses) doesn't give a damn about her social security.

The pic is borrowed from Kossack AAbashier, whom I met at YK07 last year, and a good Democrat. He and Mrs. AAbashier are emergency veterinarians who rescue pets.

JRE Buzz: NYC Edition

Greetings, BW Readers.

Wow, what a whirlwind of all kinds of buzz about John Edwards. He was in NYC for the past couple of days, in which he was honored by Demos, which is a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization. I noticed that among co-sponsors for the event were the SEIU and the American Federation of Teachers.

Edwards was also on the Today show again, in which Matt Lauer first chided Edwards for not speaking sooner about the endorsement of Barack Obama on Wednesday, and went on for the next 3 minutes or so about it. Lauer also wanted to fuel speculation about Edwards being a potential VP candidate, in which John put that one to bed:

Former presidential contender John Edwards said on Friday he would not be Democratic front-runner Barack Obama's running mate, but did not rule out taking a role in an Obama administration.

"Won't happen," Edwards told NBC's "Today" program when asked if he would be Obama's vice presidential pick. "This is not something I'm interested in."

Source: NY Times

Finally though, Lauer asked JRE more substantive: about Bush's comments in Israel, comparing Obama's comments to appeasement of Hitler:

It is beneath the President of the United States to make these kind of clearly political accusations when he is addressing the people of Israel on the 60th anniversary of Israel. It shouldn't have been done, particularly in combination with what has been an absolutely disasterous foreign policy."

Edwards was spot on, as usual.

You can watch the video here.

What Lauer didn't get out of Edwards about the endorsement, Greg Sargent at TPM Election Central ferreted a scoop from former JRE campaign staffers:

Edwards Secured Private Commitment From Obama That He'd Go On Poverty Tour As Nominee

This could require Obama to make a commitment of several days during a hard-fought general election, because Edwards specifically secured a commitment that it be a few days long, one top adviser said.

"Edwards was trying to think of ways to specifically hold them accountable," said another former top Edwards adviser. "It's easy for a Democrat to say, `Sure, I'll make poverty central to my campaign.' A poverty tour was something he felt would be really powerful with the spotlight of the general election, and it was a tangible, real thing he could ask them to commit to."

Poverty tour is a great idea. But here's the icing on the cake:

Another of the advisers said that Edwards had secured a commitment that he'd accompany the tour. "It was a specific number of days on the road together, putting poverty front and center -- it would be with him," this adviser said. "He got them both to agree to this. He was really excited."

TPM Election Central

Believe it or not, the Brand X'ers welcomed the idea too, and thought maybe Hillary would like to go too.

Edwards' endorsement was dismissed by Newsweek and Time, but they left out three important ingredients: superdelegates, pledged delegates (especially Florida and possibly Michigan), and an endorsement by a union which backed Edwards: the United Steelworkers. It's possible the Mine Workers might follow.

After Memorial Day, John will back to join Rudy Giuliani in the Radio City Music Hall Speaker series, "The Minds that Move the World." The event is on May 28th and Tim Russert is the moderator.

Speaking of NYC, Elizabeth Edwards will be returning to the Personal Democracy Forum on June 23 in NYC. According to the program announcement, Elizabeth will be giving "her firsthand view of the power and prospects of internet-driven politics".

There is birthday in the Edwards Household a week from today, so I think Elizabeth and John will also be plenty busy planning a party.

John has asked supporters to donate to College for Everyone. It's the program he started in 2005 to raise money for financially disadvantaged students in Greene County, NC who have good grades and are willing to work 10 hours a week.

More buzz l8tr...

John Edwards: Mum's the Word

Sounds like JRE is taking his time in whether or not to endorse either of the remaining candidates and that's good. He may be like Al Gore and wait until the convention.





photo courtesy of the NC Arboretum

Levees Not War's Endorsement: John Edwards Will 'Kick Republicans In The Balls'

Source: Huffington Post

(pic: JRE when he announced his 2008 bid in NOLA)










By Karen Dalton-Beninato

Gulf Coast voters have an Edwards endorsement today from Levees Not War with the unambiguous headline, "Democrats need a tough candidate who won't hesitate to kick the Republicans in the balls." They say:

"It is not often we wish we lived in New Hampshire (nice place to visit), but we sorely wish we could be there on Tuesday to 'vote early and often' for John Edwards . . . It is not only that John Edwards had the good sense and correct priorities to launch his campaign for the presidency from New Orleans (take note, presidential debate site committee). And it's not just Edwards' plan to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq within 10 months--something his competitors haven't offered. We don't favor Edwards only because he alone has spoken consistently as a populist public defender against the 'iron grip' of corporate special interests on Washington. Nor is he our favorite merely because he has the best health care plan (Paul Krugman's praise sounds right to us).


