Edwards Wins SC Debate

CNN's Focus Group of Undecided South Carolina Voters: "They Thought That Senator Edwards Won the Debate." After the debate, CNN reported that a focus group of seventeen undecided South Carolina Democrats said Edwards won the debate:

Anderson Cooper: "Erica, did your undecided voters in the room say who they felt won?"

Erica Hill: "They did. The interesting thing is they thought that Senator Edwards won the debate." [CNN, 1/21/08]

CNN's Focus Group Had a Great Reaction to Edwards When He Jumped in After the Clinton-Obama Personal Attacks.

Erica Hill talking about CNN's focus group: "What didn't pay off were attacks…That may have played well in the debate hall, but it left our voters cold and left an opening for John Edwards to grab his best reaction."

John Edwards: "This kind of squabbling -- how many children is this going to get health care. How many people are going to get an education from this?" [CNN, 1/21/08]

NBC's Matt Lauer: "I thought it was a particularly strong night for John Edwards, who seemed to walk the fence and try and calm down the bickering, at the same time calling attention to the issues." On the "Today Show" this morning Matt Lauer said, "I have to say, I'm not one, I don't want to handicap this thing and call a winner or a loser, but you have to echo what John Edwards said, aren't there three people in this debate. I thought it was a particularly strong night for John Edwards, who seemed to walk the fence and try and calm down the bickering, at the same time calling attention to the issues. How do you think he did last night?" Tim Russert: "Well, John Edwards was able to be the odd man out and look reasonable and much more focused on issues than personal positions." [NBC, "Today Show," 1/22/08]

CNN's Amy Holmes: "I thought the winner was John Edwards…This actually ended up being John Edwards' night." "And like many of the guests you've had on previously, I thought the winner was John Edwards. I thought he really helped himself tonight where he could come in above the fray, refocus the debate on the issues. This actually ended up being John Edwards' night." [CNN, "Larry King Live," 1/22/08 (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0801/22/lkl.01.html)]

KIRO Radio Talk Show Host | Seattle Times Contributor Carl Jeffers on CNN: "I believe that actually tonight was John Edwards' best performance. And actually he came out better than he has in any other debate." On CNN immediately after the debate, Carl Jeffers said, "And I believe that actually tonight was John Edwards' best performance…But, Edwards clearly came out very well tonight…he certainly helped himself, and I believe now, even if he comes in third, as a result of his performance tonight, can keep going to the convention where he may still have a role to play." [CNN, 1/21/08]

CNN's Candy Crowley: John Edwards probably won – he "was the one who was on message, who kept bringing them back and saying, what does this have to do with children's health care." Larry King: "Candy, if you were keeping score, who won?" Candy Crowley: "Probably John Edwards simply because he stayed out of it. I talked to people who were in the room during the debate and I said, well, what did you think and they said, well I thought it was too much arguing. So, if you buy into the old political saw that when A and B argue, C is the beneficiary, John Edwards was the one who was on message, who kept bringing them back and saying, what does this have to do with children's health care, that bite that you played. So, if I had to guess, it would be him." [CNN, "Larry King Live," 1/22/08 (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0801/22/lkl.01.html)]

The Hotline's Jen Skalka: "I'd score this one for John Edwards." "This was the rowdiest debate by far in the Democratic contest. And while each of the candidates had fine moments, I'd score this one for John Edwards. Especially in the standing portion of this two-hour rumble… tonight, he was the catalyst for the action." [http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/01/rough_and_tumbl.html, 1/21/08 (10:06 PM)]

CNN's Bill Schneider: "John Edwards got himself back in it — he showcased his style and his key issues, and is clearly back in the game." 10:37 PM | "Here's some quick post-debate thoughts: John Edwards got himself back in it — he showcased his style and his key issues, and is clearly back in the game. He showed he continues to deserve to share a debate stage with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and voters here will likely give him another look after tonight." [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/21/schneider-some-final-thoughts-%e2%80%93-two-different-strategies/, 1/21/08]

