This Week: Edwards On Fighting The Status Quo
By Nicole Belle Saturday Jan 05, 2008 2:55pm
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Many media narratives were furthered on This Week with George Stephanopoulous this morning. Stephanopoulos accused Democratic presidential contender John Edwards of tag-teaming with Barack Obama to knock Hillary off her presumed place as Democratic front-runner. Um, George, isn't that what the contenders are supposed to do?
And once again, the bogeyman of trial lawyers raises its ugly head. Despite Edwards' repeated pledge that no lobbyists will serve in his White House, the fact that the Trial Lawyers of America donated to his campaign pops up (note: Edwards and his wife were both successful trial lawyers; I'm not sure why that would be a surprise to anyone). According to the Center for Public Integrity, the Trial Lawyers are 85th on the list of top lobbying organizations, and well behind George Stephanopoulos's own employers, Walt Disney Co.
What didn't seem to play into Stephanopoulos's questioning is just how effective John Edwards' championing of the middle class is playing with the electorate. At last night's debate, Edwards scored the highest of all candidates with the focus group in talking about how out of balance the economy is against the middle class. Why talk about what really matters to the people when you can distract with overinflated hyperbole about special interests?
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Obama/Edwards would be a dream come true
Thanks for calling a spade a spade, Nicole. I do my utmost best not to support George's employer any chance I get. Walt Disney Co. is corporation-non-grata in my books, up there with Wal-Mart and many others. Based on where they put their corporate ca$h wrt their political leanings and their attempts to railroad Michael Moore and his projects. Not the nice little animators they'd like everyone to think they are. I'm always glad to see their ugly underbelly exposed.
What about Edwards/Obama?? I like the sound of that much better...
Edwards is still the boogeyman for the Republicans... good job, John, keep up the good work!
Edwards, for all his populist talk, will advance the interests of trial lawyers. Obama, for all his vague talk about health care, gets more contributions from the health care insurance industry than any of the Republicans.
Iam a RP'er , should he not be in the running , then I will change my vote for J.E.
Other than opposing the right wing "tort reform" of defending corporations from lawsuits by citizens, what precisely are the dangerous collective interests of "trial lawyers"?
What, are they lobbying for more trials? Are they pushing for worse medical practices so that they can then sue?
What?
Edwards/Obama '08. Yeah, I could get behind that.
Guy Fawkes @ 5:
Actually, he's trying to screw over future trial lawyers, by making them unnecessary. But if you prefer the present situation where trial lawyers are needed to keep the corporations in some kind of check, please feel free to continue posting your half-baked (and often false) attacks.
Stephanoupoulsu, yet another beltway hack journalist wannabe. "This Week with Sneering Pundit" brought to you by Mickey Mouse!
Edwards/Edward08
Put Elizabeth on the ticket too!!!!
Love ya John.
I'd like to watch this, but I cannot stand Stephanopoulos and his gotcha bullcrap.
Trial lawyers: Rovian Tactic: Take your opponent's strength and make it his weakness.
Nothing to see here, except that the fat, doughy, slime-ball known as KKKarl is, without a doubt, still dictating the talking points of the republi-bots.
Edwards/Obama will produce the needed monetary reforms for a real future in the U.S.A.
Otherwise you are all slaves to the corps and bankers.
We will benefit from this ticket as well up here.
Goodbye neo-dick Harper.
Trial lawyers are part of the American justice system, which includes trial by jury.
Trial. By. Jury.
Juries grant the awards, not the lawyers. The media is filled with dipwads masquerading as ostensibly serious interviewers.
Incidentally, Abraham Lincoln was a trial lawyer.
While i like Obama....John Edwards is my first choice.I just think Obama needs a little more expierence at the federal level..........Both are good people in my opinion.....
meanwhile, the gop has created the huckenstein monster.
But he's angry! So, so angry! Ooo, scary.
What's that? What about John McCain? McCain's not angry-- he's just an SOB.
Knowing the Law is a plus in my book...
John Edwards has my vote. I think his message is striking a chord with a lot of people. He also scares the corporate interests, thus the corporate controlled media continue to marginalize his candidacy. I have no love for politicians, but John Edwards has been the first one to actually get me to make a donation to his campaign (twice). It disgusts me that modern political campaigning requires huge war chests and requires spending millions, but those are the rules of the game until they change. If I can give a small donation by foregoing my daily Starbucks, it's a small price to pay to help level the playing field against the huge Clinton and Obama war chests.
Don't get me wrong, I like Obama too, and would fully support him if he is the nominee. My dream ticket would be Edwards/Obama.
David N @ 6:
You're bang on.
Ron Paul, although the only sensible Repug, will not be allowed to run, by the corporate controlled media.
John Edwards is the only progressive thinker that has a shot.
Obama will bring over the independants.
What a dream ticket.
I used to love Georgie, circa late 1990's.....bought his book, drooled, etc.
Now I hate that bastard. Corporate buy-out. He is sickening.
Steph = paid shill.
Edwards needs some good interviews....pronto. He DOES have a message.
skippy @ 16:
Yeah! Drum nails it.
I hope he goes after the media. Who have turned many Americans into Pavlovian specimens with MTV, flashing lights and videos, sex, sound bites, and idiotic commercials.
Take it in context. Stephanopolous has a famously fastidious and gentlemanly paradigm for how campaigns are supposed to behave towards their opponents. He's not really a competitive person, and he would disdain to take advantage of more than one candidate attacking the frontrunner at the same time.
