Edwards takes Clinton to task on special interests
Edwards was critical of Clinton's involvement with lobbyists and special interest groups.
NASHUA, N.H. (CNN) - Former Senator John Edwards blamed lobbyist, corporate insiders and special interest groups, Saturday, for preventing change in America and discussed why his stance on these groups—and his ideas for revamping the political system– conflict with presidential hopeful, Senator Hillary Clinton.
“Look, Senator Clinton is right. You can’t pretend the system doesn’t exist, but you also can’t pretend that it works. And this is where she and I part company because I believe that if you defend the system that defeats change, you can’t be the President who will actually bring change, “ the Democrat from North Carolina added, “When it comes to the Washington influence game, we need to end it, not defend it.”
Speaking before hundreds of cheering union members, the Senator, sporting a pair of jeans and a blue blazer, received the official endorsement from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters for President of the United States. In front of the boisterous crowd, Edwards continued after his opponent.
“She says you bring change by working within the system established by the Constitution. I think the system has been corrupted by corporate powers never contemplated by the Constitution. This is not the government of, by and for the people that our founding fathers intended. There is no principled compromise between the ways things have always been and the way things can be.”
“In the America I believe in, we don’t compromise on our principles, we fight for them with every single thing that we got,” Edwards said.
- CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla
From CNN Politics
- Pressure builds on Biden to act on guns in wake of Colorado mass shooting March 23, 2021 12:16 pm
- Sidney Powell argues in new court filing that no reasonable people would believe her election fraud claims March 23, 2021 12:15 pm
- Postmaster General set to announce 10-year plan including longer mail delivery times and cuts to post office hours March 23, 2021 12:02 pm
- Progressive group launches $3.2 million advertising buy to push federal voting law March 23, 2021 11:01 am
- US and allies announce sanctions against Chinese officials for 'serious human rights abuses' against Uyghurs March 23, 2021 10:32 am
- Analysis: Trump's army takes aim at 2022 touting his election lies March 23, 2021 05:01 am
[Funky]-A, Bubba! Shrillary feeds at the lobbyists teats, and her health care hobby as First Lady was illegally conducted in secret, which condemned it to failure even if deals were made.
Edwards is right about the fact that Hillary Clinton is the ultimate status quo candidate.
However, Barack Obama would do the best job of correcting what needs to be corrected.
Go Edwards! Yes! Only HE has the best health care plan of the top tier candidates because he will let you CHOOSE if you want a not-for-profit plan or if you want to stick with insurance companies. CHOICE LEADS TO CHANGE! EDWARDS FOR CHANGE!
Although I will probably vote for Obama, I appreciate Edwards efforts. We need universal health care. The rich can opt to supplement that by buying access to the very best doctors and technology. But everyone has to have some level of coverage.
People who are too poor to afford insurance or have made the choice to not pay for insurance in order to buy other things (only to later find they can' t afford to pay health costs out of pocket) need to be protected. Otherwise we all are paying for their situation anyway.
My 18 year-old daughter went to see a band play at a local bar. (I don't necessarily approve, but in Texas she is an adult at age 18 and I have no legal right to stop her. I digress here, but I want to tell another story to show how frustrating it is to be a parent these days. One night she wanted to go out late and I said 'no'. She owns her own car and said it was her car, she's an adult and I can't stop her. I took her car keys. She called the police. The police came and said that I could give my 18 year old her car keys so she could go out – who knows where- or I could go to jail. Either way, she was going to get her keys. I have to say I both was upset but also proud of her... She is an adult. She is also a brilliant student and is starting college this year on a full ride based on scholarships for academic excellence).
Anyway, back to the health care story. She got dizzy at the end of the night. Probably from dehydration. The owner, to avoid any possible liability, insisted that she go to the hospital to be checked. You guessed it, nothing wrong, just needed a glass of water.
The hosptial bill was $3600. After insurance paid its portion, I still had a $900 bill on my hands. I pay $300 a month, and my employer pays $600 a month for my insurance plan. Do you agree with me that something is wrong with health care insurance and health care costs. Really, $3600 to give my daughter a glass of water?? Ok, they did all kinds of tests but common sense should have dictated, hey, she's probably got overheated and dehydrated. Where is common sense?
I don't agree that people should be required to go to a doctor for preventative care, but everyone should have the option.
Good for you ! Hit harder, tell the truth, we are with you
I am not American. I cannot vote.
Can anyone give us some insights on this candidate? Ms Edwards is usually there, alongside him, in a very visible manner. I really like that. It speaks mountains for the capacity of women.
My only puzzling note is his Hollywoodianazation as of late: $400 hair cuts, shedding several pounds, and the like. Is that really necessary to be an effective President?
