Guerrilla vlogger: Edwards in NH, we need a bigger boat

mbair

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Mon Jan-01-07 01:29 PM
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Guerrilla vlogger: Edwards in NH, we need a bigger boat

Edited on Mon Jan-01-07 01:38 PM by mbair

cross-posted at dailykos

On Friday, I attended and taped* the Edwards Town Hall held in Portsmouth, NH. Excitement and intensity were the main vibes that I got from the crowd. A thousand people were turned away from the Little Harbour Elementary school on the first cold day of the winter up in the Granite State.

That must have been tough, but I honestly think these guys didn't realize the minimum size vessel required to launch the Edwards campaign. The crowds everywhere on the tour are at "never before seen levels" for this guy. Some of these crowds are bigger than January 2004. That's big. All that hard work that Edwards did out in the states over the last two years is paying off now.

See it's grassroots, y'all. It's all up to us now. Now it's our turn to enter the discussion, formulate the solutions and go and execute a game plan. Batter-up people. This isn't a: "You know I really want to President because..." kind of a thing. This campaign is about us more than anything else.

To view the stream in better quality directly from OAC, try this link to the JohnEdwards group at YouTube videos. If you want to follow him better then try signing up for an account at YouTube. That way you can subscribe to the JohnEdwards channel and you'll know when a new webisode or town hall is posted directly through your home page at YouTube. Sorry the screenshots are so horrible for this vlog, that's why.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Part 1 (7:07)

Let me talk for a few minutes about what this campaign is about from my perspective and I hope from your perspective. What I want to see happen is I don't want to see us stay back and wait for the primary or wait for the election and hope that the next person that gets elected is going to solve our problems. Because I don't think it's realistic and I don't think it's going to happen.
I think instead, what we should do - all of us, not just me, is we should take responsibility.
We should take action. Not later, but now. We should take ownership of our country.

In his old stump speeches, Edwards always winds-up with a call to service using the examples of young people in the 60's taking charge of the political destiny of the country on Civil Rights and later young people again helping to end apartheid, but now we can see that the call to service is right up front. And not a moment too soon. We, as a party, are poised to engage in a very special kind of campaign in the next election cycle, I hope. A nationalized grassroots election starting in the Democratic primaries? Dare I hope?

Today, I think the biggest battle that we need to fight politically is the smackdown we need to have with the apathy and cynicism that pervades our social and civic life. Politicians are punch lines, and they certainly don't talk with us as voters. Unless they decide to run a grassroots campaign that is. Can it be done on a national Scale? Can the technologies that we have available to us, really make an impact in the political dialog of this country and the races ahead?

He continues:

You know, life is a great learning experience. It really is. A lot of you heard me in the last campaign talk about the Two Americas. I still believe it's true. And you heard me talk about hope and inspiration. Which are so important.
But identifying a problem and talking about hope is talking about tomorrow. We can't wait for tomorrow. We have to take action now. If we want to create the kind of country and the kind of world we believe in, we - all of us, have to take action now. That what this comes from.
Tomorrow Begins Today, that what it means.
It means that we need you now. We need you to take action now.
And there is so much that needs to be done. My own view is the biggest responsibility of the next President of the United States is to restore America's Leadership in the rest of the world. It so badly needs to be done.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Part 2 (7:24)

If you thought that was good he kicks it up a notch here:

But I want to say that although I think that Iraq is a dominant enormous issue for America in the world right now. It is not the only issue, to restoring America's moral leadership. You know, if you look at the issues that exist all around the world, first of all, the world needs to see from us that we actually understand our responsibility and as the most powerful nation on the earth, we don't just have a responsibility to ourselves.
We have a responsibility to humanity. And when we fail to meet that responsibility, there are consequences. And we've seen the consequences.
We are the stabilizing force in the world... If the world doesn't rally around the United States then they have no place to rally. And there is no central force that stabilizes the world. If we want to be safe and we want the world to be safe then we have to provide that stabilization. We, America does. And that will not happen unless we actually have moral authority in the world. One thing that's been proven, I believe, beyond any doubt in the last 6 years is that raw power alone doesn't make you a leader. And the world recognizes that.

