Posted on 10/12/2004 3:55:36 PM PDT by michigander
Edited on 10/12/2004 5:48:26 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Veep candidate Edwards visits Newton
By TOM OWENS
Talk of debates, jobs and health care highlighted the Monday morning question-and-answer session held by John Edwards, the Democratic nominee for vice president.
More than 1,300 supporters filled the Newton High School gymnasium for a 30-minute speech by Edwards, followed by questions from the audience.
Entering to a recording of Chuck Berry's "Johnny Be Good," Edwards launched into comments about past and future political debates.
"On Friday night, President Bush asked the moderator a question that should be most telling to the American people," Edwards said. "Bush asked, 'Is my time up yet?' In November, with your help, John Kerry can show George Bush his time is up."
Edwards recounted Bush's debate remarks about not importing prescription drugs from Canada, but how that policy might change after the election.
"If he's allowing prescription drugs from Canada by December," Edwards said, "he'll have to do it while he's packing to leave the White House."
Reaching back to his North Carolina roots, Edwards offered one prediction for the upcoming final debate between Bush and Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee.
"They're going to try every way they know how to put lipstick on this pig," Edwards said of Bush's perspectives on his current Republican administration. "But we know a pig is still a pig."
No jokes or putdowns from Edwards were aimed at the Maytag Corporation. Not once did he single out the Newton-based manufacturer by name. However, a pro-labor theme permeated the Edwards rally.
After the local United Auto Workers president led the crowd in the pledge of allegiance, laid-off Maytag worker Brenda Breckinridge introduced Edwards.
"We want places like Newton to grow," Edwards said. "American workers are the best in the world and they deserve a president who is working for them, not against them."
Other union members appeared throughout the crowd wearing "quit outsourcing our jobs" T-shirts. Edwards teed off with the theme.
"This administration thinks outsourcing millions of American jobs is good for our economy," he said. "I'll tell you what would be good. Let's outsource Bush and Cheney."
Edwards explained how all tax incentives will end to companies who move jobs overseas, while new tax breaks will reward companies who keep jobs in America.
He said labor will be a high priority for the new Kerry administration.
"On the first day John Kerry is president, we'll reverse these overtime rules," he promised.
Regarding health care, Edwards echoed the Kerry plan of providing the same health insurance to private citizens that Congressional members enjoy.
Edwards took time to honor a recently-deceased actor while outlining one health care goal.
"We will do stem cell research," he vowed. "We will stop juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other debilitating diseases. America just lost a great champion for this cause in Christopher Reeve. People like Chris Reeve will get out of their wheelchairs and walk again with stem cell research."
An audience member fed up with increased co-payments and rising costs asked Edwards how he could provide better health care for veterans. With suit coat off and sleeves rolled up, Edwards seized the question.
"They're nickle and diming our veterans," he said. "Now, they want to charge veterans a $250 enrollment fee. Speaking for me and John Kerry, we feel veterans paid their fee when they put on the uniform of the United States.
"No veteran is going to have to worry if they'll get health care when we are in the White House," Edwards concluded. "You were there for us. We'll be there for you."
Rita Figgins of State Center attended the Newton rally.
"I'm a senior citizen," she said. "I want seniors taken care of. I want someone to get down these huge doctor bills. Kerry and Edwards will help the middle class."
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Tom Owens may be reached at towens@timesrepublican.com
From the desk of Senator Gone...
Um, Rita, having a trial lawyer as veep will only increase your doctor bills.
With his "promises" of walking again...he is BRAIN gone.
Strange. I have only seen the Edwards quote on "right wing web sites". It seems the MSM isn't playing all that faith healing mumbo jumbo.
The president needs to hit really hard with the real facts concerning stem cell research in this next debate. Including the difference in adult stem cells, embyronic stem cells, the availability of existing lines of embyonic for research, AND the truth that if the miracles of which Kerry and Edwards speak were possible it would be done already. All the tools are there. Research is being done. The two Johns aren't going to make one whit of difference either way in this research.
I want to see him lay on hands and raise the dead.
Maybe Kerry will be able to perform miracles. Demonrats are able to get dead people to vote. They must have powerful voodoo.
...ground control to Senator Gone...
Excellent! Say Halleluja!
Lol.
Earth to Gore. Earth calling Gore.
This "heal the sick, raise the dead" stuff out of this sleazy little twit on behalf of his French lover has pushed me past the limit. I used to just want them defeated and maybe embarassed a little. Now I want them publicly - and painfully - eviscerated. And their wives, and their pets.
America just lost a great champion for this cause in Christopher Reeve. When John Kerry is president, People like Chris Reeve will get out of their wheelchairs and walk again with stem cell research."
What? Believe that the message forwarded to you or that some 8 or 9 year old kids would say something like that?
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