Edwards: ‘I Am the People’s Candidate’
EmailABC News’ David Muir and Raelyn Johnson Report: Several hundred people packed into Tower Mill in Manchester, NH this morning to welcome Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., to the Granite State. As Elizabeth Edwards introduced her husband, she reminded the crowd how much money Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton spent in Iowa compared to her husband.
"You saw how much attention some candidates got, how much money some candidates raised, it seems to me the perfect metaphor for this race right now is Seabiscuit," she said.
Though the Edwards campaign was clearly looking for a better finish in Iowa, it is now trying to focus attention on his performance against what the former Senator has dubbed "The Clinton Machine."
"What we learned last night is that the status quo is yesterday and change is tomorrow and tomorrow begins today, right here in New Hampshire," Edwards told the crowd.
His voice hoarse at times, Edwards said he’s been up against two celebrity candidates who’ve raised more than $200 million between them, and that he was still able to edge out Senator Clinton.
Senator Edwards is now trying to characterize this race as a contest about change. He said voters must now decide who is better equipped to bring that change to Washington, D.C. Edwards told the crowd there are now two choices in this race ignoring Senator Clinton.
Edwards did not discuss his campaign warchest, dwarfed by those of Obama and Clinton, nor did he discuss the polls in New Hampshire which show him in distant third. He is hoping his finish in Iowa relative to Senator Clinton will get voters to take another look at his candidacy.
"We are Seabiscuit," Edwards told the crowd. "I am the people’s candidate."
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I’m torn between Edwards and Obama. Hillary won’t change much. She’s not willing to take any risks.
Obama and Edwards both have taken stands on issues that were risky and have paid off. Once those positions appear ‘safe’ Hillary jumps in and starts to move that way. She’s not going to change things and she’s ill-equiped to truly take the risks and do what is necessary to clean up Bush’s mess in Washington.
I think Obama and Edwards are the only candidates who have any chance of winning and making change.
Obama will effect change in a more diplomatic and bipartisan way. Edwards is a fighter. He is not afraid of conflict. He really represents a more scrappy kind of guy that I think can effect change as well. I have faith that Edwards could do it without polarizing or demonizing the other side.
Washington needs to change in many arenas and I’m convinced that no one except Obama, Edwards, and Ron Paul (on the GOP side) are serious about ‘true’ change.
Posted by: Joe | January 4, 2008, 9:11 am 9:11 am
i agree that it is now between edwards and obama..I guess the question people have to ask, is whether Obama is electable. On that score, I go for edwards
Posted by: Jerry | January 4, 2008, 9:26 am 9:26 am
I would NEVER vote for Edwards,he is too phony and looks shifty to me.I am a democrat that has voted in EVERY election,but I would not vote for him.GO OBAMA!
Posted by: barb | January 4, 2008, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Edwards needs to hang it up. He’s never going to be president, no matter how angry he gets. Move outta the way and let Obama roll!
Posted by: waka waka | January 4, 2008, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
I cant understand why any american would vote for Obama after 911. Not to mention the types of challenges we have do not fit his total lack of experience.
Posted by: joel | January 4, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
Edwards is the ONLY candidate offering detailed plans to implement his approach to changes.
Most importantly, his approach emphasizes an America that is for ALL of the PEOPLE once again and is consistent with the ideas that our forefathers envisioned for America.
Our forefathers set forth principles to protect us from a government ruled by a select few.
Edwards wants to regain the spirit of those who wrote our Constitution and will guard against the tyrannical governance that they so fiercely fought against.
Posted by: tessablue | January 4, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
Edwards is the only democrat I fully trust.
Posted by: joel | January 4, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
The one thing that is clear for me after listening to all the candidates speech is John Edward is the only one that makes sense about this country. He talked about Coperate Greed and how to stand-up and have backone to stand up to these people….He remembers what Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman went through to kick down doors and make it known that we will make a change. I think John Edward has the BACKBONE TO MAKE THIS CHANGE…BRING BACK OUR JOBS FROM OVER-SEAS….VOTE FOR THE ONLY MAN THAT MAKES SENSE-THAT MAN IS JOHN EDWARDS…….PEACE!
Posted by: PREALLSHEA | January 4, 2008, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
Joel, I agree with you.
Edwards is the ONLY candidate offering detailed plans to implement his approach to changes. I admire his “bully pulpit” approach to corporate greed and our elected officials irresponsibility….
GO EDWARDS!
Posted by: Rhodalyne | January 5, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm
Edwards will fight for us. Obama gives us hope. Idolize Obama ,if you must, but vote for Edwards.
Posted by: eastcoast maverick | January 5, 2008, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
My question is just what is the middle class income? Myself and many widows hear numbers such as $200,000 and we wonder if we are the poverty? We have to pay taxes out of our incomes because we are no longer considered Heads of our Households but must file taxes as Single people. We did not ask to be widows. I have yet to hear a candidate say they planned on doing anything for the widows/widowers. We are at the age that we have to use our savings and IRS does not mind taking it. We do not have even $50,000 incomes so where is our break?
Posted by: Edna CutliP | January 5, 2008, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm
My question is just what is the middle class income? Myself and many widows hear numbers such as $200,000 and we wonder if we are the poverty? We have to pay taxes out of our incomes because we are no longer considered Heads of our Households but must file taxes as Single people. We did not ask to be widows. I have yet to hear a candidate say they planned on doing anything for the widows/widowers. We are at the age that we have to use our savings and IRS does not mind taking it. We do not have even $50,000 incomes so where is our break?
Posted by: Edna CutliP | January 5, 2008, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm