"I have a really simple view of Iraq. America needs to be leaving Iraq." --John Edwards

"I have a really simple view of Iraq. America needs to be leaving Iraq." --John Edwards

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/APP/704122895
http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/iraq/

Not the one that sat in Congress - who co-sponsored the IWR, loved job-obliterating 'free' trade bills, and no-predatory-lender-left-behind bankruptcy bills?

Holy 180, Batman!

"...loved job-obliterating 'free' trade bills, and no-predatory-lender-left-behind bankruptcy bills?"

Umm...

Even with Kerry dominating headlines last week as the all-but-certain nominee, Edwards changed little about his campaign here, employing the same dogged-yet-optimistic approach that elevated him in Iowa. As Kerry focused his energy on attacking President Bush, Edwards trained like a laser on economic issues, repeatedly criticizing free trade, telling working-class crowds: "We know about free trade. How about some fair trade."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0218-02.htm

Mr. Edwards says that had he been in the Senate in 1993, when it passed the North American Free Trade Agreement and President Bill Clinton signed it, he would have voted against it. He says he campaigned against it in his 1998 Senate race, but newspaper clippings show it was not a major issue, in part because his opponent, Senator Lauch Faircloth, a Republican, was against it, too.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05EFDE113DF933A15751C0A9629C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fN%2fNorth%20American%20Free%20Trade%20Agreement

Umm...

Rather than passing laws that punish consumers trying to make ends meet, we should be cracking down on the irresponsible lenders that prey upon them. Congress needs to start paying attention to the growing problem of predatory lenders.
Just like with the bankruptcy bill, we aren't seeing action on Capitol Hill because financial companies are huge campaign contributors. In 2000, one of George Bush's biggest donors was credit card giant MBNA. In 2004, it was the owner of Ameriquest's turn.
We know how to solve this problem.
We need strong legislation against predatory lending -- preventing mortgage lenders from charging excessive fees, forbidding loan "flipping" where lenders rack up fees by refinancing mortgages without benefiting borrowers, and limiting pre-payment penalties.
Predatory lending isn't the only problem for families that are working hard, paying their bills, and still struggling to get by. Short-term payday loans with excessive interest rates can quickly turn into a crushing long-term debt. Congress recently passed protections for our military men and women, but why not all families?
It's well past time to install leaders who care about issues like predatory lending, rising mortgage foreclosure rates, increasing the minimum wage, and helping middle and low-income families.
http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2006/10/16/145158/48

In foosball, you keep your eye on the ball - not the opposing players men.

Likewise, in politics, you keep your eye on the votes - not the talk. Edwards' votes are a matter of public record.

Edwards' votes are a matter of public record.

I know they are. Try citing one that supports your (entirely unsupported) statements about his positions on free trade and bankruptcy.

Try reading--

"One Year After Bankruptcy Bill, It’s Well Past Time To Crack Down On Predatory Lenders" (by guest blogger John Edwards)
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/14/bankruptcy-bill-anniversary/

http://www.ontheissues.org/2004/John_Edwards_Free_Trade.htm

GO CHECK HIS RECORD.

I suppose that it's better than saying that he doesn't regret it.

And he might even be sincere.

But:

1. He still voted for amazingly bad stuff, which demonstrates questionable judgement.
2. How the hell can I know whether or not he's sincere?

...

How difficult is it to look up a voting record?

http://www.ontheissues.org/John_Edwards.htm

PS - throw in the 'Patriot' Act.

* Renegotiate NAFTA rather than cancel it. (Feb 2004)
* Require labor and environmental standards plus right-to-know. (Jan 2004)
* Against NAFTA, against Chile trade, against Singapore trade. (Jan 2004)
* Level the playing field for American workers. (Nov 2003)
* I supported steel tariffs, but now ease off. (Sep 2003)
* National venture capital fund for those hurt by trade. (Sep 2003)
* Against Fast Track--not enough for US workers. (Jul 2003)
* Voted NO on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
* Voted NO on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
* Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
* Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
* Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
* Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
* Voted NO on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
* Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)

Hillary Clinton on Free Trade
Democratic Jr Senator (NY)
Click here for 10 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues.