Why is Edwards not getting more play in the MSM? Do his good looks bother the "pool boys" Maybe his defense of the disadvantaged and working-class in the US bothers their guilty minds?
something new ,
something bold ,
new world ,
new times ,
Edwards/Paul in 08'
Let Ron Paul tell it like it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji_G0MqAqq8
Then google the Federal Reserve.
You will be shocked to find out who really controls your economy.
Never forget Jeckyll Island, Dec. 23, 1913.
That is when 'we the people' gave up your livelyhood to the Rothchilds and Rockefellers.
Hillary's ambiguous campaign has sent mixed signals from the beginning. On one hand, her Mark Penn driven campaign wanted to portray her as tough, a real potential commander-in-chief, a Democrat who was going to kick any Republican ass in the general election. On the other hand, she and her numerous supporters in the media, want to play the gender card and cry foul every time someone else criticizes her. A good example was on Taylor Marsh this morning. She had a photo, a second's snapshot in time, of Hillary standing by herself and Richardson, Obama, and Edwards standing together with the caption, "Now doesn't this tell you something?" This will not work in the general election. No one ever gets president, or the nomination I hope, by playing for pity. Well. with those two sides to her, maybe she IS a bully. And what I don't like is when she is playing these theatrics, she is not addressing issues.
He does not get more play because they are scared to death of him...he speaks the truth..and talks openly about how Corporations hurt this country...
that ain't Disney...( remember that George S did work for Bill Clinton- so that must be tricky for him to be fair..and balanced..)
The Quicktime link is giving me a 404 file not found.
Its heartening to see Obama and Edwards teaming up. It doesn't make up for the treatment of Dennis Kuccinich though. His voice, the voice of true progressives need to be heard. By taking that voice out of the debates the media is allowed to cast Edwards and Obama as the leftist candidates. That hurts the party and the voters. It even hurts Obama and Edwards because if they win the nomination, they will be portrayed as leftist radicals in the general election which they are not. Hillary has already tried the tactic of painting Obama as the scary radical. It doesn't pander as well to democrats but it might have an effect on independants.
Marcus @ 25:
Objection, Your Honor. Asked and answered.
pissedcanuck @ 27:
Kind of explains why people buy a $25,000 car but end up paying $35,000 for it. Or a $150,000 house but end up paying $350,000. (Interest) What a deal! If they get forclosed the bankers take it and sell it again. With interest!
Or pay $50,000 in health insurance premiums, get sick requiring medical care and the insurance covers a $2000 bill and they think. "Wow I didn't even have to pay a thing."
naschkatze @ 28:
I completely disagree. Her campaign has been clear and consistent: "it's my turn."
Bill Bradley endorses Obama's campaign
because its obvious Edwards is a phony, Lawyers are a special interest, they have an interest in Edwards making more laws so there be more reasons so sue and they can get rich while killing the local business man! Edwards is full of shit, period..
Ricky @ 30:
Only until the upcoming (and, I predict, nasty) fight between Clinton and Obama is over. This fight will start soon, too, since it must be done by Super Tuesday. Then Edwards will battle with the winner, assuming he keeps getting 25%+ until then and, therefore, is still around.
Hey,
Hunter thinks he is 3rd place 'cause he got one delegate in Why-o-men yesterday.
http://www.wmur.com/video/14987193/index.html
JTM @ 33:
Can't we both be right?
What the matter with Stephanopoulos? Is he bribed by Clinton political machine or the old friendship under threats and warnings surfacing up again?
In reality, I heard Obama supporting Edwards message now and then. If they have to be a team, they should stop attacking vigorously. The people should vote based on the message, the person's integrity, and experience.
ABC, you are a disgrace!
the MsM are shaking in their boots because of Edwards
pissing themselves
he is risen
Everybody hate lawyers until they need one.
I should know, I are one.
The Establishment will let either Hillary or Obama get the nomination, but not John Edwards.
No. 23, L.A. Confidential Says:
I hope he goes after the media. Who have turned many Americans into Pavlovian specimens with MTV, flashing lights and videos, sex, sound bites, and idiotic commercials.
__
LOL
chris @ 35:
Good gawd. Do you know nothing about legislation?
The spade is a spade thing isn't that the Trial Lawyers have supported Edwards (and he was a trial lawyer),it's that his stance isn't as populist or progressive as his rhetoric seems.
From an e-mail I got this morning:
For more info on Fortress group:
Official Website
Wikipedia Entry for Fortress Group
Obviously, if the charge was echoed on "Hannity's America," there's probably some other truer version of the truth, but the company hasn't refuted the charge as it should have on its website.
I don't know... maybe one of you Edwards supporters can get a clear statement and record disproving the charge, and Edwards can talk directly with Kucinich about how to actually be progressive.
I was impressed by Johnathan Edwards sincerity. I think Mrs. Edwards is an intelligent lady that will support him with integrity and deserves to be in the white house. In retrospect, Elizabeth Edwards would make a fine president.
Hillary is living under Bill Clinton's mantle rather than her own. Please Hillary, back off - you scare away the republican precious votes from Edwards. After all, this is your party!
Republicans on the other hand lack charismatic voice and Huckabee is using his G-d and Judgment card to wake up the slumbering republicans. Somehow, the republican folks get excited with that message. We cannot be self-righteous while being in the white house, serving ethnic groups.
