Talking Points: John Edwards vs. Dick Cheney Vice Presidential Debate

[indyjones1938]

The media will try to spin the vice presidential debate in Dick Cheney's favor by focusing on his "gravitas" and "steady leadership" in national security matters. They will try to wrongly portray John Edwards as "inexperienced" and "green." We need to counter it by phoning into C-Span and mass e-mailing media outlets immediately after the debate is over with our talking points. Begin writing your e-mails now and have them ready to go on the night of October 5th. Have letters to the editor written for your local newspapers on October 6th lauding Edwards' prominence in national security matters. Use the Democratic Underground national and local media blasters. I have compiled a list of talking points below that we can all use. There are dozens of others, these are just a start. Since the media won't cover the facts, it's up to us to get the facts out ourselves.

"List just a few of the nation's security and safety problems tackled on Capitol Hill since the Sept. 11 attacks, and Edwards and his pen are probably not far from them." - Durham Herald Sun, 11/26/01

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John Edwards: Tough on Terrorism Even Before 9/11

In August of 2001, a month before the 9/11 attacks and while George W. Bush was on a golfing vacation in Texas, John Edwards was busy spearheading the fight against terrorism. On August 6th, just a day before Edwards wrote this column, George W. Bush received a PDB warning him that Bin Laden was determined to attack the United States and chose to ignore it. Unlike George Bush, John Edwards realized that terrorism was a real and potent threat to our nation.

"Senator John Edwards
August 7th, 2001
Targeting Terrorism

As a member of the Senate Intelligence committee, I've become convinced that terrorism is the most important national security challenge our country will face over the next decade. That is why I am working on new ways to address the threat of terrorism.

The spread of chemical and biological weapons combined with the growth of hostile terrorist groups is a recipe for disaster. The reality is that we face terrorism not only abroad, but also right here at home.

Protecting our nation's seaports from terrorist attack presents a real challenge. Seaports are the center of our global trading network. They are also ground zero in the fight against illegal drugs, bribery and theft, illegal immigration, and a potential target for terrorists. We must do a better job safeguarding our seaports. A terrorist incident at a major U.S. seaport could cripple commerce, destroy infrastructure, and endanger lives."

http://edwards.senate.gov/press/2001/columns/0807_terror.html

"In the summer of 2001, when much of the Republican and Democratic policy community was obsessed with missile defense, Edwards urged more attention to terrorism. The North Carolina senator had such limited luck pitching an OpEd article on terrorism to major newspapers that the piece, warning of poor cooperation among federal and local law enforcement, ended up in the weekly Littleton Observer, circulation 2,230 -- four weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37644-2004Jul8.html?nav=rss_politics/elections/2004
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John Edwards: Friend of First Responders

John Edwards realizes that good security begins right here at home, in our communities, on our streets and in our schools with well-trained and well-equipped first responders. Long before 9/11, he cosponsored legislation that instituted Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the U.S. Department of Justice, a successful program that has met with widespread bipartisan support. COPS encourages working partnerships between police departments, community groups and government agencies.

"One of the best ways to fight crime is to have more well-trained police officers on our streets and in our schools, and to provide them with the latest equipment and technology. The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program has helped achieve these goals. It made our communities safer places for our children, families, and businesses" - Senator John Edwards (October, 2000)

http://edwards.senate.gov/press/2000/columns/1029_cops.html

"Since law enforcement agencies began partnering with citizens through community policing, we've seen significant drops in crime rates." - Attorney General John Ashcroft (July, 2002)

http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/
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John Edwards: Led the Fight Against Chemical and Bioterrorism

Immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, John Edwards partnered with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska to introduce the Biological and Chemical Weapons Preparedness Act of 2001 (S. 1486). His bill provided for increased cooperation between federal, state and local authorities in an effort to prevent chemical and biological terror attacks in the United States, and to ensure well-equipped and well-trained first responders on standby in case of an attack.

The purpose of this Act is:

(1) to encourage and promote State and local community first-responder efforts to prepare for, and respond to, a biological or chemical attack;

(2) to strengthen State and local medical and public health infrastructures through a skilled professional workforce, robust medical and disease surveillance information and data systems, and strong health departments, laboratories, and hospital emergency medical facilities; and

(3) to develop and expand agricultural and farm community readiness for a biological or chemical attack involving plants, animals, or other food commodities through coordination, training, and expanded access to disease testing.

