Edwards Wins Another Straw Poll in Iowa

Now some good cheer out of the heartland of America: Edwards wins a four county wide straw poll in Iowa, finishing with 31.2 percent of the votes, followed by Clinton with 29.9 percent, and Obama with 14.3 percent. The counties were Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Escambia. 150 people who understand that democracies don't survive when their elections become auctions, they fail to tend their wounded soldiers, and they don't educate the next generation better than every other country out their competing for global trade. Too many Democrats who remember why they were uninspired by Kerry and aren't looking for the same stuffed shirt in Hillary Clinton. Liberal Americans who want the President John Edwards will be and the priorities he speaks of in the Des Moines Register:

I grew up in a small, manufacturing town -- Robbins, North Carolina -- population 1,100. My father worked at the mill and my mother was a postal worker. They never had a chance to go to college, but they got up every day believing in the promise of America. They worked hard -- no matter what obstacles were thrown against them -- to give me a chance at a better life. As I travel across Iowa and the country, I hear unease and uncertainty -- real concern that unless we change course dramatically, we may be the first generation of Americans to fail the moral commandment that makes us Americans: the obligation met by our parents to leave our children a better life than we had.

Iowans have a right to expect more than the rhetoric of change. You deserve real substance. Honest answers to honest questions. That's why, throughout this campaign, I have outlined plans that are not only strong and bold to meet the great challenges facing our country, but detailed enough to allow Iowans to make an informed decision.

In fact, this month my campaign is delivering Iowans across the state a copy of a book titled The Plan to Build One America: Bold Solutions for Real Change. It outlines my far-reaching agenda to redeem the promise of our country and ensure a better life for our children.

The change we need starts in Iraq. We should immediately withdraw 40,000 to 50,000 combat troops and complete the process within nine to 10 months. We need a "diplomatic surge" -- engaging in direct talks with all the nations of the region, including Iran and Syria, for a comprehensive political solution to the sectarian violence inside Iraq.

Second, we need truly universal health care that leaves no one behind. I have a bold plan to stand up to the big drug and insurance companies and finally guarantee health care to every American while cutting costs for families and employers. My plan costs $90 billion to $120 billion a year -- paid for by repealing President Bush's tax cuts for those making over $200,000 per year.

Third, we must support working and middle-class families, and end the divide between the "Two Americas." As president, I will raise the minimum wage, strengthen a worker's right to organize and sign trade deals only if they help American workers -- not just multinational corporations. My agenda includes plans to help families save, cut taxes for middle-class families, protect pensions and rein in excessive CEO pay. I have outlined a comprehensive agenda to protect family farms and revitalize rural communities like the one where I grew up.

We must radically overhaul No Child Left Behind, invest in smaller classes, pay our teachers more and treat them like the professionals they are. I've outlined detailed plans to reduce greenhouse emissions by 80 percent by 2050, invest in renewable energy, curb the power of special interests, restore our civil liberties -- and more.

I invite you to read more about these ideas at my web site or join me at one of my town hall meetings so I can answer your questions.

I have tremendous respect for the caucuses, and a deep admiration for all those who take the time to learn about the candidates and participate in the process.

You are the guardians of what kind of president we'll have -- and whether our nation will rise up and meet the great moral test of our generation: leaving our kids a better life.

I believe we can -- and must meet this challenge. I would be honored to have your support on January 3rd.

Nothing illustrates the difference between Bush and company and Edwards than our candidate's statement on the Pentagon billing soldiers to seize their signing bonuses for the medical care they need from combat wounds. You'd think in a time of declining enlistment and constant Republican fears that anything negative in the media about our military "gives aid and comfort to the enemy," the neocons would go out of their way to make sure they don't create bad news. Funny strategy the Republicans have there: cover your eyes while you do despicable things and your neighbors won't be able to see you do it. Too bad, arsehats, we see you!!