The Nation's John Nichols: "Edwards effectively pointed to the heated squabbling between the two frontrunners…as a deviation from the issues that matter…In short order, Edwards had gotten the best of both his opponents." "John Edwards effectively pointed to the heated squabbling between the two frontrunners in anticipation of Saturday's South Carolina Democratic primary as a deviation from the issues that matter…In short order, Edwards had gotten the best of both his opponents. That was the order of the night. Again and again, Edwards took the side of one of the frontrunners against the other, effectively serving as an arbiter between the two. It was an ideal position for Edwards, the outsider candidate who is struggling to distinguish himself from two opponents with more money and better poll positions." [http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=273581, "CLINTON, OBAMA COME TO BLOWS; EDWARDS WINS ..." 1/21/08 (10:47 PM)]

NBC's Andrea Mitchell: Edwards "did very well in the debate." [MSNBC, "Morning Joe," 1/22/08]

The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn: On universal health care, Edwards "had the best argument of all," asking Obama "whether he would make the same sort of argument about Social Security." "Clinton and Edwards would require everybody to obtain health insurance and Obama wouldn't…Clinton and Edwards framed the argument perfectly…It was Edwards, though, who had the best argument of all. When Obama said, as he has frequently, he doesn't want to force people to buy health insurance, Edwards asked whether he would make the same sort of argument about Social Security: 'The problem with this argument is you can make exactly the same argument about Social Security. ... I mean, you think about the analogy. What George Bush says is he wants people to be able to get out of the Social Security system, choose, elect to get out of the Social Security system. Well, that's exactly what this argument is. ... This argument is you shouldn't have to have health care. If you choose not to have health care, you shouldn't have to have it. And that is a threshold question. It is a judgment. It's a fair policy debate.'" [http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/01/21/debate-blogging-hard-truths-and-half-truths-on-health-care.aspx, 1/21/08]

The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn: On Edwards, "From the day this campaign began, he's driven the policy agenda." "Right now, John Edwards is talking about poverty. And that alone is reason to be thankful he's on the stage, even now. From the day this campaign began, he's driven the policy agenda--not just by embracing ambitious policy initiatives but also by focussing everybody's attention on people who, frankly, don't get enough explicit attention in politics." [http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/01/22/is-this-debate-too-ugly.aspx]

The Hill's Sam Youngman: Edwards "likely won favor with viewers by repeatedly trying to take the high road and stay above Obama's and Clinton's demolition derby." [http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/clinton-obama-throw-sharpest-elbows-yet-at-debate-2008-01-21.html, 1/21/08 (10:40 PM)]

Wall Street Journal's Susan Davis: After the Debate Descended to the Personal, "Edwards said to applause '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?'" "The biggest benefactor of the fight might be former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards who is fighting to regain a foothold in this race. Edwards has repeatedly been given the opportunity to take the higher ground as the two frontrunners throw insults. 'I also want to know on behalf of voters here in South Carolina, this kind of squabbling, how many children is this going to get health care?' Edwards said to applause. '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 — you know, and I respect both of these — my fellow candidates, but 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.'" [http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/01/21/obama-clinton-trade-jabs/, 1/21/08 (9:23 pm)]

TPM's Josh Marshall: "8:58 PM ... Edwards comparison of 'choice' in health care to 'choice' is Social Security is a pretty good analogy." [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/064342.php]

TIME's Mark Halperin: "Made the best of the situation: On a level playing field, Edwards would have won the debate by a wide margin." [http://thepage.time.com/excerpts-from-mark-halperins-debate-report-cards-3/]

Edwards: Dominating the Debate

Ambinder: "Bet Edwards will win the focus groups again… he is dominating the debate." "8:35 pm | He is dominating the debate so far...extremely well informed on the subjects he's being asked, and he seems to be relishing his role as the third wheel...because the two fighting children are forced to listen to him. Again, on points, he seems to win these debates." [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/bet_edwards_will_win_the_focus.php]

New York Times' Katharine Q. Seelye: "Mr. Edwards is having a pretty good night… He's kind of a palette cleanser." 9:10 p.m. | Palette Cleanser | "Mr. Edwards is having a pretty good night. Maybe his 4-percent showing in Nevada has liberated him in some fashion. He's looser than usual, and as we said before, without a dog in the fight, he's coming across as an impartial observer. He's kind of a palette cleanser." [http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/live-from-south-carolina-the-democratic-debate-2/ ]