Edwards' bill set out seven National Biological or Chemical Terrorism Preparedness Goals to be put in place by the year 2010 including: well-trained first responders, well-equipped public health departments, sophisticated disease surveillance through coordination between the Cenetrs for Disease Control and local agencies, laboratory readiness, well-equipped emergency rooms (response training for personnel, biocontainment and decontamination capabilities), readiness to deal with agricultural biological or chemical attacks through cooperation with the USDA and U.S. Customs Service and a strong health care and public health workforce.

The bill provides for fiscal appropriations, known as Biological and Chemical Weapons Preparedness Block Grants to first responders, local and state agencies and health care systems as follows for a total of $555 million:

First Responders: $55 million
Local Health Agency Planning and Training: $55 million
Disease Surveillance and Information: $100 million
Laboratory Readiness: $50 million
Hospital Preparedness: $100 million
Agricultural Counterterrorism: $100 million
Health Care Workforce: $95 million

The bill also provided for assistance to federal anti-biological and chemical terrorism agencies as follows:

Grants to Strengthen Hospital Emergency, Trauma and ICU Capacity: $100 million

Vaccine and antibiotics research and stockpiling and other research and preparedness efforts at Centers for Disease Control, Department of Energy, Food and Drud Administration and USDA:$571 million

Agricultural/food safety preparedness:
$350 million

http://www.senate.gov/~edwards/issues/terrorism/bcwpa_facts.html
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c106query.html(S. 1486)
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John Edwards: Led the Fight Against Cyberterrorism

Even before the 9/11 attacks, John Edwards realized the potential for terrorists to launch a devastating cyberattack upon our infrastructure. In his August, 2001 column titled Targeting Terrorism, Edwards said:

"Computers and technology are important weapons in the fight against terrorism, but they also make us vulnerable to a new kind of terrorist. We become more reliant on technology every day. From communications, to banking, to law enforcement, to the systems that deliver power and water to our homes, computer systems are instrumental in our daily lives.

All of this makes us susceptible to so-called cyber attacks. Imagine a terrorist group hacks into the computer system for the local power company. They disrupt the power supply, creating chaos in our homes, schools, and places of work. This may sound like something from a Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster, but it could happen here at home.

The good news is that we can stop this hi-tech brand of terrorism before it starts. The FBI is already working through the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) to help the technology industry partner with law enforcement to identify potential national security threats to our infrastructure, but we need to do more.

If we can predict where, when and how attacks will occur, we can stop them before they happen. We need the technology in place to track cyber attacks and to predict them. In case a cyber attack on our infrastructure ever does occur, we need an effective Crisis Management System in place to restore critical services like power and water as rapidly as possible."

http://edwards.senate.gov/press/2001/columns/0807_terror.html

John Edwards criticized George W. Bush after the blackouts of summer, 2003 for failing to modernize the nation's infrastructure so essential to preventing both cyberterrorism and conventional terrorist attacks.

"This president called our nation's largest blackout in history last week a 'wake-up call,'" said Edwards. "He's wrong. The experts warned us time and time again since the mid-90s that we needed to update our grid. They warned us and Washington kept hitting the snooze button instead of acting."

"We know how to prevent this from happening again - update the grid," said Edwards. "We need to pass mandatory reliability standards and end market manipulation. We cannot let backroom deals for the energy business prevent us from getting that job done."

"In a post-September 11th world, preparation is key. Just look at how New York City responded to the blackout," said Edwards. "They had a plan in place and it worked. So as we approach the second anniversary of September 11th, why are we still not taking the critical steps to protect and prepare our nation? In report after report - some authored by NH's Senator Rudman - the experts keep warning us that we have not done enough to protect our ports and borders, support our first responders, improve intelligence, and protect our infrastructures like this plant."

Edwards' plan for strengthening our preparedness and homeland security includes (1) increasing aid to states for homeland security needs, (2) improving security around chemical plants, (3) creating a Homeland Intelligence Agency, (4) providing scholarships for students bound for homeland security careers, (5) strengthening neighborhood watch programs, (6) improving emergency warning systems, (7) making government computer systems less vulnerable to attack, (8) strengthening potential terrorist targets like skyscrapers and stadiums, (9) giving local first responders more access to classified intelligence information, and (10) instituting mandatory reliability standards and ending market manipulation in the energy market.

