Elizabeth Edwards questions Clinton's health care record
Elizabeth Edwards stepped up her attack on Clinton's health care record Monday.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Elizabeth Edwards, the outspoken wife of Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, stepped up her attacks over rival Hillary Clinton's record on health care Monday, alleging the New York Democrat abandoned her effort in the 1990’s to save "political capital."
In an interview with the New York Daily News, Mrs. Edwards said Clinton's first attempt at health care reform "failed when the Clinton administration….said, 'We're not going to use any more political capital on this, on the fight for universal health care.' And that's an important part that Sen. Clinton leaves out."
"The stick-to-it-iveness, the determination to get it done when there was opposition both from the Republicans and from the entrenched insurance interests, that part wasn't there," Mrs. Edwards added.
Edwards further alleged, as she did in an interview with CNN last week, that Clinton and her husband, then-President Bill Clinton, abandoned the health care fight in order to focus on passing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) through Congress.
John Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, is heavily courting labor unions, many of which continue to adamantly oppose NAFTA.
While her husband often refuses to criticize his opponents directly, Mrs. Edwards has assumed an increasingly vocal role in the campaign. In the interview with CNN last week, she suggested Clinton had copied the Edwards health care proposal released months earlier.
"I don't call it Sen. Clinton's health care plan," she said last week. "I call it John Edwards' health care plan as delivered by Hillary Clinton. The truth is that anyone who tries to describe Hillary's health care plan will run through every material part of John's health care plan."
In the interview with CNN, Mrs. Edwards also said of Clinton's earlier attempt at health care, "I am glad she did that health care plan. I was impressed with her when she did it. But did she learn something from it? I can't see what she's learned."
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
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I bet she has John takin' out the garbage and movin' the furniture all around, all going "yes dear, yes dear" while she chases him with a rolling pin and her hair all up in curlers and stuff.
This whole thing is turning into a political circus. John Edward's and his wife are clowns. Who in their right mind would vote for him. We already have a clown in the white house we do not want to vote in another one.
Bill C.,
I'm definitley with you. All of these candidates have this plan or that plan and guarantee us that it'll work, but never introduce these plans when they have a real chance to as Senators. Hillary has all these years of experience and has been there so long that, gee, why hadn't she done it yet. I guess we can give Obama a pass because he's so naive and inexperienced and hasn't been around long enough to enact health care reform, but Ol' Hill's been on the healthcare bandwagon for 15 years!
Of course, many will say the 'climate' of the Congress wasn't right until 2007. Well, why didn't she hook it up on day one of the House Pelosi built? Get rid of that culture of corruption, (hsu hsu..excuse me my hayfever's kicking in).
I have a plan to make everyone a millionaire! I guarantee it will work, vote for me. Honest, I do. It will take a while to do it, but you can wait. Just take all of the money the government collects in taxes each year and redistribute it evenly.
We could all keep working our jobs and that income would come in plus our government stipend. Need a bridge? Have the guys in your home town pony up. I'm sure we could build it for less than the government. Military guys would get a raise. Homeless guys could become homeowners.
And, Congress could stay in the Capitol Building, sit around and twiddle their thumbs like they do now and accomplish absolutely nothing an we'd all be better off.
How about that. Retain the status quo and enrich everyone!
Who's with me?
It is obvious you are more for looking at other peoples faults, than finding a solution...You just can't seem to say anything nice about anyone...You will make a great politician...And the same goes for everyone else running...
John Edwards has consistently shown that he has no interest in working within the system to bring about really change for the country. He would rather grandstand in hopes of furthering his own political ambitions. He invested zero time and effort in developing the political capital to passing any important measures in his time in the Senate, much less to build the support necessary to earn reelection. John Edwards has shown he would rather criticize from the sidelines than actually make the difficult choices necessary to make change a reality for the American people.
I am not voting for John Edwards, but you people ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
First of all – it was Bill Clinton who introduced his spouse as his equal co-president with his famous "Two for one" slogan.
It was Hillary Clinton, who was so vocal about not staying at home to bake cookies or just "stand by her
man"...
Elizabeth Edwards is a well educated woman who put her carrer on a back burner to support her children and her husband. She's been through a lot and no doubt at this point of her life she feels free to speak up her mind.
How dare you judge or deny her right to voice her opinion while promoting your own? If you disagree state your reasons, but don't tear any woman apart like a vicius mob because she dares to say what you don't like to hear. Especially if you're supporting Hillary Clinton,the female candidate – how come she does not inspire you to show some class and manners?
Elizabeth, are you running for President?
MARIA FROM TEXAS.. What nerve you have to criticize everyone when you aren't even voting for Edwards. Does anyone in Texas think before they talk?
Hey laurinda,ny:
Maria has every right to voice her opinion. Just as Elizabeth Edwards does. Why can't someone be critical if they are not supporting John Edwards? Seriously, can you answer that?
Disagree with Elizabeth Edwards? Fine. Then disagree with her. But there's no reason to bash her. Y'all might be able to learn some manners from the people of Texas.