We vote for John Edwards for all of these reasons, but especially because Democrats need a tough, combative lead candidate to whip the Republicans, who are vicious fighters in a presidential campaign--especially when they're desperate. Barack Obama is marvelous and would also be a good president, but we worry he doesn't have the aggressiveness to kick the Republican operatives in the balls, the way they always do to Democrats. In Nov. 2004 it was Edwards the courtroom attorney who wanted to challenge the Ohio vote counts before conceding, but John Kerry decided otherwise.

John Edwards has the optimism, the intelligence, and the gut-fire and bulldog tenacity to get the job done . . . He's also a realist. He knows the status quo won't give an inch without a struggle. About dealing with corporate interests such as the drug and oil and insurance companies, he says, "Some people argue that we're going to sit at a table with these people and they're going to voluntarily give their power away. I think it is a complete fantasy; it will never happen." We often say 'We Want Roosevelt Again.' We know we're not going to get Franklin Delano, but in John Edwards we see just about the closest thing to FDR we've seen in many years."

Read more here.

FYI: Levees Not War is a New Orleans based organization that focuses on the environment.

John Edwards will be our First Green President

Note BW readers: this is Part 2 of TomP's interview of Brent Blackwelder, again redistributed by the blogger's permission. Crossposted at Blue New Hampshire

President Bush plans to play the part of the hero by visiting California, now ravaged by fire. But on this issue he's the villain -- it's two years after Hurricane Katrina and the only progress he's made is actually acknowledging that global warming exists. If we're going to avoid tragedies like this in the future, we must take the long-term view. On this point, the science is clear: global warming has already led to increased wildfire activity in the U.S., and if we don't dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near future, the problem is going to get much worse.

Friends of the Earth

More than ever, we need a president committed to making real and deep change in how we treat the planet.

"After 7 years of George Bush – the worst, most destructive environmental president in modern history – it is definitely time for change, and that change starts by electing John Edwards as President."

This week, I interviewed Brent Blackwelder, President of Friends of the Earth and FOE Action, via email about the FoE Action endorsement of John Edwards.

FoE Action provides political muscle on legislative battles in the U.S. for its sister organization, Friends of the Earth, which is part of a network of affiliates in over 70 nations around the world. On October 14, FOE Action became the first major environmental organization to endorse a candidate for president, and they endorsed John Edwards:

"Friends of the Earth Action enthusiastically endorses John Edwards for President," said Brent Blackwelder, president of FOE Action.

Friends of the Earth Action Endorses John Edwards

FoE Action well understands that you cannot sit down at the table with the corporate polluters and their lobbyists, and then expect them to treat the planet right. As John Edwards has said, if you sit down at the table with them, they'll eat your lunch. You've got to beat them:

Q: You have been President of Friends of the Earth and Friends of the Earth Action since 1994. In that time, you have witnessed the buying of the American government by corporate power and their lobbyists. How important is John Edwards' willingness to take on these entrenched interests to you in making your endorsement?

A: This played a big part in our decision. John Edwards has taken a stand against the lobbyists and special interests that have so driven environmental policies in the Bush Administration. Only when candidates refuse to take money from the lobbyists for big oil and big coal can they pursue the kind of environmental polices that protect health and safety of our families. Of all the leading candidates running, we believe John Edwards has the greatest potential to stand up to corporate special interests in the White House.

We also talked about John Edwards' plan to address global warming:

Q: At present, part of the costs of global warming are externalized on all of us. Does Edwards favor measures to auction polluter permits to, at least in part, ensure that part of the cost of global warming goes back to where it belongs – on the actual product?

