John Edwards Ends Fling With Anti-Poverty Center

[ProSense]

John Edwards Ends Fling With Anti-Poverty Center

By Ken Silverstein

Once upon a time John Edwards wanted to be president. “Poverty,” he said back then, “is the great moral issue of our century,” he told a group of students at Berkeley in 2005. “People living in poverty need you. And another thing: America needs you.”

To show his own dedication, Edwards http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/22/us/politics/22edwards.html&OQ=_rQ3D2Q26orefQ3Dslogin&OP=320caf5eQ2FspQ3B.sQ5EAQ7CQ3AQ60AA,ZsZQ22Q22Q27sQ22RsZZsvQ3AsFAwQ20,Q20Q7CQ3AsZZQ3BQ5EpbQ60Q5EQ3ANm,Pw">“created a tax-exempt nonprofit dedicated to fighting poverty”, reported the New York Times. Except:

The organization, the Center for Promise and Opportunity, raised $1.3 million in 2005, and—unlike a sister charity he created to raise scholarship money for poor students—the main beneficiary of the center’s fund-raising was Mr. Edwards himself, tax filings show…

The organization became a big part of a shadow political apparatus for Mr. Edwards after his defeat as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004 and before the start of his presidential bid this time around. Its officers were members of his political staff, and it helped pay for his nearly constant travel, including to early primary states.

While Mr. Edwards said the organization’s purpose was “making the eradication of poverty the cause of this generation,” its federal filings say it financed “retreats and seminars” with foreign policy experts on Iraq and national security issues. Unlike the scholarship charity, donations to it were not tax deductible, and, significantly, it did not have to disclose its donors—as political action committees and other political fund-raising vehicles do—and there were no limits on the size of individual donations.

In other words, the Center may have done some good, but its primary purpose was to serve as a vehicle for Edwards’ political career. Indeed, it appears to be very similar to the bogus “Reform Institute” that John McCain set up after his defeat to George W. Bush in 2000, and which was designed to keep alive his presidential ambitions and reward his cronies.

Edwards of course lost his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination this year, and guess what happened to his big anti-poverty initiative? That’s right–it appears he pulled the plug on it.

About a week before Edwards acknowledged having an affair with Rielle Hunter, Edwards quietly shut down a “scholarship program he started at an Eastern North Carolina high school–a program he once promised would be a model for the nation under an Edwards presidency,” reports the Raleigh News & Observer:

more

[TwilightGardener]

1. Yuck. What a weasel. We really lucked out with Obama.

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Backlash Cometh]

65. I'm numb.

I'm just not going to believe in anything or anyone until the pony with a pink ribbon shows up at my house with the ownership papers in my name.

[karynnj]

68. No they aren't

Many times the promises are not possible to keep. There are politicians who have persevered for decades trying to do the right things. They will make mistakes - and there will be impossible votes, where they really want to be no, buts or yes, buts. In Edwards ' case long before the knowledge of the affair or his dropping the scholarship program and now the poverty one, there were many things that just were not explained. His 2004 persona didn't match his Senate record and 2008 matched neither of the earlier ones.

His words were compelling, but there are others genuinely working within the government to try to create a better life for every one. Obama's record is in line with his words. That does not mean he will be perfect by everyone's view - that's not possible. But, we need to not let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch. We need all the enthusiasm we can muster to win.

[MonteLukast]

2. Oh God. Tell me this isn't true.

The affair is nothing. Going back on THIS, his ideas, WILL undercut his reputation.

No, don't do it, John...

[roguevalley]

67. I feel for those kids who had dreams that are going to be harder to get now.

[varkam]

3. I'm thinking this is a bigger issue than his affair.

But, what do I know, I'm not the MSM.

[Tim4319]

4. John Edwards should not have stepped down!

If he is truly committed to fighting poverty, he should continue his work to improve life on a whole.

[Tim4319]

5. Deleted Dupe!

[polichick]

6. Many here saw him as an opportunist - this doesn't look good.

[shireen]

7. it was a pilot program, we discussed this on DU weeks ago

I voted for Edwards during the primaries because poverty was his issue. But I knew he'd never get the nomination. I still believe that he genuinely cares about the "Two Americas" problem. After all this scandal stuff has blown over and the elections are over, I think Edwards will find a way to continue his work with eradicating poverty, at a level he can manage.

[EFerrari]

8. This is a different program. And apparently John Edwards is the only politician

that ever found a way to fund himself between elections. :wow:

[shireen]

9. if that's true, i'm sad

he's never given me a good vibe, but i gave him the benefit of the doubt and voted for him during the primaries.

And of course, I adore Elizabeth Edwards.

[EFerrari]

11. It's in the OP and it's perfectly legal.

:crazy:

[Skidmore]

15. Poverty is not an issue that should be used as prop between elections.

Too many times the disenfranchised and unfortunate are used to make points and move on. It needs to be a commitment to make a real difference. Edwards does not get a pass on this one.

[EFerrari]

18. Do we know that his activity had no benefit?

Or is this just one more knee jerk?

I think that whatever time and attention can be brought to the issue is better than no time and no attention, regardless of Edwards' motives. He needed a prop, we needed the press. Ir's a wash.

[Skidmore]

50. I did not caucus for Edwards but he was my second choice if

Obama had not been viable as a candidate in our state.

As far as knee jerk responses go, I guess you could say that on poverty issues I am capable of that. I grew up dirt poor in rural America and have a full understanding of what it feels like to be part of a large class of people whose problems generally are ignored. Every 20 years or so, someone remembers that there are poor people in this nation--usually when there are too many to ignore. After a flash in the pan showcasing of said problem, poverty is again relegated to a nonissue for another decade or two. I had hopes that Edwards was different since he made that commitment to the poverty center. I had hopes that he and Obama would be able to join forces to make a real difference for the poor. I was so wrong. Sure, he brought the issue to the fore, and abandoned it like so many others. The poor need a sustained commitment and not just a marriage of convenience.


Edited to add that whatever publicity he lent to the issue has been negated by his actions. He would have served better to have not only owned up to his actions but to have remained firm to his commitment.

[EFerrari]

51. I hear you. Maybe I just didn't have the expectation that so many

had that he would be very different.

[TwilightGardener]

23. The word "exploitation" comes to mind.

[EFerrari]

26. There is no mainstream Democratic candidate that did not "exploit"

a signature issue. That's what politicians do, isn't it?

I'm sorry if you guys are upset with Edwards. Maybe I'm just too cynical to live any more. :)

[TwilightGardener]

36. I'm not really upset, because I was never an Edwards supporter to begin with.

I had a deep cynicism (speaking of cynicism) about him, in particular. I agree they all "exploit" issues for political gain, but we're talking about an actual group of people here, not just an abstract pet issue like ethics reform or health care. It's a little unseemly, if the heartfelt dedication really isn't there--kind of how McCorpse tries to exploit veterans even though his Senate record shows he doesn't give two shits about them.

[EFerrari]

49. DK was may guy although eventually I moved over to Edwards.

I work on benefits for various groups here that organize around poverty. We never ask politicians why they came to those benefits, we were just glad they did because we'd get more exposure.

Edwards did a college tour and did talk about poverty. I can't think of anyone else who's done that in recent memory.

/oops

[ProSense]

37. Preposterous

Its officers were members of his political staff, and it helped pay for his nearly constant travel, including to early primary states...its federal filings say it financed “retreats and seminars” with foreign policy experts on Iraq and national security issues.

[hfojvt]

41. yeah, thank goodness he didn't

make hundreds of millions by giving speeches and writing books, like Bill and Hillary Clinton, or just by writing books, like Obama.

And now that he's out of the race how much attention is being paid to ending poverty?

What is the sound of one cricket clapping?

[ProSense]

44. You cannot be serious? You're equating this to Obama writing books?

Ludicrous!

How much attention is he paying to ending poverty?

[EFerrari]

46. What is preposterous, ProSense? I don't want to mess up your thread

or start a war. It's only 11am here. :)

[brentspeak]

43. $2 million of his own money = "exploitation"?

You have a strange conception of "exploitation".

[TwilightGardener]

47. That was an investment in his ambitions. For a guy who's reputed to

be worth 50 million, 2 million is not that much of an investment either.

[saracat]

31. It is the same program. Read on . This is just a "hit piece" exploiting

the affair news to make an issue over the ebding of a pilot program.