So how do you get there? Can't get there from here? No dice we're in NH and not Maine - kids. You get there by starting with the following types of issues as the highest priority for the country:

The Genocide in Sudan: "backed up by the Sudanese government and the Chinese ... and what have we done about it? What have we done? We said after Rwanda, we'll never let this happen again. There is a genocide going on right now right in front of us. Where is the United States of America?"
Thousands will be born today in Africa with AIDS because they can't afford a $4 dose of medicine. "How can the richest nation on the planet just stand by and watch that happen? How?"
World poverty. "Poverty in America is mild compared to most of the world."
Civil War in Uganda. Where is America in the tenuous peace talks that are underway?
Global Warming: "America should be leading on Global Warming.

And the best line I've heard in a few elections has to do with our dire need to conserve fossil fuel consumption in this country.

We need to ask Americans to be Patriotic about something other than war. By saying to America: we ask you, for your country, to be willing to conserve.

Healthcare. Universal Health Care for every man, woman and child in this country including mental health parity. No wiggle words or weasel words on that one.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Part 3 (3:43)

Last issue I want to mention to you is one that's personal to me. I'd love to get as many of you engaged in it as I can. I understand that it's not on a lot of people's radar screen. I don't think it's okay that we have 37 million of our own people who wake up in poverty everyday in America. Not in the richest nation on the planet.

Not today, not tomorrow and not ever will that be close to okay. Most of the "poor" are single mothers with kids that are more likely to be poor themselves. That's really gross because poverty is not a condition for a person to live in this country anymore in many ways. The problem is that it's become an institution, by which I mean there is almost no mobility for the poor or their kids. They get stuck in a poor school district because the school lacks the money to run a first class operation, plain and simple. Then that pulls the ladder up and away from them in life, but you already know that.

See the poverty piece of the Edwards message isn't about "chicken three times a day and eiderdown quilts." It's not about the condescension of an elite for "the poor" either. It's about the American Dream, I've always thought that fairy tale was a good one because it contained a most essential truth. People should be able to succeed and have some financial security in a "material world" if they have talent, luck, brains or they work really hard at something. In order to make that security an attainable goal for Americans poverty must be addressed in this country through the education and healthcare systems in particular. Because education, as we all know, provides mobility to workers in an economy like ours. I would add that there needs to be a huge criminal justice system piece to this solution, but I'm no lawyer so let's stay on mobility here.

Without mobility, that dream dies. Rage on that dying light - right quick. Because no one else is going to change this for us. And without a real safety net in this country we abandon millions of our neighbors and fellow Americans everyday.

In the Q & A section, Dave takes on this issue from the perspective of a tradesman trying to compete with an illegal immigrant, sorry no dis intended, underclass or labor pool. He talks about how the trades have always been another path to mobility for the working poor. You could graduate high school or not, get a job and work your way to the middle-class. Not so anymore. The good paying trade jobs are constantly being undercut because of the "hidden economy" or all the under the table cash jobs that go for below prevailing wage. So in Dave's world, about two-thirds of the population does not attend college, another path is effectively being cut off.

It's not sustainable. We have to turn the tide. It can be done. We don't live in Bangladesh, sorry no dis intended. We live in America.

Now for the Q & A. Whenever possible I tried to get an interview with the person that asked the question. I also fielded a couple of comments and a question after the Town Hall that attendees wanted to voice with me. I like to maintain the focus in these diaries on the person asking the question. Edwards is the big guy up on stage, but I think the emerging web based political media through the blogs and independents like myself can provide us with some real tools to re-engage in a truthful, lively and sometimes, as you'll see with Mark, uncomfortable conversation. If we don't engage in a real way, and starting right now, we will be doomed to another obscene display of journalism in the race coming up in '08. Although I like a catfight just as much as the rest of them. Things are too important now in this country today, to leave the conversation in the hands of establishment media that tend to be behind the curve and focused on profit and ratings alone.

We need you now.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Ralph (6:29)

Ralph: Healthcare.

From Ralph:

It's part of the reason that the middle class is disappearing. And the middle class is what's supported this country, historically. How do we correct healthcare without making insurance companies richer, drug companies richer? Our local hospital is a for profit hospital. I've never minded paying my doctor for his services, but by God I hate paying investors for my illness.

