1. Edwards Ad: Rivals Take Lobbyists' Money

Edwards have new ad up in SC. It's pretty cool.

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CONWAY, S.C. - Echoing a line of attack from Monday night's Democratic debate, John Edwards takes on both of

his Democratic rivals for accepting money from drug companies and Washington lobbyists in a new television ad that goes up in South Carolina today.

The 30-second spot begins with side-by-side portraits of Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton, while a narrator says, "One gets more money than anyone from drug companies. The other one takes more money than anyone from Washington lobbyists. What's happened to the Democratic Party? Whatever happened to the party of the people?"

It goes on to point out that Mr. Edwards does not accept campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists or political action committees.

Edwards stressed the same point during the debate in Myrtle Beach on Monday night. "It's important to recognize that Senator Obama has taken more money from the drug companies than anybody," he said. "Senator Clinton has taken more money from the insurance companies than anybody."

Mr. Obama defended himself, saying that he does not take money from PAC's or federal lobbyists. And while he does accept contributions from employees of drug companies, he said, that is not the same as taking money from drug lobbyists.

"I think it's important to make that distinction, John," Mr. Obama said.

"That's fair," Mr. Edwards replied.

Mrs. Clinton responded to Mr. Edwards at the debate, pointing out that while he doesn't take money from federal lobbyists, he does accept donations from trial lawyers. "Well, John, trial lawyers have given you millions and millions of dollars," she said.

2. Edwards Outlines Economic Plan To Put Needed Money In The Hands Of Hard-Working South Carolinians And All Americans

Edwards as usual, ahead of the rest when it comes to plan for the country outlines his economic plan. Again.
His first release was a few weeks ago.

Because of his Commitment to Fighting for the Middle Class and his Bold Ideas to Strengthen the Economy, South Carolina Communications Workers of America Endorse Edwards

Columbia, South Carolina - On a conference call with reporters today, Edwards discussed the growing economic challenges facing the nation, his economic stimulus plan, and the impact it will have to help hard-working families in South Carolina and across the nation who have been ignored by the Bush Administration's policies.

"The problem is that we've had elected leaders who are more concerned with serving the interests of the powerful and the well-connected than standing up for regular, hard-working Americans," said John Edwards. "We need to end the cycle of leadership that has made decision after decision over the last 25 years that benefit big corporations and special interests at the expense of the middle class."

"If we want to stop saying goodbye to South Carolina's manufacturing jobs, we need to start with a real stimulus package that creates new jobs and puts money in the hands of working families," Edwards said. "President Bush's proposal is swiss-cheese stimulus that leaves out millions of hardworking Americans while toeing the line of right-wing ideology at the expense of smart planning for America's future."

Facing oil that has topped $100 a barrel, the burden of an unemployment rate that rose 0.7 points to 6.6% for December, the largest one month gain in 17 years, and following the loss of 90,000 manufacturing jobs under the Bush presidency, South Carolinians are ready for president who will fight for them. Edwards proposed a short-term economic stimulus plan in December, leading both his opponents and the White House with a smart plan to put money in the hands of people who need it the most and who will use it within their local economies.

The Edwards plan would:

* Provide about $1.5 billion to South Carolina

* Expand benefits for about 9000 long-term unemployed workers

* Provide fiscal relief for the state of South Carolina - which is facing a $430 million deficit next year, according to the state Board of Economic Advisors.

The Communications Workers of America in South Carolina today announced its endorsement of Senator John Edwards for president. The Communications Workers of America represents both active and retired members throughout the state of South Carolina.

CWA's support of Senator Edwards is due to his long history fighting for organized labor and middle-class families, and his commitment to making the economy work for hard-working Americans again.

"I am honored to have the support of the South Carolina CWA, whose members' hard work and expertise make up the backbone of our information age economy, and essential for new job creation," Edwards said. "I share their commitment to bringing universal health care to every American and calling for smart trade policies that are fair for hard-working American men and women."

"John Edwards has spent his entire career fighting for working families and organized labor," said CWA local 3706 President Debra C. Brown. "Our endorsement of Senator Edwards is driven by Edwards' South Carolina roots, his strong position on protecting worker's right to organize, and his understanding of the needs of the rural South."

Mike Parks, President of CWA Local 3716, said, "We are proud to support John Edwards. His dedication to fighting for the middle class and his steady leadership on issues like the economy, universal health care, fair trade deals and keeping good jobs here in America is the right kind of leadership for our members and for all South Carolinians."

South Carolina CWA members have been strong advocates for improving the quality of life for workers by fighting for access to health care, secure retirement, and fair trade policies. South Carolina CWA is made up of 6 Locals, representing over 2,200 active members and over 1,700 retired members.