EZ @ 42:
Seriously look at all the drugs being pushed on TV and they even admit there are 50 ways they can kill you before the spot ends.
chris @ 35:
Oh, poor troll. Didn't find enough food scraps crawling out from under your bridge this morning? Hungry for attention?
Poor baby.
Stephenopolous is so cloying and irritating with his snarky smirk that I find it hard watching him even when he has some good guests...
Despite Edwards’ repeated pledge that no lobbyists will serve in his White House, the fact that the Trial Lawyers of America donated to his campaign pops up
I'm a little confused here. Did Edwards accept this money, and is there a difference between special interest groups and lobbyists?
After a little more searching,
Edwards Tackles Katrina Flap
Odd that e had to "redirect" his investment. I try ensure that my investments (nowehre near $16 million) don't even have the opportunity to be engaged in taking away people's homes, or at least the homes of disaster victims, BEFORE I invest. And that doesn't change the fact that he has accepted campaign funds from the group.
When the Dust clears in November we're still going to be slaves to the Elites.
LOL man oh man
No:44 Yo,E Rocks Says:
The spade is a spade thing isn’t that the Trial Lawyers have supported Edwards (and he was a trial lawyer),it’s that his stance isn’t as populist or progressive as his rhetoric seems.
From an e-mail I got this morning:
Dennis Kucinich wrote:
In answer to your questions about why I didn’t support former Senator John Edwards on the second ballot in Iowa: I have serious concerns about his connections to a Wall Street hedge fund, Fortress Investment Group. While attacking others for accepting campaign money from Washington lobbyists, he is up to his ears in money from Wall Street special interests.
___
No. 44, Whenever Kucinich and Nader meddle, they are likely to be working for the republican political machine. They are parasites and spoilers. Sorry.
Obama is a republican insider and a hack who has taken funds from the corporate lobbyists and attacks them whenever it is convenient - a Clinton strategy.
http://ccoaler.blogspot.com/2008/01/democratic-poll-summary.html
Democratic poll summary
There is one TRUE democratic candidate who truly represents the people. But the big Corporate money continues to use whatever means they can to make sure his message never gets out. WAKE UP AMERICA!
He voted against the invasion of Iraq. He has voted against funding the war in Iraq every time. He is the only candidate that promises to get us out of Iraq during his term. He is the only candidate that champions single payer universal Health Care. He voted against the Patriot Act. He voted against the Kyle-Lieberman amendment that gives Bush another blank check to attack Iran. He has filed for the impeachment of Cheney.
Don't let Dennis Kucinich and his message be muffled by Corporate interests.
Dennis Kucinich/Edwards 08
myiq2xu @ 41:
2 funny ,
the same cannot be said about doctors ( or at least to the same degree )
No. 47, L.A. Confidential Says:
EZ @ 42:
No. 23, L.A. Confidential Says:
I hope he goes after the media. Who have turned many Americans into Pavlovian specimens with MTV, flashing lights and videos, sex, sound bites, and idiotic commercials.
__
LOL
Seriously look at all the drugs being pushed on TV and they even admit there are 50 ways they can kill you before the spot ends.
___
No. 47, I agree, the drugs have so many side effects that they make your condition worse than it was before. Ban those synthetic drugs.
EZ @ 57:
For those sexual dysfuntion drugs they should use Paul Simons 50 ways to leave your lover as pitch music.
chris @ 35:
No, you seem much, much fuller.
"Edwards making more laws..." ??
I can't even begin to describe what absolute stupidity you're displaying with that one, simple idiotic sentence.
One word and three numbers for you, Genius: Civics 101
Maroon.
OliverDreams @ 55:
Yet, he threw himself (and his supporters..Uh, like you) under Obama's bus in Iowa...WTF?
Some days it seems to me like the only reason Edwards wants to get into the White House is the usher in an age of sue sue sue. He is too openly anti-business for my taste and not sensible enough to push for corporate reform instead of corporate obliteration.
Clinton: Pandering, Smug, too proud: I know what's best!
Obama: Big Ideas, I have a dream, feel good: let's not get too angry.
Edwards: Specifics, for the working class, against the Corporate class: I will fight for you!
Who would you choose?
Mark Andresen @ 62:
When you put it that way, it sounds like Edwards is the best choice. But his trial lawyer background really just puts images in my head of a bleeding heart lawyer coaxing sympathetic characters into making it utterly impossible to run a business without encountering lawsuits. Sure, at first we would clean up all the corporate welfare and tombuggery, but from there, I could see a super-PC climate in which the slightest workplace or trade issues will lead to knee-jerk litigation, which is a serious boost for the trial lawyer community. There is a way in which he can be viewed as having a self-interest.
Yo, E Rocks! @ 51:
No. Those weren't "Campaign funds." And say. What would you do, despite all your research, if that company you invested did something bad?
You'd "redirect". Oh yeah. Just like Edwards.
Andre @ 63:
Republican talking point alert.
doesn't take long does it?..HC has been getting attacked while she was the supposed front runner.Obama takes Iowa....and BAM....he's getting it from all sides...People back Edwards...and BAMM......same thing....nope....doesn't take long at all.We're going to get bombarded by everything from Paulbots to Moby Trolls...........all trying to disenfranchise us from the candidates we support......get ready......cause it's already started..