Hillary Plants Questions, then Plants Whole Audience

Who wants to start out talking about Hillary, when you can talk about John Edwards. So that's what I'll do. Because I want to see a little courage and a little backbone and real liberal steel in my fellow democrats, that I haven't seen in the last eight years. We are the party of the working poor and the middle class and the unions and the federal employee; Bush said it himself that the base of the Republican Party are the millionaires and the Federalist Society. Democrats should be out there talking about education and global warming and how work should work for the people who... oh work. And yet anytime you talk about the economic reality that has become our country in the last eight years, any time you criticize Bush and the conservative agenda, you get called "angry" by the likes of Hillary, and everyone running just to be her vice-president. Instead of tax cuts for the rich, maybe you want construction funds for public transportation to improve employment opportunities, traffic and smog-reduction efforts in your city. Who cares if you are a federal employee who appreciates being able to leave the car at home? Oh now, you are just "angry." Now don't do anything unlady-like!!



Now last night at the CNN Democratic Debate we saw just the lowest point in this entire election cycle when Hillary ordered her supporters to boo and heckle her opponents. You get a little taste of it above, but it gets a lot worse... And I don't mean just murmurs and a lack of clapping, but systematic and keyed booing anytime another candidate even said her name, in an obvious attempt to silence speech on their candidate. Who are these supporters of Hillary that they have completely lost their minds and forgotten the Constitution and our cherished Bill of Rights? Who are these supporters of Hillary, who would sell out the traditions of public debate in our democracy in a brazen display of immaturity? Who are these supporters of Hillary that all notions of feminism have been tossed into a paper-shredder and then soaked in kerosene before being torched, whenever Hillary smiles and points at her lipstick? Who are these supporters of Hillary who are more suited to a book signing for Ann Coulter? Who are they to muddy the whole Democratic Party with their boos? Oh, they were workers for the Nevada Democratic Party seated in the DNC section!!




Not that it changes the fact that Edwards is still ranked as the caucus winner in Iowa. Eat your hearts out little girls. In a straw poll of UAW workers in Iowa, John Edwards beat Barak Obama 2-1. Even if Obama Rolodexes his way to the regional endorsement for UAW, it's unlikely to sway the local UAW unions from supporting Edwards. And that neither Hillary or Barak will be out there on the WGA strike, fighting for the dream of fair wages and respect for workers in this country, but John Edwards will be marching with the writers today. Doing something productive and meaningful, while Hillary will be out there dreaming up questions to plant at her next public appearance. How about this one Hillary: How's the state of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy these days?

Trick is Beating the NeoCons, Treat is John Edwards

Now here's a cute story about the Edwards' kids trick-or-treating in New Hampshire, that wonderful American tradition so maligned by conservatives these days. An incredible story about the rank-and-file wining out over the executive board of the New Hampshire executive board of the Service Employees International Union, when the straw poll of workers for Edwards overturned the SEIU initial vote for Obama. Which is just incredible and exciting, to show that the overwhelming support of people can make organizers of their groups to listen and have the courage to support the better candidate. Of course, it's probably Edwards support for union organizing and collective bargaining, and his committment to ending mandatory overtime for nurses and the practice of privatizing federal jobs, that carried the day.

"Heroes" is the new ad campaign video out for Edwards in Iowa, and it is gorgeous and energizing. And of course the clear response to Hillary Clinton's Damsel in Distress routine following the Tuesday night debate in Philadelphia. 'Cause I mean please, who out there mentioned Monica Lewinsky or asked for a progress report on the advancement of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy? Ah... no one!! Clinton fumbled on an answer, and now we get several nauseating days of her playing the "gender card." Please- where's the backbone, eh? What's going to happen when Russia says meanie things to her? Next.

What's next? I found this wonderful video of a speech Edwards made before the SEIU. Talking points: "If you give drug companies a seat at the table, they'll eat all the food." Get rid of pre-existing conditions which bar people for getting treatment or moving to a better job. Mental health conditions need to be treated just like any other medical condition. And no it's not free. But how will you get it done? Every member of Congress and the President and the Vice-President will loose their health care if they don't pass a universal health care bill by the summer of that year. **Crowd goes ballistic, "Edwards, Edwards!!" ** Health care for all Americans, not tax cuts for the rich!!