Statement from John Edwards on despicable republican tactics (Bible)

[Cocoa]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=36471

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Senator John Edwards issued the following statement today based on reports that the Republican National Committee sent campaign mail into West Virginia claiming that the Bible will be banned if Democrats are elected in November:

Republicans always say they want to have a values debate but lying and spreading hate were not the values I learned growing up in a small town in North Carolina where the Bible was the most important book my home. George Bush and Dick Cheney should be appalled by these despicable mailings. They should condemn this practice immediately and tell everyone associated with their campaign to never use tactics like this again. The American people deserve better.

[fugue]

1. Maybe I'm too secular, but

I think the message should not be "We love the bible!" so much as "We don't ban any books."

[Cocoa]

2. that confuses the issue

this has nothing to do with banning books, why get into that?

[fugue]

14. Yes, this does have to do with banning books

The GOP says the Dems will ban the bible.

The bible is a book.

Therefore this allegation does have to do with the banning of books, which is anathema to most liberals. It should be obvious on its face that it's not something we'd do.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Should do a history on the banning on books...

that it is not Liberals that ban books.

It is always the religious fanatics bent on controlling the minds and bodies of everyone.

It is always those that hide behind patriotism seeking to justify their actions.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

4. Don't hold your breath Senator Edwards

they aren't going to condemn it, they are weasels and slime.

[rullery]

5. Maybe people will READ the Bible, if it is BANNED!

While I certainly deplore and condemn this Republican smear against Democrats, if the Bible were banned a lot of folks might actually read it! Maybe some would learn that greed is NOT "cool", and that concern for one's neighbor IS! Even some self-righteous people who profess to be Christian, but are NOT, might wake up.

[Carolinian]

7. I don't understand most of the Bible,despite years of bible study

classes at church. Am I the only one? Whenever I say this people always act shocked and snicker...why?

[troubleinwinter]

8. Carolina girl,

whether you understand the Bible or not, is entirely beside the point. For the Reeps to falsely try to frighten people into believing Kerry would ban it is the issue here.

[Carolinian]

11. I understand that. I just don't understand the Bible, at least parts of

it, and I don't understand why people find this shocking. I was replying to a post that said that banning the Bible might get more people to read it. Is there a rule that our conversations have to stay ON POINT?

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. That is the right stuff. Exactly

In short National Media (allowing for inevitable conservative bias and all that) usually only cover VP candidates when they are in the face of the opposition, which is where Cheney usually is when he isn't in an undisclosed location.

On Friday I made the following post on a different thread about why aren't networks covering Edwards:

"My solution would be for Edwards to go negative over negative campaigning. Let him be outraged, have him deplore it, and accuse the Republicans of dragging politics into the mud and attempting to divide America for purely partisan reasons. Edwards should be furious at every smear attempt, he should accuse the Republicans of attempting to subvert the underpinnings of Democracy for God's sake. Something like that would make news while preserving his image as someone dedicated to the importance of meaningful dialog and honest debate."

This is the perfect opening for Edwards to become the Democratic lead against the sleazing of American Politics. Confront it, blast it, name names and ask America if that is what they expect from their leaders? Blame Dick Cheney for trying to turn Americans against each other. Blame George Bush for comments like "But what do you expect from a Senator from Massachusetts" Is that bringing us together? Republicans take it for granted that they can slander people who don't predictably support them. Change the State for a second. What if George Bush had said; "But what do you expect form a Senator from North Caroline" or "from a Senator from Alabama, or California?" What message is Bush sending with comments like that. There are real Americans, and then there are the people living in Massachusetts? Get them Edwards!

[DeadHead67]

10. There is NOTHING the republicans won't stoop to !

I think fabricating the goddam 'little girl crying' photo-op as a counter to Mrs.Niederer (sp?) getting busted for exercising her right of free speech, is a good example. A THOUGHTFUL juxtaposition of these incidents, disappointed three year old/gold star mother deprived of her rights, screams; NO COMPARISON!

[Auntie Bush]

9. Let's have an investigation as to who started this lie. n/t

[mirandapriestly]

13. la times Buckhead REPUG dirty tricks

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-091704buckhead_lat,1,494535.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Hi, I haven't posted here before I have been reading for a couple weeks, I looked all over the site and couldn't find this posted yet. I didn't want to post it in late breaking news and get in trouble for it, so I'm sticking it here and someone can tell me if it should go to late breaking. it's pretty juicy

[newyawker99]

15. Hi mirandapriestly!

You posted it in the right place.


Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. Enough is enough

Stay on the offensive about this, and about Cheney's implication that only Republicans are serious about defending our country, and about every other divisive comment we can drag up. Contrast the Republican divide and conquer methodology against how unified we were as a people after 9/11, and what this Administration has done since to trash and squander our unity and belittle those who disagree with them.

They will bring up Michael Moore but blow past that. He can defend himself quite well Thank You. Are they arguing that an independent film maker has the same responsibility to be even handed and inclusive as the elected National leadership of our nation? Throw back Rush at them. Why the lack of outrage when he peddled malicious lies that Clinton killed Foster?

Edwards has the public image that allows him to play Mr. Clean on this one, a righteously angry Mr. Clean at that.