Johnny2Bad @ 65:
And a particularly stupid talking point, too. Even if Edwards wanted to and could created such a dystopian PC future, I would argue that it's far preferable to the dystopian corporate present we have now.
Johnny2Bad @ 65:
If you'd noticed any of my myriad comments to this board, I think you'd find it a bit uninformed to make such a knee-jerk response.
I am as liberal as they come. However, I am also very much interested in taking in the Big Picture, and not just the world as it looks to liberals.
A sue-happy middle class will shoot itself in the foot. Business is necessary. This is something Edwards will never even mention. Once he's cleaned up corrupt corporate America, what I see as inevitable is that by the end of his term he'll be dogged like Carter when things don't turn out as rosy as he said they would.
Middle class will rise up and make all of their problems the fault of businesses, and then the interest in running a large or small business will wane, and then where will the jobs come from?
Business should not be destroyed. It should be reformed. And for as long as Edwards comes off as a big threat to the legitimate businessman, there will be marked hesitation to vote for him from anybody who isn't a working stiff.
The point is balance. It is not that business deserves more sympathy than the working class. I believe Obama would do fine to look out for the interests of the middle class without promising annihilation to the business community.
Trial lawyers are one of the best things that working people have going for them in this country. Unions have been gutted and sold out to the kleptocrat kulture of korporatism. (The real KKK.)
When you have been treated unfairly and unjustly by your employer, it is only recourse to a trial lawyer that is likely to get you justice and recompense. How do I know this? By bitter personal experience and from the experience of people I know who've been craped on by the korporate kleptocrats.
Long Live Trial Lawyers. When the chips are down you want one that is half human and half shark - because believe me the korporate kleptocrat lawyers have no conscience and no pity.
I'd be tempted to vote for Edwards for that reason alone.
Wake up America !!! Get Hillary in the WH before its too late.She means business, and intends to get it done.
People Keep saying Trial Lawyers....don't forget the reason they have a job.Big Corporations would rather not have OSHA...and they do cheat .So when someone gets hurt....because the Big Corpoations Cheated......you need a good Lawyer...No.....I think Edwards scares the Big Corps...sure their are some bad,crooked Trial Lawyers.........and they too should be prosecuted....I don't think Edwards is a crooked Trial Lawyer........I think knowing the Law is a big Plus.
Andre @ 68:
If you'd noticed any of my myriad comments to this board, I think you'd find it a bit uninformed to make such a knee-jerk response.
I am as liberal as they come. However, I am also very much interested in taking in the Big Picture, and not just the world as it looks to liberals.
...
You may be "as liberal as they come" but that trial lawyer stuff is a Republican talking point. Seems to me that's all Johnny2Bad was saying.
George must still have those fantasies of being Monica again.
mudshark @ 71:
My issue is that both liberals and conservatives figure out a way to ruin whatever it is that they're selling.
What I envision in an Edwards presidency is a transition from legitimate empowerment of the voiceless working class... to lawsuits against McDonalds because somebody was careless and spilled hot coffee on their crotch. A utopia of frivolous litigation. Which would be followed by a re-empowerment of the GOP. The GOP would seize advantage of a situation in which running a business is asking for lawsuits.
This is the kind of thing that would reinforce the worldview that liberals are whiners who solve all their problems by crying about them and looking for someone to blame. I would hate to see that happen. But it seems more likely in the case of a trial lawyer's specialty.
Andre @ 63:
You know that everyone of these people are the elite part of this country? They have all got to where they are by being players in this system. None of them are going to destroy the system that gots us the america we have today. Some will make life alittle more fair (Edwards or Obama) for average americans. I'm afraid that it is going to take along time to fix everthing that this country needs. Small, but important steps is what we must do to give my kids and grandchildren a fighting chance.
jules @ 70:
Yeah, but what about those of us who aren't keen on the kind of business she intends to get done? One of my hesitations about Clinton is that I think she's smart and can effectively fight for her stated plans -- but I disagree with her stated plans rather strongly.
Of the "big three," Edwards is my favorite. I could live with Obama. I pray that it won't be Clinton.
Andre @ 74:
sure theres bullshit lawsuits.....and hopefully the jury will see through them...but you can't throw out the baby with the bath water..........the system works,sure some people abuse it....but what's the alternative?.The alternative (to me)steps backwards in time..Don't get me wrong...Those frivilous lawsuits piss me off to no extent...and are wrong.Perhaps those who bring bullshit lawsuits should run the risk of prosecution if found to be frivilous...and the Lawyer lose his license..but they better make damn sure that there bogus before they prosecute.
diamondmc @ 75:
I work for a small business and not a multi-national conglomerate. Small business concerns me more than multi-national corporations... An empowered middle class would be able to pursue self-employment, but then they would find themselves on the other end of the barrel by that point once the age of frivolous litigation is realized.
And perhaps all of this wouldn't concern me so much were it not for the fact that Edwards is not terribly worldly in presenting his ideas. His campaign is very fixated. And when he says we'll "take these guys on" it's like watching one of those Jacoby and Meyers "I'll fight for you" daytime TV commercials. The way to empowering the working class involves more than hefty settlements for wrongdoing, but that's the type of thing that looks exactly up Edwards' alley.
And for the record, this middle-class sympathizer liberal has never had any respect for frivolous litigation or any acts which detract from a liberal's entitlement to the higher ground.
Edwards is giving a voice to the voiceless
frivolous....damn.......sorry.
jules @ 70:
You have to be demented , hrc , would be as bad a mccain , WAKE THE FUCK UP , it is time for a change / not more of the same
Andre @ 74:
Here's what happens when you serve coffee at 190 degrees farenheit. And that's only the woman's ankle- she also suffered third degree burns to her genitalia and thighs.
Don't make anyone have to link that again, okay?
George is a sellout...
George S. is a tool for disney/abc. Go against them, lose your job. He has sold out.
I have not heard Edwards say he wanted to make laws so the middle class could sue corporations. That is some kind of spin. In fact what I believe Edwards is saying he wants to create laws that prevent corporations from moving abroad for tax cuts, and cheap labor. That does not mean protecting the middle class through litigation, but legislation.
chris @ 35:
In Darth Cheneys immortal words... [Deleted. Please keep it civil. Site Monitor]
You seem to be lost. Go home troll.
Andy K @ 82:
Here's what happens when you serve coffee at 190 degrees farenheit. And that's only the woman's ankle- she also suffered third degree burns to her genitalia and thighs.
Don't make anyone have to link that again, okay?
Fine, you've made your point. I suppose I could create a better example of a frivolous lawsuit, but still... I want someone for President who can take these things into consideration without it being their tunnelvisioned focus point. Any traces of tunnelvision bother me. They always suggest that things could get out of hand no matter how good they sound.
Johnny2Bad @ 59:
I hope Edwards does become the prez so when he does the exactly opposite of what you USEFUL idiot's think then I can laugh...
Edwards/Marx 08...
chris @ 88:
[Deleted. Please keep it civil. Feeding them keeps them coming back. Site Monitor]
There is too much personal attacking and not enough debating around here... I'm sure Edwards will fight moreso via legislation vs. litigation. But I'm more interested in hearing the messages of candidates who are interested in community building and changing mindsets across the board, instead of rallying around sustaining a common enemy as Edwards is prone to in his rhetoric.
I don't want to continue to live in a world where Businessman = Automatic Bad Guy and Working Stiff = Sacred Cow. It's another form of class warfare tipped in favor of a different group.
I'd like America to work toward the goal of equality and balance regardless of whether you're a businessman or a laborer, and when these two groups show an interest in working TOGETHER of their own volition, then we know we're a success, and there's nothing that can't be achieved.
One thing I noticed in the debate is when the guy asked John Edwards to tell the sudience something he did while in the Senate. He talked about the Patients Bill of Rights and he said "I didn't do it alone, don't claim to have done it alone". Compare that to Hillary Clinton in her "I brought health insurance to 7000 kids in N.H., I am change", moments.
Don't corporations get to write off the expenses of these lawsuits? Don't corporations have the best lawyers to fight these lawsuits. Here in Canada we have "socialized" medicine. It is way cheaper to be a doctor here because doctors don't have to pay exorbitant malpractice insurance premiums.
There are ways to make things fair for the middle class without suing corporations. I think Edwards wants to create a system that is fair for all Americans, so people don't have to sue to be heard. Like having access to quality health care, fairer tax system, and job security.
Ok, here's the problem... George should recuse himself from reporting on this race because he used to be in the Clinton white house. Anyone can see he still has a preference for them, and this bias has entered his COMMENTARY because it cannot be called reporting. But ABC will need a favor from Hill if she gets in, and wouldn't a hookup to her be a great news source. So ABC will further sully its reputation and allow George his space.
It's up to us to call him on it. However we do it.
Sunnyside @ 92:
Why would the Trial Lawyers of America want to give money to Edwards so he can create an environment where people *don't* have to sue to be heard?
Edwards will be the Next President of this United States. He will take on these out of Control Big Corporations as did FDR. He is our only hope of getting this country back to normal. Nothing else will do that. Obama is too green and new to the system for the job. Obama will be a big pushover for the Big Corporations, as they have contributed heavily to his candidacy.
#19. Don't get your hopes up. OUr MSM has already decided who the nominees will be. Haven't you turned on your TV today. Over and over today on CNN, MSNBC, Fox its McCain vs Obama. Go figure!They are trying to brainwash everyone.
chris @ 35:
I don't think the President MAKES the law; sure would be nice to have one who is willing to ENFORCE the law, though, wouldn't it . . . and who better than a trial lawyer?
Andre @ 94:
Well have the trial lawyers donated to anyone else? I bet the donated to many candidates. And if you can tell me that the trial lawyers haven't spread the money around to other candidates then I guess you have a point. And if they have spread the money around then your point is irrelevant.
For all you Ron Paulers. Take this quiz and see how you come out.
http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460
HILL will send BILL out to spread good WILL all around the world and we will at least have peace and no more wars. Good enough for me , at least for a while, a breather if you please.
All of the corporate media is aiming against Edwards and Huckabee, the two candidates that threaten their strangle hold on OUR government. Every voice you hear and every face you see on the corporate media channels has one agenda, keep corporations in control of OUR government.
That is why they are so vindictive of Edwards and of Huckabee. Because those two candidates who are connecting with the voters of both parties on the campaigns of change against the status quo, are threatening to take the government away from corporations and give it back to the people.
I think Edwards is far more grounded in reality that Huckabee is, but both represent 180 degree change and that is anethema to the powers that be.
It is time to break the strangle hold that corporations have on OUR government. It is time that the government be taken back and once again be the government by the people, for the people and of the people.
