Elizabeth Edwards continues to smack down McCain’s plan for the "healthy and wealthy" emphasizing the fundamental flaw of the individual market, the centerpiece of McCain’s plan.
"McCain’s never been in the individual market, he doesn’t know how difficult it is, in fact, how impossible it is, if you happen to be one of the unlucky Americans who have a pre-existing condition," Elizabeth stated on MSNBC today.
"John McCain's support of the moratorium on offshore drilling during his first presidential campaign was certainly laudable, but his decision to completely change his position and tell a group of Houston oil executives exactly what they wanted to hear today was the same Washington politics that has prevented us from achieving energy independence for decades," he said in a statement.
"This isn’t the party I planned but I sure like the company," Hillary said as she opened her concession speech at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.
Speaking to the "18 million...from all walks of life," who voted for her, Hillary congratulated and endorsed Barack Obama, stating:
"The way, the way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passions, our strengths and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States."
Harold Ickes is still at it! Appearing on CNN's Late Edition today, Harold Ickes Denounced the DNC Compromise stating, "They hijacked four delegates from Hillary."
Referring to yesterday's DNC decision as "egregerious," Ickes said that the nomination will not be decided until Michigan is resolved making the accusation that, "They took votes and gave them to Barack Obama."
Harold Ickes on Late Edition: "They hijacked four delegates from Hillary
UPDATE 1: Per TNforkerry, Obama to respond to this today
UPDATE 2: Obama just slammed McCain on a number of issues, including the Bush-McCain fundraiser, noting McCain's position on Iraq, while speaking in Las Vegas. The general election is ON!
There has been an outpouring of support for Senator Ted Kennedy as the sad news was delivered today, of Kennedy's malignant brain tumor.
Senator Ted Kennedy recently endorsed Barack Obama, stating "I know what America can achieve," Senator Kennedy said. "I've seen it. I've lived it. And with Barack Obama, we can do it again."
Senator Kennedy has "lived it." Considered the most effective Senator, he has led the way in the fight for social justice and is responsible for the passage of some of the most critical legislation of our time.
Obama stated today on the Situation Room, "I stand on his shoulders."
Well, keep in mind that – I think you can argue that I would not be sitting here as a presidential candidate had it not been for some of the battles that Ted Kennedy has fought. So not only is he a personal friend, not only has been one of my most important supporters during the course of this campaign. But he is somebody who battled for voting rights and civil rights when I was a child. I stand on his shoulders...
"There is one man who knows that knows and understands that this is a time for bold leadership. There is one man that knows how to create the change, the lasting change, that you have to build from the ground up. There is one man who knows in his heart there is time to create one America, not two ... and that man is Barack Obama, " John Edwards told a fired up crowd in Michigan, as he endorsed Barack Obama for President.
Appearing on Face the Nation, this morning, John Edwards stated, "It's important we get united as a party."
Edwards responded to Schieffer's question regarding Hillary's "hardworking white Americans" comments noting that likely she feels it was a poor choice of words. Edwards furthered discussed how "Hillary needs to decide as she makes her case for herself...she has to be very careful she does not damage our prospects for the fall." Edwards believes that it is not possible for Hillary to win the nomination at this point, based on the math.
Just short of calling for Hillary to drop out of the race, Edwards stated that he just doesn't see how Hillary can win the nomination, based on the numbers.
Appearing on the Today Show, John Edwards also essentially stated that he believes Obama has a better chance of winning the general election:
"I think Barack Obama has a better chance. It looks like he's going to be the nominee."
"He brings the capacity to unite the Democratic party, to bring in new voters and to get people excited about change.
...People are looking for a leader and someone they can trust and someone who will fight for them, every day. I think Obama will do that."
Brent Blackwelder, President of Friends of the Earth noted Obama's strong pro-environment record and the "Clinton-McCain sham of a tax holiday as the primary reasons for the endorsement:
Blackwelder cited Obama's strong pro-environment record, his policy proposals, the profile he has given global warming in his campaign, and the broad mandate he is building for change as other reasons for the endorsement. Obama earned a 96 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters during his first two years in the Senate. Blackwelder said Friends of the Earth Action plans to inform its more than 100,000 activists in the U.S. about its support for Obama and to campaign for him in remaining primaries.
Friends of the Earth Action previously endorsed John Edwards in the Democratic primary process and engaged in early state independent expenditures on his behalf.
I have joined the ranks of a number of other Edwards supporters for Obama, including numerous top advisors of the Edwards campaign and yesterday, here in the Great State of North Carolina, I voted!
Elizabeth Edwards Calls Racist GOP Wright Ad an "Assault Weapon"
Taking time off from her family vacation in Florida, Elizabeth Edwards commented on the GOP racist ad, "Extreme," during an MSNBC interview, calling it an "assault weapon." Elizabeth went on to support Obama’s decision to separate himself from Reverend Wright.
When John Edwards suspended his campaign for the Presidency, he didn’t suspend his fight for economic justice and to promote a progressive agenda, something he's described as the cause of his life. Determined to continue to drive the debate, pushing economic justice to the forefront, upon his suspension, Edwards requested that both of the remaining candidates pledge to not only make economic justice central to their campaigns but more importantly, to their prospective Presidencies. Both agreed.
Edwards has raised the bar in this campaign, positioning progressive issues front and center. From ending the war in Iraq to promoting social justice and strengthening our economy, Edwards stood up.
John Edwards began his campaign in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans where he spotlighted his fight for economic and social justice. Since that time, Senator Edwards has run the most dignified and honorable campaign, never waivering in speaking truth to power. From the onset, John's campaign has not been about himself, but about giving voice to the voiceless.
Edwards has shown the determination and fight that we need, to bring about real change in our nation always leading on the issues, from Universal Health Care, to Ending Global Warming, as well as Ending Poverty and Strengthening the Middle Class.
Today, announcing again from New Orleans, Edwards stated that while he is suspending his race for the Presidency, he will continue the fight for economic justice.
"We will be strong, we will be unified and we will take back the White House."
It takes 2025 delegates to win. Looking at the delegate count: Obama (63), Clinton (48), and Edwards (26), this race is far from over. Millions of voters have yet to cast their votes. Their voices will be heard.
The legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley warmed up the hometown crowd before Edwards took the stage.
I'm on the ground in South Carolina to volunteer and vlog some events and shot some footage of last night's rally. Check out highlights from the rally here:
John Edwards came out this evening against the telecom immunity of the FISA bill, currently before Congress, and in full support of Senator Dodd's filibuster.
