November 9, 2007
Posted: 04:39 PM ET

Edwards was critical of Sen. Clinton Friday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Friday that he differs from Sen. Hillary Clinton significantly more than his other rival for his party’s nomination, Sen. Barack Obama.

"The differences between Sen. Clinton and myself are much more dramatic than the differences between Sen. Obama and myself,” the former North Carolina senator said at a news conference.

Edwards cited the issues of Iraq, Iran, and corruption in Washington as the key areas in which there are "really big differences" between Clinton and himself.

"Sen. Obama … is not taking lobbyist money in this campaign," Edwards continued. "I think also on some of the substantive issues we're closer than I am with Sen. Clinton."

Edwards did admit that there were still some differences between Obama and himself. While acknowledging that they both came out with "specific" healthcare plans, Edwards says Obama's was released later than his proposal. Edwards also added that Obama's plan is not universal and "would leave as many as 15 million people uncovered."

– CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Iowa • John Edwards


Chris, Middletown, CT   November 10th, 2007 9:21 pm ET

If John Edwards and a bowling ball fell out of a window at the exact same time…which would land first?

Who cares….

Any Edwards supporter who believe that lawyers suing insurance companies daily for hundreds of millions causing your insurance to go up….and also become unaffordable for some (thus the 50 million uninsured)?? no…well then back to drinking that Kool-Aid…

Eugene Phoenix Arizona   November 10th, 2007 6:48 pm ET

I think its time for Edward to shut up and talk about issues affecting this great country,Who cares if you differ with Clinton? What i see in you is a angry candidate scared because you are losing to a woman and playing dirty to fellow democrates instead of taking up issues with republican.We dont need girly men in the whitehouse

lucy,boston,ma   November 10th, 2007 12:52 pm ET

why don't you stand on your own mr.?

lucy,boston, ma   November 10th, 2007 12:52 pm ET

why don't you stand on your own mr.?

A. Thomas, New York, NY   November 10th, 2007 9:13 am ET

Thomas, Obama has not flip-flopped.

Posted By monica, rochester new york : November 9, 2007 9:05 pm

EXAMPLES OF OBAMA’S FLIP FLOPPS:

1) Why has he sometimes said his first name is Arabic, and other times Swahili? Why did he make up names in his first book, as the introduction acknowledges? Why did he say two years ago that he would "absolutely" serve out his Senate term, which ends in 2011, and that the idea of him running for president this cycle was "silly" and hype "that's been a little overblown"?

2) Dodd Says Obama Flip-Flopped on Social Security. Senator Barack Obama's characterized the highly successful Social Security program as being in "crisis," just nine days after he said the opposite stating that "Social Security is not in crisis."

3) Obama flip-flopped on his “one America” position—in his “one America” speech. He said that while Illinoisans don’t expect the government to solve their problems, Illinoisans are going to kick and scream until the government solves their problems.

4) Obama flip-flopped on Alito ("A filibuster would be a waste" then "OK, I'll support a filibuster as a symbolic gesture") and he flip-flopped on lobbying reform.

5) In one debate at Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire, with Tim Russert serving as Moderator, Obama just flip-flopped and stated to Tim Russert that he would "do everthing necessary" to stop Iran from becoming a Nuclear Power. If Senator Obama vacillates on his postion when Tim Russert poses a question to him, what would Obama do or say in tense discussions with World Leaders. I reiterate that Obama lacks Leadership.

6) Obama flip-flopped on the Iraq war.
Obama was an opponent of the Iraq War from its inception, when he was an Illinois state senator. But later he also said the U.S. now had an obligation to see the war through. "I don’t think any of us should be rooting for failure in Iraq at this point," he said. "This is no longer George Bush’s war. This is our war." . Obama said he would support sending more troops to Iraq if it would hasten the end of the war. An immediate withdrawal, he said, would create "an extraordinary hotbed of terrorist activity" and be "a slap in the face" to the troops fighting there. However, in January, Obama proposed legislation that would have started pulling out troops in May 2007 with a goal of having all combat troops out by March 31, 2008. Contrary to the RNC ad, the legislation has provisions to stop the pull-out in case of national interest or if the Iraqi government met certain targets.