John Edwards is the man this country is going to need in the next very difficult 4 years.
Guy Fawkes @ 5:
And your choice is?
Guy Fawkes @ 5:
What specifically do trial lawyers have a vested interest in? Please elucidate, guy.
chris @ 35:
tweety??? is that you, [deleted--keep it civil]???
Of course he is right that Edwards and Obama have some kind of deal. CW seems to be that Clinton can't even fight back without being "shrill"... The fix is truly in. 15 years of anti-hillary rhetoric have infected just about every form of media gatekeeper. Right down the grass-roots.
Andre @ 90:
What in the HELL are you smoking, andre?? The big corporations arent going to give up anything, EVER!!
John Edward is a CFR member. Fighting the status quo? I don't think so. He's pulling a fast one on the American people.
Ever wonder why CFR members include Cheney, Bush, Obama, Clinton, Rockefeller? Are they all on the same team playing good cop/bad cop? It's a soap folks., meant to distract and pacify us into believing they have different goals.
Here's just a few quotes from David Rockefeller and the CFR goal of ending American soveriegnty and building a on-world government. Is this American? Why are people not talking about the CFR?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order." - David Rockefeller
"We are grateful to the Washington Post, The New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subjected to the lights of publicity during those years. But, the world is now more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries." - David Rockefeller... Baden-Baden, Germany 1991
Rosanne @ 104:
Sorry, site manager. From now on, civility will be my middle name. (However, you let chris get away with saying shit. Do I detect a slight bias here???)
Chris is not making a personal insult on a poster, but on a topic. Just don't make it personal ~sm
Nelson Rockefeller - American or globalist?
"For more than a century, ideological extremists at either end of the political spectrum have seized upon well-publicized incidents such as my encounter with Castro to attack the Rockefeller family for the inordinate influence they claim we wield over American political and economic institutions. Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as 'internationalists' and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure — one world, if you will. If that is the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it." — From Rockefeller's "Memoirs", (p.405).
EZ @ 57:
Has anyone else ever noticed that the possible side effects of some drugs are the same condition its being prescribed for???
When Edwards was running for the senate , N.C. had a bad hurricane ..hit the coast hard...wiping out a lot of poor people's homes. My lawyer told me this story.."John put his hand on the backs of two lawyers and said,Let's send them some money..We can afford it." My lawyer thought he was one of the nicest guys he had ever met...didn't think he had a chance to win the senate race. But he did. He will be our next president.What is called phony is never quite adjusting to the world he is in due to his brilliance.
Joe in L.A. @ 107:
How do you know John Edwards is a CFR member? Name all the candidates that are CFR members.
Kudo's to Rosana #106. I totally agree, you can't bargain with big oil corporations and industry giants. FDR had to tell big corporations to change the system by initiating antitrust laws. This Bull about reaching accross the ailse is the biggest bunch or garbage I've ever heard of. Unfortunatey most of the Dems right now are in Barach Obama Lollla land. They believe he will snap his fingers, reach across the aisle, and the big corporations will follow his command. What a bunch of malarchy. And unfortunuately a lot of Dems are falling for it AGAIN!!! I ask you all this? How many more times do Democrats have to make asses of themselves by the political Rovarian machine? How many more times???
Do you suppose that if Edwards really wanted to make more laws for his fellow trial-lawyers he would probably have stayed in the Senate where they actually write laws?
Joe in L.A. @ 107:
Oh, God...not the CFR meme again....It was stale the first time around.
What an optimist! I'm worried that whoever is the next president will be luck to merely undo damage wrought by the Shrub and here you are worrying that they'll be so successful that they'll take things too far. That's breath-taking!
Spreading democracy at the point of a gun hasn't worked out too well, but I don't know if spreading democracy at the "point" of an ex-president would work that much better---would the US be responsible for the child support?
Sunnyside @ 112:
CFR Subversives! Run for your lives!! Arrrrrgh!!!
Michael Dukakis
Mario Cuomo
John Kerry
Sandy Berger
Paul Krugman
Bill Clinton
Zbigniew Brzezinski
George Soros
Robert E. Rubin
Madeleine K. Albright
Tom Brokaw
Richard C. Holbrooke
Paula Zahn
Barbara Walters
Walter Mondale
Gary Hart
Ok...Paula Zahn??? Eeeuuuu. That's subversive but not in the general sense.
Johnny2Bad @ 115:
Have you researched for yourself or just willingly ignorant of facts? Tray "Shadows of Power" - James Perloff
Johnny2Bad @ 118:
otable current council members
* Robert F. Agostinelli[2]
* Sandy Berger (United States National Security Advisor under President Bill Clinton)
* Michael Bloomberg (current Mayor of New York City)
* Bill Brock (former Republican United States Senator from Tennessee)
* Edgar Bronfman, Sr. (a member of the Bronfman dynasty, president of the World Jewish Congress)
* Ethan Bronner (deputy foreign editor of The New York Times)
* Zbigniew Brzezinski (United States National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter)
* Jonathan S. Bush (healthcare CEO, son of Jonathan Bush, brother of NBC entertainment reporter Billy Bush)
* Jimmy Carter
* Dick Cheney
* Warren Christopher (former United States Secretary of State)
* Bill Clinton
* Michael Crow (president of Arizona State University)
* Peggy Dulany (fourth child of David Rockefeller)
* Lawrence Eagleburger ( former United States Secretary of State under George H. W. Bush)
* Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.
* Noah Feldman (academic and author)
* Mikhail Fridman (Russian oligarch, International Advisory Board member)
* Thomas Friedman (journalist, The New York Times)
* Robert Gates (Secretary of Defense, former Director of Central Intelligence)
* Leslie Gelb
* Alan Greenspan (former Chairman of the Federal Reserve)
* Gary Hart (former Democratic U.S. Senator representing Colorado, Council for a Livable World chairman, advisory board member for the Partnership for a Secure America)
* Christopher Heinz (Heir to the Heinz fortune)
* Warren Hoge (American journalist)
* Angelina Jolie (UN Goodwill Ambassador)[32]
* Vernon Jordan, Jr. (close advisor to President William J. Clinton)
* Robert Kagan (cofounded Project for the New American Century)
* John Kerry
* Irving Kristol (founder of American neoconservatism, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute)
* Paul R. Krugman
* Joseph Lieberman
* Consuelo Mack (Anchor and Managing Editor of Wealthtrack and former CNBC television personality)
* John McCain
* Walter Mondale (Former US Vice President under Jimmy Carter and 1984 Democratic Presidential Candidate)
* Paula Zahn (news media, formerly an anchor on CNN)
* John Negroponte (Deputy Secretary of State, former Director of National Intelligence, former U.S. ambassador to Honduras)
* Stanley O'Neal (Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Merrill Lynch)
* Henry Paulson (Treasury Secretary)
* Kitty Pilgrim
* Richard Pipes (founder of Middle East Forum)
* Norman Podhoretz (former editor-in-chief of "Commentary", senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, Project for the New American Century signatory)
* Steve Poizner (California businessman and Republican politician)
* Charles Prince (former chief executive officer of Citigroup)
* Condoleezza Rice
* Keith A. Ridley, IV
* Alice Rivlin (economist, former U.S. cabinet member)
* David Rockefeller, Jr.
* Jay Rockefeller
* Karenna Gore Schiff (daughter of Al Gore)
* Brent Scowcroft (United States National Security Advisor under Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush)
* George P. Shultz (former United States Secretary of State, former United States Secretary of the Treasury, former Secretary of Labor)
* Ron Silver (actor, director, producer, cofounded the organization One Jerusalem)
* Walter B. Slocombe (former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy)
* George Soros
* Jonathan Soros
* Lesley Stahl
* Fred Thompson (Actor, former Senator from Tennessee, Presidential candidate)
* Paul Volcker (former Chairman of the Federal Reserve)
* Barbara Walters
* Rick Warren
* Steven Weinberg (American physicist)
* John C. Whitehead (chairman of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, former United States Deputy Secretary of State under Ronald Reagan, former Goldman Sachs chairman)
* Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby (International Advisory Board member)
* Adam Wolfensohn
* James Wolfensohn (former president of the World Bank Group)
* Paul Wolfowitz (former president of the World Bank Group, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense)
* R. James Woolsey, Jr. (former Director of Central Intelligence and former head of the CIA)
* Robert Zoellick (President of the World Bank Group)
Joe in L.A. @ 119:
This link should tell you all you need to know about James Perloff and "Joe in L.A."
(God, that was way too easy.)
That's my problem with Obama, too. The corporatists and others pulling the strings aren't going to be reasoned with or even brow-beaten into letting go nor even just loosening their grip: a serious, long-term fight will be required to dislodge those miscreants and I'm not sure that Obama has the belly for the fight. Even Al Gore, who could probably have had the nomination without breaking a sweat, decided to pass on this election---perhaps a credit to his common sense though not to his leadership---rather than take on the heavy-lifting that will surely be required in '09. This isn't the time for warm fuzzies: the Democratic motto for this election ought to be "It's the EVERYTHING, stupid!".
Johnny2Bad @ 121:
The Birch Society are defenders of the Constitution and the United States of America.. What are you defending?
Johnny2Bad @ 121:
Here's another big James Perloff fan: Radio Liberty Christo-fascist survivalist homeschoolers.
Say it ain't so, "Joe".
Johnny,
Have you read his book or not?
Does the your freedom and Constitution matter you or not?
Simply trying to ridicule someone because you don't know or are unwilling to argue your positions comes off as immature and unintelligent.
I care about this country, so much so that I take the time to look at all sides of the political spectrum. That's why I come to this site. I don't care about parties and I don't have a group think mentality. 12 years of research leads me to understand that their is an element (i.e. traitors) within our government and corporate sectors that are acting against the United States of America.
Guess what, more and more Americans realize this every day.
Joe in L.A. @ 123:
Free speech, my friend. Even your silly, wacked-out brand of neo-fascist Bullsh*t.
(There are wonderful medications for your problem. Good luck with that.)
Ok, I'm done responding to you...Goodnight, now.
Thanks Johnny,
Neo-Facist are the people we are fighting and exposing. Why would you consider anything I've said as fascist? Ridiculous.
You just proved my point. You have a good night.
Wow. Same old trolls. :)
John's REALLY got you worried hasn't he? Keep pouring money and time into pointless lies (that are debunked each time by the good folks here).
If Edwards can take 2nd in NH, or even hold on for the next few states, the people and small business might just decide to take this country back!
Joe in L.A. @ 123:
Well if you represent "the Birch Society" then it is clear that they represent bullshit, pathological paranoia, and spamming lies as you have just been caught doing here! Thanks for letting us all know who is responsible for that.
