John Edwards is going to help rebuild New Orleans

[2rth2pwr]

Just got this email and it got me thinking, will he be helping the people foreclosed out of their homes by Fortress Investment Group, the company that paid him $500,000 and gave him $167,460 in campaign contributions while he's down there?

"
Dear Friend,

John is going to help rebuild New Orleans—and he wants you to join him.

Soon, John will be taking a break from the campaign trail to work in an area of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina. He'll need some help—so we're going to send five supporters like you with him.

We are going to select five supporters to join John in New Orleans. And if you make a contribution by the end of the third quarter on Sunday, September 30, one of them could be you!"
https://johnedwards.com/build/enter/

[Mass]

1. I will help people from NO directly. I do not need to give money to M. Edwards for that!

I guess all politics is photo op, but there are limits to what is nauseating.

[durtee librul]

34. Please do NOT donate to Red Cross

They do not use donations the way they were intended to be used and most of it goes into a slush fund for National Hdqtrs. The ONLY way it will be used for NO is if you SPECIFY ON THE CHECK what it is to be used for....so again, if you give to NO thru the Red Cross, please make sure you say EXACTLY where you want your $$ to go.

When I was paid staff there, I saw way too much and it just made me ill to see those pandering aholes on teebee during Katrina asking for more and more money.

FYI for all you out there - if Red Cross 'helps' you and you have house insurance, you sign a paper that when your insurance money comes in, you reimburse them. While I could understand that to a point, I think it takes away from their so called 'humanitarian' efforts. There's more to them that I could go on and on about, but that's not what this thread is for.

[Mass]

47. Thanks. I always specify on the check to whom I want the money to go if

I send money for a cause. You're right, you never know what it could be used for.

[maximusveritas]

2. This bothers me. Sounds like he's exploiting NO for political donations

They might want to rethink this one.

[IA_Seth]

68. Sounds like?

I'd say this is definite exploitation.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

3. If Elizabeth Edwards read this,

I want you to know that your husband is a disgusting human being, truly repulsive.

Tell John to give the $500K+ he made off the victims of hurricane Katrina to the victims themselves.

[Beaverhausen]

4. Have Obama, Clinton or any others even mentioned New Orleans?

Jesus Christ, I'm sick of people giving Edwards shit because he cares about those who aren't wealthy corporations or big rich media stars.

I support Edwards because he cares about the issues that really matter to our country.

[Mass]

5. Where do you see him caring here? He is using that to raise money FOR HIMSELF.

and asking people to give him money so that they can have the honor to help NO people next to him.

At first read, I thought he was proposing to give a portion of the campaign money he would raise this way to NO (not sure if it is legal, but I am sure there are ways to do that). No, we are supposed to give him money because it is a great honor to stand next to him in one of his photo op.

[Beaverhausen]

7. No contribution is necessary to enter - from the link in the OP

"No purchase or contribution necessary to enter. Contest void where prohibited by law. Click here for instructions on how to enter without contributing."


So, are you going to go down to NO on your own and help them rebuild? Is it really a bad thing for Edwards to help families out there who need it?


more from the email:

Rebuilding New Orleans is one of the most critical challenges we face today—and it's a challenge John cares deeply about. John led over 700 college students on an alternative spring break to help rebuild a New Orleans neighborhood in 2006. He announced his candidacy there in January. He's returned numerous times since then to meet with people who are struggling to rebuild their lives, and to raise awareness of the sad state of recovery efforts and the continued incompetence of the Bush administration.

This campaign is about creating big, bold change on the issues that matter—so we're not offering you gimmicks. We're not offering you a fancy dinner. And we're not offering you the chance to hobnob with celebrities and former presidents.

We are offering you the chance to roll up your sleeves and make a difference—to help move us a little closer to creating One America for all of us.

[Mass]

11. Sorry. You can call it whatever you want. This is called a photo op and a fundraising operation

on the back of NO.

As I said, I do not need M. Edwards to care about NO and this is a gimmick, sorry. I know Edwards and his supporters would have us believe otherwise, but sorry, let's call it as it is.