[MonteLukast]

39. Oh, I hope you're right, Saracat.

Please, I hope you're right. :cry:

[Egnever]

10. And so begings the unmasking of a Snake oil salesman

There was never a doubt in my mind this guy was full of it from the get go. Nice to see my BS detector is still working.

[TexasObserver]

12. Now he wants to solve poverty one middle aged woman at a time.

He'll pick one each year, and with the help of his buddy, Mr. Baron, will lift out of poverty the chosen woman for the year.

[Marie26]

14. Queen for a Day! nt

[TexasObserver]

22. I can remember when that show was on at 3 PM.

With some smarmy guy named Jack ________.

Every day the female contestants would tell their story, the winner would get a new refrigerator or such, to wear the robe and crown, and of course, the roses.

While the music played ....

[Marie26]

29. My great-grandmother

was actually Queen for a Day. No kidding. She was apparantly very proud, but the show just seems so exploitative & smarmy. Sort of like, say, John Edwards. He could've hosted a show like that, or maybe still can if he's interested in a comeback.

[TexasObserver]

32. I'd run home after school and turn the TV on. Queen for a Day preceded Who Do You Trust?

Who Do You Trust was a game show with an emcee by the name of Johnny Carson.

His sidekick announcer who sold dishwashing detergent and such was Ed McMahon.

[Marie26]

35. This is random,

but they're bringing the show back! John Edwards, your destiny is calling!


'QUEEN FOR A DAY' IS COMING BACK

May 20, 2008

Add another TV remake to the pile.

RDF will revive the classic '50s show "Queen for a Day," in which four women told their sob stories -with the winner receiving a night of luxury and a slew of prizes. "Queen" actually began life on the radio before moving to TV and running from the late 1940s to 1970 on NBC and ABC."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05202008/tv/queen_for_a_day_is_coming_back_111733.htm

[TexasObserver]

38. Well, we certainly have the economy to make it work!!

Lots of needy mothers, lots of unemployed people watching TV!!

[Benhurst]

48. Jack Bailey. He looked sort of like Mel Blanc and almost could have

been one of the characters he played on the Jack Benny Show.

[TexasObserver]

63. Yes, that's exactly who he looked like.

[Marie26]

13. Edwards ended the scholarship program, too

And that was a few months ago, before the affair broke, but of course after he ran for President. It's becoming increasingly clear that Edwards' real cause was John Edwards.

[originalpckelly]

17. We should have be suspicious of a guy who spends more than $100 on a haircut.

[Marie26]

21. Yep

I thought it was silly when people concentrated so much on his haircut, or his house, but really those stories were indicative of a much bigger problem - overwhelming narcissism. At this point, I don't think Edwards is a fundamentally good person at all, or someone who made a mistake. He was a con man, who used real social issues to advance his own ambitions. Which might just be another way of saying he's a typical politician. But Edwards' narcissism seems incredible even for a politician. And it angers me to think of how he used the donations of working-class people to fund his own ego. Thank God he dropped out before I wasted a vote on him. But con man or no, Edwards did manage to bring the issue of poverty to the forefront in a way that influenced both Obama & Clinton, so I guess there's a positive effect from his run.

[Blu Dahlia]

34. True. I think his

conscious kicked in and that's why he left the race.

[Marie26]

98. I'd like to believe that

But his conscience wasn't stopping him the two years prior, so I suspect it had more to do w/Edwards being confronted w/this potential scandal by Obama or Clinton's oppo researchers, or the actual birth of the baby. Wouldn't that have been around Jan/Feb 08?

[Blu Dahlia]

33. Or over 10 minutes brushing it in front of a mirror!!!

[Matariki]

57. Agreed. Reminds me of a line from the I Ching:

Lends grace to the beard on his chin.

The beard is not an independent thing; it moves only with the chin. The image therefore means that form is to be considered only as a result of attribute of content. The beard is a superfluous ornament. To devote care to it for its own sake, without regard for the inner content of which it is an ornament, would bespeak a certain vanity.

[originalpckelly]

16. It looks like he wasn't just screwing Ms. Hunter.

:puke:

[catgirl]

19. I knew he was full of it (er, of himself)

He should not have run. I'm surprised by how many people supported him.
I couldn't stand listening to him. His lies were written all over his face.

[Clark2008]

20. Hmmm.... guess I was right.

I knew his was pig since 2002.

