2008 Woodie Awards
Edwards rails against lobbyists
Christopher Patton - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Metro
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Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards spoke out against politicians who accept campaign donations from corporate lobbyists at a fundraising event for Johnson County Democrats Terrence Neuzil and Lonny Pulkrabek on Sunday afternoon.
Neuzil, a county supervisor running for re-election in 2008, said he is supporting Edwards largely because of the sincerity he perceives in the presidential-nomination hopeful.
"We want someone who is going to represent the Democratic Party," he said, arguing the former senator's focus on such key Democratic issues as health care, job creation, and the environment makes him the best candidate.
Johnson County Sheriff Pulkrabek, also seeking re-election in 2008, said he recently chose to back Edwards because of the former senator's proposed rural agenda.
"[Edwards' plan] aims to rid rural America of the use and production of methamphetamine," he said.
Pulkrabek said he appreciates the former senator's concern with the drug because he, as sheriff, has dealt with methamphetamine in Johnson County for the last three years.
In a short, passionate speech, Edwards attacked the influence he said corporate lobbyists have in American government.
Though he spent most of his time at the event pointing out problems he has with the political status quo in Washington, D.C., the former senator also touted a new 80-page collection of policy proposals that his campaign is sending out to more than 100,000 caucus-goers throughout Iowa.
"I have a responsibility to you, if I want you to caucus for me, to lay out very specific ideas," he said, urging those in attendance to contact his campaign and request a copy of his booklet if they don't receive one in the near future.
Twenty generations of Americans have worked to make sure that they always left the country better than they found it, to make sure that their descendants inherit a better world than they did, he said.
"We still have huge work to do to make sure that that's true for our children and our grandchildren," Edwards said.
Neuzil, a county supervisor running for re-election in 2008, said he is supporting Edwards largely because of the sincerity he perceives in the presidential-nomination hopeful.
"We want someone who is going to represent the Democratic Party," he said, arguing the former senator's focus on such key Democratic issues as health care, job creation, and the environment makes him the best candidate.
Johnson County Sheriff Pulkrabek, also seeking re-election in 2008, said he recently chose to back Edwards because of the former senator's proposed rural agenda.
"[Edwards' plan] aims to rid rural America of the use and production of methamphetamine," he said.
Pulkrabek said he appreciates the former senator's concern with the drug because he, as sheriff, has dealt with methamphetamine in Johnson County for the last three years.
In a short, passionate speech, Edwards attacked the influence he said corporate lobbyists have in American government.
Though he spent most of his time at the event pointing out problems he has with the political status quo in Washington, D.C., the former senator also touted a new 80-page collection of policy proposals that his campaign is sending out to more than 100,000 caucus-goers throughout Iowa.
"I have a responsibility to you, if I want you to caucus for me, to lay out very specific ideas," he said, urging those in attendance to contact his campaign and request a copy of his booklet if they don't receive one in the near future.
Twenty generations of Americans have worked to make sure that they always left the country better than they found it, to make sure that their descendants inherit a better world than they did, he said.
"We still have huge work to do to make sure that that's true for our children and our grandchildren," Edwards said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Ann
posted 11/12/07 @ 8:26 AM CST
In 2000, there were about 9,000 lobbyists in Washington - now there are over 30,000.
Corporate lobbyists stroll the halls of Congress and the White House distributing donations to influence legislation favoring corporations. (Continued…)
HD
posted 11/12/07 @ 9:24 AM CST
Special interests are ruining America.
I hope Mr. Edwards goes after the trial lawyers. Look at how many of those sharks hold seats in legislative bodies all across America. (Continued…)
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