Stephanopoulos is a laughable shill for Hillary. How dare he talk lobbyists when Howard Wolfson of the Glover Park Group, a major K street lobbying
group posing as an advertising agency and made up old Clinton staffers, plays a starring role in Hillary's campaign. It's as if Hillary is giving us all the finger as she trots out her lobbyist/spokesman and tells us she the purveyor of change. Edwards hits the nail on the head when calling Hillary the status quo, and in reality, she is worse - she is a cog in that corporate cancer the morphs its message to the moment and usurps, and devalues meaningful ideas to serve itself.
Senator Edwards is a wonderful man, with some great ideas of how to clean up this country and we need to hear from all the voices that are willing to step up to the plate and help us get this country back on track.
It is sad that only one of them can go to the White House, as our President, however it is my hope that whom ever wins the office will reach out and snatch these people to help in an effort that is going to be simply overwhelming for who ever gets the job.
While I have committed my support to Senator Obama, I also am highly supportive of Senator Edwards as well as Congressman Kuccinich, as they are all very important to the future process of taking this country back from these criminals, with self serving motivation and the will to simply destroy our democracy while they do it.
EZ @ 53:
EZ - you are absolutely RIGHT !! The same/similar applies to Richardson. Another mega-spoiler midget with oversized ego to be kept on the radar is Bloomberg.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/07/nyregion/07bloomberg.html?ref=nyregion
I am in NYC and heckled him more than once, just few feet from him and his goons. Despicable jerk.
I saw most of The Bill Moyer's Journal tonight, interviews w/ Paul and Kucinich. More of the same blather from them . Then, Bill asked Kucinich why on earth did he instruct his supporters in Iowa to vote for Obama, considering that Edwards is having the message identical to Kucinich's, not Obama. Dennis was wiggling like a rotten eel being spiked w/electric current, and refused TWICE to answer, saying it was the "Iowa recommendation only".
Upon Bill's persistent/ repetitive questioning, Kucinich said he used his 'best judgment' (verbatim)...! That he hopes to have better showing in NH. Not a word about JRE Wall Street links bs - Moyers is too intelligent to take it and would have shut him up since Edwards did take care of the problem once it emerged. Too many of the trolls could hear it.
I'd think Kucinich (while being a repig ***-wipe) tries to kick John out, to have his own arse saved still in the race - thus killing 2 birds: repigs' and his own.
I can't stand his ugly lying face and his ugly badly glued rug.
You and other guys do a great job here keeping the ignorants/trolls in check. Spreading the false message seems to be quite common this season. Thanks !
Should you or anybody else be willing to help Edwards campaign, please go to my message # 245
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/01/05/hardball-elizabeth-edwards-asks...
providing info/links to phonebanking the NH voters for John Edwards anytime (9:30 am - 9 pm EST) from your home/ anywhere you have the computer access. The system provides simple script so all of us speak the same language. Less than 24 hrs left . EVERY VOTE COUNTS !
Elizabeth Edwards would be a formidable First Lady - corpowhores are wetting their pants just imaging this couple in the WH.
A Kansas City news website just removed their "presidential" poll after obviously not liking the results. After 3 days, Edwards and Paul were in the lead by a wide margin with Edwards at about 24% and Paul at about 21% (together about 45% of overall votes for all candidates). This election is not only about Democrats against Republicans, but Middle class America against the corporations and their media outlets. This example and the ABC news and FOX noise debate candidate exclusions also demonstrate just who is trying to decide this election. This is not only a fight against the republicans, but a fight against the media.
I agree with StCyrly at #131. However, I have my preference reversed. I'd like to see an Edwards-Obama ticket -- mainly because I love the way John Edwards is fighting for the poor and the middle class in America. That way, too, Obama can get some seasoning and be really ready to be President in 2016.
John Edwards for President.
Thanks for the response. This election is going to be vicious as it was in 2000. Al Gore lost because of Nader, a sneaky man disrupted in favor of Bush gang. G-d only knows how much the republican party bribed them.
Kucinich is doing an injustice to Edwards. Why would anyone support Obama when he has not accomplished a great deal in the white house. I am being fair here. I definitely think that Obama is a republican man planted by their party since most of them do not like Hillary and Edwards. The strategy is that the political machine in Iowa and NH are creating this bogus win for Obama since they know that Obama will lose the general election and thereby republicans would have a great opportunity to win the coming election. Edwards must not give up.
Hillary is banking on her husband's buddies to help her and that meant ABC, MSNBC, and the rest of the African American gang. Too bad the African American gang is leaning toward Obama, but once they realize that he is at heart a muslim, they will shun him.
Edwards is not manufactured and packaged by a political party. He is genuine. Obama is signed, sealed, and delivered by the Chicago political machine and the Illinois Democratic machine. If you want to see trial lawyers who support Obama go to Madisopn County IL and you will find many. Iowa was swarmed by every Illinois Dem alive. Senator Durbin included. Just how free of corporate control is IL politics? Guess. John Edwards has a message to be heard if only the media didn't stop it!
Wow, I don't like lawyers, but Edwards hit the nail on the head. John Edwards gave us a glimpse of what happens in Washington and the taxpayers interest are not looked after because of big money. I have always maintained if you make lobbying illegal, then the United States might, just might, redeem itself. He is very very good!! He will get my vote!
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