[mnhtnbb]

24. The College for Everyone program was a huge benefit to the community

What was Hillary doing to benefit kids during that time? What was Barack Obama doing? What was
John McCain doing?

I have been very disappointed in JE regarding this affair with Rielle Hunter, but it's not right
to try to take credit away from this trial program he started.

From the News Observer article:



The program cost a total of $600,000 for the first two years and helped 190 students go to such colleges as East Carolina University, Lenoir Community College and N.C. State University. The program will help a third class, Greene County students who graduated this spring, attend college starting in the fall.

<snip>


Patrick Miller, Greene County school superintendent, said the Edwards program helped raise the college-application rate from about 26 percent several years ago to 94 percent this year.

Although the College for Everyone Program is being phased out, Miller said he hoped it helped create a culture of college-going in the county. He also noted that there were other programs in the Greene schools encouraging students to further their education.

Edwards had been responsible for raising the money for College for Everyone. It was financed by the Center for Promise and Opportunity Foundation, a Greensboro-based nonprofit organization he started. Edwards' spokesmen had previously declined to disclose the foundation's donors.

For the full article:

http://www.newsobserver.com/print/thursday/front/story/1160097.html

[helderheid]

25. When Gore didn't jump in, I decided to support Edwards. After he dropped out, I supported Obama.

I feel so deceived.

[TexasObserver]

77. same - same - same here

Thank God we dodged that bullet, and no thanks to my choices.

Imagine the time and resources that were put into this affair the past two years. Imagine the time he stole from his kids, his wife, and his followers to carry this on.

And if he thinks he's gonna bogart his way past this with "my God and my wife have forgiven me," he's out of his god damn Jimmy Swaggartesque mind.

[bdf]

27. Not another fling!!! (n/t)

[undeterred]

28. I never trusted him.

[Blu Dahlia]

30. Wow... so he ended the scholarship program, his work with the anti-poverty

center, and of course, the affair...

I feel sorry for the people who he fooled. He didn't fool me though. He told us everything we needed to know in 2004.

[brentspeak]

40. Edwards spent over $2 million of his own money for the scholarship program

and who knows how much more for the anti-poverty center.

But that's irrelevent to the Church Ladies posting on this board.

[Marie26]

42. Are you sure about that?

It says he declined to release the names of the donors.

[cobalt1999]

56. Well, since the primary beneficiary of the anti-poverty center was John himself.

"The organization, the Center for Promise and Opportunity, raised $1.3 million in 2005, and—unlike a sister charity he created to raise scholarship money for poor students—the main beneficiary of the center’s fund-raising was Mr. Edwards himself, tax filings show"


Sounds like he about netted out between the two. Did people know when they were donating to an anti-poverty center that the money was primary going into Edwards pockets?

[Joe Fields]

61. A small price to pay when running for prez, plus it is a tax write-off.

[Bobbie Jo]

45. Gee....does this resemble some sort of pattern?

Narcissistic phoney....:eyes:

Edited to add: and he has a big fucking house too! :P

[JVS]

55. I think the pattern might merely be Edwards exiting public life.

He isn't of much use to anyone with his current scandals dogging him.

[Marie26]

58. But doesn't it seem like

he really thinks he can make a comeback here? He still seems to be under the delusion that he can continue a political career if he just "manages" this scandal right - thus the Friday night news dump, denials of paternity, etc. etc.

[TwilightGardener]

59. Actually, digging in even DEEPER into poverty work would be about the

best rehab for his reputation that he could do. He could have shown us that no matter his flaws and failings as a human and a candidate, at least he was sincere about his supposed life's work. What's he going to do now, go back to the hedge-fund deal?

[roguevalley]

69. he reminds me of Jesse Jackson's position right now. He better do

work in poverty, digging latrines if he has to so he can get a reputation again. this is disconcerting to say the least. why cut off the scholarship thing? He could write that off.

[Radical Activist]

52. So the moderate who ran as a liberal was a phony?

Go figure. Who could have guessed?

Seriously, when are people going to learn to look beyond speeches to a persons record? It was obvious from the start that Obama was the liberal in this primary.

[Tektonik]

72. liberal?

:eyes:

edit: He's the much, much better choice versus McCain, but come on now, Obama is not a liberal.

