About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

Report from an Edwards Rally
Author: BobR    Date: 01/30/2008 13:15:42

From Guest Blogger (and 4F member) Faye (m-hadley):
======================================
This morning I got up, checked my e-mail over my morning coffee, posted an entry to my blog that I had written the night before (see the following critique of Bush's last SOTU address), and headed out the door to a rally being held in North Tulsa at the Transportation Workers Union Local #514 Hall. The rally was being held for John Edwards. I realize that I may be perceived to be somewhat of a flip-flopper on my presidential choice for 2008. As I have explained to anybody who will listen, I know myself too well, and I know that once I choose a candidate, it will be very hard for me to switch my allegiance to another candidate come Convention time in Denver. So although I have posted entries on my blog that suggest that I am supporting Barack Obama (and I am impressed with his eloquent style, his vision of hope and unity, and his ability to inspire us to be our very best selves), and I have been vocal about my misgivings about Hillary Clinton, I am also a realist, and I know that whoever gets the nod in July from the Democratic Party is the candidate I will support in November. I have survived the ravages of a senseless, remorseless, ugly, and fear-based republican administration, and I will not in good conscience support any candidate that even hints at continuing any of Bush/Cheney's horrendous policies. So I went to hear Senator Edwards this morning, in large part to thank him for taking the time to stop and visit with a group of supporters here in Tulsa, Oklahoma (admittedly not the center of anyone's political universe), and once again and in person to applaud John Edwards' consistent message that this country has a huge problem, and at the root of the problem is a growing chasm between the ultra-rich and the very poor. John Edwards' "two Americas" theme is one that he has been espousing for many years, and it rings even truer today than it did when he first pointed it out to those of us whose situations are more comfortable than many other people's lives.

I was proud to be standing in the Tulsa Union Hall holding up a John Edwards for President sign, and I was prouder still that fellow Tulsans reserved their loudest applause and their longest standing ovation for Edwards' remarks about his plan to get the U.S. out of Iraq. It may be the "economy stupid," but here in the heartland of America, it is not completely lost on Okies that the economy here is inexorably tied to an ongoing and indefensible occupation halfway around the world. As I stepped out of the Hall after shaking Edwards' hand (twice), I was met with a very strong wind (40 mph, I later learned), and I thought that this breeze will blow clean across this country and sweep away the garbage that has piled up over the last seven years. It will sweep into power a new and better adminstration and things will change.

I just want to say to all of my friends and acquaintances who are so worried that the fight between Billary and Barack is going to tear the Democratic party apart - relax, we're Democrats, we pick and poke, but in the end we're not going to allow a republican, no matter how wealthy or devious he may be, claim the (White) House that will be ours in November. Viva la revolucion! Si se puede! Yes we can, and we will. Can't you just taste the change in the air?

Here's a link to the Fresno Bee's endorsement of John Edwards.

John Edwards for President 2008
======================================
You can read more from her at her blog, found here.


 

204 comments (Latest Comment: 01/31/2008 02:47:04 by livingonli)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati

Add a Comment

Please login to add a comment...


Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest  Refresh Comments

Comment by m-hadley on 01/30/2008 13:39:55
Feel free to link to my post yesterday about the John Edwards rally in TulsaRousing Rally for John Edwards. If you'd like to, I am also pretty spent this morning, but am at work , none-the-less..

Have another cup of java Bob, or go back to bed - if that is an option for you

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 13:45:13
Quote by m-hadley: Feel free to link to my post yesterday about the John Edwards rally in TulsaRousing Rally for John Edwards. If you'd like to, I am also pretty spent this morning, but am at work , none-the-less..

Have another cup of java Bob, or go back to bed - if that is an option for you




Faye, dunno if you noticed (and good morning btw! ) but over by the *actions* Portion (upper left corner) you should have a link now that says *can Create Blog* entries. I meant to tell you that last night, but I got in pretty late myself.



The first box is for the blog itself, and the second is for a quick summary that auto uploads When one of us does the *digg* on the website.



I was thinking about copying your entry for Bob anyway, but I wanted to make sure it was alright with you!



Comment by BobR on 01/30/2008 13:53:57
Quote by m-hadley: Feel free to link to my post yesterday about the John Edwards rally in TulsaRousing Rally for John Edwards. If you'd like to, I am also pretty spent this morning, but am at work , none-the-less..

Have another cup of java Bob, or go back to bed - if that is an option for you


Done.



Thanks.

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 13:58:44
:usa: Can someone put on some Fine American Music! :usa:


I just want to say to all of my friends and acquaintances who are so worried that the fight between Billary and Barack is going to tear the Democratic party apart - relax, we're Democrats, we pick and poke, but in the end we're not going to allow a republican, no matter how wealthy or devious he may be, claim the (White) House that will be ours in November. Viva la revolucion! Si se puede! Yes we can, and we will. Can't you just taste the change in the air?
Si se Puede!!! :clap:

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:06:46
Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:08:35
:rofl: steely Dan!!! HEy 911!

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:10:31
So she actually had the cojones to go to Florida ...

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:12:06
:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

Comment by m-hadley on 01/30/2008 14:12:35
Raine,

I am so very sorry - there was no hint of John dropping out in Tulsa yesterday.



Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:13:57
IT is all ove rthe news, and yet I got nothing from the campaign... nothing.

Comment by m-hadley on 01/30/2008 14:14:40
BobR,

Thanks for posting the piece. That's Faye with an "e"

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:16:49
I do not understadn why this is happening NOW.



Makes no sense that he isn't waiting till tuesday... It makes NO SENSE at all.

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:17:15
:kickcan: I guess my plans for the rally are not happening...

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:21:51
I spoke to the campaign here in Atlanta, they knew nothing about this until the turned on the TV.



I am waiting for a phone call back when they get more information. F8ckity F8ck.

Comment by velveeta jones on 01/30/2008 14:22:48
Morning all. I overslept..................... :yawn:



Whats the news? Rudy out?



Great blog Faye. Ya'll should give her the Sunday morning slot.......... I bow to a professional.



:bow:

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:23:47
Quote by velveeta jones: Morning all. I overslept..................... :yawn:



Whats the news? Rudy out?



Great blog Faye. Ya'll should give her the Sunday morning slot.......... I bow to a professional.



:bow:
Edwards is being reported as dropping out of the race...



Comment by velveeta jones on 01/30/2008 14:25:54
WHAT!!?







WHAT!!!?



OH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT................

Comment by velveeta jones on 01/30/2008 14:27:31
He's on CNN now.

My wife and I are wailing..................



:cry:

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:27:56
Quote by velveeta jones: WHAT!!?







WHAT!!!?



OH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT................
I am stunned. I am very stunned.



Comment by TriSec on 01/30/2008 14:27:57


Comment by velveeta jones on 01/30/2008 14:29:01
Oh mother F*cker! I donated $100 bucks 2 weeks ago!!! That was grocery money..........



DAmmit. I needed that.................

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:29:23
Quote by velveeta jones: He's on CNN now.

My wife and I are wailing..................



:cry:




Comment by velveeta jones on 01/30/2008 14:29:35
1:00 EST He will be speaking according to CNN.

Comment by m-hadley on 01/30/2008 14:30:53
I just sent into Steph & Crew a photo of the kind of hat that I think that Momma is talking about...Can you tell, I'm having a hard time getting into work this morning

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:36:10
There isn't anything on Johns website...

Comment by starling310 on 01/30/2008 14:36:20
God F'n dammit! Edwards is out?



I am not voting in the Primary. F this sh*t!



Comment by BobR on 01/30/2008 14:39:06
on the CNN website:

An Edwards aide said that he does not plan to endorse either Clinton or Obama, at this time, but he may do so in the future.



Another Edwards aide said he is not dropping out of the race due to his wife's health. Elizabeth Edwards announced last year that her breast cancer had returned.




Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:40:07
FRom the latest Blog entry , posted at 2 am this morning: WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards postponed campaign events in Alabama and North Dakota to make a major policy address on poverty Wednesday in New Orleans, where he launched his presidential bid 13 months ago.



Campaign officials said Edwards wants to highlight the fact that President Bush did not focus on New Orleans, still reeling from Hurricane Katrina, during his State of the Union address. North Dakota and Alabama are scheduled to vote Feb. 5.



In a news release, the Edwards campaign called poverty "the great moral issue of our time." In recent days, it said, "national discussion of important issues like ending poverty has given way to sniping and personal attacks between the two front-runner candidates. Ending poverty and fighting for the middle class is the cause of John Edwards' life -- and he will urge the nation to refocus on this important issue."



Mudcat Saunders, who was campaigning for Edwards in rural Georgia, a Feb. 5 state, said Edwards wanted to refocus his campaign on poverty.



Advisers said Edwards was continuing his campaign to the 22 states holding nominating contests on Feb. 5, despite losses in the first four contests, in hopes of picking up more delegates. On Saturday, he finished a distant third in his native South Carolina, whose primary he won in 2004.



Some people close to the campaign said Edwards also was disappointed that poverty got little mention in Democratic reactions to President Bush's address, and he sees the New Orleans speech as a chance to refocus attention on the problem.



The insiders said Edwards continues to raise money at a respectable pace, although not at the level of rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.



The Edwards campaign said he will attend Thursday's Democratic debate in Los Angeles. After speaking in New Orleans on Wednesday, the news release said, Edwards "will volunteer on the Habitat for Humanity project at the Musicians' Village" and then fly to Atlanta to address a Georgia Democratic Party dinner.



Georgia also votes on Feb. 5.



Edwards campaigned Tuesday in Jefferson City, Mo. He told a small crowd that he wants universal health care, a quick end to the Iraq war and economic policies geared toward helping the working and middle classes.

Comment by velveeta jones on 01/30/2008 14:44:18
Man...........

am I going to have to move to the Green party :shudder:



Cynthia McKinney?



De-pressing.

Comment by velveeta jones on 01/30/2008 14:46:49
The problem with the green party.............for me............



I don't look good in green.





Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:48:57
After all the talk from so many real progressives arounf this country, after all the talk of wanting real change, after all that talk... we have 2 condidates, that are status quo.



Nothing seems to be changing in this country. Nothing. People SAY they want change, they pay it lip service, and look at what we get.



I am just depressed this morning. Very depressed. I feel like someone kicked me in the stomach. OVer on the website, everyone is shocked. EVERYONE.

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:49:42
HE did not run out of money. The campaign ahas been getting a lot of money ... 4.8 million dollars last week alone.

Comment by starling310 on 01/30/2008 14:49:56
Quote by Raine: After all the talk from so many real progressives arounf this country, after all the talk of wanting real change, after all that talk... we have 2 condidates, that are status quo.



Nothing seems to be changing in this country. Nothing. People SAY they want change, they pay it lip service, and look at what we get.



I am just depressed this morning. Very depressed. I feel like someone kicked me in the stomach. OVer on the website, everyone is shocked. EVERYONE.




Well said.

I am sitting out the Primary. This is not representative Democracy. Well, it doesn't represent me anyway.





Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:50:39
Momma... let us edwards supporters please mourn?

Comment by BobR on 01/30/2008 14:51:10
Even Gravel hasn't dropped out...

Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 14:53:51
I will still be voting for John On Tuesday. I am not going to let this take the one vote I have worked so hard for, away.

Comment by BobR on 01/30/2008 14:55:56
Quote by Raine: I will still be voting for John On Tuesday. I am not going to let this take the one vote I have worked so hard for, away.


ditto

Comment by TriSec on 01/30/2008 15:05:57
Well, it'll be interesting to see who is still on the ballot in this Commonwealth.



Despite our endorsement, I've been hedging my bets. I don't know if Bill Richardson will still be listed, but I'd imagine it's too late to reprint ballots without John's name.



I had a thought about crossing the lines and voting for McCain so Romney would lose, but a recent poll shows him far and away leading this state.