South Carolina CWA Officials and Locals endorsing Edwards:
Mr. Greg Mize, President CWA Local 3702
Anderson, South Carolina
Mr. Rick Slattery, President CWA Local 3704
Charleston, South Carolina
Mrs. Debra C. Brown, President CWA Local 3706
Columbia, South Carolina
Mr. Alan Poston, President CWA Local 3708
Florence, South Carolina
Ms. Patty E. McLeroy, President CWA Local 3710
Greenville, South Carolina
Mr. Mike Parks, President CWA Local 3716
Spartanburg, South Carolina

3. Edwards gets union support, details $1.5B plan for SC

More boots on the ground for Edwards. Apparently some unions still have spine. Who knew>

CONWAY, S.C. -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Tuesday won the endorsement of one of South Carolina's largest unions as he gave details of an economic plan his campaign said would offer his native state's struggling economy $1.5 billion in relief.

"Our country is no longer on the brink of a recession. I think we're in one," Edwards said during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, a day after a testy debate between the Democratic candidates.

Meanwhile, the state's chapter of the Communications Workers of America gave the former North Carolina senator its support. With one of the nation's lowest unionization rates, the nod is a win for Edwards but one unlikely to seriously alter a primary most hotly contested by New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

The union has more than 2,200 active members and more than 1,700 retired members in South Carolina.

During an earlier stop at a peanut warehouse here, Edwards told a crowd of about 300 people that bickering between Clinton and Obama doesn't help people in need. He said that instead of focusing on the ups and downs of Wall Street, the government needs to focus on what's happening in people's lives.

"I was proud to represent the grown-up wing of the Democratic Party," he told the cheering crowd.

"When all those kinds of personal attacks are going on, it doesn't do a thing to help somebody get health care who doesn't have it," Edwards said. "It doesn't do a thing to help our kids get the education they need. We have work to do in this country."

South Carolina's unemployment rate hit 6.6 percent in December, the largest one-month increase in nearly 20 years.

The number of South Carolina residents without jobs rose nearly 16,000 to 142,800 in December, the state Employment Security Commission reported. The total number of nonfarm jobs fell by 5,900 in December from the month before.

President Bush last week backed a package of about $145 billion worth of tax relief and other incentives for the nation.

Edwards on Tuesday said Bush waited too long to help the troubled economy.

"There's a disconnect between Washington and the government paying attention to what's happening in real people's lives, as opposed to just paying attention to what's happening on Wall Street," he said.

"You watch what George Bush does he just waits and waits and waits and then by the time the water's coming in like a flood, he responds, which is exactly what he's done about the economy," Edwards said. "A month ago I said we had to do something about this and still be he waited and waited."

4. Edwards Excels in Ferocious Democratic Debate

How fantastic was Edwards last night? I thought he ROCKED. Apparently, I'm not the only one to think that. Hopefully it transforms into actually votes.

Clinton was more Rovian in her attacks, as she tried to pin Obama with her own foibles. Assailing his "present" votes in the Illinois Senate, Clinton chided Obama: "It is very difficult having a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility!" The accusation drew boos from the crowd. (The Times reported that Clinton's line caused "huge boos from the audience for the first time.") Yet while Clinton and Obama exchanged their personal barbs, John Edwards broke through with the best arguments of the night.

Edwards tweaked both his opponents for making the debate about political squabbling instead of public policy. Returning to his populist economic platform -- especially salient as Americans ponder a recession -- he reminded voters that he was the only candidate to outline a comprehensive plan to end poverty, and the first to introduce a national economic stimulus proposal. His plan came out weeks before Clinton and Obama. The program drove the "party's policy agenda," as Paul Krugman explained, by advocating "aid to unemployed workers, aid to cash-strapped state and local governments," and alternative energy, (most of which Clinton later adopted in her plan). And while the debate moderators kept pushing trite racial questions, even asking Obama if Bill Clinton was the "first black president," Edwards outlined a vision of racial and economic equality, where "every American is of equal value."

5. Edwards stumps in small SC towns

Edwards on the move in South Carolina. Don't forget to watch Edwards on Letterman tonight!!

CONWAY, N.C. -- John Edwards was back on the campaign trail Tuesday following a feisty debate in Myrtle Beach on Monday night. The former North Carolina senator and presidential candidate continued his tour of small South Carolina towns and hopes his debate performance will lead to bigger crowds and more votes.

"You know between all the allegations of Hillary [Clinton] serving on the Wal-Mart board and Senator [Barack] Obama working for a slum lord, I was proud to represent the grownup wing of the Democratic party last night," said Edwards.

