Michigan For Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards to lead ad campaign on health care reform

2008-07-08T22:48:00.003-04:00

I expected great things when I heard that Elizabeth Edwards would be working on health care issues as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.

But I am even more excited to learn that she will headline a $40 million ad campaign promoting universal healthcare, which will be unveiled today.

The Washington Post has a story on the Healthcare for America Now campaign.

Healthcare for America Now coalition includes a who's who list of liberal organizations such as MoveOn.org, the housing group ACORN, Americans United for Change, the Campaign for America's Future, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the National Education Association, Planned Parenthood, the Service Employees International Union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, United Food and Commercial Workers, and National Women's Law Center.

Edwards As VP-An Indication of Progressive Strength

2008-07-08T15:33:00.002-04:00

Again, Rosenberg has the definitive diary on why Obama should pick Edwards to be his VP (he's pessimistic it'll happen, where as I'm not).

Edwards Appeals for Money for the DCCC

2008-06-30T09:19:00.002-04:00

The deadline for giving to the DCCC this quarter is today.

John Edwards sent the following message to DCCC supporters:

Dear Friend,

You and I can't leave Barack Obama standing alone as he drives change forward. Not for a single day. Not at the most exciting points in his history-making campaign. And certainly not at the more challenging ones. To deliver on the promise of bold change at the heart of these elections, we need to stand together.

That means doing everything in our power to win the White House- and helping to build the foundation for his win by electing strong Democratic candidates in districts nationwide. That's the winning combination that can create the bold, lasting change America needs.

There are only three days left until the last filing deadline before our Democratic Convention and the final leg of the 2008 campaign begins- the world is watching. Please show how committed we are to creating profound change in America by helping us to reach our $5 million dollar goal- we are only $192,348 away. House Democrats are so committed they have decided to match every gift of $35 or more, with 2 gifts of their own- tripling the impact of your contribution.

Stand up for change. Support the DCCC's United for Change Matching Campaign with a gift of $35, $50 or more.

Imagine a White House led by President Obama- and a strengthened Democratic majority led by Speaker Pelosi. That winning combination can deliver on health care, end a senseless war in Iraq, take on global warming, and challenge the deep poverty that rips at the heart and soul of our nation. That's the kind of bold change we're fighting for. And, with the critical mid-year financial reporting deadline fast approaching, that's the kind of bold change you can help create.

Stand up for change. Support the DCCC's United for Change Matching Campaign with a gift of $35, $50 or more.

If you act now- in advance of the vitally important June 30th deadline- your donation will be matched 2 to 1, tripling the impact of your generosity as we enter the critical four month period leading up to November 4th.

Let's show our strength. Let's unite behind the winning combination of Barack Obama's presidential candidacy and dozens of change-oriented Democrats running in crucial House races across America.

Let's drive change forward,
John Edwards

Paul Rosenberg at OpenLeft on the Case for Edwards as VP

2008-06-23T13:01:00.002-04:00

Why Edwards For VP-The Growing Logic

The Case For Edwards-Refuting the "Name Recognition" Canard

SUSA--New VP Polls Show Edwards Still Unchallenged

The Edwards Benchmark--Winning The Swing

The Logic of An Obama/Edwards Ticket--"Balancing" AS Reinforcing"

"Chris Bowers, Psychic Pundit! (Part I of The Deep Logic of Edwards For VP)"

Summing up all the above, the conclusion is inescapable-as much as humanly
possible to predict the future, Edwards is clearly strongly positioned to help
us win in November, and he is the only candidate who is publicly proven to do
so. This is a reflection of underlying logic reflected in points 1-3
above, as well as polling and endorsement data from 4 & 5. The only
coherent reason for rejecting Edwards would appear to be either hostility or
indifference towards populist economics-at the very least, and possibly an even
broader hostility toward progressive politics. But after three decades of
increasing income inequality, hostility or indifference towards populist
economics is simply delusional. The argument should be about the best ways to
implement populist economics in ways that synergize with other important policy
goals. And the way to ensure that such arguments take place is to have
Edwards as our Vice President.

Edwards Apparently on Obama's VP Shortlist

2008-06-23T10:04:00.002-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/20/obama-team-weighs-nunn-ed_n_108215.html

Obama Team Weighs Nunn, Edwards As Running Mates
KEN THOMAS June 20, 2008, 12:19 AM EST

Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., who leads the Congressional Black Caucus, said members of her caucus asked her to forward the names of Edwards and Nunn when she met Wednesday with Obama's vice presidential search team. The team, Caroline Kennedy and Eric Holder, indicated the two were on the list.

"We've been brainstorming in the Congressional Black Caucus. Former Senator
Sam Nunn's name has come up, as well as John Edwards' name has come up among our CBC members. I reported that to them and they had both of those names on their list," Kilpatrick said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Kilpatrick said she made several suggestions during the 45-minute meeting,
including former Vice President Al Gore, Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha and Ohio
Governor Ted Strickland. Gore endorsed Obama on Monday.

"I asked them what type of person the senator is looking for? And they said in general someone who could help him rebuild the country ... talking about change. How we reinvest in America, get people back to work and reinforce our education system and bring the jobs back," she said.

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator who was John Kerry's running mate in 2004, could help Obama appeal to white, working-class voters who largely favored Clinton in the primary and will be a critical voting bloc in the general election.

If the "Change" message is going to be about turning around the country and appealing to bread and butter economic issues, then it would seem that Senator Edwards' message of populism would be a natural fit on this.

Edwards Has Not Ruled Out Accepting Any VP Offer from Obama

2008-06-16T20:41:00.001-04:00

ABC News, June 15:

ABC News' Mary Bruce reports: 2004 Democratic vice presidential candidate
John Edwards this morning left open the possibility of a second run for the
position. "I'd take anything he [Obama] asked me to think about seriously,"
Edwards explained in a "This Week" interview with George Stephanopoulos.

The former 2008 presidential candidate was quick to clarify, however, that
he is not actively pursuing the job. "But obviously this is something I've done
and it's not a job that I'm seeking."

As the veepstakes continue to heat up, Edwards said Obama should be left to
make an independent decision. "Senator Obama ... has earned the right to make
this decision for himself. I think he has enormous choices available to
him, really great choices available to him. And I think he'll go through
this process in a thoughtful, orderly way, and he'll decide who he wants to be
his running mate. And that's exactly how it should be done."

Obama Wants to Partner with Elizabeth on Healthcare

2008-06-16T19:35:00.002-04:00

New York Daily News:

Barack Obama never won Elizabeth Edwards' endorsement, but the presumptive Democratic nominee pledged yesterday to work with her on health care - a not-so-subtle appeal to female voters and party unity.

"I'm going to be partnering up with Elizabeth Edwards," declared Obama, referring to health care, during a speech in Raleigh, North Carolina. "We're going to be figuring all this out."

Edwards, the wife of former presidential hopeful John Edwards, conspicuously did not endorse Obama last month when her husband did.

"I don't like his health care plan or his advertising on health care, which I think is misleading," Edwards, who has incurable cancer, told People magazine last month.

Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki said ... Obama "looks forward to seeking Elizabeth Edwards' advice" on health care policy.

Elizabeth Edwards is a potential bridge to the disappointed voters - many of them women - who backed Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful bid.

Obama-Edwards is the most electable ticket

2008-06-16T19:29:00.002-04:00

JeremiahFP has some polling data and thoughts.

Edwards just works best with the one demographic that Obama needs help with that is least likely to come back into the Democratic camp -- white, working-class, swing voters in the Midwest, upper South, and border states. A combination of their messages work best and they would be a fresh, dynamic team

Edwards Endorses Obama in Grand Rapids (and so do I)

2008-05-20T18:26:00.003-04:00

I'll always feel like I backed the best candidate and the best potential president, but it didn't work out like we'd hoped. Still, we've got a great nominee (soon) and if Johnny trusts him and has his ear -- that's good enough for me. So, after remaining neutral since 30 January, I've signed up for the Obama campaign and even given a very small donation (more to show Team Obama that John has support than anything else, Obama has plenty of money and I'm putting most of mine into local candidates). If you want to sign up, then use this link so the Obama campaign knows that you came to them through Edwards:

I indeed was at the Obama-Edwards rally in Grand Rapids in the press area. I've got my take, the video, transcripts ect here: http://action.barackobama.com/edwardssupporter

My take on the evening rally: http://westmichiganrising.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=250

Edwards Transcript with my comments: http://westmichiganrising.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=251

Obama Transcript: http://westmichiganrising.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=262

Video of Obama and Edwards from Obama campaign: http://westmichiganrising.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=254

John Edwards on Face the Nation on Party Unity, The Race, and His New Group

2008-05-12T08:44:00.001-04:00

Joe Trippi Wishes Edwards Had Stayed in the Race

2008-05-09T11:43:00.002-04:00

Trippi explains his view on what could have been

I should have told him emphatically that he should stay in. My regret that I did
not do so-that I let John Edwards down-grows with every day that the fight
between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continues.

The full article

Trippi says

"I had this feeling that if he stayed in the race he would win 300 or so
delegates by Super Tuesday and have maybe a one-in-five chance of forcing a
brokered convention. That there was a path ahead that would be extremely
painful, but could very well put him and his causes at the top of the Democratic
agenda."

Trippi describes the "pain" in the campaign. A Pain of not winning a pain felt up and down the campaign staff and volunteers. He goes on

it's easier to see today that what seemed like a wistful hunch back in
January would actually be the right course. In the midst of a hectic and
draining campaign, it's tough to decide that question that most campaigns
eventually face: Do we fight on or drop out?

My mistake was not seeing more clearly then what is so obvious to me now:
He could have kept his agenda in the forefront by staying in the race and
forcing Obama and Clinton to focus on those issues because he, John Edwards,
would hold the key to the convention deadlock.

Hat tip to redstateresident at DailyKos.

Speculation on Who Edwards Voted For on MSNBC

2008-05-09T11:19:00.002-04:00

Edwards pushes unity in the Democratic Party and keeps pushing through new organization Half-Intent to drastically lower the poverty rate in America.

Bonior Endorses Obama

2008-05-08T11:59:00.001-04:00

ABC News:

ABC News has learned that David Bonior, the campaign manager for the 2008 presidential race of Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, will endorse Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, today.

Draw your own conclusions about what this might mean for the Edwards.

Edwards on Colbert Report

2008-04-18T05:48:00.000-04:00

John was on last night's Colbert Report -- I still can't figure out why he didn't win.

Vote for Me on Saturday

2008-04-15T14:22:00.003-04:00

I -- Phil Skaggs -- will be running as an Uncommitted Delegate to the Democratic National Convention this Saturday.

I hope that you will come out and vote for me (more later).

Third Congressional District Convention
Creston High School
1720 Plainfield Ave NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505
616-406-1572
Third District Website
Only MDP members may vote on Saturday

Elizabeth on McCain's Healthcare Policy, etc

2008-04-01T15:09:00.003-04:00

Diary at DailyKos.

Also, it seems very unlikely Edwards will endorse -- he should be ready to push for unity and a progressive agenda in August at the Convention:

In his first public speech since dropping out of the race two months ago, Edwards told the Young Democrats of North Carolina convention he has a "very high opinion" of both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. He said the country "would be blessed" to have either one of them as president.

The former North Carolina senator and vice-presidential nominee said both are better suited to advance his anti-poverty platform than Republican nominee-in-waiting John McCain.

Pressed by reporters to detail any endorsement plans, Edwards declined to even say if he would endorse a candidate before North Carolina's May 6 primary. He said if he has anything to say, he'll let them know.

AP also has the story.

PS: Some guy in Madison speculates that Edwards may yet be the nominee. But folks at The New Republic think he may actually become the chancellor of the University of North Carolina.

Paypal Test

2008-03-23T21:10:00.002-04:00

Edwards on Leno Video

2008-03-23T17:38:00.001-04:00

Edwards' appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Thursday night.

Come Over to West Michigan Rising

2008-03-22T18:42:00.001-04:00

I have indeed moved into the local blogging field, and I hope all of you from West Michigan will follow to West Michigan Rising.

Trippi: Don’t Expect an Edwards Endorsement

2008-03-16T16:59:00.001-04:00

On a Washington Post chat today, former John Edwards campaign manager Joe Trippi seems to hint that Edwards will not be endorsing:

John Edwards led on every single issue and pushed both Clinton and Obama on everything from the war in Iraq to poverty. He has had an enormous impact on this election cycle and still will. I would caution that he may play a key role in bringing the party together by not endorsing -- that may not help him personally but it may be exactly what the party and the country needs

Joe added

I wish Edwards were still in the race as well.

John Edwards' Next Act

2008-02-28T09:33:00.001-05:00

I lifted this wholesale from Todd Beeton at MyDD

Post-campaign, John Edwards is concerning himself with an issue larger than a potential endorsement of one of his former rivals.

From The Politico:

John Edwards--former North Carolina senator, two-time presidential candidate and darling of the left--started a new chapter of his political narrative today.

He and his wife Elizabeth Edwards are joining an multi-million dollar anti-Iraq war campaign dubbed "Iraq/Recession." The couple will join a coalition that includes MoveOn.org, the Service Employees International Union and the Center for American Progress.

The Nation expands on the project's mission:

The multi-million-dollar Iraq/Recession Campaign, which launches Monday, seeks to remind voters, in the words of organizers, that, "As economic concerns weigh heavily on the minds of Americans, opposition to President Bush's reckless war in Iraq continues to grow. The massive cost of the war in Iraq - hurtling toward one trillion dollars - has increased demand for a strategy to bring U.S. troops home. The Iraq/Recession Campaign will highlight the majority of Americans who want to see leadership on investing in critical priorities at home and establishing real security throughout the world."

... The Nation's take on how Edwards is casting his post-primary, pre-general election role:

He has, however, begun to identify the role he may play in a fall Democratic campaign - not as a vice presidential running mate, which seems extremely unlikely, but as an outspoken advocate for a party platform and ticket that recognizes how an unnecessary war has diverted resources and energy away from the real work of building a functional and just domestic economy. Even if he has yet to pick a candidate, John Edwards has "endorsed" an approach to the 2008 race. And it's the right one, especially in a contest with John "100 Years of War" McCain.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/2/25/135735/000

Join the MDP and Vote at the March Conventions

2008-02-27T13:00:00.003-05:00

I wrote this for a West Michigan audience, but it fits for anyone in Michigan (I've tried to modify it, but I don't have a lot of time). I believe Edwards folks are organizing in Macomb and Oakland (the 12th and 9th Districts). Anyone who wants to lead up a team and/or be a delegate in their District should email me at MichiganForEdwards AT gmail DOT come.

I’ve been wanting to thank y’all for your hard work during the 13 months of the campaign. But, I’ve waited since I’ve also wanted to make an announcement:

1. The Congressional District Convention

For us pro-Edwards Michiganders the campaign actually continues.