Jack, Columbus, Ohio   November 10th, 2007 8:51 am ET

Obama or Edwards would make a better prez than Senator Clinton. I believe that she is a very corrupt politician like her husband was. I believe Obama would be the most honest of the three.

WatchingHillary.com

Posted By Mark Columbus, Ohio : November 9, 2007 9:24 pm

I am surprised at the dishonesty of some people. Look at Mark following a right wing website full of created lies for republican puppets.

And republicans like him are trying to come out to say Obama will be a great president. What a way trying to fool simple minded human Democrats.

Mark – are you that afraid of losing to Hillary who will then expose all Republican corruption in the White House in last 7 years?

GH, New York, ny   November 10th, 2007 8:20 am ET

Now it all makes sense to me. Edwards knows himself that he will not be nominated, and the best he can hope for is to be picked as a VP running mate, as in 2004. Hillary would not pick him, and he is hoping that Obama might.

Thus, in this campaing in the last couple of months, he wished to gain credit from Obama and played the low road in having a very negative campaign in bashing Hillary hoping to knock her off from the 1st spot.

However, Hillary will be nominated, and Edwards will be history in two months.

Axel, RKDA, California   November 10th, 2007 3:15 am ET

After the last 7 years, America is like an Alcoholic who has allowed his addiction to alcohol to cost him his job, his family, his home, and everything else that he once held dear, and is now sitting on the corner with a "Will work for Beer" sign. So how much worse can it get?

(That is assuming we don't get nuked before someone else becomes President…)

random   November 10th, 2007 2:59 am ET

edwards+clinton= empty promises
obama= I can't really tell

Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky   November 10th, 2007 12:49 am ET

Mark, Columbus, I object to "Obama would be the most honest of the three".
Obama denied 74 second anti-hillary video, Hillary's financial memo, attacked Hillary's war vote instead of saying he wasn't eligible to vote, skipped AARP debate(he should tell us he is not ready to answer the questions about Social Security, Health Care Plan and Retirement..), missed votes on Dems SCHIP and Iranian Revolutionary Guard but he didn't tell us true reason which he doesn't know what to do, refused to wear flag pin and refused to not only put his hand on his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, but refused to say the Pledge, Obama said "this is the classic dirty trick of the campaign" instead of saying his God is higher than his Country, Obama took the money from trial lawyers and was in a corruption real estate in Chicago, he is the biggest liar among 17 candidates, what kind of honest are you talking about, Mark?
Obama was honest once, "I haven't been put the silver spoon in my mouth".

Mrs. America   November 10th, 2007 12:19 am ET

I think Edwards knows he has burned his bridges as far as being picked by Clinton to run as veep, so he's trying to get in the good graces of Obama in case Obama pulls off the nomination. I think Edwards is a leech. I used to like him.

lava, North Pole   November 9th, 2007 11:59 pm ET

Johnny-boy has that mighty ability to badly get on my nerves – I think it the way he moves his lips when he talks – just like a goldfish in a fish tank.

Looser 08.

Liberal Chic   November 9th, 2007 11:58 pm ET

Laura – Tulsa OK :

Yes, I am a victim of your dumb (and unsubstantiated) ramblings. But I guess it's a consequence of freedom of speech which Democrats rightfully seek to preserve for you and all the other crazy people. Go read some stuff get clued in, ok?

Ron supporter   November 9th, 2007 10:01 pm ET

John Edwards, Hillary Clinton and Obama bin laden. Are all for the same thing socialist pushing for the (cfr) North American Union. They are against what this country stands for freedom.
They want to rewrite the constitution Ron paul he is for the american people and our constitutional rights!

Mark Columbus, Ohio   November 9th, 2007 9:24 pm ET

Obama or Edwards would make a better prez than Senator Clinton. I believe that she is a very corrupt politician like her husband was. I believe Obama would be the most honest of the three.