Hilary's socialised medicine idiocy wasn't killed by big, bad, bogey-man "lobbyists," it was killed be people with the sense to realise that socialised medicine just doesn't work. It's been demonstrated over and over again, in countries all over the planet, that socialised medicine offers little but mediocre, slowly delivered, medical (lack of) care.
But, perhaps, that's okay as far as the like of Hilary and John Edwards are concerned–if good health care isn't available to the "poor," then it shouldn't be available to those nasty "rich" people either.
Edwards IS a populist as well as Obama – they talk what people want to hear. Now, does it mean that he's going to get ANYTHING done from his agenda? No. These one term senators with big-mouth wives, if elected, will be another 4 year embarassments or even diosaster in a curren world situation. And don't compare them to Bush – it's hardly possible to do worse than him. Both ultra-liberals and neocons in this country will never learn that only moderate, like Clinton or Guliani should be a chief executive, not Edwards, Brownback, Obama or Thompson.
I dont understand why John Edwards and his wife keep trashing Hillary, although John mentioned last week that he would not trash other candidates, and although both are democrats.
I do not recall Hillary tried to trash him. I recall Hillary said during one CNN debate that all the dems candidates are good and better than those republican candidates.
In addition, I do no recall Hillary's husband has trashed John Edwards either. In fact, in the Larry King interview earlier this week, Bill said that all the dems candiates are good, although he thinks his wife is more qualified or experienced to be the next president.
As a dems candidate, why doesn't John Edwards spend more time in trashing the republican party candidates, and in promoting what he can do for the country if he gets elected?
As I see it, John & his wife are getting desperate. Their poll standing are not getting any high and in fact on the way down. By Feb next year, his 2nd presidential bid, and political life, will be over.
Henry Miller says It's been demonstrated over and over again, in countries all over the planet, that socialised medicine offers little but mediocre, slowly delivered, medical (lack of) care.
But, perhaps, that's okay as far as the like of Hilary and John Edwards are concerned–if good health care isn't available to the "poor," then it shouldn't be available to those nasty "rich" people either.
For the people that have NO health insurance now. Do you believe they should have government provided health insurance or not? If yes, then you are for universal health care. If no, what are you for? Do you just want survival of the fittest to be the rule. If you can't afford an operation to save your life, tough, just die? Is that what you believe? Tell me, Henry Miller, univeral health care to cover the uninsured, or let the poor die. What's your plan?
“In the America I believe in, we don’t compromise on our principles, we fight for them with every single thing that we got,” Senator Edwards said. ~ ok Senator Edwards, so don't compromise on your principle of fighting poverty in America by tearing down your huge house and putting up some low income housing. What a buffoon.
/***
“She says you bring change by working within the system established by the Constitution. I think the system has been corrupted by corporate powers never contemplated by the Constitution. This is not the government of, by and for the people that our founding fathers intended. There is no principled compromise between the ways things have always been and the way things can be.”
***/
Wow. You can't be more on the money, especially re: corporations, than Edwards is here. I don't think he has much of a chance, but on this subject and on health care, he represents exactly what I believe.
Angie in Elko:
I understand that John Edwards healthcare plan will mandate specific tests and treatments for all. Do you really want the government to make healthcare decisions for you? I like Edwards, but I don't want the government anywhere near my healthcare decisions. Didn't Terry Schiavo suffer enough without government involvement? Something to think about.
/***
Hilary's socialised medicine idiocy wasn't killed by big, bad, bogey-man "lobbyists,"
***/
Of course it was. If you don't understand the power of big corporate lobbyists, perhaps you're not qualified to speak on this subject at all.
/***
...it was killed be people with the sense to realise that socialised medicine just doesn't work.
***/
Watch "Sicko." You're another one of these new phenomenon, the brainwashed knee-jerk right winger. Socialized medicine works wonderfully.
Know any Brits? Ask them how socialized medicine works. Ask any Canadiens you know.
Then come back and apologize for your ignorance. Thank you.
No worries about health care costs. Now, THAT'S living.
And if you think our current system is working well, with nearly 50 million Americans uninsured, maybe you just don't give a damn about people, which makes you the WORST choice to decide on our health care system.
/***
It's been demonstrated over and over again, in countries all over the planet, that socialised medicine offers little but mediocre, slowly delivered, medical (lack of) care.
***/
Grow up. Educate yourself. You sound like an idiot.
Henry Miller: Go see Sicko. It will be worth the $6 investment.
Obama/Edwards for 08! Let's send Clinton and the corporate machine packing!
Edwards has good things going for him, but he is no longer a Senator. That's an error that CNN should correct.