On Saturday, 29 March at 10:00 am, across Michigan, Democrats will meet in Congressional District Conventions to actually pick the people who will be Michigan’s delegates to the National Democratic Convention in Denver in August to nominate the next President.

In order to take part in this “second primary,” you have to be a member of the Michigan Democratic Party by Thursday, 28 February at 5:00 pm!

You can join the Michigan Democratic Party online with a credit card right now at http://www.michigandems.com//join.html or call (517) 371-5410.

You’ve got just about 30 hours from the writing of this email to join the MDP and thus be eligible to vote in the District Conventions. A basic membership is just $20 (students and retirees are just $10, in fact, actually, it’s possible to join without a financial requirement). I know many of us are upset about how the MDP leadership’s handling of the primary, but the way to reform the Party is from the inside and to make change, you’ve got to be a member. So, I urge you to join so you can vote in the March Conventions and change our party for the better.

The Second, Third and Sixth Congressional Districts (the West Michigan districts) each will elect 5 delegates to the National Convention, 3 each for Hillary Clinton and 2 each as Uncommitted. When MDP members show up at their District Convention they will be asked at registration to express a presidential preference. Current and former Edwards supporters should state that they “support Uncommitted.” You will then be placed with the Uncommitted Caucus (separate from those members who will preference Senator Clinton who will elect their own 3 delegates). The Uncommitted Caucus will likely be made up of Obama supporters, Edwards supporters and all those who remain undecided.

Once you enter the Convention room, look for some “John Edwards for President” signs and folks with stickers and buttons. We’ll hold a quick caucus of our own at about 9:30 am, select a slate of delegates (one or two) and then officially endorse that slate or slates of candidates. Then we’ll go into the Uncommitted caucus and vote with the other Uncommitted MDP members for the two delegates to Denver. There will probably also be a slate of Uncommitted-Obama delegate candidates and some joint deal may be reached with the Obama camp to run a united Obama-Edwards delegate slate, but that’ll be decided later or even at the conventions (that’s the outcome I’d like to see). Regardless of what you’ve decided after John’s exit from the race on 30 January – to remain pro-Edwards, to stay undecided, or to go over to Obama or Clinton – I hope that if you were for Edwards on 15 January, that you’ll caucus with Edwards supporters and vote for the candidates that we decide to back.

OK, so why vote for an Edwards supporter to be an Uncommitted Delegate to Denver even though John has dropped out?

Well, had Edwards been on the ballot – as he was in Florida – I think it’s fairly obvious that -- after the second place in Iowa, with a strong local campaign I would have run, and before the disappointments of Nevada and SC – he would have easily reached the 15% vote minimum to earn a delegates in most Michigan Congressional Districts (at least those outside the city of Detroit). So, one of those two Uncommitted delegates in the three West Michigan districts is really an “Edwards delegate” given even the minimal pro-Uncommitted campaign Edwards people ran. Even after John pulled out, the delegates he won in Iowa, NH and SC are still delegates committed to him and pledged to vote for him on the first ballot in Denver. So, even with John out, had his name been on the ballot, we would be meeting as a separate caucus to elect one delegate to Denver, rather than meeting jointly with other Uncommitteds. So, we current and former Edwards supporters should try to get a former or current Edwards supporter to be one of the delegates selected on 29 March at the District Conventions in West Michigan (the Second, Third and Sixth Districts). We should do this because it really is essentially our delegate and because those who worked hard for Senator Edwards deserve to be considered as delegates. So, there seem to be two theories on what an Edwards delegate would do in Denver (if he or she is actually seated):

* Theory/Platform 1: The one of two Uncommitted delegates in the Districts that is an Edwards delegate would vote for Edwards on the first ballot, but would promise to then vote for Obama on subsequent ballots since we can be sure that the Uncommitted votes in Michigan were not for Clinton since she was on the ballot. In that sense, we’d be electing a “Edwards then Obama Uncommitted delegate.”
* Theory/Platform 2: The one of two Uncommitted delegates in the Districts that is an Edwards delegate would vote for Edwards and then take the advice of John Edwards on what to do next so as to further the power of Senator Edwards at the Convention, so that he can influence the Party Platform and the nominee’s agenda in a progressive-populist and pro-union direction and, yes, so that JRE would be promised a role in a future Democratic Administration. This would be an “Edwards Uncommitted delegate.”

I continue to be in contact with the folks who organized Edwards people in Michigan for Edwards – led by Ed Bruley, the former chief of staff for David Bonior. We’ll be listening hard to their advice and so our thoughts may change – but that doesn’t matter for today, what we ask you to do today is join the MDP so you can vote at your 29 March convention.

The Third Congressional District Convention
Saturday, March 29
Registration Begins at 9:00 am (you should be registered by 9:30 am)
Convention Begins at 10:00 am

Creston High School
1720 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

5 Delegates: 3 Clinton, 2 Uncommitted (and 1 Alternate).
Primary Results:
Clinton: 52% (14,957 votes)
Uncommitted: 44% (12,732 votes)

We know of at least two Edwards supporters running for National Convention Delegates.
* Joe Marckini: Joe is running as an Edwards supporter who will vote for Edwards on the first ballot and then follow John’s lead on any subsequent votes – an “Edwards Uncommitted delegate.” Joe really wants to be a delegate, and I’m more than happy to make him our #1 prime candidate. Joe is a member of the Kent County DP Exec Committee, a School Board member in Cedar Springs, and was a candidate for State Representative (District 73) in 2006.
* Myself (Phil Skaggs): Well, I only just started getting involved in local campaigns and the Kent County Party, but played, I think I can say, the leading role in the Edwards campaign in West Michigan. We were the most active campaign in the area and I think with all humility I could make an argument that I deserve to go. I’m from East Grand Rapids. I’d be running as an “Edwards then Obama Uncommitted delegate.” I am willing to go to Denver, but would be willing to step aside for someone who does want to go as some kind of Edwards delegate, has a longer history of local involvement and meets some of the affirmative action characteristics.

Does anyone else wish to also run for a National Delegate spot in the Third District? The deadline for filling out the form to be a candidate is tomorrow, so you’d need to fill out the short form and mail it overnight to the MDP in Lansing. The form and information are here: http://files.9thdistrictdems.org/2008DeclarationOfCandidacyForDelegate.pdf
Please, let me know if you file to run as a candidate and we can coordinate. We are more likely to be successful if we’re organized.

Joe and I are both non-minority, male candidates from Kent County. It would be nice to have the possibility of running a delegate candidate who is female, minority, disabled, gay, or from Ionia or Barry county (there is affirmative action to make the Michigan delegation look like the population of Michigan).

The Second Congressional District Convention
Saturday, March 29
Registration Begins at 9:00 am (you should be registered by 9:30 am)
Convention Begins at 10:00 am

West Shore Community College
3000 Stiles Rd., Scottville (near Luddington)

5 Delegates: 3 Clinton, 2 Uncommitted (and 1 Alternate).
Primary Results:
Clinton: 59% (16,427 votes)
Uncommitted: 37% (10,174 votes)

Does anyone wish to run for a National Delegate spot in the Second District? The deadline for filling out the form to be a candidate is tomorrow, so you’d need to fill out the short form and mail it overnight to the MDP in Lansing within the next few hours. The form and information are here: http://files.9thdistrictdems.org/2008DeclarationOfCandidacyForDelegate.pdf
Please, let me know if you file to run as a candidate and we can coordinate.

For more information, including information on the Sixth District Convention: http://www.westmichiganrising.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=14

FYI: Since Edwards suspended his campaign, I’ve remained neutral. I can see the pros and cons of Obama and Clinton and don’t see one as significantly better than the other.

Please pass this along to all Edwards supporters you know (unfortunately the campaign has shut down the OneCorps site, so I can’t send this to everyone).

Thanks again and I hope everyone participates in their Congressional District Conventions.

Remember: Join the MDP TODAY so you can Vote at District Conventions: http://www.michigandems.com//join.html

Edwards Meets with Obama in NC

2008-02-18T08:14:00.003-05:00

From the AP story:

Obama spokesman Bill Burton:

"Senator Obama visited this morning with John and Elizabeth Edwards at their
home in Chapel Hill to discuss the state of the campaign and the pressing issues
facing American families."

Burton did not comment on the possibility of an endorsement.

In an interview Sunday night with WITI-TV in Milwaukee, Obama said,

"The meeting with John, we just wanted to talk about how we can move the party in a direction that focuses on middle-class issues — relieving poverty, reducing the influence of special interests in Washington."

People close to the Edwardses, speaking privately, say they have been torn about whom to support. The former North Carolina senator is concerned that Obama may not be ready for the presidency and that his health care plan is inferior. But Edwards was highly critical of Clinton — her policies, her ties to special interests and her character — during his campaign, making it more difficult to support her now. The couple has been impressed with Clinton, who has more effectively courted them since the 2004 vice presidential nominee dropped out, people who talk to the Edwardses say....

While Obama has made some silly and stupid remarks about Edwards since he left the race (see my previous post), Obama has begun to praise Edwards in public. This week he told Wisconsin voters that Edwards will "be a major voice in the Democratic party for years to come, and I want him involved and partnering with me in moving this country forward."

None of the other former Democratic presidential candidates — Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson or Dennis Kucinich — have endorsed Obama or Clinton, reflecting the party's split over who would be the best president.

Edwards met with Hillary Clinton last week.

ABC has a really interesting piece on Edwards' thinking on an endorsement (absolutely worth reading).

Is Barack a jackass?

2008-02-05T15:42:00.000-05:00

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8321.html

Read about what Obama said, but forget the rest of the piece, it's just superficial bullshit from the media that helped sink Edwards.

I remain completely neutral about tonight FYI.

Obama: Weak on healthcare (not universal, no automatic enrollment, not enough subsidies, typical of cautious approach), pro-coal means he's not serious about global warming, nothing positive from him on trade (pro NAFTA expansion to Peru). The "cult" of Obama, frankly, freaks me out a little bit.

Hillary: Well on the issues, she's better than Obama, but she surrounds herself with some despicable people -- Mark Penn, Terry McAuliff, Al Fromm, Tony Cohelo, heck, Dick Morris in the past. No better than Obama on trade issues, maybe worse.

Who is the most electable in November now that we've failed the most electable candidate?
Tough to say.

Hillary: She's a fighter and understands the reality of DC. Will she pull in a ton of swing-voting women? But, she has very high negatives and will energize Republican activists and boost Republican/conservative turnout as anti-Hillary as much as pro-McCain. If the economy continues to go south, dreams of a magical restoration of the Clinton economy of the 1990s may push her over the top.

Obama: Brings in new youth voters and will get incredible turnout from African-Americans. But, I think he's a weak campaigner and matches up very poorly against John McCain (who actually has worked accross the aisle with the likes of Ted Kennedy, Russ Feingold and even John Edwards on important bills).

To me, you pick folks. I'll reluctantly and unenthusiastically support the winner of tonights final primary (sure someone may limp on as far as Wisconsin on the 19th, but there is no way in hell this primary season goes beyond February). Instead, I'll be working on the Brandon Dillon reelection campaign for Kent County Commissioner and maybe another campaign.

I'll be making a near final post in a few days.

In the meantime, I'm moving toward creating a West Michigan progressive blog (which is what else I'll be concentrating on instead of working my tail off for John Edwards).

Thank You

2008-01-31T09:04:00.000-05:00

From an email last night from John:

Let me start by saying, "Thank you." You have stood with Elizabeth and me throughout this campaign. Your support has sustained us as we have traveled across this country.

Earlier today, I suspended my campaign for the Democratic nomination for the presidency.

I made this announcement from where our journey began just over 12 months ago: New Orleans. I began my presidential campaign in New Orleans to remind the country that all of us -- as citizens and as a government -- have a moral responsibility to each other, and what we do together matters.

Now, it's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final steps to the White House -- but what we do know is that our Democratic Party will make history. And, along the way, all of you who have been involved in this campaign and this movement for change and this cause, I am asking you to continue speaking out for those who have no voice, just as Elizabeth and I will continue to do.

We need you. Do not turn away from the great struggles before us. Do not give up on the causes that we have fought for. Do not walk away from what's possible, because it's time for all of us -- all of us together -- to make the two Americas one. We need you.

... Elizabeth and my family join me in thanking all of you for your support and for working so hard on my behalf. We are truly blessed to have such friends.

Thank you.
-- John Edwards
January 30, 2008

Must read articles on Edwards

2008-01-31T08:52:00.000-05:00

By Meteor Blades at DailyKos.
By TomP on Madeline Stowe at Daily Kos
By Mark Maynard at his blog.

JRE Steps Offstage, Phil Keeps On

2008-01-30T21:44:00.000-05:00

I thought about you today, Phil, as I dropped my husband off at his school and saw a dad walking his two kids through the terrible wind to their school. I hadn't heard of Edward's announcement, but I had a suspicion that it was going to happen, actually from the time you posted about starting a progressive blog for the Western parts of MI.

I want you to know that I appreciate all you did for this campaign. There's no other Michigander, other than John Boniors, who did as much for Edwards, in my opinion. I'm glad that you're staying active in democratic/progressive politics in Michigan - following JRE's older message "I choose to be inspired". It is a choice, if hard at the present moment.

Thanks for the blog, for helping draw attention to our execrable state "leadership" in the primary travesty, for getting out the "uncommitted" word, and very importantly, for keeping many of us in the state feel a connection to progressive ideals against the political currents of this day.

I hope that someday, you will run for office, if your family is willing. I don't know what kind of a speaker you are - historians have a bad rep as speakers that is mostly undeserved - but you have good insight into campaigning, courage to say the hard things, and a fine understanding of what's important in life. You persevered for JRE's campaign, in spite of pressure to stop. You took on Tracy Russo's incompetence directly, and you were dead on about that. Your concern for young families, too often unmentioned in today's political currents, shows personal and political values essential to our country's future.

Paul Wellstone, my prof in college, is my all-time model for a progressive pol. You have good deal of those same qualities.

Don't lose them.

Kidspeak

If you do run for office some day, I might even donate some money to your campaign.

I choose to be inspired.

2008-01-30T15:12:00.000-05:00

Like all of us, I have learned a lot of lessons in my life. Two of the most important are that first, there will always be heartache and struggle — you can't make it go away. But the other is that people of good and strong will, can make a difference. One lesson is a sad lesson and the other's inspiring. We are Americans and we choose to be inspired.

We choose hope over despair; possibilities over problems; optimism over cynicism. We choose to do what's right even when those around us say, "You can't do that." We choose to be inspired because we know that we can do better — because this is America where everything is still possible.

