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Despite the claims, Edwards of 2004 sounds a lot like Edwards of 2008.

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PresidentObama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-07-07 02:19 PM
Original message
Despite the claims, Edwards of 2004 sounds a lot like Edwards of 2008.
Edited on Wed Nov-07-07 02:19 PM by Kerry2008
Don't believe me?

Just read these portions of his announcement speech back in 2003 when he was running for the nomination in 2004 compared to the speech gave he gave in 2007 to voters in Des Moines, Iowa earlier this year as he runs for President again in 2008. He speaks about many of the same things: about Washington being corrupt and working against the American people, and his desire to give every American an equal chance to live the American dream like he did!

Then:

We deserve a President who is close to our people, not the lobbyists. Who listens to our people because he knows them, he works for them. A president who hears them even when they cannot speak because they've lost their jobs, because they're caring for a child, or just because the simple struggle to make ends meet leaves them no time for anything else.

http://www.4president.org/speeches/johnedwards2004announcement.htm


Now:

And third, in the past 10 years, the number of lobbyists in Washington has tripled to 36,000. That means there are sixty registered lobbyists for each member of Congress and 20 times more lobbyists than people in my hometown of Robbins, North Carolina.

That's all you need to know to know that Washington is the problem, not the solution. Something's wrong when we have 37 million Americans living in poverty and this kind of income disparity. When 45 million Americans can't get health care, but corporations can get whatever they want from Congress. That may be George Bush's America, but that doesn't mean it's right.

http://johnedwards.com/news/speeches/20070726-economic-fairness/


-----------------------------------------

Then:

I will be a champion for regular people every day. I will fight my heart out to bring back America's Dream. And together, we will take the power in our democracy out of the hands of that handful of insiders who are running our country right now, and give it back to you, give it back to the American people!

http://www.4president.org/speeches/johnedwards2004announcement.htm


Now:

It's time for us to fight back for the American Dream that says we have opportunity for all and special privileges for none. That success is based on how hard you work, not how much influence you have. That a child's future does not depend on his or her parents' wealth.

http://johnedwards.com/news/speeches/20070726-economic-fairness/


-----------------------------------------

Of course John Edwards has changed since 2004, he's not completely the same. On healthcare, he's came to the conclusion that the drastic measure of Universal Healthcare is needed when he was once was opposed to it. And he was the first Presidential candidate to introduce a truly Universal Healthcare proposal, and he's got the best vision in that regard. On the war in Iraq, John Edwards has apologized for his vote to give Bush the authority to go to war. And he's been a champion in ending the war, and restoring Americas moral leadership around the world.

But just by looking back at Edwards in 2004, he's still the same guy today. Yes, the times have changed, and he's matured a bit since then--but he's still the same champion for the middle class. He's still the tough fighter for those who don't have voices. And he's still the same man whose all his life fought for hard working, ordinary people.

He'll be a great President, and make our nation proud if he's the Democratic nominee.

And all this talk about him evolving and changing is all hogwash. We all change and mature, but Senator Edwards core values and principles have remained the same. And his motivation behind running has remained the same.








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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-07-07 02:27 PM
Response to Original message
1. Lovely and so true. How novel. Please join us (Edwards supporters) for fresh pasta
and meatballs and sausage. Can you?
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AndyA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-07-07 02:32 PM
Response to Original message
2. Isn't it refreshing to have a Presidential candidate who admits when they've made a mistake,
and allows their mind to be open enough to change and new things, instead of digging in their heels and sticking with their old story?

I think America needs John Edwards, and I believe most will realize this to be true when they go to the polls. When it's just you and your vote, I think most are going to vote for change. And not just a name change, but REAL CHANGE.

And that's John Edwards. :thumbsup:
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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 07:57 AM
Response to Reply #2
7. And it takes courage......wouldn't it be great to have a President who had courage???
:toast:
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Nutmegger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-07-07 02:37 PM
Response to Original message
3. R&K for Edwards!
:thumbsup::kick:
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PresidentObama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 12:24 AM
Response to Original message
4. Kick n/t
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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 07:52 AM
Response to Original message
5. I appreciate this OP very much, because it illustrates that Edwards championed Progressive Values
then....as he does now.

