August 24, 2007
Posted: 02:45 PM ET

John Edwards out on the campaign trail.

WASHINGTON (CNN) John Edwards delivered a speech Thursday where he encouraged voters to reject “establishment elites” and “outdated answers . . . rooted in nostalgia” and where he also said the American public deserves to know “the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent.”

It was widely reported as a thinly veiled attack on a chief rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner in most national polls.

But on Friday Edwards denied that his effort to cast himself as the true Democratic presidential candidate of change, had been a hit on Clinton.

“Nothing I said yesterday has anything to do with other presidential candidates,” Edwards said in response to a question from a reporter that specifically referenced the Lincoln Bedroom comment. “They need to move off of thinking about themselves and think about what’s important for the country which is what I’m focused on,” he added.

“Gimme a break,” said Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report. “The reality is there’s a campaign going on and he’s in debates with these guys every week and he’s looking for ways to create a distinction with Clinton and Obama.” Rothenberg added that “everybody knew what he was saying and who he was taking a shot at” with the Lincoln Bedroom comment.

Although he denied taking potshots at his main Democratic rival, Edwards did not hesitate to target Republican Mitt Romney’s new health care reform plan. “What I’d like for Gov. Romney to do is come here to New Hampshire and explain to the people I just met with why universal health care was good for the State of Massachusetts but it’s not good for the people of New Hampshire,” Edwards said Friday after meeting with voters at hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire.

– CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • John Edwards


Paula, Brentwood, MD   August 26th, 2007 9:59 pm ET

Edwards is right. His words were not at all "veiled."

Daniel, Atlanta, GA   August 26th, 2007 10:41 am ET

Are you clueless? Do you not watch the debates or read the newspaper? John Edwards said this because if elected president, he will have become president without lobbyist money, therefore, he will not owe any corporation any favors.

Posted By Karen, Carmel, IN : August 25, 2007 5:20 pm

Yes, IF *he* wins the *presidency*, he'll have done it without lobbyist money. What does that have to do with anyone in the House or Senate? If Edwards is elected, does that magically erase the ties of corruption found everywhere else in Congress?

I am utterly amazed that nonsense fluff-statements like these actually stick with some of you waterheads.

KebD, Flint   August 26th, 2007 9:02 am ET

Was Edwards aiming these comments at Clinton? Yes…definitely. No doubt.

Is he wrong? NO. He is representing his stance against the lobbyist money and political favors. What is so reprehensible about that?

Karen, Carmel, IN   August 25th, 2007 5:20 pm ET

He also said, "The American people deserve to know that their presidency is not for sale, the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent, and lobbyist money can no longer influence policy in the House or the Senate."

Unbelievable. How full of crap can you be? More importantly, how stupid does he assume the voting public is?

Posted By Daniel, Atlanta, GA : August 25, 2007 2:18 pm

Are you clueless? Do you not watch the debates or read the newspaper? John Edwards said this because if elected president, he will have become president without lobbyist money, therefore, he will not owe any corporation any favors.

Daniel, Atlanta, GA   August 25th, 2007 2:18 pm ET

He also said, "The American people deserve to know that their presidency is not for sale, the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent, and lobbyist money can no longer influence policy in the House or the Senate."

Unbelievable. How full of crap can you be? More importantly, how stupid does he assume the voting public is?

C Minnesota   August 25th, 2007 11:34 am ET

What do all the Clinton and Obama people come and flood this with anti-edwards talk. No it wasnt directed at Hillary Clinton it was directed at the democratic party as a whole. Some times we forget that Democrats can (and in many cases are) as bad as republicans, because they work for the lobbyist too. Which means its one group of money verses another group of money. John Edwards wants to say he doesnt represent big business or big money, he's for the people. The media just tries to make Mr. Edwards appear desperate because he's starting to get the attention he deserves from American people. Dont forget a corporation owns this news station, just like murdouch owns fox, and guess what they all have negative attention for John Edwards. Why? Because he's not going to sucuum to their demands in the political arena. So when you go and vote remember what your voting for.

David, Jacksovnille, Fl   August 25th, 2007 11:33 am ET

Regardless of whether or not this was a shot at the Clintons (and it was), does anyone disagree that "loaning" out a part of the White House in return for political contributions is wrong?
Forget the infighting and look at the subject, will our next President have any values at all, or will His/Her moral compass change with the polls?

Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky   August 25th, 2007 6:54 am ET

He is only busy for other Candidate's business, he couldn't take care of his own business. It was very clear shot at Clinton, why deny it? He is cunning guy. I am very disappointed and I hope he stop here, back to home and make a big money as lawyer, don't show a disgraceful manner any more.

