There is a diary on the sidebar excoriating John Edwards as a scumbag. The author is a professional stirrer of the pot and I doubt he ever had much use for John Edwards in the first place.
Personally, I still like and respect Edwards, even though I'm disappointed to learn he's not perfect. None of us is perfect and we all, dig deep now, know that none of us is perfect. I'm not willing to eliminate everyone who has ever committed adultery from public office. There wouldn't be many people left if we did that. The rest of you are free to hold your own opinions, of course.
What I really want to point out is that Elizabeth Edwards (who has been blogging for years) has a diary posted at DKos. In part:
John made a terrible mistake in 2006. The fact that it is a mistake that many others have made before him did not make it any easier for me to hear when he told me what he had done. But he did tell me. And we began a long and painful process in 2006, a process oddly made somewhat easier with my diagnosis in March of 2007. This was our private matter, and I frankly wanted it to be private because as painful as it was I did not want to have to play it out on a public stage as well. Because of a recent string of hurtful and absurd lies in a tabloid publication, because of a picture falsely suggesting that John was spending time with a child it wrongly alleged he had fathered outside our marriage, our private matter could no longer be wholly private.
The pain of the long journey since 2006 was about to be renewed.
John has spoken in a long on-camera interview I hope you watch. Admitting one’s mistakes is a hard thing for anyone to do, and I am proud of the courage John showed by his honesty in the face of shame. The toll on our family of news helicopters over our house and reporters in our driveway is yet unknown. But now the truth is out, and the repair work that began in 2006 will continue. I ask that the public, who expressed concern about the harm John’s conduct has done to us, think also about the real harm that the present voyeurism does and give me and my family the privacy we need at this time.
Meanwhile, a war is breaking out between Russia and Georgia in Ossetia and no one watching TV in America will know about it. Next week when oil prices go up again, we'll all think it's because a former presidential candidate had a brief affair in 2006.
The former chief of the Justice Department's Voting Rights Section, who stepped aside in December after apologizing for remarks about minority voters, is now working on election-related issues for the Alabama Law Institute. John Tanner, who is being paid by the Justice Department under a federal program, also will teach at two Alabama law schools. ... After Tanner became chief of the Voting Rights Section in 2005, some of its decisions became politically charged issues, particularly its approval of a Georgia law requiring voters to show photo IDs at the polls.
Loretta Nall has a great post on gardening and home grown/locally grown food. Love it!
Marcy Wheeler says Haul Karl's Ass Into Congress. "I'm sure Artur Davis--of Alabama--would welcome Karl's testimony. And while he's there, you might ask him all the questions about the USA purge he has refused to answer."
Karl Rove said "History will see President Bush as right, and the opponents of his policy as mistaken." All I can say is Bush's Brain better hope history is a kinder judge than historians because 61% of them thought Bush was the worst president in American history.
ExxonMobil's Paul Dieffenthaller explains why the proposed new natural gas taxes are unfair to the oil company whose profits last year were the highest ever recorded for a U. S. corporation. $1300 per second, 24/7/365! My heart bleeds.
Despite Alabama's budget problems, the House Government Appropriations Committee has a plan that funds three important health initiatives: Children's health insurance, breast and cervical cancer early detection and AIDS drug assistance.
It's nice to see Elizabeth Edwards giving public appearances again, and what better to talk about than health care. Yesterday she was interviewed on the Today Show.
Let's focus for a moment on pre-existing conditions. Mr. McSame has government healthcare, his recurring melanoma is covered and treated thanks to the generosity of the taxpayers. But the nonsense "plan" he is proposing if God forbid he were elected, allows insurers to continue to deny any of us with pre-exisiting conditions the healthcare which has kept him alive.
This is the same old steal and spend Republican crap that doesn't work and has led us to over 50 milion people without health insurance and growing everyday due to Bush's failed economic policies that John McCain apparently embraces whole heartedly.
Think Progress has video and transcript from Elizabeth's appearance on Morning Joe yesterday:
BRZEZINSKI: So you’re saying Senator McCain wouldn’t get coverage under his own plan?
EDWARDS: Well, he’s the beneficiary of some great government programs, but in terms of private insurance, he would not be guaranteed coverage under his own plan.
BRZEZINSKI: Oh, OK.
EDWARDS: Neither would I or anybody with a pre-existing condition. Imagine how many families that involves across this country.
