Obama Picks Up LGBT Supporters From Edwards

The Advocate reports "a critical mass of John Edwards's LGBT steering committee is going public with support for Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. Hillary Clinton. Twenty-two members of the Edwards campaign's original 59-person gay and lesbian committee will now be working for Obama victories next Tuesday and throughout the rest of the primary season.

The new Obama converts include Eric Stern, who headed up Edwards's LGBT steering committee, and longtime gay activist David Mixner, who famously campaigned for Bill Clinton in 1992, holding some of the first gay fund-raisers for a U.S. presidential candidate."

Eric Stern: The Iowa Diaries

Eric Stern: Edwards knows all LGBT politics is local

While I believe that the Democratic Party has a tremendous field of candidates, I ultimately decided to endorse John Edwards for President and signed on as a volunteer adviser to his presidential campaign in January of this year. I initially got into politics and advocacy because of my passion for helping underserved communities. Edwards' focus on poverty alleviation and his REAL plan on universal health care and leveling the playing field in public education is unmatched by other candidates and, in fact, has forced the other candidates to re-focus on these issues.

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Endorses John Edwards

The John Edwards for President campaign today announced the endorsements of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and its executive director, State Rep. Mo Baxley. The group cited Edwards’ commitment to equal rights and fighting discrimination in all forms.

“I am proud to announce both our group’s endorsement, as well as my personal endorsement, of John Edwards for president,” Baxley said. “We took a long look at all of the candidates, we met with many of them, and in our judgment, John Edwards’ sincere commitment to battling discrimination and ensuring equal rights for every American is unparalleled. He and his wonderful wife Elizabeth have spent their entire lives fighting for those without a voice and standing up for what is right. John Edwards will be the kind of president we can trust to stand up for everyday Americans.”

“I am proud to have the endorsements of Mo and New Hampshire Freedom to Marry,” Edwards said. “NHFTM has done outstanding work advocating for LGBT families in New Hampshire. I am committed to equality for all Americans -- discrimination of any kind is morally wrong. I believe that all Americans should have the same freedoms and the same responsibilities.”

NHFTM is a statewide LGBT education and advocacy organization whose work on behalf of LGBT families has raised awareness of LGBT issues. NHFTM made its decision to endorse John Edwards after considering all candidates’ policy positions, voting records and their campaigns’ outreach to the LGBT community. They met with candidates and contacted leaders in the gay community in their home states as well as the other early caucus and primary states.

John Edwards opposes discrimination in all forms. He supports the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell as well as the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. He supports equal rights for same-sex couples and believes that all Americans should have the same rights and responsibilities. As president, he will expand hate crimes legislation and will prohibit job discrimination.

Eric Stern Heads to Iowa for John Edwards

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Demonstrating that no other candidate is working harder to earn the votes of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Americans, the John Edwards for President Campaign is sending former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Eric J. Stern to Iowa next week to do a series of events in Cedar Rapids, Ames, and Iowa City. These events are designed to provide Iowa's LGBT voters with information about Senator Edwards' campaign and opportunities to get involved in the all-important Iowa Caucuses.

Stern has been one of the most active Edwards for President LGBT supporters. In addition to his work with Stonewall, Stern formerly served as the Director of LGBT Outreach for the Democratic National Committee and a Regional Field Director for the Kerry-Edwards Campaign in Davenport, Iowa.

Edwards has laid out one of the most progressive and specific set of proposals on the issues that matter most to the LGBT community. The details of his policy proposals can be found on his website: http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/lgbt/

TUESDAY, DECEMBER, 11, 2007
LGBT Happy Hour
6:00PM
Blazing Saddles
416 E. 5th Street
Des Moines, IA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007

LGBT Meet & Greet Event
12:00PM
Legends American Grill
119 Stanton Ave, #117
Ames, IA

LGBT Coffee House
5:45PM
House of Aromas
118 S. Clinton St.
Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa GLBT Allied Union Meeting
7:00PM
LGBT Resource Center
125 Grand Avenue
Iowa City, IA

For more information about these events, please call 919.636.3203

John Edwards on Ending Discrimination in the Military

Marking the 14th anniversary of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, the Human Rights campaign has asked the leading Democratic candidates for President to respond to the question, “If you are elected President, what concrete steps would you take to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?’