SO, if you do not want to contribute, what he offers you is a chance to help next to him (hidden somewhere at the third page of the fundraiser). At least he could refer you to an organization that helps, so that you could help... Not even...

[waiting for hope]

36. So - would you rather give to

Hillary or Obama's campaign and win a chance to have dinner? Let's see, a chance to fed your face or a chance to do something for a greater good. I know which side I'm on.

[The Count]

51. I'd rather give to those in need - wthout any link to the opportunist call

Sorry, but this NOLA fleecing/sobbing over is getting old. Still waiting for the loans dividends to be restored.

[Clark2008]

59. None of the above.

I'd rather them give me money so that I can afford to stay home with my children and raise them well.

How's that?

[Adelante]

52. You should inform the Edwards campaign of that

from the email:

"We are going to select five supporters to join John in New Orleans. And if you make a contribution by the end of the third quarter on Sunday, September 30, one of them could be you!"

[GreenArrow]

45. self-censored for extreme cynicism

.

[Adelante]

53. Pithy in the extreme!

:D

[FrenchieCat]

63. Ditto!

[AnotherGreenWorld]

8. Yes, Obama has--many times.

A few months ago Obama criticized Anderson Cooper for doing just what John Edwards is doing: Exploiting the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Edwards doesn't care about the people of NO. He's exploiting them, now politically, before economically when he made $500K+ with Fortress Investment Group.

[Beaverhausen]

10. So Obama helped people in NO by criticizing Anderson Cooper?

OK-Im sure that helps people still in trailers sleep better at night.

How was Oprah's party? Any NO families there? Didn't think so.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

13. You mean by criticizing Anderson Cooper?

Well, yeah, I think that does help in a way. No one wants to be exploited.

See, here's the thing. Obama actually cares about people, and that's why he's running for president. He doesn't merely pretend to care as a means to becoming president like Edwards.

When he graduated from Harvard Law School, he could've immediately went into Big Law and made $$$. Instead, he was a community organizer making next to nothing.

[Beaverhausen]

16. Oops- my bad reading skills.

Anyway, I'm glad to see Obama has a plan to help New Orleans. He is a senator now, and it would be nice to know just what he has done to help the people there while he has been in the Senate.

And if people think Edwards doesn't really care about the people there, well we just have to agree to disagree about that.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

20. How does eliminating any consistent media coverage of NO help New Orleans?

==Obama actually cares about people, and that's why he's running for president. He doesn't merely pretend to care as a means to becoming president like Edwards.==

So why did he give 0.4%--less than one-fifth the national average--of his income (top 2%) to charity before he came to Washington? Edwards, who you claim doesn't care about people, gave $350,000 last year, 28% of his income. Even Darth Cheney gave more than Obama, who is marketed as what you describe and speaks about an "empathy deficit" when the cameras are rolling.

[Bluebear]

73. Yeah, boy, there's a regular activist.

:eyes:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

18. So BO attacked the one journalist who still consistently covers New Orleans?

:wtf:

Apparently there are no limits to Obama's obsession with having numerous "Sister Souljah" moments.

[Lucinda]

26. Do you have a link?

[Lucinda]

28. Actually Cooper PROMISED NOLA residents that he would keep the story alive

And he has kept his promise. IF Obama really did criticize Cooper thats a bad thing in my book.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

31. Exactly. Cooper is the only 1 in the national media he covers NO more than once a year nt

[Ethelk2044]

9. Yes, Obama has mention New Orleans

He has been there several times as well.

http://www.nysun.com/article/61367

NEW ORLEANS — Senator Obama, a Democratic presidential candidate, said yesterday that the country cannot fail New Orleans again and that as president, he would keep the city in mind every day. "The words never again cannot be another empty phrase," he said in front of one of the few rebuilt houses in the city's Gentilly Woods section. "It cannot become another empty promise."

Mr. Obama is the first of several presidential candidates set to visit New Orleans in connection with the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Wednesday. President Bush also is expected to mark the occasion with a trip to the Gulf Coast.

Mr. Obama, whose day began at church, said that long before Katrina, the nation had failed to lift up New Orleans, a city with persistent struggles such as poverty and poor public schools.