AP: Edwards Received Applause for Saying the Debate Is "Not About Us Personally." The AP reported "'Are there three people in this debate, not two? [Edwards] asked. 'We have got to understand, this is not about us personally. It's about what we are trying to do for this country,' Edwards said to applause from the audience." [AP, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Democrats-Debate.html]

ABC's Rick Klein: "John Edwards is probably winning on points and tone... pushing his message effectively." 9:10 PM | "And so far, John Edwards is probably winning on points and tone -- taking Obama off his game, but pushing his message effectively even from the sidelines of the main event."[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-4.html]

The Nation's Ari Melber: "Yet while Clinton and Obama exchanged their personal barbs, John Edwards broke through with the best arguments of the night." 9:46pm "Edwards Excels In Ferocious Democratic Debate..." | "Yet while Clinton and Obama exchanged their personal barbs, John Edwards broke through with the best arguments of the night. Edwards tweaked both his opponents for making the debate about political squabbling instead of public policy. Returning to his populist economic platform -- especially salient as Americans ponder a recession -- he reminded voters that he was the only candidate to outline a comprehensive plan to end poverty, and the first to introduce a national economic stimulus proposal. His plan came out weeks before Clinton and Obama. The program drove the 'party's policy agenda,' as Paul Krugman explained, by advocating 'aid to unemployed workers, aid to cash-strapped state and local governments,' and alternative energy, (most of which Clinton later adopted in her plan). And while the debate moderators kept pushing trite racial questions, even asking Obama if Bill Clinton was the "first black president,' Edwards outlined a vision of racial and economic equality, where 'every American is of equal value.'" [http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=273552]

Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: "Obama isn't the best debater on the stage (we still think that person is Edwards)." [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/01/a_few_more_thoughts_on_tonight.html]

NBC's Chuck Todd: "Nobody does the personal story better than Edwards on this stage." 9:31 PM "Edwards does personal very well" | "Nobody does the personal story better than Edwards on this stage. Perhaps Bill Clinton can do it better than Edwards but I'm not sure. Edwards is good, perhaps even better than the master of 'feeling your pain,' Bill Clinton." [http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/21/596608.aspx]

ABC's Rick Klein: "John Edwards comes out most forcefully against the president's stimulus package -- and it's what Dr. King would want, too." "8:14 pm: John Edwards comes out most forcefully against the president's stimulus package -- and it's what Dr. King would want, too. He goes after trade as well -- finding a distinction off the bat." [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-4.html]

Ambinder: "John Edwards Is Looking Better." 8:44 pm | "The candidates tend to explain their policy decisions using short tern and the lingua franca of the Senate, which makes it hard to referee these disputes. So the candidates who refuse to jump in usually wind up looking better. And John Edwards is looking better." [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/mixing_it_up.php]

ABC's Rick Klein: "Easiest word on voices/demeanor: Intense…John Edwards seems most comfortable on stage." "9:08 pm: Easiest word on voices/demeanor: Intense. It works for all three. Obama seems a bit angry when he's being attacked. John Edwards seems most comfortable on stage. Hillary Clinton looks like the pro she is -- coolly delivering the rejoinders she's prepared." [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-4.html]

Edwards Hit JACKPOT in Vegas!

Reviews Are In: Edwards Hits The Jackpot
Jan 15, 2008
11:40 PM

Edwards Declared the Winner by a Focus Group of Undecided
Nevada Voters. On Fox News, Frank Luntz' focus group from Las Vegas of thirty
undecided Nevada Democrats declared Edwards the winner. Luntz:

"How many
of you thought John Edwards won?" [1/2 crowd raises hand]

"How many of
you came in supporting Senator Edwards?" [About 3 people raise hand]

"On
issue after issue, we're going to show this to you tomorrow night, his language
actually scored better than Senator Clinton and Senator Obama." [Fox News,
1/15/08]