What we believe is that you should never look down on anybody, that we should lift people up. We don't believe in tearing people apart. We believe in bringing people together. What we believe — what I believe — is that the family you're born into and the color of your skin in our America should never control your destiny.

-- John Edwards (2004 Withdrawal Speech)

I choose to be inspired.

The Withdrawal/Suspension Speech

2008-01-30T14:38:00.000-05:00

Thank you all very much. We're very proud to be back here.

During the spring of 2006, I had the extraordinary experience of bringing 700 college kids here to New Orleans to work. These are kids who gave up their spring break to come to New Orleans to work, to rehabilitate houses, because of their commitment as Americans, because they believed in what was possible, and because they cared about their country.

I began my presidential campaign here to remind the country that we, as citizens and as a government, have a moral responsibility to each other, and what we do together matters. We must do better, if we want to live up to the great promise of this country that we all love so much.

It is appropriate that I come here today. It's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final steps to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but what we do know is that our Democratic Party will make history. We will be strong, we will be unified, and with our convictions and a little backbone we will take back the White House in November and we'll create hope and opportunity for this country.

This journey of ours began right here in New Orleans. It was a December morning in the Lower Ninth Ward when people went to work, not just me, but lots of others went to work with shovels and hammers to help restore a house that had been destroyed by the storm.

We joined together in a city that had been abandoned by our government and had been forgotten, but not by us. We knew that they still mourned the dead, that they were still stunned by the destruction, and that they wondered when all those cement steps in all those vacant lots would once again lead to a door, to a home, and to a dream.

We came here to the Lower Ninth Ward to rebuild. And we're going to rebuild today and work today, and we will continue to come back. We will never forget the heartache and we'll always be here to bring them hope, so that someday, one day, the trumpets will sound in Musicians' Village, where we are today, play loud across Lake Ponchartrain, so that working people can come marching in and those steps once again can lead to a family living out the dream in America.

We sat with poultry workers in Mississippi, janitors in Florida, nurses in California.

We listened as child after child told us about their worry about whether we would preserve the planet.

We listened to worker after worker say "the economy is tearing my family apart."

We walked the streets of Cleveland, where house after house was in foreclosure.

And we said, "We're better than this. And economic justice in America is our cause."

And we spent a day, a summer day, in Wise, Virginia, with a man named James Lowe, who told us the story of having been born with a cleft palate. He had no health care coverage. His family couldn't afford to fix it. And finally some good Samaritan came along and paid for his cleft palate to be fixed, which allowed him to speak for the first time. But they did it when he was 50 years old. His amazing story, though, gave this campaign voice: universal health care for every man, woman and child in America. That is our cause.

And we do this -- we do this for each other in America. We don't turn away from a neighbor in their time of need. Because every one of us knows that what -- but for the grace of God, there goes us. The American people have never stopped doing this, even when their government walked away, and walked away it has from hardworking people, and, yes, from the poor, those who live in poverty in this country.

For decades, we stopped focusing on those struggles. They didn't register in political polls, they didn't get us votes and so we stopped talking about it. I don't know how it started. I don't know when our party began to turn away from the cause of working people, from the fathers who were working three jobs literally just to pay the rent, mothers sending their kids to bed wrapped up in their clothes and in coats because they couldn't afford to pay for heat.
We know that our brothers and sisters have been bullied into believing that they can't organize and can't put a union in the workplace. Well, in this campaign, we didn't turn our heads. We looked them square in the eye and we said, "We see you, we hear you, and we are with you. And we will never forget you." And I have a feeling that if the leaders of our great Democratic Party continue to hear the voices of working people, a proud progressive will occupy the White House.
Now, I've spoken to both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. They have both pledged to me and more importantly through me to America, that they will make ending poverty central to their campaign for the presidency.

And more importantly, they have pledged to me that as President of the United States they will make ending poverty and economic inequality central to their Presidency. This is the cause of my life and I now have their commitment to engage in this cause.
And I want to say to everyone here, on the way here today, we passed under a bridge that carried the interstate where 100 to 200 homeless Americans sleep every night. And we stopped, we got out, we went in and spoke to them.

There was a minister there who comes every morning and feeds the homeless out of her own pocket. She said she has no money left in her bank account, she struggles to be able to do it, but she knows it's the moral, just and right thing to do. And I spoke to some of the people who were there and as I was leaving, one woman said to me, "You won't forget us, will you? Promise me you won't forget us." Well, I say to her and I say to all of those who are struggling in this country, we will never forget you. We will fight for you. We will stand up for you.

But I want to say this -- I want to say this because it's important. With all of the injustice that we've seen, I can say this, America's hour of transformation is upon us. It may be hard to believe when we have bullets flying in Baghdad and it may be hard to believe when it costs $58 to fill your car up with gas. It may be hard to believe when your school doesn't have the right books for your kids. It's hard to speak out for change when you feel like your voice is not being heard.
But I do hear it. We hear it. This Democratic Party hears you. We hear you, once again. And we will lift you up with our dream of what's possible.

One America, one America that works for everybody.

One America where struggling towns and factories come back to life because we finally transformed our economy by ending our dependence on oil.

One America where the men who work the late shift and the women who get up at dawn to drive a two-hour commute and the young person who closes the store to save for college. They will be honored for that work.

One America where no child will go to bed hungry because we will finally end the moral shame of 37 million people living in poverty.

One America where every single man, woman and child in this country has health care.

One America with one public school system that works for all of our children.

One America that finally brings this war in Iraq to an end. And brings our service members home with the hero's welcome that they have earned and that they deserve.

Today, I am suspending my campaign for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.

But I want to say this to everyone: with Elizabeth, with my family, with my friends, with all of you and all of your support, this son of a millworker's gonna be just fine. Our job now is to make certain that America will be fine.

And I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard – all those who have volunteered, my dedicated campaign staff who have worked absolutely tirelessly in this campaign.

And I want to say a personal word to those I've seen literally in the last few days – those I saw in Oklahoma yesterday, in Missouri, last night in Minnesota – who came to me and said don't forget us. Speak for us. We need your voice. I want you to know that you almost changed my mind, because I hear your voice, I feel you, and your cause it our cause. Your country needs you – every single one of you.

All of you who have been involved in this campaign and this movement for change and this cause, we need you. It is in our hour of need that your country needs you. Don't turn away, because we have not just a city of New Orleans to rebuild. We have an American house to rebuild.

This work goes on. It goes on right here in Musicians' Village. There are homes to build here, and in neighborhoods all along the Gulf. The work goes on for the students in crumbling schools just yearning for a chance to get ahead. It goes on for day care workers, for steel workers risking their lives in cities all across this country. And the work goes on for two hundred thousand men and women who wore the uniform of the United States of America, proud veterans, who go to sleep every night under bridges, or in shelters, or on grates, just as the people we saw on the way here today. Their cause is our cause.

Their struggle is our struggle. Their dreams are our dreams.

Do not turn away from these great struggles before us. Do not give up on the causes that we have fought for. Do not walk away from what's possible, because it's time for all of us, all of us together, to make the two Americas one.

Thank you. God bless you, and let's go to work. Thank you all very much.

It's Over, Thanks Everyone

2008-01-30T09:30:00.000-05:00

Most news outlets are reporting that John Edwards will drop out of the race today

The AP reports that John Edwards will withdraw from the race later today.

Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voters' sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.

CNN Confirms Edwards departure from the race.

Former Sen. John Edwards is quitting the Democratic race for president, two sources inside his campaign told CNN Wednesday. The former senator is expected to make an announcement in New Orleans at 1 p.m.

There apparently will be no immediate endorsement of Hillary or Barack:

The former North Carolina senator will not immediately endorse either candidate
in what is now a two-person race for the Democratic nomination, said one
adviser, who spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the announcement.

and please stick around for a while until I get the West Michigan progressive blog off the ground (if you're in West Michigan).

Toward a New West Michigan Progressive Blog

2008-01-28T21:41:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned a week ago, I'll soon be announcing a new West Michigan Progressive Blog. It'll be on SoapBlox, will hopefully be a group blog (if not immediately, then soon thereafter) and will concentrate on Kent County, Third Congressional District, and then to Muskegon and the 2nd Congressional District and eventually to Kalamazoo & St. Joe and the 6th Congressional District. It'll discuss local politics, and representatives from West Michigan in Lansing and Washington.

Any nominations for what I should name it?

I'm leaning away from anything with the word "blue" in it, since leftists have been "red" since the early 19th century (we've been "left" since the French Revolution), and I'm not going to let some arbitrary decision by CNN to use blue for Gore on a November night in 2000 change the political color scheme. So,

Grand Valley Blues, Blue Grand Valley, On the Shores of the Blue Grand, etc are out.

I'm currently leaning toward: Left in West Michigan. As I really want to have the phrase "West Michigan" in the blog.

Other possibilities
The West Michigan Progressive (a take on MichiganLiberal)
or something to do with Second Left Coast (if Michigan is the "third coast" then the Michigan side of Lake Michigan is the Second Left Coast....

I haven't given it too much thought yet, though I plan to go live in 1-2 weeks. So, let me know what you think a good name would be. Hopefully you can be more creative than I was above. -- Phil

Bonior in South Carolina on the Campaign

2008-01-28T21:39:00.000-05:00

Thursday Debate

2008-01-28T15:28:00.000-05:00

January 31, Thursday: CNN and the Los Angeles Times host a debate of the Democratic candidates in California

Edwards Goes to Plan B: The Marathon

2008-01-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

A short, but interesting article by Rob Christensen at McClatchy that let's us know the state of the campaign as we move toward Super Duper Tuesday.

Essentially the strategy is like the NCAA basketball tournament: Survive and Advance (and continue to raise enough money to compete).

Edwards' four-state strategy to propel his presidential bid has not worked out (in many ways, the strategy was correct, but Obama eked out the win in Iowa thanks to the Chicago Machine and then he got even more media and more momentum while John has been under a media brownout).

So, on to Plan B:

A marathon run in which they plan to stay in the race with the hope that one or more of the two front-runners, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, will implode.

"We believe it will go to the convention," said Joe Trippi, Edwards' chief strategist. In the worst case scenario, they say, Edwards will enter the Democratic national convention in Denver in August as a power broker, helping drive the agenda on issues that he has championed such as health care, poverty, and the inequities of bad trade deals.

But, in the Miracle Plan, Edwards survives Super Duper Tuesday -- on the power of strong showings in Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri and Tennessee and delegate wins in California, Minnesota and Alabama -- as a viable alternative to Clinton and Obama and begins to catch fire as we enter into the part of the race with more Southern and industrial Midwestern states. Near the end one of the two celebrity candidates collapses -- last week this looked to be Obama, this week it could be Hillary. In this longshot, but possible, scenario Edwards ends up with a plurality of delegates in Denver. A contested convention ends with an Edwards nomination and the second place finisher being offered and accepting the Vice Presidential nod.

And they say that anything can happen in this topsy-turvy political year. As proof, they point to Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who has moved from front-runner, to politically dead, only to become a front-runner again.

Adding to the volatility is the increasingly negative and polarizing tone of the campaign, with Clinton and Obama making personal attacks against one another. Trippi pointed to the acrimonious debate held in Myrtle Beach last week, where the two front-runners clashed while Edwards scored points by staying above the fray."If you want to know why we're still in it, go look at the debate," Trippi said. "There are two people trying to tear each other down. We can win this thing. People will get sick of that real fast."

Thanks! Edwards Online Fundraising Record for January

2008-01-25T14:03:00.000-05:00

From the campaign:

In the first 25 days of this quarter, campaign has raised more online than the whole 4th quarter – the vast majority of which will be doubled by federal matching funds

As a sign of John Edwards’ growing grassroots support across the country, today the Edwards campaign announced that it has raised more than $3 million online during the first 25 days of the quarter – more than it raised during the whole 4th quarter of last year. Just yesterday, the campaign had one of its best fundraising days, taking in more than $230,000 in contributions. The vast majority of online contributions will be doubled by federal matching funds.

“First, we want to thank everyone who has contributed,” said senior advisor Joe Trippi. “More and more Americans want to get involved in our campaign because they recognize that John Edwards is the only candidate in this race with the backbone to say we are in a fight for the middle class and we can’t negotiate or take money from powerful entrenched interests if we are going to have change – we have to take them on. Our campaign relies on the support of regular Americans, and with their support we can bring real change to America.”

The Edwards campaign has been built on reaching out to all Americans – not just those who can give the maximum donation to the campaign. Edwards is the only candidate who has never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or PACs. He continues to gain new support as he travels the country to talk with voters about his plans to fight for the middle class.

- Edwards enjoys strong grassroots support with 93 percent of online contributions coming in amounts of $100 or less.

- Fifty-two percent of those making contributions online this quarter are new contributors.

Americans are also responding to Edwards’ Tuesday night debate performance, where he remained focused on the issues that really matter to voters. During the hour following Tuesday night’s debate, the campaign saw a significant spike in online fundraising – setting the pace for days of donations arriving in record amounts. Building on the momentum from Tuesday’s debate, today the campaign released new two ads in South Carolina that highlight Edwards’ commitment to talking about the challenges facing America, instead of attacking his opponents.

Keep Fighting: My Father Martin Luther King Jr. Would be Proud

2008-01-25T12:22:00.000-05:00

A fantastic netroots production by Astrogirlsirius and RedJet that puts the letter from MLK III to pictures and in voice.

The transcript is below.

Johnny Back Home in Seneca

2008-01-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

New "Grown Up" Ad in South Carolina

2008-01-25T11:52:00.000-05:00

Frickin brilliant.

The latest radio ad in the same vein, with the transcript here (and a link if the above doesn't work ... but give it some time and Quicktime will load and play).

South Carolina Rising: Edwards Surging in Polls

2008-01-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

First, the 90 second TV ad

Donate to help keep this ad on the airwaves in South Carolina.

From the campaign:

I'm contacting you with an urgent request. If we can raise $65,000 today, we can get a great campaign spot featuring John on the air in South Carolina for the last 24 hours before the primary this Saturday.

Can you make a contribution today to help us broadcast this spot in South Carolina tomorrow?

John is currently campaigning across the rural areas of South Carolina, drawing large crowds as he talks about his economic recovery plan for rural America. While one of the other candidates has already left the state, John is taking his message directly to primary voters.

Your contribution today will allow his message of change to reach voters in all areas of the state. You can make a difference by helping us get this spot on the air.

Thanks for your support. I'll let you know how we do!

Sincerely, --Jonathan Prince Deputy Campaign Manager

The polls

Clemson University's Palmetto Poll
Released Thursday, taken 15-23 January
Obama 27%
Clinton 20%
Edwards 17%

Update: Much of the polling is here and here.

In short, I wouldn't be surprised if we end up with:
Obama: 45%
Edwards: 30%
Hillary: 25%

I think that's enough to get John back in the media play and with the bad economic times and the increasingly negative attacks of the others we are beginning to see the possibility of a miracle increasing.

So ... Phonebank for JRE NOW

His numbers are rising, but he needs OUR help to bring it home....

http://johnedwardsphonebank.com/

You can do it.....It's so easy......Just go to that site, register, they'll confirm your identity, and you're IN. You'll be given one number at a time...hell, they even give you a script....and all you have to do is call and ask whether they intend to vote and whether Senator Edwards can count on their support!

That's ALL, folks......The voters in SC don't register by party so you may get repubs or bad numbers or no answers....but your main goal is to find out if they're a JRE supporter (or leaning towards being one), which means they're one of the GOOD GUYS, or if they're a repub (BAD GUYS).

GOOD GUYS get another call on Saturday to GOTV; BAD GUYS get eliminated and they get what they deserve....which is nada.
So make some calls......Even 10 or 5 or 1 call can make a difference. John Edwards needs you...so do it.....DO IT NOW.

http://johnedwardsphonebank.com/

Edwards on O'Reilly: "Most of what he says is Crap"

2008-01-23T09:01:00.000-05:00

John Edwards was on the David Letterman show last night.

TomP has a very informative diary on O'Reilly and Edwards.

CNN South Carolina Debate Wrapup

2008-01-22T08:53:00.000-05:00

Amy has all the video and some immediate pundit reaction at DailyKos, check it out there.

Update with YouTube Highlights:

The Part the Media is Talking About Today

Are there three people in this debate, not two? This kind of squabbling...how many children is this going to give health care, how many people are going to get an education from this, how many kids are going to be able to go to college because of this. We have got to understand, this is not about us personally. It is about what we are trying to do for this country, and what we believe in.

Edwards on Economic Stimulus in the Face of a Possible Coming Recession

Edwards-"I can go anywhere in America and compete and beat McCain"

Edwards on Universal Health Care

On Poverty as a Central Part of His Campaign

What John Edwards thought about the debate:

Edwards receives letter from Martin Luther King III, "My father would be proud"

2008-01-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

The background is here.

Here's the full letter from Martin Luther King III:

I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election.

You know as well as anyone that the 37 million people living in poverty have no voice in our system. They don't have lobbyists in Washington and they don't get to go to lunch with members of Congress. Speaking up for them is not politically convenient. But, it is the right thing to do.
I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign. I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.

From our conversation yesterday, I know this is personal for you. I know you know what it means to come from nothing. I know you know what it means to get the opportunities you need to build a better life. And, I know you know that injustice is alive and well in America, because millions of people will never get the same opportunities you had.

I believe that now, more than ever, we need a leader who wakes up every morning with the knowledge of that injustice in the forefront of their minds, and who knows that when we commit ourselves to a cause as a nation, we can make major strides in our own lifetimes. My father was not driven by an illusory vision of a perfect society. He was driven by the certain knowledge that when people of good faith and strong principles commit to making things better, we can change hearts, we can change minds, and we can change lives.

So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father's words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.

New Economic Populism Blog

2008-01-21T18:31:00.000-05:00

Just got an email from these folks.
Let's all check it out: http://www.economicpopulist.com

Michigan for Edwards Blog Goes Over 10,000 Visits

2008-01-21T15:32:00.000-05:00

I think we would have gotten far more hits if we'd actually had a primary. But, in general, I think this was a useful effort and I encourage folks to blog for their candidates. I thought state-blogs would really take off this cycle and that hasn't exactly happened as far as I can tell, but there is slow, steady progress.

FYI: Soon I'll be announcing a new West Michigan Progressive Blog. It'll be on SoapBlox, will hopefully be a group blog (if not immediately, then soon thereafter) and will concentrate on Kent County, Third Congressional District, and then to Muskegon and the 2nd Congressional District and eventually to Kalamazoo & St. Joe and the 6th Congressional District. It'll discuss local politics, and representatives from West Michigan in Lansing and Washington.

Any nominations for what I should name it?

Grand Valley Blues
Blue Grand Valley
On the Shores of the Blue Grand
The West Michigan Progressive
Third Coast ....

I haven't given it too much thought yet, though I plan to go live in 2-3 weeks. So, let me know what you think a good name would be. Hopefully you can be more creative than I was above. -- Phil

This Friday is Mass Donation to Edwards Day

2008-01-17T15:53:00.001-05:00

Online activists for Edwards are trying to raise $7 million for John Edwards in one day with a "money bomb" -- a day of mass donations.

So, reach into your pocket again, or for the second time and let's get John the money to win Nevada and South Carolina and move on to the 5 February States:

Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Democrats Abroad
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Kansas
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Utah

Edwards should do well in all those states, but especially in Oklahoma, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Minnesota, Alabama, Kansas, Colorado and California.

Donate Here

Donate $50 if you can, but give at least $20. Did you know that Edwards' donors give more times on average than any other campaign -- last I heard, folks donate an average of 2.1 times. So, even if you've given before, give a little more and increase that average. So, join Kathy and Mark and millions of others and donate to Johnny Edwards.

Heck, if we can get to $7 million, the media will have to cover us and John.

New Poll in Nevada

2008-01-16T13:50:00.000-05:00

Clearly, the obituaries for the campaign were a bit premature -- New Hampsireites just don't vote for Southerners and have a horrible track-record at picking electable candidates.

ARG Nevada Poll
600 Likely Caucus goers, MOE 4 points, 9-14 January 2008

Clinton: 35
Obama: 32
Edwards: 25
Undecided: 8

Obviously, that's pre-debate and roughly follows the

Research 2000 Nevada Poll
500 Likely Caucus goers, MOE 4.5 points, 11-13 January 2008

Obama: 32
Clinton: 30
Edwards: 27
Undecided: I'm guessing around 9-10, but the story didn't list

These are the only two polls since early December. Many polling firms aren't sure how to poll "likely caucus goers" in a state with no history of large, early, and important caucuses, so let's just say this race is blurry and basically even. If only the national media dished out the stories on an even level with the results so far and the polling in early states.

Michigan Delegate Allocation in the Congressional Districts

2008-01-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

From Grebner's The Michigan Democratic Primary -- The Math, Part II at Michigan Liberal we learn about how the votes from last night will play out in the Michigan Delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August. There is more information there and it's formatted better there.

Complete unofficial returns indicate that the Michigan's 128 potential delegates will be distributed:

Clinton: 73 delegates -- 57% of the total delegates
Uncommitted: 55 delegates -- 43% of the total delegates

These delegates will be selected under state party rules beginning in March. Who knows if they will be seated -- my guess is that 1/2 will be seated as delegates with limited voting rights. In any event we will next go through the process of electing these "delegates." Anybody interested in the process should consult the delegate selection plan at the MDP website. I would just note that February 28 is the deadline for a candidate for delegate to file that intent with the state party.

Here are the important numbers, as of about 9:00 a.m.:
CD CLINTON UNCOMM TOTAL CPCT UPCT DEL Clint Uncom 1 19553 9150 30249 64.6 30.2 5 3 2 2 16427 10174 27834 59.0 36.6 5 3 2 3 14957 12732 28976 51.6 43.9 5 3 2 4 17376 9400 28136 61.8 33.4 5 3 2 5 22558 14493 38219 59.0 37.9 6 4 2 6 15822 11031 28221 56.1 39.1 5 3 2 7 16665 9921 28125 59.3 35.3 5 3 2 8 20098 13684 35832 56.1 38.2 6 4 2 9 25864 20074 48545 53.3 41.4 6 3 3 10 24278 11930 37982 63.9 31.4 5 3 2 11 26809 16606 45763 58.6 36.3 5 3 2 12 30879 22386 55795 55.3 40.1 6 3* 3 13 29674 29004 60673 48.9 47.8 6 3 3 14 33334 35000 70537 47.3 49.6 7 3 4 15 28591 20747 52898 54.0 39.2 6 3* 3 AL 342885 246332 617785 55.5 39.9 28 16 12 PL 17 10 7 GRAND TOTAL 128 73 55
Grebner explains the table: The first three columns are raw votes for Clinton, Uncommitted and the total of all votes. Note that in no place do any other candidates come close to the qualifying percentage for delegates so they have been omitted. The Clinton and Uncommitted percentages are proportions of the total. The next column has the total number of delegates to be allocated. At the bottom, AL refers to the at-large delegates and PL to the pledged party leader delegates, both of which are apportioned statewide based on the statewide total of votes. The last two columns are the delegate allocations for each pool between Clinton and Uncommitted.

The stars in the Clinton column in CDs 12 and 15 indicates that in each district Clinton is just a little short of the votes needed to win a fourth delegate (and Uncommitted is close to losing a delegate). These are the districts where even a small change from the unofficial to official totals could affect delegate totals.

"Primary" Thoughts

2008-01-16T09:29:00.000-05:00

The final statewide numbers (from CNN).

Clinton: 55% -- 328,151 votes
Uncommitted: 40% -- 236,723 votes
Kucinich: 4% -- 21, 708
Dodd: 1% -- 3,853 votes
Gravel: 0% -- 2,363 votes

Overall, I'm just amazed that 40% of those that voted, took the time to go out and vote for "nobody" given there was no campaign to speak of, just some small grassroots work on LTEs and email lists. Especially given that Team Hillary Michigan sent out glossy mailers and held rallies for Hillary. I also credit the media which around here and I know in Lansing, got the word out that Edwards and Obama supporters were advocating Uncommitted.

County Results

Results from some of the larger and more Democratic counties (U=Uncommitted, C=Clinton, K=Kucinich)

Washtenaw: U 47, C 44, K 9. A major county with an Uncommitted Win! To which I can only say: Go Blue!
Kent: C 50, U 45, K 3. I really feel like the local activists for Edwards and Obama were able to hustle out hear and get media and LTEs and email lists and flip the national average by 10%. Congrats to Celia, Melissa and all of us that played a role.
Wayne: C 50, U 46, K 3.
Oakland: C 51, U 44, K 4.
Macomb: C 64, U 31, K 3. Disappointing.

So, in the big cities and in our premier college town, among our most informed Democrats, Uncommitted did very well, about 10 points better than state-wide (other than Macomb).

Seems like the message just didn't get out to some of the medium cities in Michigan.
Saginaw: C 61, U 36, K 2.
Genesee: C 57, U 40, K 2.
Muskegon: C 61, U 36, K 2.
Livingston: C 59, U 34, K 4.

though other medium cities did vote for Uncommitted at a rate higher than the state-wide rate:
Kalamazoo: C 52, U 42, K 5.
Ingham: C 52, U 41, K 5.

It'll be interesting to see where the 5 delegates from the Third Congressional District go. My guess is 3 Hillary and 2 Uncommitted with maybe the Alternate going Uncommitted.

On Turnout

In Michigan, according to the CNN website:
Total Voters: 1,456,098 voters, a 21% turnout among registered voters.
Republican-ballot Turnout: 864,303 voters, or 59% of total turnout.
Democrat-ballot Turnout: 591,795 voters, or 40% of total turnout.

We haven't had a primary in years, so it's near impossible to compare apples and oranges as far as turnout goes since caucuses are Party-run and have far fewer polling places (but, so you know, 162,929 people voted in the 2004 Democratic caucus).

However, what we can look at is comparative turnout with Iowa and New Hampshire. In both cases, Democratic turnout far surpassed Republicans (68% Democratic, 32% Republican in Iowa; 58% Democratic and 42% Republican in New Hampshire, both traditional swing states).

In the New Hampshire primary 58% of registered voters participated. In Iowa, turnout was a historically high 17%, which seems low, but remember you're asking folks to run out after dinner and sit in a room with their neighbors to discuss politics for about an hour and a half.

In Michigan, our turnout was a dismal 21% of registered voters. Of those Michiganders that voted, 59% voted in the Republican primary and just 40% in the Democratic "primary."

So, here in Jennifer Granholm's Michigan, the Republicans, even though they're disheartened in general, outpolled Democrats 3-2, reversing national trends of Democrats outvoting Republicans almost 2-1. Michigan, with its Blue voting record, a Democratic governor and two Democratic senators should have been part of the nation-wide enthusiasm for our Democratic candidates and the Democratic Party in general. We weren't, largely because our governor was able to strongarm our Party into this farcical primary. The legacy of Jennifer's "primary" is confused and angry voters as well as unenthusiastic and very angry activists. The effects of this purposeful fiasco will be felt in November for the detriment of the Michigan Democratic Party, Michigan and maybe even America.

How Did Democrats Vote?

Remarkably, 40% of those Democrats that did turn out voted for "nobody," with another 5% voting for minor candidates, one who dropped out 2 weeks ago, while from my math it seems that about 10% of Democratic voters switched over to the Republican ballot.

If we could look at the Democratic vote on both ballots it would be something like.
Hillary Clinton: 49%
Uncommitted: 36%
Various Republicans: 11%
Kucinich or Dodd: 4%

No word on spoiled votes as far as I know, but about 98% of those spoiled ballots would have been Write-Ins for someone other than Hillary.
Add in that apparently 15% of the Clinton vote was made up of folks that would have voted Edwards or Obama had they been on the ballot, and even among those who bothered to go out yesterday, Hillary was the first choice of significantly less than 1/2 of all Michigan Democrats even though she was the only candidate on the ballot.
There's also the interesting fact that 2% of those voting on the Republican side voted Uncommitted. I wonder if those were mostly Democrats who heard the message that "the Democratic ballot is largely meaningless, so vote in the Republican primary" and the message "vote Uncommitted" and combined them.

For a study of exit polls, see nirmal's What do the Exit Polls Tell Us About the Michigan Primary? which is very impressive, though it's really hard to tell what would have happened in Michigan had their been an actual campaign (heck, if Michigan was this early and important there probably would have at least been a Michigan UAW endorsement and from all indications I've heard, that would have gone to Edwards). One of the many interesting facts that come out of the exit polls and nirmal's reading is that

According to the exits, the Republican primary vote consisted of 7% Democrats, 25% Independents, and 68% Republicans.

So, for all the scheming of Kos for Romney and others for Paul and Huckabee, must Democrats who didn't stay home, stayed with their Party. The hoped for or feared Democratic ballot-switcher was far rarely than most believed. That's good news all around. And, a plurality of those Democratic and independent voters who went with the Republican ballot voted for McCain rather than the candidates of the failed mischief-makers.

Now, we'll have to see how the delegates are divided among Hillary and Uncommitted in the Congressional Districts and what Uncommitted delegates are elected and which candidate they support. In some ways, there is a second vote for Michigan's delegates on 29 March at the Congressional District Conventions. Join our Party -- it needs some fixing -- and come to the Convention.