A: Yes, polluter permits are an important component of Edwards' plan. He would require polluters to pay for their global warming pollution, a portion of which will raise $10 billion a year for a New Energy Economy Fund to jumpstart clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies and create 1 million jobs.

Q: What is Edwards' position on the annual taxpayer funded subsidies that currently exist for oil companies?

A: Edwards calls for eliminating $3 billion in annual government subsidies to oil companies. He even says he is "very open to the possibility of an excess profits tax" on oil companies. We feel this is a crucial first step in getting our country back on the right track with its energy policy.

I don't know about you, but I agree with Brent Blackwelder and John Edwards about building new nuclear power plants: don't do it! This is a clear distinction between John Edwards and the other two major candidates: Clinton and Obama:

Q. Senators Clinton and Obama have joined one of the top Republicans in the race, Senator McCain of Arizona, to sponsor the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007. The measure includes more than $3.6 billion in funding and loan guarantees for the planning and construction of nuclear plants using new reactor designs. Does FOE Action oppose the use of taxpayer money to subsidize the nuclear power industry? What is your position on this bill?

A. Friends of the Earth wholeheartedly opposes the construction and development of nuclear power in the United States. Edwards is on the same page, here. He believes nuclear power is too costly, too dangerous, and too vulnerable to attack by our nation's enemies. New Hampshire, where FOE Action announced its endorsement of Edwards, has the unfortunate distinction of being home to the last-constructed nuclear power plant in the country, Seabrook Station nuclear power plant. The plant places great environmental and health risks on the areas around it, and if constructing a nuclear power was a bad idea 30 years ago, it's an even worse idea now, particularly given the new realities we face in terms of national security. Nuclear power simply isn't worth it's risks, when accidents can have environmental implications that last for generations. And John Edwards is the only candidate to unambiguously say no to nuclear power.

And what about Coal to Liquid? I'm with Edwards and FoE Action on this.

Q: What is your position on Coal to Liquid technology? One Democratic presidential candidate cosponsored a bill to provide taxpayer subsidies for this technology. Edwards opposes CtL. What does using, let alone subsidizing, CtL really mean for our environment?

A: Liquid coal is a bad idea for our country and planet. It contributes twice the amount of carbon emissions to our atmosphere that petroleum does, consuming an inordinate amount of water per unit of fuel, and requiring the expansion of ecologically and socially disastrous mining practices. Unlike Clinton and Obama, Edwards is the only leading candidate to oppose coal-to-liquid technology.

That's right: "Liquid coal is a bad idea for our country and planet."

We need a green president now, if we are to survive:

Q: Wouldn't it be nice to have a President that actually enforced the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and other environmental laws?

A: After 7 years of George Bush – the worst, most destructive environmental president in modern history – it is definitely time for change, and that change starts by electing John Edwards as President.

A final word from FoE Action President, Brent Blackwelder regarding what they and we can do to help elect a green president:

We plan to be especially active in New Hampshire, establishing an independent campaign and organization to carry the message about John Edwards' global warming plan and his vision for a healthy environment. There is a powerful, untapped environmental constituency out there that is up for grabs in this country and we are here to lend our voice to push that constituency toward Edwards. We believe he has the right vision and record to tap that constituency.

In New Hampshire, there are a lot of Democratic primary voters who care deeply about the quality of their environment and cite it as a top concern when choosing a nominee for president. In particular, voters in the Granite State are looking for real action to combat global warming. We plan to spend the next 3 months letting these voters know that John Edwards is the candidate best qualified and most committed to help achieve this big and bold goal.

Please visit the FoE Action website to find out how you can get involved in our campaign to elect John Edwards as president: FoE Action (www.foeaction.org)

Help FoE Action to elect our first green president: John Edwards.

Update: Radio Ad in NH by FoE. https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/foe/images/humanity.mp3

An Interview with Brent Blackwelder

Note to BW Readers: this is a diary that was posted on MyDD this morning by Tom P. BW was given permission to redistribute the interview here. BW thanks Tom P for this interview concerning why FOE endorsed John Edwards.


Last week, Friends of the Earth Action ("FOE Action") endorsed John Edwards. This week, I interviewed Brent Blackwelder, President of Friends of the Earth and of Friends of the Earth Action, about FOE Action's endorsement of John Edwards.