Progress since Katrina has been mired in bureaucracy and marred by fingerpointing among federal, state, and local officials. Some businesses are struggling, houses remain empty in sections of the city, and people are frustrated.

From several residents, Mr. Obama heard about poor infrastructure and the slow pace of home rebuilding grants. He walked past empty lots overgrown with weeds rising above his head and saw Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers and signs advertising services such as mold remediation.

SNIP
He outlined a plan he said would help restore the region by:

• Providing grants for community policing in New Orleans, which has struggled with violence since Katrina;

• Offering incentives such as loan forgiveness programs to try to attract doctors and college students;

• Ensuring displaced residents who want to return have a place to stay;

• Creating a national catastrophic insurance reserve, which he said would help homeowners struggling with their premiums.

"Part of the problem, I'll be honest with you, I just don't think there is a sense of urgency in the White House, where the president is cracking the whip, day in, day out, and saying, ‘Why is it that we're not getting this done?'"

[AtomicKitten]

12. Obama's plan to restore New Orleans:

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS79LK6TS1c
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlUoIAbgZB4

Obama’s Plan to Restore New Orleans
Lee Celano/Reuters

By JEFF ZELENY
Published: August 26, 2007

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 — On the cusp of the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Senator Barack Obama will present a plan on Sunday aimed at hastening the rebuilding of New Orleans and restructuring how the federal government responds to future catastrophes in America. The Gulf Coast restoration, Mr. Obama said, has been weighed down by red tape that has kept billions of dollars from reaching Louisiana communities. As president, he said, he would streamline the bureaucracy, strengthen law enforcement to curb a rise in crime and immediately close the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet in order to restore wetlands to protect against storms.

Mr. Obama also said that he would seek to lessen the influence of politics in the Federal Emergency Management Agency by giving its director a fixed term, similar to the structure of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FEMA director would serve a six-year term, under Mr. Obama’s plan, and report directly to the president.

* snip *

Mr. Obama, according to details provided by his campaign, said he would appoint a chief coordinating officer to “cut through bureaucratic obstacles” and a chief financial officer “to minimize waste and abuse.” Only about 40 percent of the money allocated by FEMA to rebuild schools, hospitals and other infrastructure has reached Louisiana communities, he said, which could be improved upon with better coordination.

“Let New Orleans be the place where we strengthen those bonds of trust, where a city rises up on a new foundation that can be broken by no storm,” Mr. Obama is planning to say Sunday, according to remarks provided by his aides. “Let New Orleans become the example of what America can do when we come together, not a symbol for what we couldn’t do.”

* snip *

The city’s recovery has been crippled by a shortage of doctors and the closures of hospitals and medical centers. Mr. Obama said he would create a program to forgive medical school loans in exchange for doctors agreeing to practice in New Orleans. In his plan, Mr. Obama will call for creating a National Catastrophe Insurance Reserve, which would be paid for by private insurers contributing a portion of the premiums they collect from policy holders. Working with the industry before a disaster, he said, would create a “backstop” to protect homeowners and business owners against catastrophic loss.

Mr. Obama will also propose overhauling the levee and pumping system in New Orleans by 2011 to protect the city against a 100-year storm. To restore wetlands, marshes and barrier islands to help protect the city from a future storm, he pledges to close the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, an old navigation channel that many scientists say destroyed wetlands and contributed to a funnel effect that increased damage from the storm.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/us/politics/26obama.html?ex=1345780800&en=c2e59e8af3f2ad2c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[karynnj]

22. Yes they have and both have been there

In fact there was a cute story in the Chicago Tribune blog about a half year after Katrina. Senators Landrieau, Kerry and Obama all coincidently took the same plane to New Orleans. Landrieau had many meeting with constituents and was meeting with small business owners with Kerry and attending a forum for black businesses in New Orleans with Obama. All had coach tickets. (Kerry and Snowe worked extremely hard to pass legislation to help.)

I know that Clinton proposed some legislation that would help as well.

Just because Edwards talks about it doesn't mean he will do more than anyone else. There is no Democrat that would not help New Orleans. For that matter, Gore and Kerry helped the Gulf Coast privately as individuals. Edwards has no monopoly on this.

