Sen. John Edwards says Bush administration is a group of "insiders"

Durham Herald-Sun (Durham, NC) ^ | April 26, 2003 | Alex Ortolani, Associated Press Writer

[Constitution Day]

Edwards says Bush administration is a group of "insiders"

By ALEX ORTOLANI, Associated Press Writer
April 26, 2003   2:43 pm

HENNIKER, N.H. -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Saturday that President Bush's administration is run by the business elite for big business, not working people.

"There is a small group of people running our country," the senator from North Carolina told a gathering at New England College. "This is a government of insiders, by insiders and for insiders."

Edwards emphasized his commitment to working class Americans and said companies must stop paying corporate chief executives excessive salaries. The senator said he wants to stop the salaries of top executives from increasing at a greater rate than middle class wages.

"We need a law that says CEOs can't protect their pensions while monkeying around with working people's pensions and benefits," he said.

When Kirby Hall of Concord asked Edwards if voters would accuse him of "class warfare," the senator said Bush already is engaged in class politics. He said Bush's tax cut proposals would primarily benefit the nation's wealthiest citizens, not middle class families.

"Bush is trying to lift up people at the top," he said. "I'm not against people doing well; I'm for everyone having the chance to do well."

Hall said afterward she was pleased with his response, but was not convinced he could defeat Bush, assuming Edwards is the Democratic nominee.

"I just wonder how he can defeat the political machine," Kirby said. "I thought some of his answers were mushy."

Edwards said he would cut taxes for the middle class, while sending $50 billion more to the states to increase jobs, boost homeland security and Medicaid, and meet the federal government's obligation to fund its education mandates. He also promised to increase unemployment benefits and provide energy tax credits for families.

Franklin Pierce law student Garth Corriveau liked some of Edwards' economic ideas, but thought he was lacking in specifics.

"As a student, I'm going to be facing some major debts," Corriveau said. "And I would like to know exactly what kind of tax cuts I can expect."

Edwards is behind regional candidates John Kerry and Howard Dean in primary polls, but says as the race continues his campaign will shift away from fund-raising to retail politics.

"People will be seeing a lot of my face in New Hampshire," Edwards said. "I will work hard to get my message across here."

A part-time history professor at the college said Edwards exceeded her expectations.

"I thought he was going to be another handsome guy in a suit with no substance," she said. "But he was well-spoken and made some good points."

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[lawdude]

"...Bush's administration is run by the business elite for big business, not working people."

Now would you rather have the country run by a parking lot attendant or the head of GM?

D'oh

[Theodore R.]

Is Burr in the race or "exploring" the possibility of running? I know he bowed out when E. Dole was mentioned for the Helms seat.

[The Westerner]

The politics of class envy. Pure Marxism.

[metalboy]

Someday, Democrats will get off this bizarre JFK imitation trip they always seem to pull off..Comb hair like JFK, hold hand in "fist-thumb" gesture like JFK, lean forward like JFK. "Gee, he is just like JFK. I am fooled." On the other hand, they probably are. Freggin` morons

[mass55th]

"Edwards said he would cut taxes for the middle class..."

Hmmm. I vaguely remember another Democrat lawyer who ran for President and promised the same thing.

So, Edwards is proposing controls on CEO's, but no controls on trial lawyers. Careful John, your elitism is showing again!

[fabriclady]

We see an empty suit.
He will not do well in North Carolina.
I run a business and I have lots of walk in traffic.
I have not heard one person say they like him, much less vote for him.
RICHARD BURR is our MAN!

[jos65]

INSIDER/OUTSIDER?????

IT DOES DEPEND ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW,DOESN'T IT?

WOULD SOMEONE BE SO KIND AS TO NAME ME ONE "WORKING CLASS" PRESIDENT OR PRESIDENTIAL WANABEE?

[Carolina]

Will the Republicans even offer opposition to Edwards for his Senate seat next year, or will they take a "WV pass" on the race?

You bet we will!!

Congressman Richard Burr, our next NC Senator!

[Howlin]

Exactly!

[Howlin]

Yes!!!!!

[Howlin]

I agree with you!

[Howlin]

if there was a bill where lawyer's contingency fees would be capped at 5% or if punitive damages would be capped, Sheister Edwards would be screaming bloody hell.

They already tried that.

And he did.

[Dane]

They already tried that.

And he did.

There is a no worse sound than a trial lawyer squealing about how unfair it is to cap his/her contigency fee.

[Howlin]

[Lancey Howard]

John Edwards for Democrat nominee!!

Even America's ignorant chattering class can recognize an empty suit of Edwards' magnitude.

[Carolina]

[F16Fighter]

"Someday, Democrats will get off this bizarre JFK imitation trip they always seem to pull off..."

Hehehe -- Just as there 's a WWF wrestling school, there must be a 'JFK School of Mannnerisms' somewhere for unprincipled "boyish" preppy-looking Democratic hopefuls.

We must assume Helen Thomas is the principal.

[The Old Hoosier]

Edwards says Bush administration is a group of "insiders"

Someone please help me!!! I can't stop laughing!!!

[schaketo]

=== Cut === Paste === Email to Friends and Family ===

In the upcoming democratic primary (2004) ...

BIG AL NEEDS OUR HELP! - Register as a democrat and vote for Crazy Al!

Rev. Al Sharpton is officially running for president in 2004.

"I think we need to look at running a black in the primary. I have said I would be available to do it.

Sharpton said the idea came to him while he sat under a tree in Sudan, which he visited in April 2001 on a fact-finding tour about slavery.

Assume GW has the Republican nomination sewn up. Its time for all good republicans, libertarians, and independents to stand up and be counted. Lets take a page from Sen. McCain’s play book. Prior to the 2004 democratic presidential primary in your state, re-register as a democrat and vote for Al Sharpton!

Wouldn’t it be great if Crazy Al won! At the very least, lets ensure he gets prime time speaking rights at the 2004 nationally televised democratic convention. You gotta love it. Line up, sign up, and send this to all your like-minded friends.

In case you’d like to send Big Al a donation: http://www.sharptonexplore2004.com/

Anyone need a bumper sticker or button?
http://democraticbuttons.freeservers.com/

Anyone know where I can get a yard sign?

=== Cut === Paste === Email to Friends and Family ===

[schaketo]

Let`s see...On who`s watch were all these CEO`s busted? I can`t recall any being busted on Clintons watch but I could be wrong, am I? Well they were trying pretty hard with Microsoft, but who else?

That being the case, why was it that the Clinton Administration spent more money chasing down Bill Gates over the eight years in office, than Osama bin Laden?