Part I of the interview is in this diary.

Here's a little about FOE Action for those unfamiliar with it:

Founded by David Brower in 1967, Friends of the Earth Action has established a 35-year record of not only fighting the tough battles, but winning them too. FoE Action provides extra political muscle on legislative battles here in the U.S. for to our sister organization, Friends of the Earth, which is part of a network of affiliates in over 70 nations around the world.

snip

FoE Action looks beyond the symptoms of environmental degredation, to the systemic causes.

FOE Action

Mr. Blackwalder is a long-time advocate for the planet and the people on it. He has worked in Washington DC for over 30 years fighting for clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet. He has testified before Congress on environmental issues more than 100 times.

Mr. Blackwelder was founder and first chairman of the board of American Rivers, our nation's leading river-saving organization. He also founded the Environmental Policy Institute, which merged with Friends of the Earth in 1989. In 1994 he became president of Friends of the Earth and FOE Action.

More on Mr. Blackwelder here: Friends of the Earth

On October 14, FOE Action became the first major environmental organization to endorse a candidate for president, and they endorsed John Edwards:

WASHINGTON, DC -- Friends of the Earth Action (FOE Action), one of the longest-standing, national environmental organizations in the country, today announced its endorsement of Senator John Edwards for President, citing his leadership on real solutions to combat global warming and his unequivocal position against dangerous and expensive nuclear power.

"Friends of the Earth Action enthusiastically endorses John Edwards for President," said Brent Blackwelder, president of FOE Action.

Friends of the Earth Action Endorses John Edwards

Mr. Blackwelder answered 10 questions that I sent him via email. Here is Part I of the Interview. I will publish the remaining questions and answers in Part II tomorrow.

Q: What most differentiates John Edwards from the other Democratic presidential candidates with respect to environmental issues?

A: Of the leading Democratic candidates for president, John Edwards is most committed, and best prepared, to halt global warming and promote a healthy, livable planet for our families and our future. Friends of the Earth Action feels John Edwards has set the paces among all of the Democratic candidates by putting forth a plan that provides real action to combat global warming.

We encourage people to visit our web site, www.foeaction.org . to learn more about why we endorsed Edwards and facts about his environmental record.

Q: John Edwards has proposed a global warming plan that will reduce greenhouse pollution by 20 percent by 2020, and reduce it by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. What in this plan do you feel will be most effective in achieving this reduction?

A: John Edwards plans to share America's clean energy technology with other nations in exchange for binding greenhouse reduction commitments. If necessary, he will insist that strong labor and environmental standards in our trade deals include commitments on climate change. This new deal will require global participation, promote shared responsibility, and let American workers and businesses compete on a level playing field. In addition, Edwards' plan will lead America to a new energy economy by investing in clean, renewable energy and creating a million new jobs.

Q: Polluters often attempt to present a false choice between environmental degradation and jobs. In fact, clean, green technologies can mean more jobs for Americans, and good paying jobs. Edwards proposes creating at least 1 million "green collar jobs" by investing in clean energy and energy efficient technologies. Can you explain the relationship of economic growth, including good paying jobs, and using clean, green technologies?

A: Edwards really gets it: green does not have to mean fewer jobs. If our nation makes serious and smart investments in clean energy technologies, such as wind, solar and geothermal, we can create good-paying jobs, expand markets for the renewable energy industry and secure our country's energy future.

Renewables are secure and viable alternatives to dirty, fossil fuels and costly and dangerous nuclear power. They can be scaled up relatively quickly, which means jobs and economic growth for states and local communities in the U.S., particularly in rural areas that have been hardest hit by economic downturns but have the space for these technologies to be constructed and brought online.

Q: What can FoE Action do to help John Edwards be nominated and then elected? I understand you plan to set up an independent campaign on Edwards' behalf in New Hampshire. How will that work? How can people inside and outside New Hampshire help you ?

A: We plan to be especially active in New Hampshire, establishing an independent campaign and organization to carry the message about John Edwards' global warming plan and his vision for a healthy environment. There is a powerful, untapped environmental constituency out there that is up for grabs in this country and we are here to lend our voice to push that constituency toward Edwards. We believe he has the right vision and record to tap that constituency.

