Sen. John Edwards says Bush administration is a group of "insiders"

Durham Herald-Sun (Durham, NC) ^ | April 26, 2003 | Alex Ortolani, Associated Press Writer

[Constitution Day]

Edwards says Bush administration is a group of "insiders"

By ALEX ORTOLANI, Associated Press Writer
April 26, 2003   2:43 pm

HENNIKER, N.H. -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Saturday that President Bush's administration is run by the business elite for big business, not working people.

"There is a small group of people running our country," the senator from North Carolina told a gathering at New England College. "This is a government of insiders, by insiders and for insiders."

Edwards emphasized his commitment to working class Americans and said companies must stop paying corporate chief executives excessive salaries. The senator said he wants to stop the salaries of top executives from increasing at a greater rate than middle class wages.

"We need a law that says CEOs can't protect their pensions while monkeying around with working people's pensions and benefits," he said.

When Kirby Hall of Concord asked Edwards if voters would accuse him of "class warfare," the senator said Bush already is engaged in class politics. He said Bush's tax cut proposals would primarily benefit the nation's wealthiest citizens, not middle class families.

"Bush is trying to lift up people at the top," he said. "I'm not against people doing well; I'm for everyone having the chance to do well."

Hall said afterward she was pleased with his response, but was not convinced he could defeat Bush, assuming Edwards is the Democratic nominee.

"I just wonder how he can defeat the political machine," Kirby said. "I thought some of his answers were mushy."

Edwards said he would cut taxes for the middle class, while sending $50 billion more to the states to increase jobs, boost homeland security and Medicaid, and meet the federal government's obligation to fund its education mandates. He also promised to increase unemployment benefits and provide energy tax credits for families.

Franklin Pierce law student Garth Corriveau liked some of Edwards' economic ideas, but thought he was lacking in specifics.

"As a student, I'm going to be facing some major debts," Corriveau said. "And I would like to know exactly what kind of tax cuts I can expect."

Edwards is behind regional candidates John Kerry and Howard Dean in primary polls, but says as the race continues his campaign will shift away from fund-raising to retail politics.

"People will be seeing a lot of my face in New Hampshire," Edwards said. "I will work hard to get my message across here."

A part-time history professor at the college said Edwards exceeded her expectations.

"I thought he was going to be another handsome guy in a suit with no substance," she said. "But he was well-spoken and made some good points."

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[Dan from Michigan]

If I was the RNC, I'd run a ton of ads with side by side pics of Geoff Fieger and John Edwards.

"By trial lawyers, for trial lawyers"

[Constitution Day]

Thank you!!
I did have it saved here at work, but I got a new computer & forgot to copy it over.

Regards,
CD

[Constitution Day]

Yeah man, thank God Richard Burr is gonna run in that race.

What do you know about Burr?
I went to a campaign event on 4/23 in Greenville and was impressed with him.

I did not know much about him before his name was first floated... isn't he from up your way?

[Rebelbase]

Burr is the Congressman from the Winston-Salem area, I think he took Steve Neal's spot back in the early 90's.

He is well spoken, good character, photogenic, spotless background as far as I can tell.

The only instance of bad press i've ever heard of him was back in the early 90's he owned small 4plex rental unit and one of the tennants complained, the inspector came out and found several things in violation of code. Nothing ever came of it, so I assume Burr had the problems fixed and that was that.