So now I'm down to Edwards or a blank ballot.



And Star...don't not vote. Go. Turn in a blank if you have to, but make the effort!



I won't vote for Hilary; I just can't do it. And Obama leaves me feeling...vague.







Comment by Raine on 01/30/2008 15:09:26
The Atlanta Campaign office just called me back, and confirmed the news. The have recieved no other news, and are saying that this was a press leak.



She also asked me to pass this on to everyone... She said thank you for our support, and that we should be proud that it was John who has driven the debate and the issues that are now finally being discussed in this campaign. we All can be proud of that.



I broke down crying with her on the phone...

Comment by livingonli on 01/30/2008 15:09:59
Good morning all. :yawn:



Maybe I'll vote for Gravel now.



Oh, poop.



I'll probably vote for Obama just because it's not Shillary although she will definitely take New York.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/30/2008 15:11:14
Morning! :hug:





Heard the best story this morning, one of the local stations had Grace Slick on, they were asking her all sorts of questions about her life and rumors from back in the day and they asked her about going to college with Patrica Nixon.



She said they didn't actually go to college at the same time but they both attended Finch and graduated from there. Anyway, Patrica was having a tea at the White House for all the graduates and sent an invite to Grace, under her maiden name. Grace called Abbie Hoffman and told him they were going to the White House. They got to the gates and security stopped them saying she was a security risk even if she had an invite. Grace said security was right to stop them even if they didn't really know why cause she had a pocket full of acid that she was planning to drop on Nixon.



It looses something in the retelling but to hear her tell it, it's hysterical.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/30/2008 15:12:08
Quote by Raine: The Atlanta Campaign office just called me back, and confirmed the news. The have recieved no other news, and are saying that this was a press leak.



She also asked me to pass this on to everyone... She said thank you for our support, and that we should be proud that it was John who has driven the debate and the issues that are now finally being discussed in this campaign. we All can be proud of that.



I broke down crying with her on the phone...






Wait! What happened!



Comment by livingonli on 01/30/2008 15:16:25
Quote by Raine: After all the talk from so many real progressives arounf this country, after all the talk of wanting real change, after all that talk... we have 2 condidates, that are status quo.



Nothing seems to be changing in this country. Nothing. People SAY they want change, they pay it lip service, and look at what we get.



I am just depressed this morning. Very depressed. I feel like someone kicked me in the stomach. OVer on the website, everyone is shocked. EVERYONE.






The problem is the establishment of the party itself is controlled by the money machine which doesn't want someone to really upset the system. This is the problem when so many of us voted Democratic in '06 hoping that something would be done about the criminal behavior of the Bush Administration and they folded like a road map.

Comment by livingonli on 01/30/2008 15:17:55
Hi Mala. Liked your watercolors.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/30/2008 15:23:49
Quote by livingonli: Hi Mala. Liked your watercolors.




Hey liv!



THanks.



Didn't think the link posted I could get on the site late in the afternoon.







watercolors and pen/ink

Comment by livingonli on 01/30/2008 15:26:56
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli: Hi Mala. Liked your watercolors.




Hey liv!



THanks.



Didn't think the link posted I could get on the site late in the afternoon.







watercolors and pen/ink




You got quite a bit of positive feedback last night.



Comment by TriSec on 01/30/2008 15:27:39
Totally unrelated...



does anyone else pick up the Ring of Fire podcast?



did you only get 20 minutes this week?



:kick:



Comment by wickedpam on 01/30/2008 15:30:06
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli: Hi Mala. Liked your watercolors.




Hey liv!



THanks.



Didn't think the link posted I could get on the site late in the afternoon.







watercolors and pen/ink




You got quite a bit of positive feedback last night.





Cool! Gonna run and check that out :D



Comment by wickedpam on 01/30/2008 15:31:29
Just heard the news!!!!!





NOOOO!!!!!







Comment by livingonli on 01/30/2008 15:34:03
The skies got all dark and it got very windy here. I wonder if it can be tied to Edwards dropping out?