Lee Mackinaw City, MI   August 24th, 2007 11:44 pm ET

What a load of disingenuous crap. Edwards took aim at the Lincoln bedroom thing clearly as a shot at Sen. Clinton. If it were not, the comment would have no relevance to anything.

Amanda   August 24th, 2007 10:53 pm ET

Edwards is a phony. Why are many unable to see this?

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   August 24th, 2007 10:31 pm ET

C'mon, John, get a move on. Listen to Joe Trippi and tear Shrillary a new and wider credibility gap with the same zeal that you'd deliver a closing argument against a sleazy insurance company and its grossly negligent clients. This woman is demonstrably unqualified by experience and judgment to follow her husband into the Oval Office. Forget Obama– he just can't win this year.

Tom Dedham, Mass   August 24th, 2007 9:48 pm ET

CNN a mouthpiece for Bush? Is this guy serious?

Secondly, Edwards is totally correct about the remark and you Clitonistas should do your homework and find out that they used it for their own personal gain. What else is new.

Thirdly, anyone with a brain knows that he was taking a shot at Hillary (if she is going to paint herself as co-commander in chief, all is included) and it shows how ball-less this ambulance chasing huckster is for not admitting that.

Jim, Oklahoma City   August 24th, 2007 9:15 pm ET

I'm sorry John, if you think that the democratic constituency is that stupid, you have to be learning from Pres. Bush. Of course that was a shot at the Clinton campaign. You lose my vote.

Rebecca Illich, Mossy Head, Florida   August 24th, 2007 8:28 pm ET

John Edwards comments were about Bush.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0310-04.htm

Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca   August 24th, 2007 7:25 pm ET

John Edwards says in a speech, "the American public deserves to know the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent."

Edwards later denies it had been a hit on Clinton.

Hmmmm… now where did I hear that accusation one time before about the Lincoln Bedroom??

Oh Yeah – it was Bill and Hillary.

SHEESH, John. If you can't be honest about your blatant attacks on Hillary, why should anyone trust you with their vote?

Debi, Philadelphia, Pa   August 24th, 2007 6:57 pm ET

Mr Edwards is spending a lot of time defending his comments. I am getting a little tired of him thinking Americans are to stupid to read between the lines. I like this man less and less everyday.

David, Salinas, CA   August 24th, 2007 6:11 pm ET

I’m an undecided Democrat. I share many of John Edwards’ political positions. But on a personal level, I just don’t like the guy. In the unlikely event that he gets the Democratic nomination, I’ll vote for him… but I’ll be holding my nose.

Peter NH   August 24th, 2007 5:57 pm ET

If John won't admit the obvious, he and his spouse should stop being catty about other candidates. Unless he raises his campaign rhetoric above the level of having to say every day "Y'all misunderstood what I meant", he is doomed. Let's have some substance. We're talking about running for the office of President of the United States, not the head of the high school cheerleading squad, for goodness sakes.

Dan, Tx   August 24th, 2007 5:53 pm ET

This is a shot at Bill Clinton, not Hillary Clinton.

Bea, Hoboken, NJ   August 24th, 2007 5:46 pm ET

Of course John Edwards wouldn't attack Mrs. Clinton! He'd have his wife do it!

Posted By Barry Elgin : August 24, 2007 4:57 pm

Good one!! LOL!!!

Mary Jensen,Liberty, MO   August 24th, 2007 5:10 pm ET

The Edwards campaign is so desperate, they'll do ANYTHING to gain attention.

MCLAIN,NT. VIEW CA.   August 24th, 2007 5:01 pm ET

EDWARD AND OBAMA-NOTH OF THIS GUYS ATTACK CLINTON- VERY BAD AND ESPERATE CANDIATE. TOO BAD THYRE SHOWING THIER TRUE COLORS.A

Barry Elgin   August 24th, 2007 4:57 pm ET

Of course John Edwards wouldn't attack Mrs. Clinton! He'd have his wife do it!

Shawn, Atlanta, Georgia   August 24th, 2007 4:48 pm ET

Edwards looks more desparate as the campaign progresses.

Scott, Fort Lauderdale, FL   August 24th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

“the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent.”

Are we serious? This was definately a shot at Clinton and he should be man enough to admit it. If he feels something in the past was a wrong decision, than his opinion is warranted and wanted. If you are going to lie about something silly like this, what else are you lying to the public about about???

Jack E. Jett   August 24th, 2007 3:57 pm ET

As usual CNN acts as a mouthpiece for the Bush administration and makes a story out of nothing at all.

I wish you guys were this intrusive with the lead up to the war.

I also wish that you would stop censoring comments like this, as it just proves the point I am trying to make. It is very Karl Roveesque.

jack jett
http://www.yabbadabbahubbado.com

Damian, Rochester, NY   August 24th, 2007 3:44 pm ET

All I see here are Clinton, Edwards, and Obama. Who else is running?

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