Oh, and by the way there was a story on what Democratic activists were thinking heading into the primary by Matt Miller in the Lansing State Journal on Saturday which was very well done (not to mention I'm quoted in it). And, yes, it was this blog that was mentioned on CNN and got a minute of national air time on Wolf Blitzer's The Situation Room (though I still have to check my tivo to watch it, I've gotten several emails, including one from my parents who were largely blissfully ignorant of my blogging, phone calls, and folks coming up to me that saw it. I don't really watch TV, but it's amazing how many people heard that story. Well, that's how little ole voters and activists like me can get heard, just sign up for a blogger account and starting writing and doing. Heck, the governor calls me philgoblue, though now she probably prefaces it with "that damned."

Highlights from the Las Vegas Debate

2008-01-16T09:13:00.000-05:00

We had it on at the Uncommitted Victory Party in Grand Rapids, but I didn't hear more than a few minutes.

So, here are some clips for us all to watch and listen.

On Energy

On the economy (medium quality audio)

Question to Obama on Campaign Finance

On How Voters Pick a Candidate

On the Middle Class and Poor

On the Promise of America and on Lobbyists and PACs and their Power

Las Vegas Democratic Debate TONIGHT!

2008-01-15T18:02:00.000-05:00

Tonight, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time (6 p.m. Pacific Time ) in Las Vegas, Edwards is participating in the Democratic Debate.
You can watch it live on MSNBC or at MSNBC.com.

Tuesday, January 15th We might be able to watch it at The Cambridge House in GR at the Uncommitted Victory Party!

FYI: Polling from Nevada has the race in a statistical deadheat with every candidate 3 points within 30%.

Updated and Primoted: Tues, 6 pm

Welcome CNN Viewers

2008-01-15T16:30:00.000-05:00

to my little blog for John Edwards. Please feel free to poke around and enjoy!

West Michigan Results Watch Party

2008-01-15T16:27:00.000-05:00

Disheartened and Disenfranchized Michigan Democrats: Come join is for a stiff drink and watch the results come in from are farcical "primary"/strawpoll.

Tuesday, 15 January
Starting at 7:00 pm, polls close at 8:00 pm, so results should be coming in around 8:30ish pm.

The Cambridge House
600 Monroe Ave, NW
http://www.cambridgehousegr.com/index.html
Map

There will be media stopping by to cover our Uncommitted Victory Party

We'll also have cell phones so you can call the Michigan Democratic Party and complain about how they took away our right to vote in a meaningful election.

We'll also be kicking off the fundraising campaign for the Committee to Reelect Uncommitted 2012.

Promoted: Tuesday, 4:30 pm

If you support John Edwards, Vote Uncommitted Today

2008-01-15T08:21:00.000-05:00

(also if you're for Barack Obama).

Polls open at 7:00 am
Polls close at 8:00 p m

Do not sign Recall Petitions and Right to Work (for Less) Petitions.

Mark Maynard has an interesting take on Granholm's email

2008-01-14T22:36:00.001-05:00

at http://markmaynard.com/index.php/2008/01/14/granholm_misleads_the_voters_of_michigan

Let's Be Serious In Michigan: Vote Uncommitted, Not Mitt

2008-01-14T22:00:00.000-05:00

By now, we all know Markos has come up with this Michigan Democrats for Mitt idea. It's here and heretoo.

This is a horrible idea dreamed up by a Californian. Democrats should vote in the Democratic Primary where something is at stake -- the media reports after the "primary." They can either read "Hillary On a Roll, Wins Michigan" or "Uncommitted Defeats Hillary, Clinton Can't Win Against Nobody." Supporters of John Edwards and Barack Obama along with those angry at Granholm (trying to get a job in a possible, if now less likely, Hillary Administration) for strong-arming this through the MDP should VOTE UNCOMMITTED.

The main problem with Kos' scheme is that we Michigan Democrats need to worry about picking our own nominee, rather than attempt to have some small impact on their nominee. It's more imperative that we Michigan Democrats do our little part so that we do not end up with Hillary, our weakest candidate and least progressive potential president.

Every vote for Romney is also a vote for the headline "Hillary Wins Michigan, Controls Race."

So, think before you follow a bunch of out-of-staters trying to get you to vote for a Republican and instead

Some FAQ on the Michigan Primary

Hey, what about that wicked cool idea by Markos to vote for Romney?

The Democrats for Mitt scheme has two goals as I see it. If they can help Romney win Michigan, Democrats can extend the chaos in the Republican primary and the political fortunes of the candidate most likely to go negative on other Republicans and if Romney does end up winning it appears now that he would be the least electable of Republicans.

There are numerous problems with Kos' idea.

1. Michiganders really don't need a bunch of outsiders who don't fully understand our politics coming in and telling us how to vote. The Democrats for Mitt group does not include a single Michiganders in its administration. Instead it's made up of folks from California (Markos Moulitsas), Iowa (Adam Fries), and Pennsylvania (Jesse Hoff).

2. It's not a good idea to cause mischief in the Republican Primary since it really would influence only a few points and has little chance of influencing the race and because their is something at stake in the Democratic Primary -- the media headlines afterward.

3. Kos is wrong about the Democratic primary.

Kos wrote:

The Democratic race is irrelevant. I hate to say it to Michigan Democrats, but your governor miscalculated and now the Democratic race means zero. The anti-Hillary Clinton camp thinks if they can keep her under 50 percent by voting "undeclared" that they'll notch some sort of victory. No one will care. You can't even say, "more than half of Democrats don't want her!" since less than half of Democrats wanted her in Iowa or New Hampshire. The reality is that less than half of Democrats want any of our candidates right now in the three-way race. I wish it wasn't the case. And if the primary had been placed on Feb. 5, it would've mattered. But it wasn't. So now the only story that will emerge from Michigan will be the Republican results, and that's the only place Democrats can materially affect the race.

To summarize, this is about letting Democrats actually materially impact this race.

By the way, you can note here that Kos doesn't know a whole lot about Michigan politics. Granholm didn't "miscalculate," all along this was about creating a firewall for Hillary. And it's not "undeclared" it's Uncommitted. Plus, there was never a plan to have a primary on 5 February, it was always to have our traditional caucus on 9 February. But back to the meat of my critique.

Contrary to his opinion from 3000 miles away, the Michigan Democratic Party primary is meaningful, not extremely meaningful, but important enough to stay on the Democratic ballot.

Now, it's not meaningful as far as delegates go. Michigan has been stripped of all its delegates, and while some of those might be returned as pseudo-delegates at the National Convention, it's not at all clear now what will become of our delegation.

No, it's important because of the media story that will come out of Michigan (now it won't be front-page news, but it will be inside papers and it will get mentioned on the 24-hour news networks since they have to talk about something and they love to talk about the horserace.

So, either the media headlines will read "Hillary Wins Michigan, She Now das the Momentum in the Race" or "Uncommitted Defeats Hillary: Michigan Picks Nobody Over Clinton, Boost to Edwards and Obama."

That's the power we Michigan Democrats have on Tuesday, to pick the media headline and influence who has the all-important momentum in the race for the Democratic Nomination.

As Michigan pundit Tim Stubick writes:

Each vote in that [Uncommitted] column is one less for Clinton. Under the worse possible scenario, she could lose to non-committed and the national pundits would have a field day.

Barack Obama and John Edwards can't win the Michigan presidential primary, but they can beat or embarrass Hillary Clinton.

Now some folks I respect a great deal believe that voting on the Republican side penalizes the MDP for the primary farce, and there is some logic to that. But since it helps Hillary win some momentum and potential delegates, voting on the Republican side if you would have voted for Edwards or Obama means that you're rewarding the Forces of Coronation that gave us this joke of a primary.

Note I've got no problem with the morality of switching ballots, it's just that Kos' assumptions are wrong, so it doesn't make sense in this case.

4. Again, this effort is extremely likely to fail. Those Michigan Democrats that switch over are just as likely to vote for the Republican they like the most -- probably maverick John McCain or economic populist Mike Huckabee -- as they are to vote for a choice that will cause mischief -- Mitt Romney or Ron Paul. Indeed, pro-Huckabee PACs are actively courting Democratic voters to vote for the former governor from Hope. Meanwhile, the
troll Libertarians want us to switch vote for Ron Paul (they've also infiltrated and spammed Democratic meetup groups in Grand Rapids. In other words, Democratic switchover votes will go to at least four Republicans and their overall impact on the Republican race will be diluted and therefore minimal. Heck, there's even news that Republicans are switching over to the Democratic ballot. Who woulda guessed?

5. Finally, according to the law that put the "primary" at 15 January, the Republican and Democratic Parties will gain sole access to the voter lists. Thus, if you vote in the Republican primary (and probably achieve nothing but a 1-2% change in the outcome), you'll be paying for it for years and years with Republican robocalls, mailings and knocks on your door. So, if you want Dick DeVos and Mike Cox to call you and visit your house, then go ahead and switch over to the Republican ballot.

As an addendum, I'm not sure Romney will really be all that easy to beat in a General Election. Romney can play the business-man card effectively, has no associations with BushCo, and was the governor of Massachusetts (like a Democratic Southerner, swing voters will assume that a Republican from New England is a moderate by the very fact that he got elected there).

OK, so I'll stay on the Democratic ballot. Now, can't I just write in John Edwards or Barack Obama in the Write-In Space on the ballot?

Write-ins will NOT be counted. They will be considered spoiled and thrown in the garbage since no candidates filled out the forms to be an official write-in choice.

So, if I can't vote for my candidate, shouldn't I just stay home?

If you stay at home, you are simply making it more likely that the forces that brought you the farce of a primary will win and will give Hillary media momentum and all the potential delegates. If you're angry that Granholm-Dingell-Hillary forced the MDP into a no candidate, no campaigns, no delegates "primary," then show that disapproval through actively voting against them -- voting Uncommitted -- rather than engaging in a boycott they'll write off as laziness.

In short: Every Democrat who would have voted for Edwards or Obama but is now voting for Romney is essentially voting for Hillary Clinton (she he still supports NAFTA).

OK, so can I do?

Vote Uncommitted.

Voting Uncommitted means, according to The Michigan Democratic Party's Voters Guide for the 15 January "primary" that

A vote for “uncommitted” is a vote to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention who are not committed or pledged to any candidate. Those delegates can vote for any candidate they choose at the Convention.

Supporters of Joe Biden [dropped out], John Edwards, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson [dropped out] are urged to vote “uncommitted” instead of writing in their candidates’ names because write-in votes for those candidates will not be counted.

The Edwards and Obama grassroots, along with all Edwards and Obama elected endorsers such as congressman Bart Stupack and State Representative Fred Miller (Edwards) and congressman John Conyers (Obama), and the Michigan Democratic Party urge supporters of John Edwards and/or Barack Obama to Vote Uncommitted.

Can Uncommitted Really Earn Delegates and Compete with Hillary Clinton?

Two recent polls show Uncommitted can do well enough to earn delegates and can keep Hillary Clinton under 50%.

A EPIC/MRA poll from Saturday (600 "people," 300 on Democratic side, 9-12 January 2008)
had it:

Hillary Clinton: 56%
Uncommitted: 33%
Dennis Kucinich: 3%
Write-In: 3% (these votes will be spoiled)
Chris Dodd: 0%
Mike Gravel: 0%
Undecided/don't know/refused: 5%

An earlier Rossman/MIRS/Denno-Noor poll (taken after Iowa, but before New Hampshire and the media coverage of Uncommitted; of 300 likely voters in the Democratic "primary," 5.8% MOE; 6-7 January 2008)

Hillary Clinton: 47%
Uncommitted: 28%
Undecided: 11%
All Others: less than 5% each

Michigan election expert Grebner has the Michigan "primary" math showing that even a decent 25-30% vote for Uncommitted could leave it with close to half the "delegates" to the national convention.

Will The Delegates We're Electing Really Be Seated in Denver in August At the Democratic National Convention?

Who knows? On 1 December the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee went out of their way to penalize Michigan more than the rules called for. Instead of stripping halfof our delegates for the MDP's breaking of the calendar rules, they stripped allof Michigan's delegates. The MDP is promising us that our delegates will be seated, however they've made a lot of promises on this primary -- that the DNC would allow our power-move up and that candidates would come to Michigan -- that haven't come true so they've lost my trust in their predictive powers on the primary. The DNC wants to be able to set the calendar rules, so they will push to severely punish Michigan's delegates. However, the presumptive nominee will probably push for a compromise, but mostly on the DNC's side. My guess is that only half of our delegates will be seated, that they won't be allowed to join any committees, including the Platform Committee, that DNC members like MDP Chair Mark Brewer and Debbie Dingell will not be seated, and that if half of the delegation is seated it will only be seated with floor voting rights just before they go on TV to vote for the nominee. If we have a contested convention because Obama has 40%, Hillary has 40% and Edwards has 20%, then our delegates will not be seated at all because there will be a battle for delegates and Michigan will miss out in the most important convention in over 60 years.

FYI: The DNC canceled the hotel rooms for Michigan's delegation earlier this week. At the Kent County Democratic Party meeting last week I overheard someone say, "You can be a delegate, but you won't get a bed or a chair." Ah, the reality of jail-house humor.

But, again, this is more about the media story than it is about the delegates.

What was this moving up from a February caucus to a 15 January primary all about?

First, it's important to remember that although Carl Levin has been hunting his white whale of moving Michigan in front of New Hampshire since the Constitutional Congress, the 15 January plan began as a bill pushed by Republican State Senate Leader Mike Bishop. It was the pro-Hillary faction within the Michigan Democratic Party that saw this Republican initiative taken on behalf of somewhat-native-son Mitt Romney to help Hillary Clinton whose campaign feared a loss in Iowa and needed a firewall. So, Hillary endorsers Governor Jennifer Granholm and MDP powerbroker Debbie Dingell put enormous pressure on the Democrats in the State House and Senate to go along with the Republican bill which passed and was signed by Granholm (I have this based on five separate sources).

Publicly, the purpose of the powerplay to break the agreed upon calendar was to give Michigan more of a voice in the selection of the nominee, force the nominees to address Michigan issues such as the Great Lakes, manufacturing, international trade, and industrial unions, and increase Democratic voter turnout and excitement among Democratic activists and voters.

Privately, Granholm is looking to be Attorney General or maybe Secretary of Energy. Jennifer needs a job since they're aren't any openings in Michigan for 4-6 years.

Why the 15 January "Primary" Was A Horrible Idea

1. It's led to great apathy among Michigan Democratic voters and anger at the MDP among Michigan progressive activists.

2. The goal of increasing Michigan's say in the nomination process has completely failed. While are argue that we'll have a little impact, it'll be extremely minimal, especially now that it seems that two or three candidates will survive Super Duper Tuesday and go onward. Our 9 February caucus could have been a king or queen maker with candidates, campaigns and delegates.

3. The goal of getting candidates to pay attention to our issues has failed as well since they're not here. And this was after Edwards, Clinton and Obama had been to Michigan before the debacle and we're beginning to discuss our situation in Michigan.