[NYCGirl]

23. Obama's not only mentioned it, he's sponsored some bills:

Here's a comprehensive list of Obama's Katrina record:

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/when-the-cameras-are-off-barack-obamas-hurricane-katrina-record/

Links to each item are at the link above


Sept. 2, 2005: Obama holds press conference urging Illinoisans to contribute to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Sept. 5, 2005: Obama visits Houston to visit evacuees with Presidents Clinton and Bush.

Sept. 7, 2005: Obama introduces bill to create a national emergency family locator system

Sept. 8, 2005: Obama introduces bill to create a National Emergency Volunteers Corps.

Sept. 8, 2005: Obama co-sponsors the Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 introduced by Senator Harry Reid

Sept. 8, 2005: Obama co-sponsors the Hurricane Katrina Bankruptcy Relief and Community Protection Act of 2005 introduced by Senator Russ Feingold

Sept. 12, 2005: Obama introduces legislation requiring states to create an emergency evacuation plan for society’s most vulnerable

Sept. 15, 2005: Obama issues public response to President Bush’s speech about Gulf Coast rebuilding.

Sept. 21, 2005: Obama co-sponsors bill to establish a Katrina commission to investigate response to the disaster introduced by Hillary Clinton

Sept. 21, 2005: Obama appears on NPR to discuss the role of poverty in Hurricane Katrina.

Sept. 22, 2005: Obama and Coburn’s Hurricane Katrina financial oversight bill unanimously passes Senate committee.

Sept. 22, 2005: Obama’s amendment requiring evacuation plans unanimously passes Senate committee.

Sept. 28, 2005: Obama and Coburn issue statement about the need for a Chief Financial Officer to oversee the financial mismanagement and suspicious contracts occurring in the reconstruction process

Sept. 29, 2005: Obama and Coburn investigate possible FEMA refusal of free cruise ship offer

Oct. 6, 2005: Obama and Coburn issue statement on FEMA Decision to re-bid Katrina contracts

Oct. 6, 2005: Obama co-sponsors Gulf Coast Infrastructure Redevelopment and Recovery Act of 2005.

Oct. 21, 2005: Obama releases statement decrying the extension of FEMA director, Michael “Brownie” Brown’s contract. Obama calls Brown’s contract extension, “unconscionable.”

Nov. 17, 2005: Obama and Coburn introduce legislation asking FEMA to immediately re-bid all Katrina reconstruction contracts.

Feb. 1, 2006: Obama gives Senate floor speech on his legislation to help children affected by Hurricane Katrina

Feb. 2, 2006: Obama introduces legislation to help low-income children affected by Hurricane Katrina

Feb. 23, 2006: Obama issues statement responding to a White House report on Hurricane Katrina. Obama noted that the top two recommendations that the report had for the federal government were initiatives he had been working on since immediately after the storm hit. Obama called the administration’s response “delinquent.”

May 2, 2006: Obama gives speech about no-bid contracts in Hurricane Katrina reconstruction

May 4, 2006: Obama’s legislation to end no-bid contracts for Hurricane Katrina reconstruction passed the Senate.

June 15, 2006: Obama and Coburn announce legislation to require amendment to create competitive bidding for Hurricane Katrina reconstruction for federal contracts over $500,000. Although it passed previously, the language was stripped in conference.

June 15, 2006: Obama releases podcast about his pending Katrina reconstruction legislation in the Senate.

June 16, 2006: Obama and Coburn get no-bid Hurricane Katrina reconstruction amendment into Department of Defense authorization bill.

July 14, 2006: Obama and Coburn’s legislation to end abuse of no-bid contracts passes senate as amendment to Department of Defense authorization bill.
August 11, 2006: Obama visits Xavier University in New Orleans to give Commencement address

August 14, 2006: Obama and Coburn ask FEMA to address ballooning no-bid contracts for Gulf Coast reconstruction

Sept. 29, 2006: Obama and Coburn legislation to prevent abuse of no-bid contracts in the wake of disaster passes Senate to be sent to President’s desk to become law.

Feb. 2007-Present: As Obama begins his Presidential campaign he references Katrina as a part of his stump speech as he travels around the country in his familiar line, “That we are not a country which preaches compassion and justice to others while we allow bodies to float down the streets of a major American city. That is not who we are.”

June 20, 2007: Obama co-sponsors Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007 introduced by Senator Chris Dodd.

July 27, 2007: Obama and colleagues get a measure in the Homeland Security bill that will investigate FEMA trailers that may contain the toxic chemical, formaldehyde.

Aug. 26, 2007: Obama outlines a detailed Hurricane Katrina recovery plan.

[AtomicKitten]

27. nice compilation of facts

:thumbsup:

[ElizabethDC]

35. Hillary was there just the other day and has a 10-point Gulf Coast Recovery plan

and here's a link to her statement on the second anniversary of Katrina as well as her 10-point Gulf Coast Recovery plan.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/blog/view/?id=12306

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/katrina/

[Connie_Corleone]

60. I can't speak for Clinton, but Obama was in New Orleans recently

and gave a speech detailing his plan for helping New Orleans recover.

[Ethelk2044]

6. I agree with you. Also, a news show showed people losing their homes

because of a company Edwards was affilated with.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20321742/

[Adelante]

14. South Carolina, too

You have to wonder what state is next to connect Edwards' profiteering to foreclosures.

COLUMBIA — A subprime lender with ties to Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards has moved to foreclose on more than 130 homes in South Carolina since the S.C. native went to work for its parent company, an analysis of courthouse records shows.

The lender, Green Tree Financial, also was once the subject of a $30 million class-action verdict involving thousands of South Carolinians.

Edwards’ ties to the company are disquieting to some supporters of the North Carolinian. On the campaign trail, Edwards has insisted he is the champion of lower-income families.

Edwards’ ties to Green Tree also could hurt him with voters in South Carolina, a state he must win if he hopes to win the 2008 Democratic nomination.

-snip

After the revelations of the Katrina-related foreclosures, Edwards said he made sure he pulled his money out of subprime lending units and promised to help those affected.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/182578.html

I wonder if he will help those affected in South Carolina or Ohio or elsewhere as these stories keep emerging.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

15. That really deserves its own thread.

[Adelante]

19. Help yourself

I have to get ready to go out :hi:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

24. What WesDem didn't bother to mention from the same article

==She said Edwards never "invested a dime with Green Tree, never worked for Green Tree and had nothing to do with its operation."==

==Since then, his campaign said, Edwards has worked to increase the minimum wage in six states, started a college-for-everyone program for poor communities, helped organize thousands of workers into unions and done humanitarian work in Africa.==

==When he first joined Fortress, Edwards told the Journal last month, "I made clear that I didn't want to have anything I was investing in to be anti-labor or involved in predatory lending practices."==

==However, Clemson University political scientist Bruce Ransom is not sure Edwards should be held accountable for the activities of Fortress' subsidiaries.

"Let's face it, he's a wealthy guy, and he's got investments, and he works with the hedge fund which owned Green Tree," Ransom said. "Where do you draw the line in terms of how involved and how knowledgeable he should be about firms he may have some financial relationship with that might also own other firms that might be called into question?"==

[draft_mario_cuomo]

21. Which companies has Obama invested in? nt

[draft_mario_cuomo]

37. No answers? nt

[Ethelk2044]

39. Obama does not own companies. Remember he got rid of his blind trust a while ago.

Maybe Edwards should do the same.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

41. He has no stock? nt

[cobalt1999]

17. How is that taking a break from campaigning?

Sounds like he is doing something to get in the news and generate more money. Isn't that campaigning? Where's the break?

[lynne]

25. What took him so long? He hasn't been employed in the past 2 years -

- so why does he personally take on the rebuilding of New Orleans NOW? :shrug:

[Beaverhausen]

29. Not the first time he has been there

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11713087/


• March 17, 2006 | 5:05 p.m. ET

Spring Break with John Edwards (Eric Martin, Hardblogger College All-Star)

As John Edwards spoke at dusk Wednesday to a group of about 600 students gathered in an outdoor hotel courtyard in downtown New Orleans, even the setting sun could not dim his obvious pride at the hope and determination on our faces. With a bounce in his step, Edwards thanked us for volunteering to spend Spring break clearing rotting debris from homes when we could have chosen instead to party all night and sleep all day in Cancun. He said our generation's sacrifice should set an example for all Americans.