WatchingHillary.com

Christian, Tampa FL   November 9th, 2007 9:17 pm ET

Obama/Edwards would make an excellent ticket and they would lead the country well.

Overall, though, the political situation in this country is so confusing that, at this point, I can't point at any one candidate and say "they can win in a landslide." This concerns me. What if we as the electorate really screw up this election?

monica, rochester new york   November 9th, 2007 9:05 pm ET

Thomas, Obama has not flip-flopped.

jld, baton rouge   November 9th, 2007 9:00 pm ET

So I guess Obama chases ambulances too. Queen Hillary will smash these two wimps into next week.

Mr. STRONG MINDED, LOUISIANA   November 9th, 2007 8:56 pm ET

All of the big 3 are worthless libs. Why waste your vote.

Len, Fallbrook, CA   November 9th, 2007 8:49 pm ET

Who cares?

"Edwards also added that Obama's plan is not universal and "would leave as many as 15 million people uncovered.""

Can someone show me where it is written in the Constitution that health care is a right in the USA?

Mike, Hong Kong   November 9th, 2007 8:19 pm ET

"I agree, you are more like Obama. You are both losing and Clinton isn't."

Exactly what I was thinking. It's a pretty odd thing for JE to say. How is "I'm like Obama" a reason to vote for JE? Shouldn't he be saying "Here's why I'm better than Clinton… and better than Obama?"

p bear new london ct   November 9th, 2007 8:11 pm ET

he's actually the Breck Girl

Laura - Tulsa OK   November 9th, 2007 8:10 pm ET

I don't see big differences in Obama, Clinton and Edwards because all three front-runners aren't telling Americans that we a strong nation of hard-working people. They are saying, don't worry , you don't have to actually strive for excellence or take personal responsibility, we will get it for you by controlling more aspects of your lives. All three of these candidates use the victim card. But Im not a victim, are you?

Frank Mayans, Los Angeles, CA   November 9th, 2007 7:57 pm ET

IS HIS NOSE TURNING BROWN…? TOO MUCH BOOTY KISSING IF YOU ASK ME…

THIS ONE TIME SENATOR FROM N.CAROLINA IS NOT GOING TO WIN THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENCY IN 08′!

Susan T, Osterville Mass   November 9th, 2007 7:56 pm ET

The big difference between Edwards and Obama is that Edwards has years of experience as a fighter. He's a moral man who's learned how to fight hard and win big.
Obama may be that some day—- but right now he'd be eaten alive by the Republican attack machine.
Both are on the right track, and Clinton won't tell us what track she's traveling.

Seaman Clinton, Iowa   November 9th, 2007 7:53 pm ET

GOP Senator Hagel Blasts Rudy, Hillary On Iran

Clinton News Network (CNN) has not picked on this story yet because it concerns their chosen candidate HILLARY CLINTON.

I bet if it was about Senator Obama or John Edward it would have been all over Political Ticker. Three or four videos would have been up with false headlines damming them running all day so the American people could seep it like coolaid

Wake up America. Stop this nonsense

donna   November 9th, 2007 7:48 pm ET

John Edwards may have come to the senate pure as a new born babe, but it didn't take him long to figure out that he needed to tie his star to power — Clintons and the DLC. He was in fact their creation — the new improved Bubba. He had the accent, the charm, the cutes, a solid marriage, and most importantly he was eager and willing to embrace their ideas. So they groomed him — helped him formulate his policies and promoted his candidacy. But baby bird didn't fly — so they forced him on to the Kerry ticket. Now poor John is bitter. Hillary wants the presidency and so he has been pushed aside. And suddenly he discovers he is a populist at heart. He sounds pretty good too –if you don't care that it doesn't square with his past record. He wrote the bill that authorized the Iraq war. He was a big supporter of NAFTA. He has publically been a centrist his whole career — until now. Now he claims to be closer politically to Obama. So what is the rationale for blurring the distinctions between Edwards and Obama really about? Well, maybe you are a voter who is responding to Obama's message — but you have some doubts — you just might be thinking that the country won't elect a black man — but, hey John Edwards will give you the same thing in a lily white electable package. Craven enough for you?

mountain man   November 9th, 2007 7:46 pm ET

Yes they are simialr in that they are both losing, and would get killed in a general election!