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=199

In 2002, John Edwards sponsored the Cyberterrorism Preparedness Act and Cybersecurity Research and Education Act, designed to prevent cyberterrorist attacks in the United States by improving our shoddy infrastructure.

The Cyberterrorism Preparedness Act (S. 1900) provided:

"The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, using <$70,000,00 for FY 2003 and each year thereafetr through 2007>, award a grant to a qualifying nongovernmental entity for purposes of a program to support the development of appropriate cybersecurity best practices, support long-term cybersecurity research and development, and perform functions relating to such activities. The purpose of the program shall be to provide protection for the information infrastructure of the United States against terrorist or other disruption or attack or other unwarranted intrusion.

The Cybersecurity Research and Education Act (S. 1901) provided for funds dedicated to training experts in cybersecurity in an effort to prevent cyberterrorism. Key sections of the bill called for:

The establishment of a Cybersecurity Graduate Fellowship Program to encourage individuals to pursue academic careers in cybersecurity upon the completion of doctoral degrees, and to stimulate advanced study and research, at the doctoral level, in complex, relevant, and important issues in cybersecurity. The establishment of a Sabbatical for Distinguished Faculty in Cybersecurity to enable faculty members who are teaching cybersecurity subjects to spend a sabbatical from teaching working at the National Security Agency, the Department of Defense, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a research laboratory supported by the Department of Energy or another qualified institution; grants to enhance cybersecurity infrastructure, and the establishment of a Cybersecurity Awareness, Training and Education Program through the National Security Agency.

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c107query.html (S. 1900 and S. 1901)
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John Edwards: Protecting Airports and Seaports from Terrorism

Just three days after the 9/11 attacks, John Edwards sponsored sweeping legislation to protect our nation's airports and seaports, and the passengers that use them. The Airport and Seaport Terrorism Prevention Act called for improving security at U.S. airports, improving security aboard aircraft and improving security at U.S. seaports. Among the many provisions included in the bill:

Improve the professionalism of airport screeners through increased training, testing, and technological proficiency requirements; require FAA to evaluate implications of moving security screener responsibilities to federal government;

Develop and deploy enhanced technologies to detect possible weapons of mass destruction – including chemical, biological and similar substances; establish pilot programs to test new biometric and other technology to ensure authorized access only to secure areas;

Require the FAA to evaluate methods to physically strengthen cockpit and other critical areas of aircraft;

Install emergency communication devices in cockpit and flight attendant areas to provide direct, real-time link to the FAA in event of an emergency;

Require FAA to establish minimum inspection requirements of aircraft (including cargo hold) prior to boarding of any passengers to ensure no weapons or other hazardous materials were left on board;

Enhance perimeter security of docks and seaports – including physical security as well as increased video and closed circuit TV capabilities"

http://www.senate.gov/~edwards/issues/terrorism/outline.html
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c107query.html (S. 1429)

John Edwards criticized George W. Bush for security lapses that allowed box cutters to be smuggled aboard two Southwest Airlines flights:

"It is troubling that two years after 9/11, our airports are still not secure. We have a new federal bureaucracy. We have arduous new screening procedures, but we still have gigantic holes in our system. President Bush has cut TSA's budget by $1 billion and laid off more than 7,000 airport screeners.

Homeland security has been one of my top priorities in the Senate. I helped write the airport security bill and for the first two months of this year, I introduced new legislation every week to improve homeland security. These ranged from creating a new Homeland Intelligence Agency, to protecting potential terrorist targets like skyscrapers and stadiums and giving local first responders more tools to fight terrorism.

We have a real security problem in our nation's airports. If this president won't secure our nation's airports by providing the necessary resources and equipment, then I will as president."

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=290


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John Edwards: Fight Terrorism by Spreading Democracy with No Double Standards

"Edwards in January called for the United States to draw up a "freedom list" that would identify dissidents jailed for political or religious expression in an attempt through "name and shame" to persuade other countries to free political prisoners. He also proposed linking U.S. aid to progress on human rights and democracy -- a practice that, if implemented, would almost certainly disqualify many key U.S. allies, such as Egypt and Pakistan."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37644-2004Jul8.html?nav=rss_politics/elections/2004

"A vital part of staying power is the U.S. effort to promote global democracy and freedom. Ultimately, there is no greater force for peace and prosperity and against terrorism than the promotion of democratic regimes that respect human rights and the rule of law both within and beyond their borders. That’s why the United States must lead a far-reaching new effort to build the infrastructure of just and lawful societies: a free press and civil society, open and fair elections, and the legal, political, and regulatory institutions to make government accountable.