Indeed, just one year ago the notion that thousands of college students would trade swim trunks and bikinis for construction helmets, gloves, goggles and sanitation suits would have been unthinkable. Then came Katrina. For students like me who will graduate college this Spring, the start of senior year in high school and college has been marked by 9/11 and the hurricane -- the greatest man-made and natural disasters in recent American experience.

Out of our feelings of helplessness and despair emerged a new youth consensus -- the belief that our generation can rebuild the world by our example of empathy and compassion. Edwards helped foment this energy during his university speaking tour this Fall. While I learned about this week's initiative through a friend's email, many students learned of the program from Edwards's personal appeals.

more at thelink

[The Count]

38. Busy cashing in them subprime loans dividends...the NOLA foreclosures

[Ethelk2044]

40. He should donate the money he made to charity

[draft_mario_cuomo]

42. Ok. If BO gives the money he got for legal work for Rezko while his constituents froze...

...without heat in Rezko-owned buildings for weeks that Obama helped secure taxpayer funding for. ;) I find the faux outrage (from Obama fans, who many Edwards supporters view as allies) over this very ironic given the "6 degrees of separation" aspect to it while Obama's case is more closely tied. They were his constituents, they were owned by the guy he was doing legal work for, he helped secure taxypayer financing of the buildings owned by a guy who gave him $168,000, etc.

[Ethelk2044]

44. 130 Families homeless in SC

[draft_mario_cuomo]

46. And 100+ layed off to cut costs for Treehouse, a company Obama's wife was on the board of

[Adelante]

54. Those are only the foreclosures online for SC

Who knows how many there are there?

[The Count]

50. So, unless another candidate does something, those NOLA people remain f*ed by Edwards?

Is that what you're saying? That Edwards getting rich on other people's misery is OK, because others may do it too? And then, we need to use our own money to help HIS victims?

[Beaverhausen]

61. New Orleans Katrina victims are Edwards responsibility?

:crazy:

"His victims?"

I don't get this at all.

[2rth2pwr]

62. Yes , Edwards has victims there

John Edwards has announced that he will divest his investments in the lenders and personally seek to redress several dozen New Orleans homeowners who have been foreclosed on by companies to which he is linked. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/08/17/post_27.html This is not okay that this is happening,' " Edwards said at the time. "I don't know how many cases there are . . . but the right thing is to go back and fix this.

The Center for Responsible Lending, based in Durham, North Carolina, finds that predatory lending costs families $9.1 billion per year. We need a strong national law to stop predatory lending—to stop outrageous points and fees and deceptive terms that drain equity and cost families more every month. -John Edwards http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/47

Presidential candidate's holdings in Fortress are invested in subprime lenders foreclosing on Katrina victims - report....there are 34 homes in New Orleans that face foreclosure from the subprime unit of Fortress Investment Group. Edwards has about $16 million in Fortress (Charts), a hedge fund and private equity manager... http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/17/news/economy/edwards_fortress/

[superkia]

30. Hopefully he helps us rebuild our constitution too!

[The Count]

32. Wow! The Onion had it right!

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/john_edwards_vows_to_end_all_bad
John Edwards Vows To End All Bad Things By 2011



AMES, IA—In an effort to jump-start a presidential campaign that still has not broken into the top Democratic tier, former Sen. John Edwards made his most ambitious policy announcement yet at a campaign event in Iowa Monday: a promise to eliminate all unpleasant, disagreeable, or otherwise bad things from all aspects of American life by the end of his second year in office.

"Other candidates have plans that would reduce some of the bad things, but I want all of them gone completely.""