She also said “We’re not interested in health care insurance. We’re interested in health care. And there’s a real difference between the two. Maybe he keeps the price of the insurance down but not the cost of the health care itself.”
That's the bottom line in this debate -- getting care for people who need it, not just getting them insurance. I spent 6 hours at the emergency room last night and was absolutely stunned at how few of the employees (care providers?) would actually meet my eyes as they walked by. They gave every appearance of trying to avoid contact with the patients and family members. It's unmistakable -- eyes straight forward or down, walk a little faster, don't smile or make any friendly gesture. We had insurance, and we eventually got treatment, but the care was pretty scarce. That may be the situation for a lot of health providers -- too little caring left in the equation.
I won't even suggest that insurers are interested in care. It's the Almighty Dollar or nothing for them.
I use the term "lost" in the Southern sense, which does not mean "misplaced," but rather "lost from the earthly world." Elizabeth Edwards' father, Vincent Anania, passed away yesterday at age 87 of heart failure.
Anania, who was born on April 22, 1920, in Marianna, Pa., was the first in his family to be born in the United States, Mrs. Edwards said. He was raised in Brownsville, Pa., and attended the University of Pittsburgh. He later attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played football and was selected as an All-American in lacrosse, she said.
After graduating one year early in 1944, Anania served on the USS Quincy, which took President Franklin D. Roosevelt to meet British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin at the Yalta Conference.
Mr. Anania will be buried at Arlington National Cemetary and the family requests gifts to the Wade Edwards Foundation in lieu of flowers. Sincere condolences to Mrs. Edwards and her family.
Tuesday afternoon, three women from Madison County, Alabama made the 2 hour drive to Nashville to see Elizabeth Edwards in person. Two of us were already John Edwards supporters, but the third was still looking for a presidential candidate. The event was called Small Change for Big Change and offered a chance for small donors (as little as $15) to hear Elizabeth Edwards and ask her questions.
Because it is a long drive, we left early, had no traffic problems at all and were the first people to show up, as restaurant staff were still setting up and technicians fiddled with the lights and sound system. After our polite offer to help was declined, we settled into an out of the way corner to enjoy the air conditioning. Folks who arrived later said they had actually been waiting outdoors in the heat until they were invited to come upstairs ... since the door was open, we just walked in.
The reception was a stand-up affair, although they brought in a few chairs for some elderly folks and members of the press. By the official 4:30 start time, the room was packed, wall to wall. There was a 94 year old man who brought a book for Elizabeth. He hoped it would help her devise a strategy to get more Democrats elected, not just her husband, but more in the House and Senate as well. Most of the crowd were from the Nashville area. I spoke with one avid reader of DailyKos, but others nearby were completely unfamiliar with political blogs. A woman with 4 year old twins arrived around 4:30. They were in remarkably good spirits considering the crowd and the considerable wait. Mrs. Edwards was delayed and didn't arrive until about 5:15.
Meeting Elizabeth
Elizabeth Edwards has remarkable eyes. They were the first thing I noticed when she walked into the room, because they really do sparkle. It's amazing. I've seen her many times on television and never noticed this, but it is very striking in person. She also has a great smile, like she just invited you into her circle of friends.
She looked great, said she felt great and stood under the hot lights for about an hour speaking and responding to questions from the crowd. The air conditioning was turned off while she was speaking because of the noise and it was extremely hot and stuffy by the time the meeting broke up. Mrs. Edwards looked like the coolest person in the room, sweater and all.
This isn't a fashion column, but I thought her outfit was remarkable because there was nothing remarkable about it. She wasn't wearing a power suit, a designer jacket or designer anything, for that matter. The sweater set and slacks are the sort found in the closets of millions of women who need a practical, comfortable wardrobe that doesn't break the bank. There was nothing outstanding about her shoes either, but they looked comfortable.
She spoke for about 10 minutes, then answered questions from the crowd for another 45 minutes. Afterwards, she stayed to shake hands, sign books, maps, even a DVD (that was mine) and chat with her guests. She is so warm and friendly in person that I caught myself patting her arm when we finished ... I was inches away from giving her the Alabama Democratic Women's hug. Even more impressive is the fact that she stayed until she has shook all the hands, signed everything offered and said hello to the last supporter. Even though she was headed to yet another event, she didn't shake 10 hands and zip out the door like some politicians do.