This effort will require steady diplomatic pressure and increased funding. I support the administration’s ongoing effort to link assistance to just and responsible governance. But the United States must also rally Europe, Japan, and multilateral aid agencies to put democracy and good governance at the center of their strategies and standards.

Finally, Americans must remember this fundamental fact: Success in combating weapons of mass destruction, fighting terrorism, and promoting democracy is only possible through American leadership of the world—not American disregard for it. Too often, the current administration sends the message that others don’t matter. It rightly demands that U.S. allies back efforts vital to U.S. interests but then shows disdain for cooperative endeavors and agreements important to theirs. Indeed, the administration often treats allies as an afterthought, gratuitously rubbing in its contempt for them and their views.

We will always have some differences with friends and allies. But what’s important is how we resolve those differences—or agree not to. We should always stick to our principles, do our best to bring others to our way of thinking, and remain committed to resolving disputes in a respectful spirit. But picking up and walking away is not an exercise of leadership; it is an abdication of it. After all, a leader who has to go it alone is no longer leading anybody."

http://tinyurl.com/3dlbf
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John Edwards: Pioneered Watch Lists to Keep Terrorists out of the United States

In November of 2001, John Edwards introduced the Name Matching for Enforcement Security Act (S. 1733) designed to keep known terrorists out of the United States through the use of sophisticated computer technology. It provided for computers to match variations of the same names — keeping terrorists out of the country, while preventing innocent people from being wrongly accused of terrorism. It also provided for increased coordination between U.S. consulates and intelligence agencies. His bill was approved by the Senate Judiciary Commitee and included in the Enhanced Border Security Act of April, 2002.

In addition to improving watch lists, the Edwards bill will also:

Require educational institutions to report to the Immigration and Naturalization Service whether foreign students with visas in fact enroll in and complete courses.

Require the State Department to issue alien visas and other travel documents in tamper-resistant and machine-readable format, using standard biometric identifiers like fingerprints.

Authorize an additional 200 INS inspectors and 200 INS investigative personnel for the next five years.

http://www.senate.gov/~edwards/press/2002/0419a-pr.html
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Literally hundreds of other talking points can be found at:

http://www.jregrassroots.org/jre/viewtopic.php?t=5067

Dig through and start getting your LTTEs and e-mails ready.

[Lucky Luciano]

1. I didn't read your post unfortunately,

but I would love for Edwards to study whatever Leahy said to get Cheney so angry. It would be pretty awesome if Edwards got Cheney to tell Edwards to go fuck himself on national TV...At the very least I want Edwards to understand the psychology of Cheney so well, that he can at least get him very flustered in a very obvious way. That would rock.

[Mojambo]

2. Edwards needs to incorporate Halliburton

into each and every answer he gives in the debate.

Question about National defense? Halliburton
Question about healthcare? Halliburton
Question about tax policy? Halliburton
Hell, he should even try to get it in on a gay marrige question!

Cheney's neck should be sore from having Halliburton hung around it.

That's what John Edwards needs to accomplish in that debate.

[indyjones1938]

3. Debates

It has been truthfully said here that what happens during the debates is far less important to the sheeple than how the media spins it afterward. Reference Carter v. Ford '76 and Reagan v. Carter '80 as evidence.

This is why it is so important for everyone to write the media and send off letters to the editor. Since the Dem surrogates are mostly asleep at the wheel, it's up to us to counter the media spin in the grassroots.

[gottaB]

4. we should start a betting pool

Edwards should bring along a bar of soap

[Hello_Kitty]

5. Oh my god! I was thinking the SAME thing!

And he won't do it, because it the debate, but he'll totally want to. He'll get all irate and flustered and look totally insane and unappealing next to our gorgeous and affable VP candidate.

[indyjones1938]

6. Kick

:kick:

[emulatorloo]

7. Two Words describe Dick Cheney: Poor Judgement

"gravitas" means nothing when you have poor judgement.
"experience" means nothing when you have poor judgement.

poor judgement = invading iraq w/o a plan
poor judgement = not realizing you have a conflict of interest over Halliburton

The list goes on and on.