In New Hampshire, there are a lot of Democratic primary voters who care deeply about the quality of their environment and cite it as a top concern when choosing a nominee for president. In particular, voters in the Granite State are looking for real action to combat global warming. We plan to spend the next 3 months letting these voters know that John Edwards is the candidate best qualified and most committed to help achieve this big and bold goal.

I'd like to thank Brent Blackwalder for granting me this interview and Jenna Moran for facilitating it. I will publish Part II of the interview tomorrow.

I also want to thank Mr. Blackwelder for his years of service to people and our planet in fighting corproate polluters and a corrupt government.

Please visit the FoE Action website to find out how you can get involved in our campaign to elect John Edwards as president: www.foeaction.org.

Video of Friends of the Earth endorsement in NH.
Video courtesy of Mbair.

SEIU's Most Promised Land Candidate: John Edwards

JRE got ten endorsements from 10 chapters of the SEIU in the past 2 days. Means a lot, but at least they (the leaders) recognize that he had walked in more picket lines for them, campaigned in 6 states to raise the minimum wage, and they knew him to be a Mill/Postal Worker's Son.

Let's count them: IA, CA, WA, WVA, OH, ID, MT, OR, MI, MN

John Deeth liveblogged the Iowa endorsement. Here's the video of Bruce Springsteen's song "The Promised Land" , in which the music was played at the event. Springsteen is JRE's favorite artist.

Ten, count 'em 10 endorsements by the SEIU and more than half the membership across the country.

Great Monday for JRE and his supporters; hope it translates into knocking on doors and votes!

Want to see some Rural Dems talking about what needs to get done? Read Mudcat Saunders at the HuffPo.

John Edwards to Hillary Clinton: We Shouldn't Be Taking Lobbyists' Money

Today JRE was in NH to formally accept his endorsement from the Carpenters' Union. In addition to thanking the Carpenters and his usual spiel of being for the working man and woman, he took the speech a step further in how he intends to be the one to change our government.

The former North Carolina senator accepted a major union endorsement while insisting that no Democratic candidate legitimately can promise to change America without swearing off special interest money from federal lobbyists. New York Sen. Clinton has refused to do so.

"When it comes to the existing lobbyist game, we've got to end it and not defend it," Edwards told more than 700 members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters union.

Apparently, Senator Clinton felt differently and said this last weekend:

...Clinton stood by her husband and said, "I've learned you bring change by working in the system established by the Constitution. You can't pretend the system doesn't exist."

Edwards fired back with this response:

"Senator Clinton is right. You can't pretend the system doesn't exist. But you can't also pretend that it works."

Read the rest here from WBZ News and watch the video clip of JRE speaking passionately about this and more with the crowd. Apparently, he was given a few standing O's and lots of praise through loud applause.

For other news and live streaming of JRE from a house party tonight, go to JRE's NH place at 6:30 ET tonight.

More buzz l8tr..

John Edwards Is Transport Workers' Choice

Transport Workers Union Endorses Edwards; fourth endorsement for JRE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The New York City-based Transport Workers Union of America endorsed John Edwards on Thursday, saying the former North Carolina senator was the most electable of the Democratic presidential candidates.

Edwards is to be in New York City to accept the endorsement.

In a statement, he said the Transport Workers "keep the city moving and help keep New Yorkers safe."

"As president I'll fight for them every day, so we can honor their hard work and make our infrastructure safe and secure," Edwards said.

Union president James C. Little said they chose Edwards because he has the best chance to beat the Republican candidate in November 2008.

"We think he can win," Little said.

Read the rest here.




Well, alright!

United Mine Workers Pick John Edwards

I just learned the UMW endorsed John Edwards, in addition to the Steelworkers at a ceremony in Pittsburgh this morning. I haven't seen the total attendance figures, but it was estimated a 1000 were going to be there. Elizabeth Edwards and David Bonior also went with JRE to the event.

Here's an interesting tidbit I didn't know about the USW selection until I read Savage's diary (he's the President of the Local 10-1 in Philadelphia) at the Kos today:

Presidential Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the presidential survey. Thousands of you registered your top picks.

