Sign a card for JRE and some further info for JRE Supporters (updated)

[benny05]

http://www.squidnote.com/c/oPNfJ9csVcK

It takes a little doing, but it's worth some effort.

I was thinking about what you all had been discussing yesterday in getting a website together, so I'll share some information with you.

Earlier this afternoon, I was in on a conference call from the campaign that was for a particular group of bloggers. I was invited as I have my own dedicated JRE blog, Benny's World, and many of us also had our own blogs or were prominent bloggers in other places, including JRE's blog.

Both John and Elizabeth were in on the call. That was a nice surprise, I figured it would be just Elizabeth since she is a blogger herself. Elizabeth knew who I was off the bat when I wanted to make a comment or ask a question. Nice affirmation to have that Elizabeth was still lurking in different places, including my blog.

None of us asked why they suspended the campaign. Subtly mentioned was that they could not compete as effectively as they wanted because of the celebrity status of Obama and Clinton, thus we were more interested in what would they would be willing to share about future plans of the Edwards movement.

{update: Read this interview with Joe Trippi at the New Republic online. Trippi is pretty honest and I think reads the situation correctly. http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=ad020e28-4028-4fd4-a060-bffe6b0ec3df&k=22057)

John Edwards.com as we know it now will be going away, and I'm guessing by the end of the month, but a specific date was not given. However, Elizabeth said that some form of One Corps would continue and they would have a website for it. They were still going to have some special events and national recognition days, but they hadn't completely thought it through. So I bring this up because this may be where you want to hang out.

One person wanted to know if s/he should endorse another candidate. John said that he has spoken to Obama and Clinton, but there would be many more conversations. I told them I could not endorse another candidate and that many of us at the DU (including me) voted for him today as we wanted to see more a progressive platform with the delegates he would have. Elizabeth assured us that platform would be largely written by John and by us! They did not feel comfortable in telling us what we should do, but they didn't say NOT to vote for them either or that our votes would be wasted. Thus, that matter was put to bed, in my view. So for those of you who voted for them today, or previously, or in the coming months that they are still on the ballot, you can still vote for them as you wish. Elizabeth said that they would continue to push the progressive envelope. She said that through our blogging and through their campaign (debates, campaign stops etc), the other candidates and their supporters were forced to join the progressive conversation as Obama and Clinton said nothing for months.

Elizabeth also made it crystal clear that her disease had no factor in John's decision to suspend the campaign. She had a bad cold, but she was getting over it (she did sound a little horse), and that she would be getting some tests run in the next few weeks. However, she had not had any big check-ups because she is still asymptomatic, and she feels fine.

I asked Elizabeth if she could come back here and post again. She said that on her to-do list is getting another computer as she needs a new one, so she might be back sometime.

All of us thanked them for getting us involved in the political process, and that most of us hadn't really been that engaged with politicians before until their campaign. John was very touched by that comment, and encouraged us to stay engaged. We told them that we have created a new wing of the Democratic party: the Edwards Democrats. We also thanked them for telling the truth.

To conclude, John said he thanked us (and he meant you who also supported him at Daily Kos, the DU, MyDD, etc) for having his back, especially in putting up with the nasty attacks and the silliness that went on. Elizabeth said that we bloggers made it so much easier for her to stay on message, and to do what needed to be done.

Anyway, to conclude:

1) Our votes for him are not wasted
2) No endorsement for awhile, and both Obama and Clinton have been calling him or having surrogates call him
3) Be looking for a new website with the One Corps/Action theme, but offer ideas at their other one before they take it down
4) We bloggers here at the DU, DK, MyDD, Open Left, our own blogs etc, mean the world to them and they appreciate us very much
5) We need to keep the progressive agenda alive to make the other remaining candidates live up to their pledges and for Democrats to remember the Edwards wing of the Democratic Party
6) And we will see them in Denver.

Tomorrow begins today.

:grouphug:

[smokey nj]

1. Thank you so much for this benny!

[Catchawave]

2. Thanks for the info benny....

For some reason I'm pretty bummed tonight, I just can't get interested in the results threads, because I just don't care about either of them or who wins. :cry:

[smokey nj]

3. ......

:hug:

[Catchawave]

11. Back atcha' smokey....

:hug:

Nice to see some friendly faces tonight :hi:

[benny05]

4. I understand, Catchawave

I love the Edwards' message and them with all of my heart. I don't know if I will ever feel this passionate about being involved again. But we have to keep our agenda alive; otherwise, we will become part of the forgotten wing of the Democratic party.

JRE and EE are a class act.

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals:

[Catchawave]

10. I'm glad he and Gore are not endorsing at this time....

Very telling about the two frontrunners lacking the most progressive support, just, as Craig Crawford said...just support from old liberals who lose every 4 years.

Thanks the hugs and floaty hearts :hi: Back atcha'...:hug:

[machka]

14. :(

:cry:

:hug:

I've missed my fellow Nighthawks. :(

[pamela]

5. Thank you, Benny!

I hope you'll post some version of this in GDP, too. Let us know if you do so we can K&R it.

[pamela]

6. delete

sorry, double posted this somehow

[benny05]

7. Results for JRE tonight

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/candidates/#1803

CNN projected Obama a winner without many precincts reporting, and the Daily Kos had it up already. Here was my comment:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/5/20715/37529/964/450586/#1

[Yael]

8. Thanks for the report!!

I will be on the lookout for the OneCorps announcement.

[Plucketeer]

9. Great update, Benny!

Thanks SO MUCH for this insight. :hi:

[benny05]

12. Reminder. Please sign the card

http://www.squidnote.com/c/oPNfJ9csVcK

Edwards is close to 3% in IL, and he only visited here twice last year! Woot..not bad, considering no ads!:kick: :toast:

[bpeale]

22. won't allow me to register or sign in

oh well. good luck with the card.

[benny05]

24. I had a little trouble with that too

You have to work at it a bit.

[Andrea]

13. Benny

Thanks for the info. I can't help but wonder why no one asked why the campaign was suspended. They may very well have been unable to answer that question, at least now, but it would have been interesting to hear how they responded. Thanks again.

[benny05]

16. I think it was...

We were thinking about how to get our country in better shape, considering Status Quo may remain.

[machka]

15. thanks for the post, benny.

I posted to my livejournal community about the card, so that's...hopefully about 60 or 70 more potential signatures, assuming everyone is still "present".

And thanks for the recap on the conference call... I was trying so hard not to bawl.

[Silver Gaia]

18. We signed the card, and thank you so much for this post!

ETA: Meant to reply to the OP... oops...

[OneGrassRoot]

17. Thank you! n/t

[ChiciB1]

19. Thanks So Much... I'm Bookmarking This... Need To Hit The Hay

right now. I sticking with John & Elizabeth Edwards no matter what! I'll check this out later and comment then.

[Lugnut]

20. Done.

Thank you, Benny.

[saltpoint]

21. Mighty, mighty good stuff, Benny, and just what we needed.

I love these people.

[vanboggie]

23. Thank you very much for the update

It's good to hear the Edwards' voices through you. Much appreciated.

[RestoreGore]

25. Thanks for this... and signed.

[iris5426]

26. Thanks for sharing this with us....

And signed the card and emailed a few others to do the same :)