John Edwards responds on HRC Backstory

“It is long past time to end the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy and to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military.  It is critical to our national security that we have the best people in our military. Gay men and women have continually served our country with honor and bravery, and we should honor their commitment and never turn away anyone who is willing to serve their country because of their sexual orientation."

"This is an issue of fundamental fairness – and our military ought to treat everyone fairly. ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ did not become wrong.  It was always wrong. Instead of fumbling when people question the morality of the 12,000 gays and lesbians who have unjustly lost military careers, we must repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”

Sean Kosofsky on John Edwards

Cate Edwards Interviewed in the Advocate

See the whole Advocate interview here

Hanging out with new pals at a buzzing Manchester, N.H., tap room, Cate Edwards sounded like any other college student cracking wise over a beer.

Among the topics for debate: Of Jon Stewart's Daily Show interviews, which wins the award for most awkward? By consensus, they picked last month's appearance by Vice President Dick Cheney's wife, Lynne.

It's a typical night at the barroom, and no place for a presidential stump speech. And that suits the daughter of Democratic White House hopeful John Edwards just fine.

''I think it helps to have a young person talk about the issues in a way that's relatable,'' Cate Edwards said. ''I feel more comfortable talking to them, and I think they feel more comfortable talking to me, because I'm not that well polished and because I'm just a regular 25-year-old.''

On her first solo campaign trip through New Hampshire, Edwards tooled around the Granite State on Friday and Saturday in a minivan packed with campaign staff, making the case for her father in the most casual of ways. Her language when discussing policy wasn't always as pristine as that of a candidate. She usually referred to Edwards as ''my dad,'' except when joking that he's ''a hick.''

A second-year Harvard Law School student, Cate Edwards also didn't hesitate to point out that she and her father disagree on some issues. Some are serious, such as same-sex marriage. Others, such as whether he should dance in public, not so much.

''It's not good,'' Cate Edwards joked of her father's dancing. ''It's very dorky. And I don't say that as a politician's daughter, I say that as a daughter. I mean, you just don't want to see your dad do that.''

There were no rallies or town hall meetings on her schedule. Instead, she had coffee with students at a Dartmouth sorority house, drinks at the Manchester bar with other young Democrats, and a gathering with high school students who won't even be old enough to vote next year.

''You get a different perspective,'' said Alyssa Robins, a 22-year-old senior at Dartmouth and president of a sorority that hosted Edwards. ''There's always an uncertainty about how genuine a candidate is when you're always seeing them in a political perspective.

''When you get to hear someone your age talk about the person, in a setting like this, it feels more real,'' Robins said.

Edwards has enlisted friends at Harvard, where she is a volunteer at the university's Legal Aid Bureau representing families facing eviction, to canvass for her father, a former North Carolina senator making his second run for the White House. A Princeton graduate, she appeared at several events this past weekend with Kate Michelman, an Edwards adviser and former head of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

''Cate brings just another whole dimension to this campaign,'' Michelman said. ''The family represents all the different aspects of the issues that they are running on.'

Cate's brother Wade died in 1996 in an automobile accident. Her two younger siblings -- Emma Claire, 9, and Jack, 7 -- are fixtures on the trail and drew a full-fledged media horde when they spent Halloween trick-or-treating with their father in Bedford.

On the GOP side, Mitt Romney's five sons are active participants, blogging as the ''Five Brothers'' and traveling in the ''Mitt Mobile.'' Other children of the candidates are less visible. Rudy Giuliani is estranged from his two children. Chelsea Clinton, the former first daughter who works in New York's financial district, has made some appearances for her mother, New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

During her father's first campaign for president in 2004, Cate Edwards said she held the ''cynical'' belief that young people didn't care about the political process. But she said she discovered that they were eager to participate, but not always included in the process.