NBC's Chuck Todd: On Edwards, "I thought he did a really good
job tonight…He was the heart and gut campaign tonight. He was very good." After
the debate, Chuck Todd said, "And by the way, Edwards, I thought he
personalized...I thought he did a really good job tonight. I thought he, we
talked about the fierce urgency of facts, right, that Clinton brought out. He
was heart. He was the heart and gut campaign tonight. He was very good." [MSNBC,
1/15/08]

NBC's Chuck Todd: "I Thought Edwards Gave the Best
Presentation." "On the perception front, I thought Edwards gave the best
presentation; he may have been a little light on speaking time, but in this
intimate forum, his skill of making every one of his answers personal to the
viewer shined through very well."
[http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/15/581417.aspx]

NBC's
Chuck Todd: "Head vs. gut on first economic answer…Edwards made the answer
personal and talked about people; Clinton talked about the problem in more
technical terms." 9:45: "Watching both Edwards and Clinton handle this first
economic question really shows the difference in their personalities. Edwards
made the answer personal and talked about people; Clinton talked about the
problem in more technical terms. A head vs gut answer; both campaigns are
probably pleased with the contrast." ["Head vs. gut on first economic answer,"
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/15/581257.aspx]

ABC's
Rick Klein: "Edwards finds his voice when he talks about money in politics --
it's effective stuff." "10:29 pm: Edwards finds his voice when he talks about
money in politics -- it's effective stuff, to a point."
[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-o.html]

ABC's Rick Klein: "Edwards Again Kept Things Most to His Message." "11
pm: Final thoughts -- first, on the debate. Edwards again kept things most to
his message…"
[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-o.html]

ABC's Rick Klein: "A good question from Edwards -- don't the people who
are giving you money expect something?" "10 pm: A good question from Edwards --
don't the people who are giving you money expect something? Obama's answer was
fine, but little that didn't sound pre-packaged, even insidery."
[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-o.html]

Reno Gazette-Journal's Anjeanette Damon: Edwards Steeled His Credentials
"By Pointing Out He Is the Only Candidate to Explicitly Oppose the Construction
of New Nuclear Power Plants." When "the inevitable Yucca Mountain question is
broached...Edwards attempted to steel his credentials by pointing out he is the
only candidate to explicitly oppose the construction of new nuclear power
plants."
[http://www.rgj.com/blogs/inside-nevada-politics/2008/01/inevitable-yucca-mountain-question-is.html]

ABC's Rick Klein: "This is a real point of distinction for Edwards, and
a valuable one in South Carolina, on guns." "10:43 pm: This is a real point of
distinction for Edwards, and a valuable one in South Carolina, on guns. For as
far left as he's tacked, it's not happening on the Second Amendment, and that
could be worth a few points."
[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-o.html]

Edwards Seizes Moment at MSNBC Debate

Excerpt from MSNBC's own story on the Debate:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22656153/

Edwards seizes an opening

The front-runners’ determination to bury the hatchet gave Edwards an opening to further raise his profile after stronger-than-expected showings in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

When Russert turned the discussion to the war in Iraq, Edwards noted that Obama and Clinton were voicing similar ideas about when and how to pull U.S. troops out of combat. He said his commitment to a U.S. withdrawal was stronger.

“I think there are real differences here, and they’re not subtle,” Edwards said, vowing to “have all combat troops out in the first year that I’m president of the United States.”

“I will end combat missions,” he said. “And while I'm president, there will be no permanent military bases in Iraq.”

While Clinton and Obama objected that their positions were largely the same as
Edwards’, the exchange allowed him to go on the offensive and steal some of
the intense focus from the front-runners.

Likewise, when taking his chance to question his rivals, Edwards pointedly mentioned the huge sums of money both Clinton and Obama have raised
from drug and insurance companies, asking, “Do you think these people expect
something, or are they just interested in good government?”

Edwards: Change does NOT begin in Washington

Edwards campaigns in Florence, SC, Jan 13, 2008.
"The Real 'Fairy Tale' is Thinking Change Begins With Washington Politicians"

Edwards set to 'fight' for SC win

Excerpt from Savannah Morning News

...