4. Late last year Democrats and Republicans passed a budget plan that increased the state income tax (but still not back to pre-Engler taxcut levels) and expanded the sales tax to certain services (since repealed). Another out-of-state groups such as Americans for Tax Reform are trying to take advantage of this to recall vulnerable Democratic representatives who voted for the tax increase including Grand Rapids' Robert Dean and Royal Oak's Marie Donigan (thus putting the Democrats majority in the State House in jeopardy). Now, with a state-funded Republican primary (instead of a much smaller caucus), Recall petitioners should be able to collect the 11,000 signatures in each district necessary to recall the Democrats since they'll have around a million Democrat-hating and tax-loathing Republicans to ask for their signature. Governor Granholm has put her desire to get a job in some potential Hillary Administration above both the interests of Michigan Democratic voters, but also the state of Michigan and the Democratic State House Caucus. Shame.

5. Another group of out-of-state petitioners will be collecting signature tomorrow -- to make Michigan a Right to Work (for Less) State and turn us into Michissippi. They'll also have a million Republicans has potential signers. Great job Jen, you're ruining the state.

6. Michigan's future delegate count is determined by how many people vote on the Democratic side of this primary. So if turnout is really low on the Democratic ballot, that means we'll lose a significant amount of delegates for 2012. That's another reason to vote on the Democratic side.

7. And on top of it all this state-funded primary for political parties is costing our cash-strapped state around $15 million dollars.

So, if the 15 January primary was such a bad idea, what did you do to stop it?

Michigan grassroots and netroots activists organized emails and phonecalls to the MDP to urge them to back out of the 15 January primary and return to a DNC-sanctioned caucus. We had resolutions to that effect passed in most of the most populous counties at County Democratic Party meetings, including Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw (Ann Arbor) and Kent (Grand Rapids). We even put forward a formal Implementation Challenge to the MDP (which we did not release to the press since we tried to do this all internally) which our Party never responded to. Finally, after receiving no feedback from MDP leaders one of our activists and her attorney was forced to sue the MDP and the Secretary of State in federal court. Heck, the MDP and State of Michigan have now been sued three times (it was one vote away from being ruled unconstitutional in the state "supreme" court), now that the ACLU has filed suit against the primary.

More info on this in a nice diary by brainwrap at MichLib.

What Else You Can Do (Other Than Telling Your Friends and Actually Going to the Polls for Uncommitted)

Join the Vote Uncommitted Facebook Group or contact Georg at voteuncommittedmi

Michigan Bloggers for Uncommitted:

Stone Soup Musings

There's more (indeed I can't think of any subscribing to this idea, the alternative in the Michigan blogosphere seems to be for Ron Paul), but this is getting long and I have to get ready for class and canvass my neighborhood for the traffic calming meeting tonight (yes, I do national, state, county, city (2), and neighborhood politics).

Michiganders,
We've still got to worry about our own Party's nominee before we worry about their nominee. And Michigan will either be a win for Hillary or it won't. It's really that simple.

Vote Uncommitted.

This is just as much for Obama folks as it is for Edwards. The progressive, pro-change candidates need to ally here in Michigan. Sorry, I haven't seen any Obama yardsigns in town.

Crossposted at MichLib: Let's Be Serious In Michigan: Vote Uncommitted, Not Mitt

My Letter to the Editor in the Grand Rapids Press

2008-01-14T21:42:00.000-05:00

Vote uncommitted

I encourage all supporters of John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson and Al Gore to vote uncommitted in the Democratic "primary" on Tuesday.

I've been privileged to lead the local grassroots movement for John Edwards the last year. We've had great successes. We marched in the Labor Day Parade, held a reception for Elizabeth Edwards, picketed with her and striking GM workers at the Wyoming plant, attended county party events, had numerous parties, and some of us even traveled to Iowa for their caucuses.
We were looking forward to launching a big campaign in West Michigan for Edwards.

Unfortunately, the Michigan Democratic Party decided to break national party calendar rules and therefore all candidates pledged not to campaign in our state. Our candidate ethically lived up to his promise and took his name off the ballot. We had hoped our state leaders would see reality and move back to a caucus in early February, but they continued their failed policy of brinkmanship.

Now we Democrats are left with a confusing ballot that includes only one serious candidate. While "Write-In" is on the ballot, the state will not be counting any write-ins, so do not be fooled. Do not spoil and void your ballot. Instead, vote "uncommitted." Uncommitted delegates will be free to vote for Edwards or Obama at the national convention in August.

Along with the Michigan Democratic Party, the West Michigan for Edwards Grassroots Group urges Edwards and Obama supporters to vote "uncommitted" in the Democratic primary.

-- Philip Skaggs/East Grand Rapids

Vote Uncommitted Letter in the Kalamazoo Gazette

2008-01-12T20:59:00.000-05:00

This letter will be published soon, in the Kalamazoo Gazette. Its author sent it to me. If you have a letter, send it to me and I'll put it up here.

An Open Letter to Michigan Voters:

On Tuesday, January 15th Michigan will hold its primary election. This election is to decide our delegates who go to the National Convention in August. This is what has happened.

The State of Michigan broke National Party rules by holding its primary against the agreed upon calendar dates. This decision was made in order to make Michigan more noticeable in the primary process, but in hindsight it actually may have hurt us. In response to this decision, John Edwards and Barack Obama removed their names from the Democratic party primary ticket here in Michigan.

BUT...Michigan voters still need to get out to their local precincts and vote on January 15th. Our votes will count and our voices will be heard. If your candidate is NOT on the ballot, please vote UNCOMMITTED. Write-in votes will not be counted and will be thrown out. Supporters of Edwards and Obama should vote UNCOMMITTED (this will move the delegates away from Clinton and make an Edwards surge in South Carolina more possible).

Edwards and Obama did not remove their names to hurt Michigan, but to pass along the message that they are in favor of sticking to the rules of the democratic process. The Michigan Democratic Party and supporters of Edwards and Obama are encouraging Democrats to vote UNCOMMITTED as the Uncommitted delegates will be free to vote for Edwards or Obama at the party convention in Denver.

Please pass along this message to your family and friends. Please pass this along to neighbors and those in your workplaces. Michigan is in despeate need of change and although the Clinton campaign claims they know this, perhaps a TOTAL change in Washington is needed. The 'same old, same old' may cause more detriment to our state than uncertainity.

John Edwards stands for us. His plan to build One America is one that should be looked at. Do not take my word for it; research the candidates and vote for who YOU think will bring the change about that we so need. John Edwards knows from personal experience what it is like to live in poverty...and he struggled to make a life for himself. That is what we need; someone who knows how hard it is to feed a family of four on minimum wage. A President who remembers what it is like to not have health care. A person who can stand up for those of us in Michigan who are struggling every day.

Go to your local precinct on January 15th and vote YOUR way. Do not follow what others think...research it for yourself. If your candidate is NOT on the ballot, vote UNCOMMITTED. Let us come together and stand up for what we know...that Michigan is a MAJOR player in this election and we will be heard, no matter when our primary is held.

-- Deborah Ash, MScEd in Colon, Michigan

Economists Support Edwards' Populism

2008-01-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

New York Times, Economists Warm to Edwards.

The group “Economists for Edwards" as formed this week.

The 34 economists released a joint statement saying they were endorsing Mr. Edwards because his campaign was “the single best expression of progressive political values in American politics today.” The group includes Edward Wolff, a New York University economist known for his research on wealth; Clyde Prestowitz, a former Reagan Administration trade official; and Harley Shaiken of the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Edwards’s Web site cites the full list.

“This campaign has been uniquely serious about carefully framing policy alternatives,” Mr. Galbraith said in an interview. He said that Barack Obama’s emphasis on consensus-building has “a certain level of vagueness” to it, while Hillary Clinton was largely pursuing a continuation of her husband’s economic policies....

With inequality now greater than it has been since the 1920’s, Mr. Edwards had a stronger commitment to making sure wages rose and poverty fell, Mr. Galbraith said.

“This would be a more activist presidency,” Mr. Galbraith said. “The focus would be on what the major goals are – climate change, infrastructure, employment – and not on what the constraints are.”

Results Watch Party

2008-01-12T11:31:00.000-05:00

Even though it's a bit pathetic, I thought we could have a results watch party at the Cambridge House on Tuesday at around 8:00 pm. More information later. Hey, it's an excuse to have a drink at the very least.

Vote Uncommitted on Tuesday

2008-01-12T11:26:00.000-05:00

I'll turn this into a full post on the reasons later today, for now:

Vote Uncommitted

and tell all your friends.

Write-ins WILL NOT be counted. They will be considered spoiled and thrown in the garbage.
It's not a good idea to cause mischief in the Republican Primary since it really would influence only a few points and has little chance of influencing the race and because their is something at stake in the Democratic Primary -- the media headlines afterward. Either the media headlines will read "Hillary Wins Michigan, She Now das the Momentum in the Race" or "Uncommitted Defeats Hillary: Michigan Picks Nobody Over Clinton, Boost to Edwards and Obama."

New Ad in South Carolina

2008-01-12T09:34:00.000-05:00

Looks like the campaign is making a big push to win South Carolina and head into 5 February with some momentum.

Here's the new ad "Mill"

"I'm not running president because I read something in a book," Edwards says in the ad. "I'm not running for president because some political consultant told me what I'm supposed to say. I'm running for president because of 54 years of my life, I have believed to my soul that the men and women who worked in that mill with my father were worth every bit as much as the man that owned that mill."

Maybe the Next President of the United States

2008-01-11T14:10:00.000-05:00

If we nominate Hillary or Obama, who poll show would lose to the two likely Republican nominees -- McCain and Huckabee -- in the key states of Ohio and Florida (Edwards defeats all Republicans in those states, except he's tied with McCain in Florida) we'll end up with this:

Phone Bank from Michigan to South Carolina

2008-01-10T23:19:00.000-05:00

South Carolina is where we win and transform the race.

You can call South Carolinians from Michigan for the campaign: http://www.johnedwardsphonebank.com/login.php

Write Letters to the Editor for Uncommitted Today

2008-01-10T12:15:00.000-05:00

Michigan for Edwards,

TODAY, it is vitally important that you write letters to the editor to your local newspapers.

I was on a conference call with the campaign last night and they are very optimistic about John's chances in South Carolina (remember Obama won Iowa next to his Illinois, and Clinton won New Hampshire just a few hours drive from her New York). Soon, it'll be our turn. To help John out we need everyone in Michigan to vote Uncommitted and to spread the word.
On the night of 15 January we'll either get the headline: "Hillary Continues Momentum With Win in Michigan" or "Uncommitted Wins, Michigan Democrats Would Rather Have None of the Above Rather Than Hillary." If Hillary is weakened here in Michigan, the chances of an Edwards win in South Carolina and in numerous 5 February states goes way way up. This primary season is not over, remember John has gotten 25% of the vote so far and has about 30% of the delegates (NH was largely weak since New Englanders never vote for Southerners in primaries).

So, write letters TODAY(so they get to the paper in time to make it in before Tuesday, it may need to be in by 4:30 pm today). They just take about 30 minutes and it's important that we get the message out that Democrats should vote in the Democratic Primary, should not Write-In Edwards or Obama (since write-ins won't be counted), but should vote Uncommitted. Here are some talking points that you should include in your letter.
Start with something like: I encourage all supporters of John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson and Al Gore to vote Uncommitted in the Democratic “primary” on Tuesday, January 15.
Explain briefly why you support Edwards: labor issues, opposes NAFTA and bad free trade agreements, real universal healthcare, withdrawal from Iraq within a year, most agressive energy program, has a plan to help Michigan's economy recover by investing in new-fuel cars and an alternative energy manufacturing sector, most electable against Republicans in November, etc.
Then explain why John Edwards isn't on the ballot. Again, but it in your own words but something like: Edwards took his name off the ballot because the Michigan Democratic Party broke national party rules and is holding a primary that is against the agreed upon calendar rules. Edwards has ethics, so he stood by his word not to participate in states where the rules were broken and thus he took his name off the ballot.
Then explain that write-ins won't be counted. This is a real important message since Write-In will be on the ballot and people will be fooled into thinking they can write in Edwards or Obama: Write-ins won't be counted by the state and will be considered spoiled and thrown away.
Then, urge them instead to vote uncommitted and note that: Uncommitted delegates will be free to vote for Edwards or Obama at the Party Convention in Denver in August. You could note that voting Uncommitted helps us elect one of our two best, most progressive, and most electable Democrats as our nominee.
Conclude with a single-sentence summary like: Edwards supporters throughout the state, along with Obama supporters and the Michigan Democratic Party, urge Democrats and independents supporting Edwards or Obama to vote uncommitted.
[we're together with Obama supporters on this so it makes sense to include him so we inform his voters as well, the important thing here is to weaken Hillary and the attempts by her supporters to coronate her in Michigan with a one-candidate election -- no one will ever know if most of those uncommitted were really Edwards or Obama votes].
Usually Letters should be no more than No more than 250 words. I've written to the GR Press. We should try to get at least 1-2 letters in every major paper.

How to send in Letters to the Editor:

Detroit News: letters@detnews.com
They've written that Edwards and Obama disrespected Michigan, so you might want to rebut that. Something like, after Bush's spinning to get us into war and not following numerous laws, we need a president that will live up to his word and promises and follow the rules.

Saginaw News: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/sanews/le tters/index.ssf/Grand Rapids
Flint Journal: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/fljournal letters

Grand Rapids Press: pulse@grpress.com
Muskegon Chronicle:http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/muchronicle/letters/index.ssf/
Kalamazoo Gazette: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/kzgazette/letters/index.ssf/
Holland Sentinel: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/lettersubmit/

Jackson
Lansing State Journal

Other newspapers, you'll need to check out their webpage and look under Opinion or Contact us for a link to submit letters to the editor.

Really, take a few minutes to really help the campaign. Thanks and let me know what you send and where.
-- Phil

West Michigan Yard Signs

2008-01-08T23:23:00.000-05:00

West Michigan, I've got Edwards yard signs and special "Vote Uncommitted" attachments. Email me and we'll find a way to get one to you (especially if you live on a high-traffic road).

New Hampshire

2008-01-08T23:17:00.001-05:00

With most precincts in:

Clinton 39
Obama 36
Edwards 17
Richardson 5
Kucinich 2

Disappointing, but Southerners just don't ever do well in New Hampshire (they vote for Kerry, Dukakis and Tsongas), and it is an improvement over 2004.

It does mean that Obama isn't going to run away with this. It also means that this race can change on a dime on any given day. So, stay strong, stay frosty, and get to work in your state or better yet in Nevada or South Carolina.