The response starts with a discussion of Medicare Part D. But the frame for the answer was totally consistent with the days theme, smart and it even fit the facts. "It's amazing to me and it shows you what happens when you leave responsibility to just the people who work in Washington. Instead of all of us taking responsibility." Edwards talks at length about the issue, but he says right up front that if the American people knew what was going on when that bill passed then it never would have happened. We didn't do enough.

He ends his response, "The one thing I can commit to you with absolute certainty is that I will have a Universal Health Care plan for America in this campaign.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Bonnie (6:08)

Bonnie: Education and NCLB

Bonnie asks a question of Senator Edwards in the Town Hall and then gives me an interview. Edwards points out that poor public education and poverty go hand in hand today perpetuating the institution of poverty. Bonnie told me that she worked in a poor school for almost 35 years, thank you Bonnie. I'll let her and the Senator speak for themselves here.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Decklan (3:32)

Decklan: McCain Feingold and Social Security.

That's Evelyn, up next and star of this show talking to him at the beginning of this clip. Edwards on part one of the question:

I think that by any measure, McCain-Feingold has not worked... I think that McCain-Feingold was a move in the right direction but now... And I want to say. I ran for President in 2004 and I raised millions of dollars under the system that we have now... Anyone who runs for national office does that. There is only one solution to our campaign finance system in America. If you really believe in the grassroots and if you believe in real democracy then we ought to publicly finance our campaigns.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Evelyn (6:30)

Evelyn: Struggling on a fixed income and stealing the show.

SS COLAs and medical expenses are Evelyn's main problem. She's living on a fixed income, like most seniors, and struggling to get by. Her COLAs are not nearly enough to keep up with rising costs of everything from rent to gas to groceries and medicine. Evelyn stole the show a little bit. She also spoke to me after the Town Hall and you can see her interview in this clip.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Dave and Leslie H (5:56)

Dave: Immigration and the hidden economy

New England Regional Council of Carpenters, pile driver's local 56. Dave begins his question:

Everyday in the building trades, we are an organization that are essentially gate keepers to the middle class for the working poor. People can get their way into the building trades and can work their way up. On eof the issues that we deal with day to day is that there are millions and millions of immigrants in this country and ... Our members are dealing with everyday competition from people who are under the radar, working for cash... What will you do so that we don't have this dual economy that going to kill the middle-class in this country?

Edwards believes that we need to halt what is happening on our southern border because it isn't sustainable and that we need to grant citizenship to many of the immigrants here now so that they can come out from the shadows. The alternative is to do nothing or deport 11 million people.

Leslie H via the web: Free Trade agreements.

How can free trade agreements be revised so that they don't tilt the playing field against regular working Americans?

Hey Leslie H you're a kossack, I know you. Do you want to do an interview on this thread? This is what I asked everyone to consider in their comments. Why did you come? What did you think of your answer? Is there anything else you'd like to speak to the blog about today?

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Mark (:)

Mark: Gay Marriage

I thank Mark very much for talking to me. Mark knew I was an Edwards supporter, but still he waited around for a few minutes to speak to me on the way out. He didn't get the answer he wanted on gay marriage from Edwards. Mark did say that he thought the answer had credibility and seemed very thoughtful. One of the things I try to impress upon people is that I want to hear them on issues where they might disagree with Edwards. If it's "up with people" then it's got to be "all the people" and I stand by that.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - August (2:52)

August: How are you going to help the poor?

The Senator calls on a young person to round out the group of questioners. August seems to be a born skeptic and a possible future scientist of America.

It's almost over I promise.

Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - Wrap (9:33)

The wrap reel, the only way to end this vlog is with John. See you out there, buddy.

LouAnn: Fits into "all of those categories."

LouAnn told me about the conversation she had with three generations of her family about Edwards the other day at breakfast. They all agreed that he brings, "hope, integrity and real honesty," to the party and the country. It seemed to me that LouAnn wanted to tell me how that conversation and their mutual support of a politician, of all things, made her feel connected to her grandkids in a delightful and meaningful manner. LouAnn works with victims of domestic violence. Thank you for all the hard work you do LouAnn. Thank you very much.

Paul: Priorites

Paul didn't get to ask a question during the Town Hall so he asked his question here. Paul is concerned about, well he wants to know what the heck is going on - basically. He talks about a specific example that he sees at work, but the nub of the issue is two-fold. He's upset about the lack of accountability in government he sees in government and he's angry at the fundamentally upside down priorities he sees at the Shipyard as far as what the Navy is doing at the Pentagon in DC with their budget. The Navy spends money like it's going out of style in some cases, but lacks a fundamental commitment to keep Shipyard's like his open and operating.