MM, Philadelphia, PA   November 9th, 2007 7:43 pm ET

Edwards knows he doesn't stand a chance at the nomination and that Hillary will never pick him as a running mate. His only hope to stay relevant is to cozy up to Obama – like he did to Kerry four years ago. This of course assumes that Obama can pull it off which does not appear likely.

Karen,ny   November 9th, 2007 7:23 pm ET

Oh, you certainly are Breck Boy! We would love to sew you both together so you would be siamese twins.

Wallace, Chicago IL   November 9th, 2007 7:21 pm ET

L. Smith, Atlanta, Georgia,

I ALMOST agree with you 100%!
I think an Obama-Edwards ticket would be amazing.;-)
I can picture those two guys leading meetings in the White House to address the real issues of the day. I truly believe they actually care about the American people.

However, I have to admit, regardless who is leading the ticket, it[that ticket] would definitely be a breath of fresh air. Wow, that smells good.
;-)

Obama-Edwards '08
Edwards-Obama '08

Wallace

frank Salizar houston Texas   November 9th, 2007 7:15 pm ET

Listen to edwards and obama hyprocitesone takes money from trial lawyersthat screw the middle class in each case they represent. OBama took and was in a corruption real estate in chicago at least we know hillarys not trying to hide. who is going to vote for saddam hussein cousin obama hussein barack

Pete, Los Angeles, CA   November 9th, 2007 7:01 pm ET

Edwards is lame. I bet he would have said something similar had Obama been the forerunner and Clinton #2. For now, he is trying to get Clinton down from the #1 spot. Well, whatever he does, it ain't gonna make him the vice-president ever, let alone the president. His speech and policies have no meat in them.

Debi, Philadelphia, Pa   November 9th, 2007 6:55 pm ET

I agree, you are more like Obama. You are both losing and Clinton isn't.

Michael. Los Angeles CA   November 9th, 2007 6:50 pm ET

Wow – That's bold of Edwards to say – I guess he is more like Obama this time around in running for president – but look at Edwards Senate Votes and Clinton's – Not much different.

Actions are always louder than words

Hank, Fort Myers, Fl   November 9th, 2007 6:41 pm ET

Huh?

Ron, TX   November 9th, 2007 6:26 pm ET

Edwards is right! Hillary is much too "status quo"… she wants to keep foreign policy on the same path it's been for the past 28 years, light on diplomacy, a Presidency that refuses to be diplomatic cannot achieve any great results. The President cannot be afraid to go out and talk to other leaders. Hillary said she will not do this! That's not enough change. She likes to yell at and threaten Iran with the Senate's war hawks- that's not enough change! Hillary literally called rich corporate lobbyists "ordinary people" That's not enough change!

Obama or Edwards '08!

a.thomas, new york, ny   November 9th, 2007 6:24 pm ET

You say you are similar to Obama than Clinton because (a) you want to be picked by Obama as a VP running mate if you are successful in knocking her down; (b) you and obama flip flops; (c) you both are losing to hillary in polls; (d) you gave $380 tip for your own $20 haircut, while Hillary paid $100 tip for $150 lunches with her staff.

L. Smith, Atlanta, Georgia   November 9th, 2007 6:08 pm ET

I have watched every debate with Dem. candidates–and I definitely agree that Edwards and Obama are much more alike than either one is to Hillary Clinton.

Edwards/Obama would be a great ticket!

Jun, Los Angeles, CA   November 9th, 2007 6:02 pm ET

Obama/Edwards 08…any takers?

RS, Dallas, TX   November 9th, 2007 6:00 pm ET

Johnny two-faced Edwards is a multi-millionaire fraud who voted FOR THE IRAQ WAR and WITH BIG BUSINESS on their bankruptcy plan. And don't get me started on being lectured about poverty from a guy getting $1,200 haircuts and raking it in from hedge funds.

Wake up, people!

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