The results are as follows (for all candidates, not just Dems):

Top Choice

John Edwards 37.1% Bill Richardson 1.2%

Hillary Clinton 25.3% Ron Paul 1.0%

Barack Obama 12.6% Mike Huckabee 0.5%

Dennis Kucinich 5.8% Chris Dodd 0.3%

Joe Biden 5.3% Mike Gravel 0.2%

Fred Thompson 4.0% Tom Tancredo 0.2%

Rudy Giuliani 2.8% Sam Brownback 0.2%

John McCain 2.2% Duncan Hunter 0.0%

Mitt Romney 1.3%

Seems fitting for Labor Day. Meantime, my thoughts are with the families of the mine workers in Utah. The company gave up the rescue operations yesterday.

Update: check out NCDemAmy's diary at JRE's blog, and there is a video from Good Morning America from earlier today.

John Edwards Buzz: the Workin' Man's Candidate

Matt from Rhode Island's Future reports that the Carpenters Union intend to endorse John Edwards. This is great news for JRE and the first union endorsement for him.

Nice to be first. The Carpenters are nailing for the best candidate.

This is what JRE had to say:

"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."

I read on the Daily Kos (where I first saw this) that JRE is going to be a guest at a Labor Council gathering on Monday. Ah, there is a good reason for that: the Steelworkers are endorsing Edwards too.

(pic courtesy of Daily Kos member Snud)

Other good news today: JRE pulled up to second in the polls in South Carolina today. I understand he is at a rally in Spartanburg as I type this message.

Don't count out John Edwards. He is the most electable of all of the candidates.

More buzz l8tr...

Off to Copenhagen

BW readers, I will be off to O'Hare, then tonight I will be flying to Copenhagen for a week long business trip in meeting 90 of my peers to discuss our common issues and to find solutions, as well as hear about innovative ideas. I have not been to the Continent since 1996, so I'm looking forward to it.

Meantime, if you haven't already, check the new E-Cast, done this time by Danny Glover, an actor and civil rights activist, who, along with two others, endorsed Edwards on Friday.

(photo courtesy of blbfire, SEIU rally, Toronto)

John Edwards Picks Up Key LGBT Endorsements

Edwards is on a roll again. He picked up some key endorsements from the lesbian and gay community yesterday.

• Skip Paul, Corporate Executive
• Darren Star, TV Producer
• Julie Johnson, Human Rights Campaign Public Policy Committee Co-Chair
• Eric Stern, Former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director; Former Democratic National Committee LGBT Outreach Director
• David Mixner, Former Bill Clinton for President Adviser; LGBT activist, fundraiser, author www.davidmixner.com
• Dennis Erdman, TV Producer/ Director
• Mary Snider, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Executive Committee Member
• David Tseng, Kerry-Edwards 2004 National LGBT Advisory Committee Co-Chair; Former Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National Executive Director
• David Mariner, Former Out for Howard Dean Co-Chair; Founder, www.outfordemocracy.org
• James Duff, TV Producer
• Ramon Gardenhire, National Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus Co-Chair; Former DNC LGBT Deputy Outreach Director
• Scott Benson, Majority Leader Minneapolis City Council
• Shane Larson, AFL-CIO Pride @ Work National Executive Board Member; Association of Flight Attendants (AFA)-Communications Workers of America (CWA) Government Affairs Director
• Scott Wiener, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Member; San Francisco Democratic Party Chair* (for identification purposes only)
• Jeff Gardner, Garden State Equality Vice Chair; New Jersey for Democracy Co-Chair
• Lynne Wiggins, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National Leadership Council Member; Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors Member
• Ken Keechl, Broward County Commissioner; Former Dolphin Democrats President
• Linda Elliott, Human Rights Committee Board of Directors Member
• Dave Garrity, Former Democratic National Committee Member
• Mark Periello, Former Human Rights Campaign staff member; Democratic strategist
• Ron Ginsburg, LGBT Community Activist; business owner
• Randall Kelly, LGBT Community Activist; attorney
• Stephanie Kornegay, LGBT Community Activist; business owner
• Robert D. Horvath, Mautner Project Board of Directors Member
• Patrick J. Lyden, LGBT Community Activist; Homeland Security Advisor

WTG, JRE!