[Radical Activist]

76. There's a good reason Kucinich supported Obama for the Iowa caucus second choice.

Yes, Obama has a strong liberal record, despite the spin and cynicism from hip online blogs too cool to follow the trend.

[eridani]

84. I suspect it was more that Kucinich was seriously ticked off--

--that the MSM had anointed Edwards as the "antipoverty" candidate. Similar to 2004--ticked off that Dean was anointed as the "antiwar" candidate. Kucinich had ten times the actual record to back those designations than either Edwards or Dean, but I still think it was a bad idea for him to recommend a second choice for those reasons. Better not to recommend anyone at all--still don't understans why he doesn't realize that most of his supporters are serious issue junkies and feral cats who don't take directions well.

[Matariki]

53. Interesting. My gut feeling always was that he's a phoney.

I just could *never* get behind him and I was sort of hard on myself about it because I thought I was only reacting to superficialities, like the way he looks. Seems like my intuition might have been on target. I'm glad he didn't win the primary.

I hope Obama makes a better VP choice than either Kerry or Gore made.

[karynnj]

70. I agree

I can imagine the pressure is very hard to accept the candidate that the powers that be are pushing. I'm sure Kerry was told Edwards polled well and would help with people they said he couldn't reach. Given that Kerry had doubts about him, he likely should have kept looking. I'm sure he and Gore will advise Obama on this. (Gore's best choice of the three on his short list is very obvious - and he shouldn't have let people talk him into Leiberman. )

[TankLV]

88. yep...and his "being uncomfortable around gay people" lost me right away...

then I was reminded of him being among the FIRST and LOUDEST condemning Clinton, and saying how gay marriage would somehow ruin straignt marriages...since he was against EQUAL rights for gays being allowed to have full complete MARRIAGE rights...

nice...

[LWolf]

54. .

:grr:

[TornadoTN]

60. The gift that keeps on giving - what a con-man

I've always given Edwards the benefit of the doubt, despite a certain uneasiness with him.

Not anymore. He played us all as fools in his own pursuit of narcissism and self-interest. Just because he's a Democrat doesn't mean I will give him a free pass or somehow seek to excuse what he did. The affair is none of our business - but in this political environment and media - the lies and deception are unforgivable.

Now this. His message was one that pulled on the heartstrings of the party, but it was shallow and self-serving. I won't put him on the same level as the Neocons who lied us into war, destroyed our constitution, and destroyed our economy - but he's not too far from them.

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[XemaSab]

79. Everyone's allowed to explore different facets of their opinion here

I'm sure you could dig up two contradictory quotes from virtually everyone on this site. :shrug:

[Marie26]

81. What was the point of that? nt

[TornadoTN]

96. Haha, you wasted your time doing that?

I'm really, really worried that someone would do that. Stalker much?

People can explore different viewpoints and yes, positions change. My positions have changed on Edwards - especially given his current situation.

[CrazyDude]

64. Worst headline n/t

[depakid]

66. Well, the fact that he's radioactive right now might have something to do with it

:eyes:

Impressive though that some still feel the need to take the time to post hit pieces on him.

It's also impressive how quickly people turn on their own- a phenomena that doesn't bode well for Obama if he blows the election by following loser advice from beltway consultants.

Might well just end up as a one term senator....

[XemaSab]

71. Color me REAL surprised

:eyes:

[Pastiche423]

73. johnnyboy's poverty center equals *'s pig farm

Both were created for nothing but show.

[Holly_Hobby]

75. Does he smell a federal campaign fund investigation coming on?

I do.

No wonder Elizabeth is going along...if John ends up in prison, who will raise the kids???

[Disturbed]

78. Shutting down the scholarship program would be a big mistake.

It would seal the perception that John Edwards is a sleazy opportunist.

[EFerrari]

95. Except it was only ever meant to be a trial or pilot program.

It's not really the kind of thing one person can sustain.

[Marie26]

97. Unless there's also

some anomalties in the funding for that program, as well. This is just wild speculation, but if it turns out Edwards used any part of that scholarship money for political purposes, that would truly seal the perception forever.