This is important information for the voters who are still considering who they will vote for.




(I noticed that the detractors have not commented, nor swarmed this thread like angry bees.....}




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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 07:54 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. A Thursday morning K & R.

:donut:




:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Freddie Stubbs Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 08:14 AM
Response to Original message
8. But neither of them sound like the Edwards who served in the Senate
The Edwards that sponsored the Iraq War Resolution despite serving on the Intelligence Committee and receiving the same information as bob Graham.

The Edwards who supported free trade deals.

The Edwards who supported Bankruptcy reform.
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MethuenProgressive Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 08:38 AM
Response to Reply #8
12. He's embraced polling and focus groups to decide what's "right"
He's what marketing is telling people what they want, however poorly packaged and falsely advertised the real product is. His expiration date was 2004, and fresh paint won't change that fact.
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Clark2008 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #8
15. I was going to write the same thing.
Thanks!! :hi:
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MethuenProgressive Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 08:17 AM
Response to Original message
9. "looking back at Edwards in 2004, he's still the same guy today." Not according to him.
CNN.com - John Edwards Announces Presidential Bid ..... EDWARDS: They need to see who I am. The way that I hope I have evolved since the 2004 ...
transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/28/cnr.06.html
And the Huff Post looks into his flip on Immigration:
With Sights On Iowa, Edwards Takes New Conservative Line On Immigration
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/06/with-sights-on-iowa-edwa_n_71337.html
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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 08:27 AM
Response to Reply #9
10. Yep, he has stayed the same and is as strong as ever, and evolved in some aspects

as he claimed. Yep, it is courage wraped up in leadership. Which of the leaders today, first supported Ned Lamont in his race against Joe Lieberman....it was Edwards....progressive values Edwards.


As posted in the Kos diary yesterday....


In 2002-2004, John Edwards was a freshman Senator who made mistakes. One of his biggest mistakes was that he listened to the Very. Important. People. It is a mistake that John Edwards has not repeated. He was the first major Democrat to endorse Ned Lamont. He has been calling for us to get the troops out of Iraq for several years. And, when Republicans make stupid and dangerous proposals, like the Lieberman-Kyle Amendment on Iran, Edwards has lead the opposition.
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MethuenProgressive Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 08:34 AM
Response to Reply #10
11. "And all this talk about him evolving and changing is all hogwash."
The hogwash is from the OP and Edwards own mouth.
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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 08:56 AM
Response to Reply #11
13. I respect John Edwards for his courage and his ability to listen and respond.

It is RARE to find a public servant that actually listens and responds to their constituents.

What you are witnessing in Edwards is called RESPONSIVENESS.

And I would guess that you have little to no experience in having your mayor, state rep, us congress person, or us senator be responsive to your views and your opinions.

Thus, you are not able to recognize transformative behavior when it occurs.

All you really do is bluster and cut and paste which you are very good at by the way.....but to no avail.

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waiting for hope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 01:40 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. If I could rec a comment -
this would be one! :) Great post and a K&R for Edwards!
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Yukari Yakumo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 03:11 PM
Response to Original message
16. Except Iraq, which he changed after the '04 election when public opinion turned against it {nt}
uguu
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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 03:29 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. Character and transformative thinking leads to a responsive candidate. Edwards is responsive.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)
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Ninga Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 03:33 PM
Response to Reply #16
18. Edwards is RESPONSIVE.....not dogmatic. (ridged and not open to rational arguement)
Edwards is Responsive, listens and responds and is OPEN to rational arguements.

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eridani Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 09:25 PM
Response to Original message
19. No, Kucinich is the only candidate with a real universal health care proposal
Edwards has a proposal that is a compromise of universal health care that subsidizes private insurance. However, compared to 2004, he certainly has put some thought into his plan.
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struggle4progress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-08-07 11:07 PM
Response to Original message
20. I've been following since since his Senate campaign: he sounded the same in 1998 too
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PresidentObama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-09-07 01:35 AM
Response to Reply #20
21. Thank you. Some suggest he didn't. But they haven't truly followed him.
They're more willing to make baseless claims.
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