Yesterday I saw John Edwards speak at Howard University in Washington DC as part of his college tour, so yesterday was a good day! I got there early enough to sit in the third row in the center, so I got some good videos of the event, considering I'm using my tiny digital camera. (Definitely not a professional video set up.) 
John spoke for about 25 minutes about our leadership in the world, the example we set at home, climate change, health care, poverty, and education. Then he took questions from the audience.
I've been a fan for a long time, so I feel quite familiar with most of his positions on the issues. Most of it was the same old amazingly inspiring and revelatory, life-changing excitement, if one can ever describe JRE's standard fare as "same old." There were a few new twists, though.
JRE started off by speaking about how America is now seen through the eyes of the world and why it's so important that we change that perception. (Click here for the video.) 
He then turned his focus to the example we set for the rest of the world by what we do at home and how we address the problems in our own country. (Click here for part 2.)
Later, he spent some time on the issue of poverty and some ideas for solutions. He also spoke about the ability for young people to create real change and the importance of getting involved. (Click here for part 3.)
I encourage you to look at all the videos. Yes, most of this is old news to me, but it's wonderful, and if you're not familiar with John Edwards' take on the issues, you really should see this. After all, I went to see him again even though I knew most of what he would probably say. That should tell you something about how different from normal politics this really is! 
The pieces of the discussion that were new to me all came during the audience question period.
The first person to ask a question was from a climate change organization. She thanked JRE for pledging to make his campaign carbon neutral and for being out front on the issue of global warming. She asked him whether he would commit to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, a step which she described as the only scientifically viable way to solve the problem. His one word answer: "Yes!" 
In this part of the video, he also gives an extensive answer to a question about public school education.
Another audience member asked about the recent lawsuit by Viacom against YouTube for copyright infringement, and asked about how we can protect alternatives to the mainstream media. John gave a good answer, speaking about how net neutrality, vigilance against media consolidation, and the ability of average people to have their voices heard on the internet are all vitally important for democracy. 
Finally, someone asked about his health care plan, which JRE was happy to "bore" us on. (Click here.)
Well, I can tell you, I never get tired of hearing John Edwards' ideas. He really is inspiring and refreshing. It's just so good to hear someone speak the truth and not dance around the issues! 
In the interest of shorter videos on specific topics, I made a few issue-oriented excerpt videos. These consolidate what he said in his speech with the questions asked by the audience and his answers. They are on the same four topics that the audience members asked about.
Cross-posted from blog.johnedwards.com/user/sirius
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 18
It is good to hear truth. I am so impressed with how John Edwards has been handling the press. I saw him on Hardball answering questions very directly -- no shilly shallying around. He certainly has been thinking issues through and through.
The most recent was with Wolf Blitzer [who's kind of mealy mouth in trying to pull the reaction he wants from someone] regarding the Gonzales affair. Wolf tried to get him to say that Gonzales has done things that are illegal. John very forthrightly said, no, not necessarily illegal -- what he did was "wrong."
Edwards is a fascinating candidate to watch. Thanks for the information and the links.
Who wants to talk about a candidate who knowingly and willingly shared a podium with AC. The little cat fights are promulgated by special interests and promoted by the media -- and you know which special interests and which media.
John Edwards has been making progress in my mind - working to compensate for that awful decision of his to support the invasion of Iraq.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
Michael, thanks for you comment. I grew up in Michigan. I am impressed with Edwards' campaign manager, David Bonior.
Missy, yes I agree. He has been thinking the issues through. He's very specific where other candidates are vague and he tells people he wants them to know exactly where he stands. It's so refreshing!
Kathryn, thank you so much for featuring my article!
J. Clifford, I know it was an awful decision to support the invasion of Iraq. I made the mistake of supporting it, or at least not really opposing it at the time also, so I feel I can't judge him for it. I think he has developed a much stronger understanding of foreign policy since then.
I hope you will be able to get over his Iraq vote. I think his message that we need bold, transformational change instead of baby steps, combined with the fact that he has a clear vision of what that change should be to get us headed in the right direction, makes him someone we would be very fortunate to have as president.
Re the decision to vote for war. I think that was something for a lot of voters that falls into the category of Washington Concensus [if you're in washington] and between a rock and a hard place, if you're not. For many, it was a question of living to fight another day and/or cutting the baby in half -- just as now.
In spite of the 06 election, Rove [or his evil twin] has managed to maneuver the dems, again, into a position where to cut funds is propagandized as tantamount to leaving the troops defenseless. That's absolutely not true -- and I will do everything in my power to hold dems who do not speak out ACCOUNTABLE! David Obey is right when he says they don't "have the necessary votes" because most republicans and far too many dems have flat out capitulated or are in absolute agreement with the Washington Concensus. They do have a "voice" which they managed to find just fine when social security was on the line.
2008 is going to be here before they know it -- and those of us who have brains, common sense and a conscience will NOT forget! Next after John Edwards, my cat is looking better and better as a candidate. It looks more and more like John Edwards will have a lot of votes with which to play.
Should John Edwards want a really revealing glimpse of how things are going re health care services in Louisiana [since he announced there], perhaps a staff person could get CSPAN transcripts of testimony before the House by Dr. Fred Cerise, Secretary Louisiana Det of Health and Hospitals and Dr. Kevin Stephens, New Orleans Health Director, among others, this past Tuesday.
Rep Marsha Blackburn is raking them over the coals [particularly Dr. Stephens]. The repubs in general seem to be blaming the City, the Mayor, and the State of LA as well as conflicts between the mayor and the city council for delays in getting approvals for mobile clinics. She says, most scathingly, "stubborness and hesitation is not going to solve the problem -- action is going to solve the problem." [where was she when they were waiting on rooftops]. She is also upset that the State, Dr. Cerise, hasn't been talking with other states about lessons learned and best practices re insurance, 1115 waivers. The dems seem to be upset with HHS not cooperating with LA.
Rep. Melancon, LA is extremely upset with Leslie Norwalk, acting administrator of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, re the politics of the large charity hospital vis a vis care for immigrants; i.e., everything else has taken backseat. [It certainly seems that way]. Dr. Cerise said they have been trying and trying to get assistance as to paperwork requirements; Ms. Norwalk says she has a log of all the times they've spoken. Mr. Melacon said that it all started the day after Katrina when the governor was told she didn't ask for the right things. He wants the logs, documentation of all details -- even if he has to subponea for them.
This continues to be a moral, political, and fiscal abyss.
The proceedings were blatantly partisan as I tried to show above. It can't hurt to know what the real scoop is because congress is doing the usual dog and pony show for the cameras, but otherwise going right by it -- afterall it's been 18 months with another season right around the corner. Melancon summed it up well; and from day one, I felt that the ugliest of partisan politics was driving the overall operation -- having to do of course with the vast amounts of money that would go into the aftermath. Current events seem to support this.