[Marie26]

80. Bingo!

It looks like he's trying to cover up the money trail, doesn't it? The scholarship Foundation & the Center for Progress were both dissolved shortly after the Enquirer "hush money" story ran. IMO not a coincidence. Since the Center isn't technically a political organization, it doesn't have to file expenditure or donor reports w/the FEC. Which would make it a good slush fund. I wonder why Edwards refused to release the list of donors for the Center - maybe the Fortress hedge fund was funding it? Also, the Center hasn't filed an annual report to the IRS since 2005, & there's been reports that the Center spent $200,000 for unknown "consultants". Most probably, political consultants, although at this point I wouldn't be surprised if his fixer Baron or Hunter herself were paid consultants as well.

"During periods when they're out of office, many politicians arrange jobs for loyal former aides. After his unsuccessful 2004 Vice-Presidential bid, John Edwards came up with a creative approach: He started a nonprofit dedicated to fighting poverty. Rather than recruiting outside poverty experts, the Center for Promise & Opportunity became a perch for several once and future Edwards staff members.

The line between an ordinary nonprofit and a group formed to test the political waters can be blurry. But legally there's a big difference. Ordinary nonprofits aren't subject to rules on disclosing donors and limiting contributions; exploratory political groups are. No one has challenged the status of the Edwards center, and experts in the field say it may technically pass muster as an ordinary nonprofit. But at a minimum, it appears to have helped Edwards prepare for the 2008 Presidential race.

Edwards, a former Democratic senator from North Carolina, launched the center in 2005 at the Washington (D.C.) address of his PAC. The nonprofit raised $1.3 million in 2005, the only year for which data are available, and spent some of it on a national speaking tour for Edwards. It also spent $259,000 on consultants. The campaign declines to disclose the donors or consultants."

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_22/c4036012.htm

[TexasObserver]

82. I agree with your comments. It's looking bad already.

There is a picture that is emerging. It is one of massive amounts of cash being used to keep the paramour away from probing eyes for close to a year, if not longer. The cash likely originated with either campaign or nonprofit funds. Either way, it's potentially very serious trouble. There's got to be a paper trail that is damning. The only question is: will anyone ever require the production of that paper trail?

[Liberal_in_LA]

86. Isn't Edwards a gazillionaire lawyer? Why didn't he use his own money?

[TexasObserver]

92. 1. OPP - other people's money 2. Needed excuse to have her around 3. Hide it from Elizabeth

Bottom line: he was cheap and sleazy

[Liberal_in_LA]

94. 'hide from elizabeth". I think you are right.

[tritsofme]

83. Do any of these revelations really surprise anyone? John Edwards is who we always said he was

a phony and a huckster.

Some people were fooled longer than others, some still have their heads in the sand.

[Occam Bandage]

85. What a horrendous fraud. God.

[girl gone mad]

87. I really just want to thank Obama supporters..

for making the right choice for our party. I can't believe I ever supported Edwards, however tepid that support may have been.

[TexasObserver]

93. You and me, both!!

I can't believe I backed this self indulgent, dishonest jackass.

[noamnety]

89. The affair was a surprise, but this should not have been.

This is the same guy who took a job for a hedge fund and when called on it, claimed it was so he could learn about poverty.

Indeed. Learn how to profit off it, more accurately. Some of us said so at the time.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3849173#3851338
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3849563#3850524

This is the problem with people falling for that cult of personality - they can be faced with facts right in their face, with examples of how the rhetoric doesn't match the reality, and they are blind to it.

[XemaSab]

90. The hedge fund, the house, yes, even the haircut...

But especially the hedge fund.

It's not just about looking at the "cult of personality," it's about how well the rhetoric matches the deeds, and in this case they didn't match at all.

[noamnety]

91. I bring up the cult of personality

because I see a pattern of people having blind faith in democrats all too often, without the ability to resort to critical thinking, or to look at what they are actually doing, vs. saying.

So Bill Clinton becomes flawless (minus the impeachment deal), despite the fact that his sanctions killed as many Iraqis as Bush's war has. Kerry (and I fell for this at the time) became a strong opponent of the Iraq war, despite all of his votes before and after his campaign that contradicted his rhetoric.

(In a year, I'll be linking to my old posts and saying "I told you so" when Obama hasn't pulled troops out of Iraq.)

[Catchawave]

99. This article has been debunked in the Edwards Forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=257x12034

Guess the reporter didn't know how to dial a telephone?