Here's a few facts that I know about the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The turnaround time for a submarine overhaul in NH is typically much less than the time required at the other three, or four - not sure, shipyards that overhaul these subs in the country. At least according the base closure commission hearings on PNS last year. When this Shipyard goes, so goes an industrial infrastructure that takes about 50 years to build. But it's not a priority to reward competence and support the community around this facility, so why not?

John: Pounding on the doors

John, John, John. I thought about trying to snag someone for another interview after I shot this tape, but how could I ever top this one? This is the perfect way to end my vlog today. I have very little to add to your comments, but I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year too. Paul and John both are Carol for Congress people.

Okay, maybe Stranni should be the closer.
Video: Edwards Town Hall NH - The Closer (:)

Stranni had a really positive take on the "restoring America's leadership" in the world. He likes the Edwards message a lot vis a vis the war in Iraq, the war on terrorism and foreign policy in general. But Stranni is a man after my own heart, and he ends the interview with a great take on how he sees poverty in America. "The problems that we have with poverty in America reared it's ugly head in the aftermath of Katrina." We have to start talking about this issue. NOLA was on the Senator's mind this week too, Stranni.

Related links:
Edwards wraps up early campaign blitz.
two stops to go! by John Edwards at the blog. Edwards blog entry on OAC today.
Edwards Declares War On Hope (and it's about time) by mike at BlueNH. I think the best synopsis that I've seen of the new stump speech.
The Announcement Ezra on the announcement in NOLA
VLOG: Live from NOLA with JOHN EDWARDS! by NCDem the day before the announcement in the Ninth Ward.
Live Blogging in NOLA from Edwards Announcement by chuckles1 on the morning of the announcement
Liveblogging from the Edwards Event in NC! by NCDem live blogging from the Welcome Home rally in Chapel Hill. With the family. The beautiful family.
Edwards 08: Crowd Size and the Press by chuckles1 on the NH event.
VLOG: John Edwards in Des Moines by Joshua Brown a new OAC vlogger!
John Edwards Woos Robert Scoble by Thread Opener
MSM Revives the "Lamont Treatment" for Edwards 08 by ERS. A diary on branding Edwards a multi-millionaire including a comment about the CNN "flyover" spectacle courtesy of his Wolfiness, given name Leslie mind you.

Video: Episode 4: The Plug

It's a show with all the behind the scenes footage for The Daily Show appearance last November including the Seat of Heat question Stewart posed to Edwards: If you were elected VP then who would you have shot in the face?

Closing line from Edwards in this webisode:

A politician on TV giving his website couldn't sound more like a used car salesman. That's the truth.
It's about as bad as it gets.

Another nice one guys, thanks a lot and keep 'em coming. I agree, nothin' worse than a shameless plug.

* I didn't tape the event. I bootlegged the stream of the website and then just shot the video after the event with my volunteers. I'm not affiliated with the campaign in any way and I'm not paid. In NH, they knew I was coming and put me on the press list and invited me to the meet and greet. I had been to the one in New Haven with Edwards and Lamont, so I didn't attend the one in NH. I figured Lorenzo wasn't there so what's the point? It was going to be hard to top New Haven anyway and I didn't have a serious question for the Senator. I wanted to talk to the crowd mostly before the event. I think it's key to canvass the crowd beforehand to do a vlog like this. It gives people a chance to mull over what they might want to say and boy when the event is done they're just ready to roll tape, cut and print.

Do it, I know you're itching to try it.

You don't have to do video at all. Some of the best diaries I read at kos are event reports like this. It's your perspective and the fact that you're engaged that makes the whole diary sing. So sing.

This is a video I made last summer about my first vlog where I engaged the crowd afterwards in a discussion. I shot it in Indianola, IA and to date this was the greatest experience of my blogging life. It felt so great to do something like this I highly recommend the Citizen Journalist cure.
Video: C'mon and Sing for One America
The subtitle for this video is:

A. Vlogger stalks presidential hopeful
B. Vlogger fails geography
C. Planes, trains and sailboats
D. C'mon, we need you now