Elizabeth Edwards is an amazing woman -- her daughter has 17 classmates coming over for a sleepover. She spoke to a room wall to wall with standing people in Nashville Tuesday afternoon -- with the air conditioning turned off -- for almost an hour and barely broke a sweat. The photo at left was taken at the end of the event and she still looks great.
State Representative Mike McDonald introduced her, saying "As a mother, a wife, a lawyer, an advocate and an author ... and a Democrat, Elizabeth continues to inspire the people of this country with her courage and her committment to lift up all the people of this country and not just a select few. There are many, many reasons to vote for John Edwards for President, but the best reason to vote for John Edwards is standing right here tonight. Make welcome Elizabeth Edwards."
In an appearance largely dedicated to audience concerns, Elizabeth Edwards was adament that Democrats can win in the Southeast. She stressed that states like Tennessee, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kansas and Louisiana all have Democratic governors, so there is no question that Democrats can win there ... if they will just compete. It sounded to me like the Elizabeth Edwards has definitely internalized the 50 State Strategy.
It's been a long day, it's late and I'll pull together a more complete report for y'all sometime tomorrow. Wish you could have been there.
Extra large hat tip to Countrycat for organizing the road trip and driving to Nashville and back.
I support John Edwards and I hope he is the Democratic nominee and, as a consequence, the next President of the United States. There are many good reasons to support him, not least is that Edwards is telling it like it is about the system being "rigged" and calling for getting the lobbyist influence out of our government.
It's time to end the game ... It's time to tell the big corporations and the lobbyists who have been running things for too long that their time is over. ... [L]ook the lobbyists in the eye and just say no.
I don't believe I am picking a candidate based on who they married -- I like Bill Clinton a lot but I'm not going to support Hillary unless she ends up as the Democratic nominee. Having said that, there is no question that John Edwards gets at least a couple of points for having the good judgement to marry a wonderful, intelligent, thoughtful woman and treat her with respect for all the years of their marriage. Maybe I'm gullible, but they look and sound like soulmates to me. This is from their Face the Nation interview today.
North Alabama Edwards supporters, get your carpool together now, 'cause Elizabeth Edwards is coming to Nashville next Tuesday and tickets are only $15.
Elizabeth Edwards is visiting Nashville next Tuesday evening to meet with local supporters and we thought you might like to join her, hear her speak, and say hello.
What: Small Change for Big Change grassroots fundraiser with Elizabeth Edwards
This is an important event, because it's part of our "Small Change for Big Change" grassroots fundraiser series that feature both John and Elizabeth reaching out to folks all over the country face to face.
It's very expensive to reach out to voters in early primary states and across the nation. But the trouble with the usual fundraisers is that they are only open to those ready to write huge checks--and this campaign is built on reaching out to everyone.
So John asked us to organize this series of grassroots fundraisers for supporters who share our passion but may only be able to spare $25 or $50 dollars. In fact, for next Tuesday's event,tickets are just $15 each.
Elizabeth has been an amazing partner in this effort and has been campaigning tirelessly in order to reach out and engage folks all over this country. I know she’s looking forward to talking to folks like you about how this campaign can change this country from the ground up. But it can’t happen without you.
If you'd like to join us in this great effort, Elizabeth would like to meet you next Tuesday evening and talk to you about what's next. We really hope you'll be able to make it.
For an extra grand, Huntsvillians can also see varmint hunter extraordinaire, Mitt Romney the next day. It's $2300 if you want a photo with Mitt. Bring your own varmint.
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I use the term "lost" in the Southern sense, which does not mean "misplaced," but rather "lost from the earthly world." Elizabeth Edwards' father, 
Tuesday afternoon, three women from Madison County, Alabama made the 2 hour drive to Nashville to see Elizabeth Edwards in person. Two of us were already John Edwards supporters, but the third was still looking for a presidential candidate. The event was called Small Change for Big Change and offered a chance for small donors (as little as $15) to hear Elizabeth Edwards and ask her questions.
Elizabeth Edwards has remarkable eyes. They were the first thing I noticed when she walked into the room, because they really do sparkle. It's amazing. I've seen her many times on television and never noticed this, but it is very striking in person. She also has a great smile, like she just invited you into her circle of friends. 
North Alabama 
