"HANOI JOHN" SAYS YOU'RE HEALED
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
I hope President Bush brings this up tomorrow night when Lurch starts spouting off about Stem Cell research
No mercy!
Based on Kerry's lack of intestinal fortitude, he may come up empty.
One of the most outrageously demagogic and asinine pronouncements ever made in American politics.Shocking but I'm not shocked.
Kerry's problem is he's neither funny or entertaining.
Biggest load of horsesh** I've ever heard uttered from a politician in my lifetime. Just when you thought they couldn't go any lower, they do.
and they lack class
That too
FYI ... Edwards is about to come on Jay Leno's show
I think I missed the appearance on WNBC-NY, I guess I'll catch it on KUSA-Denver at 12:35 AM ET.
He's on now
Yep! Talking about no link between Saddam and 9/11.
BS! 'Terror Is A Nuisance' was a distortion, according to Slip'n'Fall.
This election year has been without a doubt, more surreal than a Twilight Zone episode. Thanks to the freakin' Democrats.
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