Stumping in his native state, Edwards railed against multibillion-dollar corporations, predatory lenders and Washington lobbyists.

"I have fought them, fought them, beat them, beat them, beat them, beat them, over and over again," he said, referring to both his political and legal careers.

"And I think we have to have that in a president of the United States."

He's hoping to use the Palmetto State, where he won the Democratic primary in 2004, as a launching pad for a comeback after placing second in Iowa and third in New Hampshire.

South Carolina Democrats vote on Jan. 26.

"Strengthening and growing the middle class is what this election is about," he declared. "When are we going to have a president who is going to stand up for working people?"

Looking relaxed and feisty at the same time, he drew distinctions between himself and his two main Democratic opponents.

He said New York Sen. Hillary Clinton "defends the system and thinks she can work her way though it." In contrast, Edwards said he believes "the system in Washington is stacked against ordinary Americans."

"I think you have to be willing to challenge it to bring about change," he said. And, unlike Clinton, Edwards declared: "I have never taken a dime from a Washington lobbyist."

He acknowledged that Barack Obama advocates change but said the Illinois senator takes a "more conciliatory" approach.

"He wants to bring everybody together. The drug companies. The insurance companies. The oil companies. Bring them to the table. And make a deal," Edwards said. "I just don't think that works."

He said it's important to work with Congress, but Edwards insisted that doesn't mean dealing with big businesses and lobbyists who front for them.

"They have an iron-fisted grip on your democracy," he said. "These entrenched interests are never going to go away without a fight."

The nation, he insisted, needs better health care, a cleaner environment, fairer taxes and improved education.

"If you think we can do these things just by being nice to them," he said in reference to special interests, "then I'm not your guy. I think we have to fight for them."

...

[ Read full article ]

Edwards brings it home

From The Beaufort Gazette

Edwards 'Brings it Home'
S.C. campaign gets personal on St. Helena Island

By ALEXIS GARROBO
agarrobo@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5539

Reinforcing his support of the middle-class as he vies for the Democratic party's presidential candidacy, John Edwards stopped Friday evening among the Spanish moss in the heart of the Lowcountry.

Edwards said to nearly 200 people packed into the Penn Center on St. Helena Island that he was proud to be back in the state where he was born.

Katrisa Johnson of Bluffton came with her young daughter and husband to hear Edwards discuss his platform firsthand.

"He says he's fighting for the middle-class, and I'm in the middle-class. I wanted to see what he'll do for me and my family," Johnson said.

Johnson said she thinks Edwards is her man after hearing him speak.

Edwards said the state's middle-class crisis was indicative of the rest of America where people are "struggling to survive."

Edwards, a former U.S. senator for N.C., emphasized he will fight to strengthen and grow the middle-class.

"I was taught by my father you never start a fight and you never walk away from one," he said. "This fight is personal for me."

Edwards advised those in attendance to choose a candidate who will support them in the upcoming state primary. This is the second stop on Edward's four-day campaign push in South Carolina before the state's Democratic primary Jan. 26.

"Send somebody into the White House who's willing to fight for you."

Edwards said America has a tradition of working hard to ensure children have a better life than their parents. The torch to keep the middle-class intact was passed to us, he said.

"It's the great moral test of our generation."

Edwards also distinguished himself from other top Democratic hopefuls, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

He said Clinton thinks the system in Washington works and she can work through it for change.

"I think the system in Washington is stacked," Edwards said.

He said Obama, whom he said he respects enormously, approaches change in a more conciliatory manner.

Edwards said standing up to entrenched interests is the way to bring about change.

"If you think you can bring about change by being nice. I'm not your guy."

If elected president, Edwards promised changes, such as closing the Guantanamo Bay military base, stopping illegal spying on American people, forbidding torture, getting rid of No Child Left Behind and creating a national teaching academy.

In the 2004 S.C. primary, John Edwards beat John Kerry by more than 42,000 votes. Beaufort County, however, supported John Kerry.

Eventually, Edwards ran as Kerry's vice presidential candidate. This week, Kerry announced he endorses Obama in the primary.