Oh, and to Malachai O’Meara, who opened up by attacking Elizabeth Edwards education (she has a law degree, by the way): How's your education? There is a grammatical error in the first line of your post! I'd think if you were going to attack somebody's education, you'd at least proofread your own comment.
She isn't helping her husband, his campaign, or herself with her statements.
Will Clinton's Democratic rivals ever attack her weakness as a Washington Insider? Her fundraising tactics? More voters cited corruption and ethics on Election Day in 2006 than the Iraq War. Both Edwards and Obama are campaigning as outsiders determined to change the business of campaigns and the business of Washington. Why have they been so timid in explicitly in calling out Clinton for her establishment love?
http://wecouldbefamous.blogspot.com/
Who's running...Johnny Boy or his crazy wife? Can you say Theresa Kerry???
Watch out for Jennifer from Texas. She is a school teacher and she's goes around correcting people's grammar and spelling skills. "ya know what I mean"
isn't this the same post from last week from this lady?
Ann Cortal might be right that guy Edwards wears is not a strong man.
Where was Edwards back in the 90ths... A trial lawyer that helped destroy the healht system in this country....
PLEASEEEEEE... someone needs to stop publishing what this woman says.... She is a biter woman... WE ALL DON"T NEED THIS
John Edwards and his wife shouldn't be speaking about health care, when Edwards clearly made his Millions from suing doctors for malpractice most of his career.
I had hoped Hillary Clinton would pick John Edwards as her running mate when it comes to that, but there is no *way* I'm voting for anyone from the Edwards camp after his wife won't shut her ugly mouth. I'm so sick of this witch, I want to vomit.
Her rival?!? Last I checked, John Edwards is running, not his wife. If Elizabeth wants to make a real change, perhaps she should run for Assemblywoman. Otherwise, she's nothing more than hot air.
Mrs. Edwards seems intent on fighting with the Clinton's over petty issues that have little to do with Hillary's actual agenda or ideas. She's actually endorsing Hillary's health plan if it is similiar to her husbands. A few weeks ago she criticised Hillary for coming across as a man; what was her point. You don't win elections by constantly trying to find fault with someone over petty issues. Just stick to your own ideas and the public will decide who they want to represent the USA for the net 4-8 years. I doubt that this negative rhetoric will advance Mr. Edwards candidacy because this negative chatter offers no new ideas or solutions for problems like healthcare that this nation sorely needs. The public is tired of gotcha politics; its abslutely annoying! JL
I am ashamed of the comments posted on this ticker.
If you don't want to vote for John Edwards for whatever reason, PLEASE DON'T.
But please show a little self-control, quit with the uninformed, unbelievably unnecessary attacks against a woman who HAS EVERY RIGHT TO SPEAK IF SHE WANTS TO (this is America, remember?), and try not to embarrass yourselves further.
John Edwards so=called "health plan" is just another "me too" candidate trying to take credit for being the first to have one.Elizabeth Edwards must be getting some really great drugs if she thinks Hillary Clinton lack "stick-to-it-ivness".The entire Congress on both sides of the aisle as well as the entire health care and insurance industries made darn sure it wasn't going anywhere and she was "only" the First Lady then with absolutely no power.
John Edwards was not only in Congress since then,he was a lawyer that prided himself on taking on these two big industreies.Where was his healthcare plan in all that time?Where was HIS effort to change things?Nowhere!He never had omne until a few weeks ago!
Hey, for all you Clinton supporters out there. Leave this woman, Elizabeth Edwards, alone. Senator Hillary Clinton may be President Clinton's wife, but she is not and never will be Preisdent Clinton. Add: This country in not ready to elect a woman as president meaning she cannot win the general election. John Edwards is moving this election forward by creating solutions for issues many of us are facing today. Iraq, Education, HEALTHCARE. The republican candidates are afraid of him because of the change he is trying to bring. They love Clinton because they know they can beat her. I hope Iowa bursts the Clinton bubble(lead in polls) and things start to make more sense in the process.
Hmmm. I don't think it's that John Edwards doesn't have the guts or aggression to fight his own battles – I think he may just have the wisdom to know when to talk and when to shut up. That's something that Elizabeth is sorely lacking. I admire her fierce allegiance to her husband's quest, however...she's got to get a grip. She's doing far more harm than good. I'm 100% behind Clinton and can't wait to hear the words Madam President when Hillary takes office. Clinton has worked for the underprivileged and under served her entire adult life, she's got the intelligence and better yet, the compassion and wisdom to lead this nation out of the ruins that W created.
I like the role EE is playing. So, rightwingers are attacking her and John, just like they attacked
"Billary" in the Clinton's day. That's a badge of honor. Elizabeth is doing exactly what I would do if my partner was running for President: Support her!
And your credentials Elizabeth are?
And they are better than Hillary's because?
Elizabeth Edwards has every right to speak her mind. If Hillary's been working on her health care plan for so long, why was she one of the last of the lot to come out with one. John Edwards announced his in detail back in February. Fact is, Hillary's plan is almost identical to his – so I think Hillary supporters need to stop whining and put up with a little bit of criticism on this one!