There is a truly marvelous field of Democratic candidates seeking our Party’s nomination for President in 2008. We have longtime stars of our party like Hillary Clinton and rising stars like Barack Obama. But, to us here at Capitol Annex, one candidate stands out above the rest: John Edwards.
As Texas Democrats who still believe strongly in the dream of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society, we at Capitol Annex believe that John Edwards is best suited–and has the best vision and plan–to roll-back the eight years of destruction that has been done to the policies of the New Deal and the Great Society by the Bush administration.
Lyndon Johnson’s dream was, as John Edwards’ is, for One America. We believe strongly in this. Edwards believes we can end poverty in America in a decade. It is a lofty goal, and America needs leaders with lofty goals willing to do everything possible to achieve them.
Too, John Edwards’ positions on a wide range of issues are, we believe, appropriately progressive. In particular, Edwards’ vision for protecting and restoring rural American resonate with us. Issues like rural recovery, rural broadband, and rural lending policies–and Edwards’ vision in that regard–should resonate with many Americans.
And, though Hillary Clinton has for a generation been America’s leading voice on universal health care, we believe John Edwards’ plan for health care for all, with emphasis on taking on big pharma and big insurance, is right for the time in which we live.
Edwards’ “Smart Trade” approach to trade policy (which has helped him earn the support of several labor unions) is also something we sorely need. After more than a decade of seeing an economic decline as a result of trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA, and more, now is the time for a progressive approach to trade that helps keep American jobs in America and doesn’t serve to deflate American wages. Edwards’ support of the Employee Free Choice Act is also a major plus for him.
A couple of other issues relating to working Americans also make us believe John Edwards is the clear choice for America:
# Make Work Pay: Edwards will increase the reward for working by raising the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2012, tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for adults without children and cutting the EITC marriage penalty. In 2001, a $1 increase in the minimum wage alone would have lifted an estimated 900,000 people out of poverty. [Sawhill and Thomas, 2001]
# Protect Prevailing Wages: Edwards pledges to protect the Davis Bacon Act, which ensures that workers on federal construction projects receive the local prevailing wage. The Act prevents contractors from slashing wages in order to win federal contracts with low-ball bids. It was shocking when President Bush intervened to keep workers from earning a decent wage after Hurricane Katrina, but we must be vigilant every day against abuses.
# Help Families Save and Get Ahead: Half of American families say they are living paycheck to paycheck, and three out of 10 American workers have not been able to save a dime for their retirement. Edwards will crack down on abusive lenders by creating a new Families Savings and Credit Commission to protect families and with strong national laws against abusive and predatory credit cards, payday loans and mortgages. Edwards will create Work Bonds to help families save and invest, providing financial safety nets for hard times. Work Bonds, a new tax credit of up to $500, would help low and moderate-income, working Americans save for the future. [MetLife, 2003; Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2006]
Edwards’ environmental policies are also top-notch. Ending global warming in a generation; the New Energy Economy Fund; and promoting electric efficiency instead of generating more electricity and more are all worthy ideas that should be implemented. In a state where new coal plants have caused significant controversy in recent years, the energy efficiency plan is especially important.
There are far more reasons to support John Edwards, and we encourage readers to go to his website and examine him as a candidate. We believe, when you do, that you will realize that John Edwards is best suited to restore the legacy of the Great Society and make America great once again.
September 4, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Fellow bloggers and/or netroots activists, if you support John Edwards, please say so in comments and provide links to your blogs, blog pages, and/or endorsement statements. Here, to get the ball rolling, is theendorsement statement by an excellent Texas bloggerand Democratic Party activist, Vince Liebowitz. And a collection of powerful endorsement statements by Boston-based bloggers. Tags: john edwards, inequality, endorsement, class war, populism (all tags
September 5, 2007 at 12:25 am
Fellow bloggers and/or netroots activists, if you support John Edwards, please say so in comments and provide links to your blogs, blog pages, and/or endorsement statements. Here, to get the ball rolling, is theendorsement statement by an excellent Texas bloggerand Democratic Party activist, Vince Liebowitz. And a collection of powerful endorsement statements by Boston-based bloggers. UPDATE: here are some endorsement statements and/or blogs of endorsers:
September 4, 2007 at 11:59 pm
. I have pledged to raise $5,000 for Edwards and I’ll need your help. Above are the results as of today for the TDP ePrimary Other members of the Texas Progressive Bloggers Alliance announced their support for Edwards yesterday:Capitol AnnexBrains and Eggs My DD The Texas Cloverleaf Orient Lodge Doing My Part for the Left Half Empty Prairie Weather (almost) Texas Liberal
September 4, 2007 at 5:42 pm
and here it is: There’s nobody else who comes close to the progressive, populists ideals than John Edwards. This blog happily and proudly endorses his candidacy. Update (9/4): Texas bloggers TXsharon and refinish69 join me in the endorsement. AlsoVinceand Hal. My dear friend Prairie Weather is almost there. David Mizner of MyDD also endorses, and has the collection of blogs around the nation who do likewise. Neil Aquino at Texas Liberal and The Texas Cloverleaf
September 4, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Today a number of bloggers are announcing their support for Edwards. Here are some links: David Mizner at MyDD Perry Dorrell at Brains & Eggs The Texas Clover Leaf TXSharon at Blue Daze Refinish69 at Doing My Part For The LeftVince at Capitol AnnexAldon Hynes at Orient Lodge Jordan Klein This is my personal opinion. Other bloggers at Left in Alabama have different opinions and I hope they will freely express them.
February 11, 2008 at 12:16 pm
[This is the first in an ongoing series of endorsements leading up to the March 4 Primary Elections.] It is a difficult task, picking a person to cast a ballot for in the race for President. That task is made especially difficult for us sinceour first choice, John Edwards, has suspended his campaign and left the race. We have toiled no small amount over which candidate we believe has earned our support. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) both have much to offer our party, our state, and our
September 6, 2007 at 5:15 am
Call it what you will–our class war, our bleeding wound, our dirty open secret–it’s the problem of our time, and John Edwards has chosen to spend his political life addressing it. Several other bloggers echoed Mizner’s support: * Vince Leibowitz atCapitol Annex: John Edwards is best suited to restore the legacy of the Great Society and make America great once again. * Julia at Boston for Edwards: The other candidates talk about universal health care using safe, competitive models.
September 5, 2007 at 12:32 am
Fellow bloggers and/or netroots activists, if you support John Edwards, please say so in comments and provide links to your blogs, blog pages, and/or endorsement statements. Here, to get the ball rolling, is theendorsement statement by an excellent Texas bloggerand Democratic Party activist, Vince Liebowitz. And a collection of powerful endorsement statements by Boston-based bloggers. Tags: john edwards, inequality, endorsement, class war, populism (all tags
September 4, 2007 at 6:22 pm
With Friends Like These… Legislative Ratings for 2008 Presidential… Nutroots dreading a Hillary Victory?2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENT: John…Dem For President, Experience Not Required
September 4, 2007 at 9:35 am
Great choice. I agree. John Edwards could be the most progressive president since FDR.
September 4, 2007 at 9:37 am
John Edwards also has less negatives thn either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.