''Young people are very interested in what's going on in politics and very interested in the direction of this country,'' Cate Edwards said. ''But one of the problems is that they just don't feel that they have a voice.''

Clinton and Illinois senator Barack Obama are more popular among younger voters than John Edwards, according to several polls. Cate Edwards thinks that's a product of how her father is perceived -- something she sought to fight by sharing stories about her family, from their political discussions over dinner to how she and her mother, Elizabeth, disagree with his opposition to marriage equality.

''One of the things we can do as family is to be character witnesses for our parents and for my dad,'' Cate Edwards said. ''It's really easy to talk to him as a real guy and a regular guy, because he is.''

Generally soft-spoken, Edwards grows most animated when defending her father from critics who suggest that his large house, pricey haircuts, and work at a hedge fund betray his focus on speaking for the less fortunate.

Cate Edwards said her father's advocacy for the poor always has been a central focus of his life. She told the story of how Edwards, when he was still a practicing trial attorney, would raise money through his firm to buy gifts for children from a low-income neighborhood in Raleigh, N.C.

''He always said to us, 'This is really important because we're incredibly lucky, and we've gotten all kinds of blessings and other people haven't. We need to give back,''' Cate Edwards said. ''And that's something he always instilled in us.''

But, as is her style, the story also came with just the right amount of snark about her dad to help connect with voters her own age.

''My dad is a terrible gift-wrapper, so he wasn't really allowed near them,'' she joked. ''He would dress up as Santa Claus, and he makes a terrible Santa Claus -- he's too skinny and too tan.'' (Mike Baker, AP)

John Edwards Stands Alone in Campaign Finance Debate

Bloomberg.com has an interesting article online today entitled: Watergate-Era Fundraising Returns With Clinton, Obama, Giuliani. They point out, that for the first time ever, the top contenders for both the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries are opting out of public financing to go after bigger corporate money:

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have joined Republicans including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in declining federal subsidies. Instead, they are raising millions from corporate executives and wealthy supporters, threatening to make 2008 the first election since Richard Nixon won his second term in 1972 in which both parties' nominees will have been completely financed by private sources.

The lack of public financing will magnify the power of lobbyists and other well-connected givers who collect and ``bundle'' donations from their family, friends and associates. Besides enhancing fundraisers' influence in Washington, supporters of campaign limits say, it may also sow the seeds for another massive scandal like Watergate, which drove Nixon from office and shook citizens' faith in their government for a generation.

``The amount of money that's being raised this cycle raises the specter of the presidency going back on the auction block,'' says Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington group that favors curbs on political donations.

In contrast, Edwards has committed to public financing. Edwards recently told CNN:

"This is not about a money calculation," Edwards told CNN senior political correspondent Candy Crowley on his way to an event in Durham, New Hampshire. "This is about taking a stand, a principled stand, and I believe in public financing."

John Edwards Statement on Passage of Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement following the U.S. Senate's vote to support new federal hate crime legislation:

"Every American deserves the right to live without fear of physical violence -- law enforcement should have all the resources and tools it needs to protect every community in America. I have long supported strengthening our hate crimes laws to show that Americans will not tolerate or condone hateful violence of any kind.

"With 25 hate crimes committed every day by the FBI's count -- one every hour -- it is embarrassing that the White House says stronger law enforcement tools are 'unnecessary.' Nine years after the heinous murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., these tools are more necessary than ever."

