Hillary vs Edwards (Part 2)
So there was yet another Democratic debate last night.
Barack Obama seemed confused on whether he was taking on Hillary or not, and ended up waffling no better than Hillary, and the rest of the candidates also tiptoed around Hillary (criticizing but then taking it back, or denying that their criticism was targeted at Hillary when it obviously was). Edwards on the other hend had the guts to continue to take on Hillary last night.
In response, Hillary Clinton went on the attack against John Edwards. Why? Because John Edwards has proven himself to be the most effective and articulate challenger to Hillary, and he is defining the race, by leading on the issues that matter most to voters. No more inevitablity that Clinton will be the nominee, no more coronation – the race for the Democratic nomination is on.
Edwards once again clearly defined the choice that voters face – whether to allow powerful special interests to continue to corrupt our country (as some candidates continue to accept money from them...since lobbyists are Americans, too, or represent Americans, y'know) or choose a new path. Edwards clearly articulated his fundamental differences on the issues with Hillary, once again pointing out her “double talk” on ending the war in Iraq, going to war with Iran and Social Security.
Hillary decided to accuse Edwards of mud-slinging (a nice sound bite that made the news this morning...since the comment about the boys piling on, or them Swiftboating her, had backfired after the last debate and made people question her and Bill Clinton).
You know, it isn't OK to question anyone in this country any more, especially not the Democratic royalty, the Clintons (George W.'s "you're either with us or against us" way of thinking comes to mind). So Edwards responded by making it clear that this was not personal but it was important for voters to understand the difference between Hillary and the other candidates.
Edwards noted that while Hillary says she will bring change to Washington, “she continues to defend a system that does not work, that is broken, that is rigged and is corrupt; corrupted against the interest of most Americans and corrupted for a very small, very powerful, very well-financed group.” And it was Edwards stood up for those who just want honest answers from their next president on something besides "diamonds or pearls" -- the last question from the audience last night (which of course was not really answered either in true Hillary fashion...she likes both).
Said Edwards: “There's nothing personal about this. There is a fundamental choice that everyone in this room and Democratic voters have to make. This is about what America needs to be. And I think people are entitled to know that they have choices. This is about those 35 million people who are hungry every single year. When is our party going to show a little backbone and strength and courage and speak up for those people who have been left behind?”
Rather than waffling between “primary mode” and “general election mode,” as Hillary's advisors have said she must do, Edwards feels it is important for the next president to tell the truth. Always. As he puts it, “It’s our responsibility as presidential candidates to be in tell the truth mode. All the time.”
Edwards’ campaign has increasing momentum (and from Nevada last night, Edwards heads to California today). This week, he became the first Democrat to go up on television in South Carolina. And earlier this month, he launched his first major television buy in Iowa and New Hampshire, a 60-spot entitled “Heroes” in which Edwards reaffirms his commitment to stand up and fight for America’s true heroes – the working men and women of our country. In the spot, Edwards stakes out a firm position, saying: “It is time for our party, the Democratic Party, to show a little backbone, to have a little guts. To stand up for working men and women. If we are not their voice, they will never have a voice.”
Just this week, Edwards launched a new health care television spot, focusing on his promise to submit legislation on the first day he takes office as president that ends health care coverage for the president, all members of Congress, and all senior political appointees in the legislative and executive branches of government on July 20th, 2009 -- unless Congress has enacted universal health care reform.