John's Speech Tonight:

Grand Rapids for Edwards Meetup Today

2008-01-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

Fifth Grand Rapids for Edwards Meetup
TODAY: Monday, 7 January
at the Wealthy Street Bakery at 6:00 pm.

We'll be discussing Letters to the Editor to Vote Uncommitted and Yard Signs (as well as a possible update on the lawsuit agains the "primary").

New TV Ad Up in New Hampshire: The Underdogs and Edwards Surging

2008-01-06T23:15:00.000-05:00

FYI: Rassmussen Reports has the national race at
Clinton 36%, Barack Obama 25% and John Edwards 23%

Edwards is up 9 point in the last week and Obama has no bounce after Iowa, though Hillary is down 7 points.

6 January 2008 (3 days after Iowa)
Clinton 36% (-7)
Obama 25% (+1)
Edwards 23% (+9)

29 December 2007
Clinton 43%
Obama 24%
Edwards 14%

More analysis from Political Insider:

In a blizzard of New Hampshire polls, one national poll has been largely overlooked -- the Rasmussen national daily tracking poll. In that poll, there's a huge surprise: while Hillary Clinton has dropped seven points since December 29th (from 43 percent to 36 percent), Barack Obama has only gained a point (from 24 percent to 25.) So where has Hillary's support gone?
To John Edwards, who has surged nine points in a week from 14 percent to 23 percent. How can this be?
One possibility is that the saturation media coverage of the Clinton vs. Obama battle in Iowa made Edwards' second place finish a relative surprise. Even though the pundits argued that the state was do-or-die, merely defeating Hillary was novelty enough to give Edwards a bump....
If Edwards can top Clinton for second place on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see if voters who leave the Clinton camp continue to move to Edwards.

Edwards needs a second in NH (or at least a tie) and we need to do what we can to end Hillary's campaign in Michigan by voting Uncommitted. Then Edwards gets a one-on-one against HOPE. He can win that contest.

Michigan Democrats Take MDP to Federal Court Tomorrow

2008-01-06T20:36:00.000-05:00

From the Grand Rapids Press story, Edwards backer heads to court over primary date

[Grand Rapids Democratic activist Martha Hays] will be sitting in a federal courtroom in Grand Rapids [on Monday morning], where her lawyer will argue that the Michigan Democratic Party took away her rights and the rights of other Democrats to participate in the nominating process....

Her lawyer will ask U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker to stop the statewide primary election; if not for both parties, then at least for the Democratic party.

"I can't vote and I'm sort of mad about that," said Hayes, who said she belongs to a group of local Edwards supporters who began working on his behalf more than a year ago.

"The actions of our state party have made it so that I can't vote for my candidate," Hayes said.

What annoys Hayes is the game of political brinkmanship that Michigan Democrats have played with the national Democratic party.

In a bid to make the state more relevant to the nominating process, Michigan Democrats decided to hold their presidential primary Jan. 15, one week after New Hampshire and before most of the other state primaries.

The national party, which decided Michigan should hold a primary election or caucus on Feb. 9, has said it would strip Michigan of any delegates nominated outside of its rules.....

Hayes, who spent five days last month volunteering for the Edwards campaign in Iowa, says the state party's effort to become more relevant has backfired badly.

"We have had no candidates, no community meetings. We have no press coverage, no advertising -- we have no campaigning here whatsoever," she sighed.

"... Our Michigan issues are not being discussed."

I'll try to keep everyone updated as the lawsuit story develops.

Best of luck to Martha and her lawyer tomorrow.

On the ABC Debate see this diary

2008-01-05T23:41:00.000-05:00

by NCDemAmy at DailyKos. She's got blogger and pundit reactions to the debate and video highlights.

Some video highlights of the debate.

Edwards on the most important thing he did in the Senate -- pass the Patients' Bill of Rights with Kennedy and McCain

On Saving the Middle-Class

On Bipartisantship and Partisanship: "You cannot nice these people to death.... This is a fight for the American people against those that are stopping change."

Edwards On His Second Place in Iowa

2008-01-05T16:51:00.000-05:00

I'll write my account tomorrow, but I think Robert has a lot of smart things to say on this at Mark Maynard.

I'm Back from Iowa

2008-01-04T21:51:00.001-05:00

I'll have a report tomorrow or Sunday, in the meantime, a quote from our candidate

What happened was, the People of Iowa said: 'We want John Edwards' Voice to be heard!'

I mean, I basically beat the Clinton Machine, where I was grossly out spent by them, and I was competitive with Senator Obama. And now what we know is: we're going to have a 'Change Candidate' for the next Democratic Nominee for President.

And the Choice is going to be between me and Senator Obama.

Vote Uncommitted on 15 January.

Off to Iowa

2008-01-01T09:56:00.000-05:00

I'm packing now and we are leaving Michigan at 1:00 pm. I hope to have updates.

There is still a chance to join us, see: http://michiganforedwards.blogspot.com/2007/12/road-trip-to-iowa-caucuses-vacation-in.html

Major Bloggers Endorse Edwards

2007-12-31T19:00:00.000-05:00

Matt Stoller at Open Left (formerly of MyDD)
Chris Bower at Open Left (formerly of MyDD)
David Sirota
Jerome Armstrong at MyDD

Update from Ohio for Edwards: Skippy's almost there, and the Agonist and Big Tent Democrat have weighed in on Edwards side.And now, joining the eleventh hour throng of Edwards endorsers, the patron saint of the "Primaries Bore Me" crowd, Atrios will vote for Edwards.

A look at some recent polls out of Iowa

2007-12-30T11:15:00.000-05:00

Honestly, this is a tie race right now with Edwards moving up.

Here are two or the most recent and best (low MOE, from reputable firm) polls:

McClatchy-MSNBC by Mason-Dixon, 23-26 December (can you imagine they called folks on Christmas!), MOE 5%, In parentheses is their 3-6 December poll and the trend).

Edwards 24 (21, +3)
Clinton 23 (27, -4)
Obama 22 (25, -3)
Richardson 12 (9, +3)
Biden 8 (5, +3)
Dodd 2
Kucinich 1
Undecided: 8

Edwards is winning among men and union households to get that lead. Obama is leading among first time caucus goers, so his GOTV will be huge for his success. Edwards is leading among those concerned with issues and those with electability in November. Obama leads on "change" (which is just bull in my opinion). Clinton wins with those most interested in "experience." On the issues Edwards is winning those most interested in the economy and Iraq, but Hillary is close behind. Shockingly, Hillary is winning healthcare voters in a huge way, while Obama has a slide lead among environmental voters with Edwards a close second.

Here's the kicker, if the non-major candidates are not viable and their caucus supporters go for a second-choice, Edwards is winning huge and it ends up looking like this

Edwards 33
Hillary 26
Obama 26
Other, Uncommitted and Unsure 15

But, Richardson will be viable in a few places and Biden will make it in places like Dubuque.

Research 2000, 26-27 December, 500 likely voters, parantheses are results of 10-13 December poll with trends)

Edwards 29 (24, +5)
Obama 29 (33, -4)
Hillary 28 (24, +4)
Richardson 7 (9, -2)
Biden 3 (3, even)

It all comes down to Iowa, so email me and join our trip, we leave on New Years Day.

The Closing Ads in Iowa and New Hampshire

2007-12-27T16:23:00.000-05:00

Time for Truth

Choice

Power

30 Years

My thoughts: If it is Trippi who is making these ads, he's doing a great job. He gives John and/or Elizabeth the face time. I especially love that first two are Iowa specific and the series of him sitting at the chair in front of the window with the snow in the background. The one with Elizabeth is a winning testimonial -- sure it's from his wife, but she is beloved. I'd turn the volumn down a notch on Choice and Power so as not to distract from John.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Joyous Feast of the Unconquered Sun

2007-12-25T13:06:00.000-05:00

It's hard to read ELizabeth's flowing handwriting, but here is what it says:

Happiness
Health
Hope

But our words are just a promise about our actions. Live deliberately, sacrifice for what is truly important, and, above all, in these times -- and all times -- trust your heart.

John & Elizabeth Edwards
Cate, Emma Claire & Jack

Merry Christmas, -- Phil

Road Trip to the Iowa Caucuses: Vacation in Lovely Dubuque and Change America

2007-12-23T17:49:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like ... caucus.

A bunch of Michigan folks for Edwards will be driving to Dubuque, Iowa to take part in the Iowa caucuses from 1-4 January. This is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take part in this incredible event that goes a long way to choosing our next president. We won't just be going to make phone calls and canvas, we'll actually be co-precinct captains -- we'll be inside the caucus room talking with caucus-goers and making sure we get wins for Edwards.

You can be a part of the Iowa caucuses and the transformation of America -- you don't want to later regret that you didn't go. If you want to go, email me. Let me know as soon as you can so I can tell Dubuque HQ how many Michiganders are coming to win Iowa.

What we'll be doing

We'll arrive at the Edwards Field Office in Dubuque and receive training on being a co-precinct captain. Then each of us will be assigned a precinct and we'll hit the phones and knock on doors on 2 January in that precinct. On 3 January we'll do Get Out the Caucus work and prepare our corner of the caucus site at our precinct. Then, the Iowan caucus goers will arrive and we'll help to keep our group together and win over undecideds and those whose candidates aren't "viable" (they don't receive 15% of the precinct vote on the first ballot).
This is incredibly important work and can literally be something you can tell your kids and grandkids about -- "I was there at the beginning and I did more than my part."

And then ... the victory party!

Now, a little study guide to how caucuses work and what you'll be doing.

First, watch the clever little video for Edwards caucus precinct captains.

Then check out the Edwards Caucus Command Center.

A friend of mine and long-time caucus participant desmoinesdem has written several stories that discuss how the Iowa caucus works. I highly encourage you to read them before coming out (or bring them in the car for some roadtrip reading).

How the Iowa caucuses work, part 1 (basic elements of the caucus system)
How the Iowa caucuses work, part 2 (discusses who is over-represented and who is under-represented when delegates are counted)
How the Iowa caucuses work, part 3 (why it's hard to turn out caucus-goers)
How the Iowa caucuses work, part 4 (more about why caucus turnout is low)
How the Iowa caucuses work, part 5 (on second choices and caucus math)
How the Iowa caucuses work, part 6 (on how precinct captains help their candidates before caucus night)
How the Iowa caucuses work, part 7 (measuring the candidates' support before the caucus)

About Dubuque

Dubuque is in north-east Iowa on the Mississippi River at the border with Illinois and Wisconsin. It has a population of about 60,000 (making it the 8th largest city in the state). While its economy is diversifying, Dubuque has traditionally been a center of manufacturing. Dubuque has a large Catholic population. I think its a great fit for Michiganders.

We adopted Dubuque since I'm friends with the southern Wisconsin Edwards coordinator and they picked Dubuque and it's one of the cities closest to Michigan. We've already had six people make visits to Dubuque, so we have a good reputation there and know the contacts.

For more on Dubuque see its Wikipedia page.

Organizing the Trip
Total travel time to Dubuque is about 6 hours from Kalamazoo.

Caravan and Carpools
Contact me and we'll find a way to carpool and caravan from all parts of Michigan. Those of us in Grand Rapids are leaving around noon on 1 January, Tuesday. It certainly would be possible to meet up with people in Kalamazoo. I'm happy to organize travel at other times.
Hotels
Some of us are staying at the Downtown Hilton, but you can check out deals on Travelocity or I can contact the Dubuque HQ and get you a place to stay a few nights at the home of supporters.

When you RSVP, please include whether or not you need a place to stay, when you plan to come down, if you need a ride, and if you can give rides.

Tell Santa that you want a trip to Iowa for Christmas.

More Information
Dubuque newspaper: The Telegraph Herald
Official Edwards Iowa Campaign Site
Unofficial Iowa for Edwards Blog

You too can be as happy as this Michigander who went to Dubuque! Heck, it's not like we're having a meaningful primary here (vote Uncommitted in the Michigan strawpoll on 15 January).

Finally, a message from John on the Iowa caucuses:

John is working hard to win Dubuque -- he will have been there 2 or 3 times in the last 2 weeks (heck, you'll probably get a chance to see him the in the one or two days before the caucus). Now it's time to do your part.

This is what it comes down to in Iowa. And if we win Iowa, we have the buzz and momentum going forward in this campaign, and the inside track at the Democratic nomination for John Edwards. And from there, we can put John Edwards and the vision for One America in the White House. Will you be part of this special day in Iowa? I hope so and I'll see you there!

We are leaving in 9 days. Don't miss out. Email me and be a part of this historic event.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Joyous Feast of the Unconquered Sun: Now Let's Live Up to the Promise of this Season

2007-12-21T11:08:00.000-05:00

Recent Media Appearances: Toward the Closing Argument

2007-12-19T10:04:00.000-05:00

Hardball on Monday

Sunday Morning Talkshows

coming soon....

John Edwards: The Movie -- Opening 3 January 2008

2007-12-18T08:43:00.000-05:00

Coming soon to a precinct near you!

This "movie trailer" is being emailed to supporters throughout Iowa and across the country by Kevin Bacon. In the email, Bacon encourages Iowans to share the video, and their support for Edwards, with their friends, family and neighbors.
It has been rated "CG" for Caucus-Going Audiences (but consider it PV as well -- for Primary Voting Audiences).

Bonior Places the Blame for the Primary Farce Straight on Jennifer Granholm

2007-12-16T23:27:00.000-05:00

I've heard from many sources (five) that the reason that we're apparently going forward with this farce of a primary is because Jennifer Granholm (led by her staffers) has decided that since she doesn't have a future in Michigan politics (she's term-limited as governor and there won't be a Senate seat open for 4 years -- and Stabenow will likely run for a third term -- or 6 years -- and who knows if Carl Levin will ever retire or if he has a horizontal exit strategy) her "best bet" (which isn't looking too good right about now) is to latch on to a Hillary Clinton Administration. So, Granholm has basically switched her constituency from Michigan and Michigan Democrats to Hillary Rodham Clinton. Apparently the governor (allied with fellow Clinton-endorser Debbie Dingell) is stronger than Mark Brewer in the MDP Central Committee.

Here's what the former US congressman from Macomb County, and current Edwards' campaign manager has to say:

"This is the doing of the governor and Senator Levin and others who have really taken away that opportunity for the people of Michigan to have a real choice. This was an attempt basically by the Clinton people in Michigan to take away what was a caucus of longstanding in the state. They thought it would be to their advantage to do this because they had the money and the celebrity and the power at that time."

While the attempt to break the rules and push our way to the front started with good, if misguided intentions, the reason we haven't gone back to a DNC-sanctioned caucus after having all of our delegates stripped by the DNC is because Granholm has more loyalty to Hillary Clinton than she does to Michigan Democrats and indeed democracy in Michigan. I for one will not ever give money to or support Jennifer Granholm in any election. I urge y'all to consider doing the same -- if she won't let us vote in a meaningful primary or caucus (where we elect actual delegates to the National Convention after rule-abiding campaign) then I see no reason to support someone who tramples on my right to vote as an American.

