Topic subject Former Obama supporters....now support Edwards

[rodeodance]

Forum Name General Discussion: Politics
Topic subject Former Obama supporters....now support Edwards
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3899961#3899961
3899961, Former Obama supporters....now support Edwards
Posted by Catchawave on Fri Dec-28-07 05:33 PM

from email:


FORMER OBAMA SUPPORTERS, DISAPPOINTED BY HIS RECORD ON LOBBYISTS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS, NOW SUPPORT EDWARDS

Des Moines, Iowa – The Edwards campaign today released a letter from Iowans who supported Senator Obama earlier in the campaign but now support John Edwards. They are disappointed by Senator Obama’s history of taking $1.5 million from PACs and Washington lobbyists and the support he is getting from a 527 organization at the same time as he attacks other candidates about these organizations.

These Iowans have concluded that bringing about change will require more than rhetoric and that John Edwards – the only candidate in the race who has never taken a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists – is the one candidate who will fight the powerful special interests to achieve real change.

See below for the text of the letter.

December 28, 2007

Dear Friends:

Earlier in the campaign, we supported Senator Barack Obama because he said he was the candidate of change.

We were disappointed to learn that Senator Obama took $1.5 million from PACs and Washington lobbyists – and only stopped taking their money days before entering the presidential race. Now, he is attacking other campaigns about “527” organizations even though a “527” organization called Vote Hope is supporting his candidacy.

We believe that you can’t achieve real change simply by politely asking for it and then hoping the special interests will agree to voluntarily give up their power and profits. From civil rights to the environmental movement to Social Security and Medicare, big and meaningful change has always required a President willing to stand up and fight for it. Universal health care, stopping global warming, raising the minimum wage, and building a stronger middle class will take more than just rhetoric and hope – we need a president with the backbone to fight for it and a track record of taking on special interests and beating them.

John Edwards is the only candidate in the race who has never taken a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists. He walked the walk not only by rejecting PAC and Washington lobbyist money from day one, but by taking them on and beating them – including helping lead the fight to pass a Patients’ Bill of Rights in the Senate over the objection of insurance companies, HMOs, and their Washington lobbyists.

We are proud to be supporting John Edwards, a leader with the strength, integrity, and backbone to fight for the real change Iowan and American families deserve. Please join us in caucusing for John Edwards on January 3rd.




Frank Amos, Ottumwa

Steve Nienhaus, Muscatine

Warren Yaple, Council Bluffs

[MzNov]

1. I have a feeling many Iowans will go for Edwards at the last minute.