Tuesday morning, most polls showed Edwards came out on top with voters. It appears many of those voters were not entertained by the political punches thrown back and forth by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"II thought that John Edwards did great," said supporter Mary Bartelotte. "I was a little tired of Hillary and Barack's sniping at one another. I thought John did good."

"I think that people are tired of hearing politicians go back and forth," added undecided voter Thomas Batson. "We just want to hear about the problems at hand and how they are going to go about solving them."

After the Tuesday rally, Edwards said he's not sure if it will mean more votes in Saturday's primary.

"It's unknowable. It depends on how many people watched the debate, how much gets replayed on television. The struggle for me of course is getting heard," said Edwards.

From the small South Carolina town of Conway, Edwards now heads to New York City for an appearance on the David Letterman Show. He then will head back to South Carolina to barnstorm the state with actor Danny Glover. Voters head to the polls Saturday morning.

News 14 Carolina will continue its coverage of the South Carolina Democratic primary through the weekend. For a behind-the-scenes look at life on the campaign trail, check out Senior Political reporter Tim Boyum's blog.

6. Edwards Statement On The 35th Anniversary Of Roe v. Wade

John Edwards: The Civil Rights President. Who wouldn't love that?

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - John Edwards released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

"Roe v. Wade was an important step on the road to full equality, opportunity and dignity for women. On the 35th anniversary, it is important to reflect how far we've come as a nation, but more importantly how far we still have to go.

"I strongly support a woman's right to privacy and reproductive choices. That right has been under attack though -- by President Bush and his anti-choice agenda and by the Supreme Court, which has been moving the right-wing's agenda faster than we've seen in decades. The hard right turn of the Supreme Court is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election. Too much is at stake - starting with a woman's right to choose.

"As President, I will guarantee the right to choose and ensure that women can make choices in their lives with dignity and can participate in our society fully, as equals."

7. Only John Edwards Can Beat McCain

Reading this Mudcat blog post today gave me chills for some reason. Can you figure out why?

I'll be 60 eight days before the election in November. This is a bad thing and a good thing. The bad thing is it ain't going to be a real long time before I'm dead. The good thing is I've traveled a few miles and have picked up something along the way, and that something is called "institutional memory".

As I watched news coverage of Monday night's debate, the ever-escalating "I know you are, but what am I?" fight between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton suddenly struck a memory from 28 years back. The feud between Teddy Kennedy and Jimmy Carter rushed into my mind like a horrible memory of an old girlfriend. My recollection of their self-destructive hostilities reminded me how their battles went a long ways toward giving this nation Ronald Reagan.

It was 1980, and the Democratic Party had two supposedly strong national candidates--one an incumbent president, the other a scion of America's national family. They were going up against a Republican Party that was searching for an identity and would go deep on the bench to nominate the host of "Death Valley Days".

I remember this as an election we shouldn't have lost. But as we have done so many times in the past, we Democrats figured out a way to step on our Johnson.

In that 1980 nominating battle, our two candidates went after each other like Sherman went after Georgia. The result? Unbelievably, half of Washington is now named after Ronald Reagan--though I'll still say I'm flying into National Airport until the day the Good Lord or the Devil calls me home.

Surely, I'm not the only one who can see this six-foot rabbit named Harvey. John McCain is going to be the Republican nominee. How do I know? Because "institutional memory" also reminds me that the Democratic Party I love can't count. And regardless of what you think of the Republicans, they can.

It should be clear to anybody with over a 50 IQ that my boy John Edwards, with his combination of red state electoral experience and toughness, is the only candidate who can beat John McCain. Whether you believe polls or not, polls from CNN to Rasmussen say just that.

And it should be equally as clear to anybody with over a 25 IQ that Obama and Clinton are going to render each other totally unelectable against any Republican, especially John McCain, by the time we get to the convention.

All the Republicans have to be loving this. Because the Democrat they don't want to face, John Edwards, is getting sandwiched between the coverage of this murderous cat fight between two so-called "historical" candidates who, when all is said and done, will be just that. HISTORY.

8. Blog Roundup

The moment that put John Edwards back in the game (updated 4x) by JedReport

I support John Edwards--and I'm not wearing pants! by Red Wind

Edwards receives letter from Martin Luther King III, "My father would be proud" by S 77

Fighting For Us Vs Squabbling With Each Other by AJ WI

From: Martin   To: John by SaraBeth

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. III Letter to John Edwards by Sabre11

Edwards is in danger of following Kucinich out the door by Archangel M

On Trade, A Stark Difference Between Edwards And Obama by Tasini

The Thug Life Of John Edwards - UPDATED by StormBear

First hand report from Myrtle Beach by Persiflage

John Edwards: SC's CWA on his side and notes on the economy by edgery

I've Decided on Edwards by HairyTrueMan

John Edwards: WE must put him in the game by bubbanomics