Former Sen. Edwards says Democrats need to show 'backbone'

AP/lasvegassun ^ | September 11, 2006 | RYAN NAKASHIMA

[ncountylee]

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Possible presidential candidate and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards told some 3,400 union delegates and others Monday that the Democratic Party needs to show "a little backbone" by taking up the cause of universal health care again.

"One of the ways we can show some backbone and courage is we can speak out and we can say we're not for access to health care ... and all those weasel words that politicians like to use," he said.

"We're for universal health care for every single man, woman and child in America and we are going to fight for it every single day when we're running this country, when we're running the Congress, when we're running the White House. "

Edwards, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2004, appeared with other party stalwarts such as former President Jimmy Carter at a convention of the Laborers' International Union of North America to make the case to attendees to elect Democrats in November. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, also considered a possible presidential contender, was to address the convention later in the day.

Nevada has taken on new importance on the Democratic presidential primary calendar after the party moved last month to sandwich Nevada's caucus between first-in-the-nation Iowa and New Hampshire in January.

The shake-up was backed by Democratic leaders who want to add more Hispanic and black voters to the voter pool picking the party nominee, and give Democrats an early foothold in the West, a region increasingly seen as a key to winning the general election.

[ncountylee]

Edwards, Jimmy Carter, Bill Richardson and thousands of union thugs...what a day to miss...NOT!

[lormand]

It takes a backbone to show a backbone.

[msnimje]

First they need to purchase one.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Going by the headline, it's not just the Dims who need a backbone! :)

[Peach]

Coming from the limp wristed metrosexual Edwards, this is hysterical! ROFL - my best laugh all day.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

"We're for universal health care for every single man, woman and child in America and we are going to fight for it every single day when we're running this country, when we're running the Congress, when we're running the White House. "

"No matter how many people die or if the costs escalate out of control," Edwards said.

[the invisib1e hand]

Former Sen. Edwards says Democrats need to show 'backbone'

Oh, that's rich! a) they'd have to get one, first and b) that's a little like Howard Stern telling his listeners to grow up.

[Taliesan]

Edwards clinched the argument for universal health care when he reported that he could hear little dead girls talking, and they agree with him.

[llevrok]

Former Sen. Edwards says Democrats need to show 'backbone'

Show their back bone?

The ambulance chasing "silky pony" will be suing their birth doctor for malpractice!

[My2Cents]

How about showing a shread of decency, or a spot of morality?

[Horatio Gates]

Democrats need to show 'backbone'

Oh heck, does this mean Ted Kennedy will take off his shirt again?

[Darkwolf377]

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Possible presidential candidate and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards told some 3,400 union delegates and others Monday that the Democratic Party needs to show "a little backbone" by taking up the cause of universal health care again.

Johnny, we'd believe you were sincere if your plan included coverage of hair care products.

[jpl]

He knows that if you're showing backbone, you have a great multimillion dollar lawsuit against the doctor who performed your surgery.

[avacado]

"If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free!"

note: quote taken from a fellow freeper's signature.

[Gordongekko909]

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

What a letdown! I was ready for some Patton-like speech, and he gives me this? A really original idea, too. When have you not heard a Democratic politician talking like this?

[radar101]

Can't show it if you ain't got it.....

[Cobra64]

Methinks he's referring to the wrong party. The democrats have done everything except slash tires. Er, hold it. They did that too.

Anyway, the Republican party's logo remains unchanged.

[PRND21]

SilkyPony Says What?