I'll have a full update on the primary/caucus fiasco in a few days.

First Lady of Iowa Endorses John Edwards

2007-12-16T23:19:00.000-05:00

Mari Culver, wife of Democratic Iowa Governor Chet Culver, has announced her support for John Edwards, saying:

"I think John is a winner. He's electable. He's been tested. He's been on the national ticket before. The national polls show him beating all Republicans in the general elections. He inspires me. I think he inspires other Iowans, and I think he can really rally Americans in the fall."

Both Culver's endorsed Edwards in 2004 (though the governor of Iowa has traditionally remained neutral in the caucuses). Governor Culver and Senator Edwards have a long-standing relationship and have shared staff. Culver's chief of staff, Patrick Dillon, worked for Edwards in Iowa in 2004, and his is married to Jennifer O'Malley, Edwards' state director. Another Edwards alum serves as Culver's communications director.

RichRod Will Be the Next Coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines

2007-12-16T15:24:00.000-05:00

From the University of Michigan Athletic Department:

Bill Martin, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Michigan, has officially announced that Rich Rodriguez will be named the new head coach for the Wolverine football team. The 44-year-old Rodriguez will be introduced at a media only-press conference tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 17) at 9 a.m. in the Junge Family Champions Center.

From the AP:

Michigan has hired West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez as its next football coach following a search that featured two other top prospects deciding to stay put. Rodriguez, whose No. 11 Mountaineers are preparing for their second BCS game in three seasons, will take over Michigan's program from Lloyd Carr, Michigan athletic department spokesman Bruce Madej said Sunday.

News like this is apparently supposed to make one want to do the Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Michigan also looked at LSU's Les Miles, Rutger's Greg Schiano, Cal's Jeff Tedford, and UM Defensive Coordinator Ron English the hardest (apparently).

Rodriguez has run the spread option offense at WVU, while Michigan has run a pro-style drop-back qb with tailback and fullback offense since the forward pass was invented (ironically by Michigan's Fielding Yost).

Only time will tell how good of a hire this is (duh), but the guy has been nothing but successful at West Virginia.

Welcome Coach! We're behind you 100%

Go Blue!

Now This is a Great Ad

2007-12-15T13:13:00.000-05:00

I've been real happy with most of the Edwards campaign ads (a few of the non-campaign 527 ads could have been better), but this one is a real good closer:

A Christmas Essay By Robert: The Year We Stole a Christmas Tree

2007-12-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

A brilliant story by a friend of mine over at DailyKos.

You won't regret clicking on it.

Edwards Wins Final Iowa Debate

2007-12-13T18:51:00.000-05:00

The reviews are in from voters and the media: Edwards Wins! (get used to that headline).

NCDemAmy has the story over at DailyKos.

Final Iowa Debate Today

2007-12-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

The Des Moines Register's Democratic Presidential Debate, the last debate before the Iowa caucuses, is today (Thursday).

Both debates will be broadcast live at 1 p.m on Iowa Public Television, and replayed on IPTV at 7 p.m. each evening. The debates will also air live on CNN, C-SPAN3, Fox News Channel, C-SPAN Radio and Fox News Radio.

No That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout Mother F*#cker!

2007-12-11T13:53:00.001-05:00

Felicity Huffman on the picket line.

Robert Thinks Edwards Will Probably Win Iowa

2007-12-10T11:58:00.000-05:00

From the Mark Maynard blog:

Our friend Robert, who has spent quite a bit of time recently on the campaign trail in Iowa, has a prediction. And, since it’s one that I like, here it is:

Edwards is not only in the race, but I’d say that at this point there is a
better than 50% chance he is going to win Iowa. Some of the media may be,
as you say, tired of him, or just not interested in him as much as they are the
more sensational bashing going back and forth between Hillary and Obama. But I
think what most of the media is doing is trying not to give Edwards much
attention, hoping it will somehow erode his support. My sense here is that it is
actually having the opposite affect. We are getting a lot of new people
approaching the campaign thinking we need lots of help to “get back into
things.” The truth, which is pretty obvious here now, is that Edwards
has the most solid organization and base of support.

At this time in 2004, some people who know me might remember I was telling
everyone Dean was going to loose Iowa, and possibly not even be among the top
two or three finishers. Most people, and the media, were pretending Dean was
going to win. He came in third. I knew Kerry was going to win the Iowa caucus,
but I had no idea that Edwards would come in second, or who would. It was just
obvious that the Dean campaign was too hollow here. Obama’s campaign
looks very similar in this one.

I predict Edwards will win Iowa narrowly over Clinton. I don’t
believe Obama will necessarily even come in third. I think his people
may be outmaneuvered by some of the second tier campaigns (Richardson, Dodd, and Biden) in various regions where those campaigns have savvy caucus-er.

UNITE-HERE Midwest Endorses Edwards

2007-12-06T15:33:00.001-05:00

While the national announced on Wednesday that it is waiting until after Iowa, the UNITE-HERE Midwest Region (which includes UNITE-HERE Michigan) has endorsed John Edwards for President.

Noel Beasley, manager of the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board, said of her membership:

Our members are emphatic in their support for Senator Edwards, and anxious to get involved.

The Midwest Regional Joint Board represents over 50,000 workers in clothing factories, hotels and restaurants, sports venues, gaming casinos, airports, laundries, warehouses and auto parts facilities, etc. in 11 states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin (there are two independent locals in Chicago who are not part of the Midwest Board and have not endorsed anyone). Beasley said the board's support for Edwards was longtime and unanimous.

The Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board plans to go to work for the former North Carolina senator immediately -- with volunteers, staff and financial assistance -- and will work in conjunction with other unions including the SEIUs that cover the territory and have endorsed Edwards (Iowa, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota). Beasley states that they should have 40 to 50 volunteers and staff in Iowa within a week.

AP and the Las Vegas Review-Journal report that UNITE-HERE national and the semi-independent Culinary Union Local 226 (with 60,000 members in Las Vegas) decided to delay an endorsement until early January. Clearly, they're a bit spooked and are waiting to make sure that Edwards and will make it to Nevada. With Nevada's caucus on 19 January (just 16 days after the Iowa causcuses) they'll have to crank up the political organizational drive into high gear with a decision likely on 4 January.

Here's Pilar Weiss, political director of Culinary 226:

We've always said that part of what was important to us was that we wanted to have a candidate who was a good fit with our members and we also wanted to see that people had viable campaigns and were poised to do well nationally. I don't think it's cowardly to say that we want to see how this stuff plays out in the next couple weeks.

UNITE HERE general president Bruce Raynor, who has been public about his support for Edwards, insisted that UNITE-HERE would not mimic the Service Employees International Union, whose national leaders could not reach a consensus and left it to local state councils to issue endorsements.

We're not going to follow that [since it would] dilute [our] influence on the process.

An additional reason for the delay is that Culinary (the largest local in UNITE-HERE by far) just finished contentious contract negotiations with Las Vegas casinos and hotels. One outcome of the discussions within UNITE-HERE is that there will be a single endorsement and Culinary 226 will be part of that endorsement, accoring to the Las Vegas Sun's Michael Mishak.

There is a good chance that whoever receives the endorsement of Culinary will win the Nevada Democratic caucus since the union has over 60,000 members in a state that had only 7,000 caucus goers in 2004 and plays a large role in the Nevada Democratic Party.

Chris Chafe, both a senior adviser to Edwards' campaign on labor and in Nevada and a former chief of staff and political director of UNITE-HERE commented on the events:

I think that Senator Edwards has a deep, deep level of support across UNITE HERE. There are many parts of the union that have a long history with him. [The Midwest board, a coalition of union locals in 11 states, is significant because it] spans all the battleground states in the Midwest. They understand who is the most electable Democrat for November.

UNITE, the Union of Needletrades, Textiles and Industrial Employees, endorsed Edwards in 2004 before merging with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union to form UNITE HERE.

In other Nevada labor news, it looks like the Nevada SEIU is going to be making an endorsement within a week and that the favorite is John Edwards, but the decision seems to be caught up in all sorts of partisan and union-internal politics.

Here's Johnny giving a speech UNITE-HERE Local 1 members at the picket of the Congress Hotel in Chicago during the Yearly Kos convention 2007 (myself, Peter from WI, mrobinsong, and other Edwards-YearlyKossacks were there):

The proof of the above statement:

Crossposted on the Labor-Netroots for Edwards Blog, Michigan Liberal, and Michigan for Edwards.

Ways to Contact Voters in Iowa and New Hampshire

2007-12-06T14:39:00.000-05:00

Be your own phonebank to New Hampshire: http://johnedwardsphonebank.com/index.php

Go through DFA: DFA has addresses of DFA members in Iowa and you can write them pro-Edwards letters (which is fine by them, they're basicall endorsing Edwards, Kucinich and Obama): http://www.democracyforamerica.com/uniteletters

The New TV Ads

2007-12-04T23:34:00.000-05:00

Together

20 Generations

Mess

Born

Michiganders To Iowa

2007-12-04T23:24:00.000-05:00

A group of us are organizing a road-trip to Iowa to take part in the Caucus. You can help the GOTV and can be a Precinct Captain, Co-Captain or Advisor (even though you won't be able to vote you can be a spokesperson).

So contact me at michiganforedwards

and watch this fun video:

For more on helping in the Iowa Caucus: The Edwards Caucus Command Center.

There will also be groups going out the weekend of 15-17 December and I know that Michigan Students for Edwards are heading out when the finals are over. Email Travis from U of M.

Reminder: Iowa Public Radio Debate Today at 2:00 pm

2007-12-04T11:35:00.001-05:00

Information and how to listen live at Iowa Public Radio.

Too Damn Funny

2007-12-03T09:08:00.000-05:00

In this winter of our discontent (with the MDP for disenfranchising us -- still time to fix that guys and galls -- and with Les Miles and his agent), we could use a laugh.

PS: John Edwards hasn't bothered to even cheat on his wife either.

DNC Enforces Its Rules and Strips Michigan of Its Delegates

2007-12-01T18:23:00.001-05:00

unless the MDP submits a revised DSP that can be sanctioned by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee within 30 days.

If we use a 15 January "primary" we will not be selecting any delegates to the National Convention and we Michigan Democrats will have been effectively disenfranchised by our own Party "leadership."

The media reports:
Associated Press
Detroit News
Congressional Quarterly
Real Clear Politics

We believe that the MDP is continuing its negotiations with the DNC RBC and will indeed find a way to be in "full compliance" with Democratic Party Rules. But the forces within the MDP which are taking a reasonable position need our assistance.

So, once again, time to contact the MDP and encourage them to reach a final solution ASAP that will allow you to have a meaningful vote.

Call the MDP: (517) 371-5410
Email the MDP: midemparty@michigandems.com

A sample email:

I urge Chairman Brewer and the MDP Central Committee to send a letter to the Michigan Secretary of State informing Secretary Land that the Democratic Party opt-out of the 15 January "primary"/beauty contest for the purpose of selecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

I urge Chairman Brewer to submit a revised Delegate Selection Plan to the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee which can be found by the RBC to be in "full compliance with Party Rules" this week so that
candidates may begin their campaigns in Michigan. Enough time has been wasted.

I want a DNC-sanctioned caucus (presumably on or after 5 February unless you can reach a compromise date with the DNC) so there can be campaigning in Michigan, so the candidates will address Michigan issues, so that all the candidates will be on the ballot, so that we'll be choosing actual delegates and not having a mere beauty contest, so that Michigan Democrats can vote for who they want to vote for, and so that the DNC will be in a position of power to enforce primary calendar reforms for 2012. And I want it now, since we're losing valuable time when the candidates could be coming to Michigan this month.

Sincerely,
Name Phone Number
Email address
MDP Party ID (if you've got one) and County Party Membership status (if
you're in one)

Fire them off now.

You can discuss the issue with your fellow Michiganders at MichiganLiberal.

Democratic Iowa Public Radio Debate This Tuesday

2007-12-01T18:19:00.000-05:00

The NPR News and Iowa Public Radio national Democratic Presidential debate, to be broadcast and webcast live from 1:00-3:00PM (CT) on Tuesday, December 4, will be held at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines, with NPR News journalists and hosts Steve Inskeep, Michele Norris and Robert Siegel as moderators.

The two-hour event, leading up to the Iowa Caucus, will offer the first audio-only debate of the presidential race and will repeat the format introduced in 2004 by NPR and the NPR Member Stations of Iowa. All major Democratic candidates are confirmed to attend. The setting is relaxed: the candidates sit closely together around a U-shaped table, with no studio audience or video cameras. Breaking away from the question-and-answer structure traditionally presented by the television networks, the NPR/IPR debate will feature three areas of discussion and the moderators will enable the candidates to conduct a dialogue with each other.

More information: http://www.npr.org/news/specials/election2008/debates/
and http://iowapublicradio.org/index.php

Edwards at the DNC Meeting Today in Washington

2007-11-30T14:33:00.000-05:00

Find this video and thousands of others at vSocial!

The Democratic Primary is Dead! Long Live the Caucus!

2007-11-27T14:02:00.001-05:00

From the Detoit News:

Senate Republicans have decided not to take up the presidential primary bill passed Monday by the House, meaning New York Sen. Hillary Clinton likely will be the only top Democratic candidate on the [meaningless, delegateless] Jan. 15 ballot.

From the MLive blog:

The state Senate today refused to take up legislation that would have restored the names of four Democratic presidential candidates to Michigan's Jan. 15 primary ballot.

Thank you Democratic Senate Caucus and our brave 35 NAYs in the State House.

Now, contact the Michigan Democratic Party and tell them you want the caucus to be scheduled for the DNC-sanctioned 9 February date.

Contact the Michigan Democratic Party and ask them to go back to a 9 February DNC-sanctioned caucus date so that Michigan Democrats can have candidates, campaigns, delegates and a voice.

Call the MDP: (517) 371-5410
Email the MDP: midemparty@michigandems.com

A sample email:

I want Chairman Brewer to opt-out of the 15 January beauty contest and go to a DNC-sanctioned primary where candidates will campaign, Michigan Democrats can vote for who they want to vote for, and our votes can actually choose delegates to the National Convention. I want a DNC-sanctioned caucus on or after 5 February so there can be campaigning in Michigan, so the candidates will address Michigan issues, so that all the candidates will be on the ballot, so that we'll be choosing delegates and not having a mere beauty contest, and so that the DNC will be in a position of power to enforce primary calendar reforms for 2012. And I want it now, since we're losing valuable time when the candidates could be coming to Michigan this month.

We're almost there folks, keep working!