* Globalization should not substitute for humanization. (Jun 1999)
* Supports MFN for China, despite concerns over human rights. (Oct 2000)
* Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
* Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
* Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
* Voted NO on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
* Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
* Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
* Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)

Barack Obama on Free Trade
Democratic Jr Senator (IL); previously State Senator
Click here for 4 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

* Insist on labor and human rights standards for China trade. (Jul 2004)
* Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US. (Jun 2004)
* Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9REGbr0nfI (see the MTP clip)
and earlier this speech"

Edwards: 'Iran must know world won't back down'

Ron Brynaert
Published: Tuesday January 23, 2007
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http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Edwards_Iran_must_know_world_wont_0123.html

"We didn’t see the full impact of these abuses during the housing boom, but now — with home prices sliding down and interest rates moving up — we are seeing the first signs of a big problem. Tens of thousands of families have gotten into unfair deals and are now in over their heads. Mortgage foreclosures are up 53 percent from last year, and they are expected to keep rising."

Nor does he apparently see the impact his vote for the bankruptcy bill will have on all of those people going through those foreclosures. It appears as if he is very short sited in fact has a pattern of short sightedness. I don't think hes a bad guy but his decision making appears lacking to me.

He just doesn't seem to pay attention till after things are a problem. Once they clearly are though, he seems really adept at pointing at them.

Is today John Edwards day?

Guess what? You already have one! How's that working out for you?

NGU.

and then say "Heavens! What have we done!".

to go away.

His opponents will have to fight him off for the nomination. He's not going to give up, and he's damned attractive to working class voters.

Instead of rhetoric he is offering plans.

interests coming from the Bush administration, and it's already been over 6 long years.

Edwards is ready to hit the ground running, and I think he'll be a significant lift to working people in all regions of the country.

He's got the plans and he's got the cred.

many of the poor he loves so much now...

:hi:

Edwards is connecting now with more focus and verve than he did in Iowa in 2004, when on a shoestring budget he almost won that caucus.

John Kerry's very impressive sweep netted him first place, with around 37% of the vote; Edwards came in a very respectable second with 32%; Dean a significant and honorable 3rd place (nevermind what the damn media said); and Gephardt a disappointing 4th with 11%.

I believe this time Edwards is poised to take the Iowa caucus by a handsome margin. They like him out that way, and you could tell it in the 2004 crowds. They liked his wife too. They liked his kids, too. They liked his blue jeans and his hair and his house and his hippopotamus and his wheelbarrow and his cufflinks and his staple gun.

He's our next president.

and let's keep the pressure on that puke Alberto Gonzales for that hearing on Thursday, let's keep making Bush responsible for his own disastrous war, let's offer a health care plan that works for more Americans than any in U.S. history -- and that has Paul Krugman's endorsement, let's appeal to Mario Cuomo -- one of our greatest minds ever... wait -- this sounds like the Edwards campaign.

By god, it IS the Edwards campaign!

Go, Johnny, Go!

on Edwards that I sometimes do foolish things like respond and post on the threads!! And the BEAT GOES ON!

Can't wait for Thursday myself! So sorry about the West Virginia killings and I mean it with all my heart too, but I was looking forward to GONZO on the HOT SEAT TODAY!

Go, Johnny, Go!

torture-prone hindend on Thursday.

It's going to be a long, deep blue streak between right now and November 2008!

I'm really glad you're on the team!

Now, it's time to get ready to hit the hay! I get up early every morning to watch Washington Journal and NEVER get enough SLEEP!

My doctor told me I suffer from sleep deprivation and gave me Ambien, but YA GOTS TA TAKE 'EM!

I don't like the stuff!

B-):thumbsup:

NGU.

Better late than never though.

The Right Way in Iraq
By John Edwards--The Washington Post
Sunday, November 13, 2005
----
I was wrong.

(...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/11/AR2005111101623_pf.html

Way late though and after the political wind had started changing.

:eyes:

He can talk a slick game, but I remember his actions. And actions are louder than words to me.

I didn't vote for him in the last primary, and I'm not sure I will this time either. He's like a less offensive Democratic counterpart to Mitt Romney; style, money and nice hair, but very little substance, experience or good judgment.

Oh yeah, and ever-shifting opinions. Can't forget that.

run for the Presidential nomination. And he's been campaigning and talking to people ever since. He's definitely the guy that big money would least like to have power.

That simply isn't the case. He has changed his ideas on several issues since 2004 but only once and only in the right direction, never back again.

Old Iraq position gone, now very anti-war.
Old Bankruptcy bill position gone, obviously anti-poverty.

Edwards: 'Iran must know world won't back down'

Ron Brynaert
Published: Tuesday January 23, 2007
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http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Edwards_Iran_must_know_world_wont_0123.html
and after "oopsing again, he said this to Timmy"
"Is President edwards going to attack Iran?"
"There's no answer to this. It's very bad Iran has the nuclear weapon - we'll see..."
watch the clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9REGbr0nfI