[draft_mario_cuomo]

33. He was the first to offer a plan to rebuild NO. That is ignoring it? nt

[illinoisprogressive]

43. Like I said, I like the guy. go Edwards. he is my #2 choice so I can cheer alittle.

[EVDebs]

49. Mine too. I want DK to show higher but since that doesn't seem probable or possible

Edwards gets the nod. Besides, DK's healthcare proposal looks like what Edwards is only JE's is sneakier since if lures the insurance cos into competing with a Medicare system it CAN'T compete with; they'll fail miserably.

[Adelante]

55. DK's healthcare proposal looks nothing like what Edwards is

It looks more like what Clinton's and Obama's are than Kucinich's.

[EVDebs]

57. Read between the lines. Free market competition of ins. cos. w Medicare means ins. cos. go bellyup

[Adelante]

58. "Read between the lines"

So freakin' Edwards :rofl:

[EVDebs]

64. Good lawyers can do that...So freakin' smart ! n/t

[Adelante]

66. Well, you got the right candidate for you, if that's what you want

I prefer straight talk myself and don't want to have to interpret what is meant by what is said - I'd rather what is meant be what is said, so voters aren't fooled out of their votes. But he is a slick one, I'll give you that.

[EVDebs]

69. I'll betcha better than 'Slick Willie' - at this point, in order to get progressive policies in WH

You take what you can get. As I said before, I WISH Dennis Kucinich was at the top of the polls or leading but that's not happening right now and the closest you can get is JE.

[Adelante]

70. If you believe him, you're okay

That's what it takes or a willing suspension of disbelief. To me, Dennis is real and Edwards is fake. That's what makes a horse race, I guess. :hi:

[Catchawave]

48. Daily Kos has it right :)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/10/14238/6089

With a video history of his involvement in NOLA.

Including the 700 college kids he took down there for Spring Break !

Go Johnny Go !

[Adelante]

56. Is that a Daily Kos editorial?

Or an Edwards supporter's diary?

[Catchawave]

65. Supporter's diary with facts about the NOLA project...

which were sorely missing from this OP.

[ecstatic]

67. Will he bring his Blackberry this time?

Or will he remember to put it away before this particular photo op?

[Cameron27]

71. What was the blackberry problem,

I don't remember reading about it.

[Catchawave]

72. *UPDATE*

John in New Orleans !
http://johnedwards.com/build/rules /

Build with John in New Orleans - Official Rules and Restrictions

No purchase or contribution necessary to enter. Contest void where prohibited by law. All federal, state and local laws and regulations governing such contests apply. Contest limited to legal residents of the U.S. who are at least 18 years of age and who support the presidential campaign of John Edwards. The sponsor of the contest is John Edwards for President ("Committee"), 410 Market Street, Suite 400, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Making a contribution will not improve your chances of winning. To enter without making a contribution, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with name, address and phone number to: Build with John Contest, 410 Market Street, Suite 400, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 OR e-mail [e-mail] .

All entrants who choose to contribute must adhere to the federal contribution limits and prohibitions as set forth on our online contribution page at www.johnedwards.com/contribute. All entries, either online or mail-in, must be received by September 30, 2007 at 11:59:59 PM EDT. Drawing to be held October 2, 2007. Winners will be notified on October 5, 2007 via phone.

You need not be present to win. Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes. Each time that you contribute is eligible for one chance at prize only. Prize includes one round-trip ticket to New Orleans, LA, one night’s accommodation for one in New Orleans, and working together with John Edwards in an area of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Estimated value of such prize is $1,000; actual value will vary depending upon the winner’s particular travel arrangements, which shall be determined at the sole discretion of the Committee.

Winners will be chosen at random. Odds of winning dependent upon number of eligible entries received. No substitutions or cash alternatives offered. By participating, contestants release and agree to hold harmless the Committee, and any of its directors, officers, employees and agents from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the contest or acceptance, possession, or any use of any prize or related travel. No warranties, express or implied, are created by entry except the award of a prize to holder of winning entry. The Committee is not responsible for computer, software, network, or transmission problems or late, lost, or misdirected entries or other submission errors.

The Committee has the right to terminate, cancel or modify the contest at any time. To view the Committee’s privacy policy, please go to: http://www.johnedwards.com/about/privacy /.