He should go get his hair cut! Hillary is still the best chance we have of beating the republicans.
Does Edwards not realize that accepting union endorsements is accepting something from special interests? He is ridiculous on this point. There are many groups that do necessary work that are considered special interests groups ... that does not make them bad. His comments about these groups is way too general to make sense.
I am a Canadian and I will tell you once again that our as you call it "Socialized" Medicine or as we call it, Medicare, WORKS. And for all levels of society in our Province.
If those who can afford and want to pay for new or improved or unapproved in Canada treatments,or want to go elsewhere either in Canada or abroad for the same, they are free to go and pay for those services! And they are also free to buy into other Health Benefit/Care Programs while still receiving Socialized/Medicare coverage.
BUT, and this is big BUT. Those who are less fortunate, who are middle class wage earners, seniors, that can't afford to pay for Health Care are covered and receive adequate professional Health Care services via Medicare. Our Citizens are covered right from yearly physicals, labour and deliveries, to Cat Scans, MRI's, Surgeries, Cancer Treatments, etc. etc. AND NO WE DO NOT PAY any more taxes than you do. And No we do not have egregiously long waits for XRays, Surgeries, etc. in my province. And if a treatment is serious and requires immediate booking it is prioritized. But I'd rather wait two weeks than have a bill for thousands of dollars.
To, Henry Miller, Cary, NC, I would just like to say that, I feel those who can afford to pay for Health Care Services are doing the middle class, single mothers and less fortunate a great disservice by criticizing and degrading "Socialized" Medicare Health Programs. I could not think of paying for visits to my Family Physician, Surgeries, Cat Scans or Hospital Stays. I definitely wouldn't trade our Health Care System for your US system unless I was a millionaire. And those who can afford to pay for such services have the option of purchasing additional Health Care Packages or services.
I've been looking for somebody with the courage to take on the lobbyists in Washington and the corporations they represent for 35 years. It’s time to end corporate welfare and put the government back in the hands of those it was created to serve.
Bravo to Senator Edwards who has the guts to take these people on while others cower behind "reason." This man has my vote and he should have the vote of every single American, of every party, that cares about the future of this country over the future of corporate interests.
Did some of you have to take an idiotcy test to post here? You are against special interest & lobbyist. Don't deal with them. Don't take their money. Edwards & Obma in 08. All of you are delusional and misguided. What do you think the union are? What do you think the Nurses Association is? What do you think the PTA is? Are you saying they don't have a right to support, endorse and contribute the candidates of their choosing? Obama won't take special interest money but he takes money from CEO's of special interests.
You are so blinded by your hatred of Hillary you can see the hypocracy of your own candidates and yourselves.
A. Thomas…. This isn’t a horse race. It’s a campaign for the presidency of the United States for goodness sake. I’m sure you’re just forgetting about polls and where they’ve gone in the past. Remember Kerry’s numbers before Iowa?
“I dont understand why John Edwards and his wife keep trashing Hillary, although John mentioned last week that he would not trash other candidates, and although both are democrats.”
Since when is talking about where you disagree with somebody an “attack?”
Why do people assume that those who oppose "universal healthcare" don't care about the poor or needy? The question really is, why is it the GOVERNMENT that has to handle it? Why can't private citizens and charitable non-profit organizations provide help to those who need it. A great example is the set of Shriner's hospitals all over the country. Of course, there are problems with the health-care system in our country, but let competition in the system of capitalism fix the issue, not the government. Personally, with the set of folks we have in Washington right now, I don't understand how anyone could trust them to properly handle an issue as complex and important as this anyway.
HILLARY LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Listen to Hillary at your own risk. The Corporate Wh*re who wants to be ordained may feign advice, opinions, and statements of various ill informed corporate Masters. USA and its populace do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information provided by the Corporate Wh*re, representing shill, or any front lackey acting in her behalf due to fluctuations of that days polls. Reliance upon any such opinion, advice, statement, or other information shall also be at your own risk.
Neither USA, its citizens, nor its Allies shall be liable to any user or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error, omission, interruption, use of any content herein, regardless of cause, for any damages resulting there from. Transmission and/or receipt of the manipulative propaganda from the Corporate Wh*re or her ilk does not constitute a professional-client relationship of any kind.
It is your responsibility to evaluate the deception, inaccuracies and any opinions, manipulation, future pilfering of the treasury, preemptive/optional wars, lack of services or subversion of the Constitution provided. All information and or propaganda contained on any page is distributed with the understanding that the Posers, shills and charlatans are not rendering professional advice or opinions for your benefit, and accordingly assume no responsibility and, or, accountability whatsoever in connection with their office and, or, position.