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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[eleni121]

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

That's why she is teaching history part time. Low expectations and low standards.

[Demnomore]

Happened to be at New England College today (son was on a college tour) and listened to the Senator address approx. 60 local residents. My impression: Edwards is too young, too much of a Southern drawl and lacks the ability to light up a room (and needs a haircut). He focused on the problem with CEO's (i.e. A.Airlines) getting bonuses and wants to inact a law to stop this. Ignores the fact that there are stockholder and union remedies to address this. No mention of tort reform or curtailing payments to trial lawyers.
I wanted to pose to him the following question but his handler cut off questions after about 4 people.

My hopeful question for the senator: 'Senator you and your wife are both lawyers with income over $1million, and 75% of the $8 million you have raised has come from fellow lawyers. You are quick to condemn CEO's for excessive bonuses and you want to introduce a law to limit their compensation that shareholders and consumers can impact yet you certainly appear by your acceptance of these campaign donations that you are in the backpocket of the trial lawyers. Please tell use what you will do as president intoduce tort reform and limit judgements that in the end affect every citizen?
Unfortunely he would not call on me.
IMHO he couldn't bring water W.

[alrea]

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

We need laws that allow plaintiffs to keep more of their damage awards instead of enriching lawyers as they consume more and more of the GNP.

[Howlin]

'Senator you and your wife are both lawyers with income over $1million...

and you have a 2 million dollar home in Raleigh, a 4 million dollar home in Georgetown, and a 1 million dollar home on a private island off North Carolina.

Are you an "insider?"

[Kaslin]

I received a request for a donation from Ambulance chaser boy in my snail mail today. I was wondering if I would donate 1 cent per my visa check card how much it would cost his campaign?

[Demnomore]

Where's the outrage on the part of the democratic candidates for Pres. on statements by the likes of Gov. Dean (GOP = bigots), Kerry (Regime change) Rev Al (Reparations), if they can't take on their own party members, how can they lead our nation?

[Thebaddog]

3000 Americans died 9/11, 01 and these dorks are the only ones who don't get it, it would appear.

[Rebelbase]

Yeah man, thank God Richard Burr is gonna run in that race.

[Demnomore]

Has Edwards disclosed tax returns?

[jagrmeister]

Simple response: Edwards has been in Washington twice as long as Bush has (1999-2003 vs. 2001-2003). So who exactly is the "insider"? What we see, America, is an unethical trial lawyer who lies without compunction. We don't need that trait in a leader.

[John Jorsett]

Well of course. As I was telling Edwards, who was laying down a new layer of asphalt on my driveway this week past, "You Democrats are much more representative of the 'working people'. What we need are more plumbers and draymen in this administration." Ole John couldn't have agreed with me more. In fact, that's where he got the idea to bring this up.

[Carolinamom]

EXCELLENT question. I only wish you could have asked it. If he's for "regular folks", he ought to take more than 4 questions since there are so many of us "regular folks". HA

Howlin, his po-boy persona just does not wash.....especially when WE have the facts about his VERY expensive multiple homes. I'm sure that he and Elizabeth don't do windows or mow the lawns like the rest of us "regular folks". (Sorry, but I get sarcastic when Edwards tries to pretend he's fighting for all of us. HA)

[liberalnot]

i got news for edwards--the dem party has NO working people in its ranks.

[Texas Eagle]

LOL! Who writes Edwards's stuff? The Iraqi Information Minister???

Next thing you know, Ol' John will be saying there are no infidel American troops in Saddam International Airport.

[WaterDragon]

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

Translation: John Kerry is a nonentity and is unhappy about it.

[AmericanVictory]

Now, now, we all know that W orders that negotiations with other countries hinge on whether they buy Tyson's chicken. No, wait, maybe that was some other president.

[Jorge]

Edwards has a great future as a Democrat candidate....he looks good until he opens his mouth.

[Henchster]

Here it is:

[100%FEDUP]

Isn't it customary to put completely delusional people in padded rooms so they don't hurt themselves?

[lizbet]

Howlin,

Wish you would send that cartoon to John Edwards' office or enlarge it and put it on a sign to be paraded outside where Edwards is. It would really tick him off! And I would be glad!!!!!!