The John Edwards HIV/AIDS Plan

Reprinted below is the John Edwards plan to fight HIV/AIDS here in the United States as well as around the world. It's a bold plan that I believe really sets him apart from the other candidates. Once again, I'm very proud to be supporting John Edwards for President. To download this document, click here

ENDING THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC

“The loss from HIV/AIDS is almost beyond understanding. This is a fight for people’s lives. Wehave a moral imperative to do much more, and do it much better.”– John Edwards

HIV is a preventable disease. But an estimated 40,000 new HIV cases were reported in the U.S. lastyear, and 4.3 million were reported around the world. HIV/AIDS is a treatable disease. Yet 17,000Americans and 3 million people globally died from it in 2005. [CDC, 2007; WHO, 2006]

John Edwards was the first presidential candidate – Democratic or Republican – to take on the biginsurance and drug companies and propose a plan for quality, affordable health care for every man,woman and child in America that offers everyone the option of a public plan. Today, John Edwardsbuilds on his plan for true universal health care with specific proposals to lead the fight againstHIV/AIDS at home and around the world. He will include a comprehensive new national strategy tofight HIV/AIDS, including:

• Guaranteeing health insurance to every American – including HIV/AIDS patients -- the care theyneed when they need it and expanding Medicaid to cover HIV-positive individuals before theyreach later stages of disabilities and AIDS.
• Fighting the disease in the African American and Latino communities, where the harm is nowgreatest.
• Calling for universal access to HIV/AIDS medicine across the world, investing $50 billion overfive years to meet that goal.

HIV/AIDS is still a crisis in America, particularly in African-American and Latino communities.The number of new HIV infections in the U.S. has not fallen in 15 years. As president, Edwards willhelp end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America. [CDC, 2005]

Guaranteeing Treatment for Everyone with True Universal Health Care by 2012: People withHIV/AIDS who don’t have health insurance or who have inadequate insurance are significantly morelikely to die from the disease. That’s the tragedy of the two health care systems in this country today– one for people who can afford the very best care and one for everyone else. True universal healthcare must be the foundation for a national HIV/AIDS strategy.

Edwards’ plan will ensure everyperson in America living with HIV/AIDS gets the care they need, when they need it. His plan willalso transform chronic care with a new patient-centered “medical home” approach where a primarycare physician will make sure patients are getting effective treatment from a coordinated team,including palliative care. [Bhattacharya, 2003]

Edwards supports the Early Treatment for HIV Act which will expand Medicaid to cover HIV-positive individuals in every state before they reach later stages of disability and AIDS. Currently, inmost states, individuals must receive an AIDS diagnosis to receive services under Medicaid even though research shows that the sooner individuals living with HIV receive treatment the better the outcomes. [Porco et al., 2004]

Creating a National HIV/AIDS Strategy: In 2001, the CDC set a national goal of reducing the annual number of new infections in half by 2005, but the actual number of infections has barelybudged. A 1998 presidential initiative set a goal of eliminating racial disparities in HIV/AIDS by2010, but disparities are as bad today as they were then. Our disappointments can be explained inpart by the failure to create a national strategy, backed by necessary funding and with clear and bold goals, specific action steps, real accountability and broad participation and buy-in from stakeholders both inside and outside of government. As president, Edwards will develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy through an honest, comprehensive and fast-tracked process that involves stakeholders fromthe public and nonprofit sectors. The National Strategy will coordinate the various agencies withinand outside of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that affect HIV/AIDS policy.He will hold his HHS Secretary accountable for issuing an annual report on HIV/AIDS that charts progress towards our national goals, and he will appoint a strong director of the White House officeof AIDS Policy to keep these issues visible at the highest levels of government. [CDC, 1999, 2001, 2007;HHS, 1998]

Focusing on Disparities: About two-thirds of all new HIV/AIDS cases are diagnosed in African Americans and Latinos. African Americans are infected at nearly 10 times the rate, and Latinos atmore than three times the rate, of white Americans. A 2005 study of African-American men whohave sex with men in selected cities found that almost half are infected with HIV, and 67 percent donot know they have the disease. Latina women are six times more likely than white women to have HIV/AIDS. Any serious effort to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic must begin in the African-American and Latino communities, including among the incarcerated population, and address their prevention and treatment needs. We must also continue to work intensively with important overlapping groups like gay men. [CDC, 2007; KFF, 2007]

Supporting Ryan White CARE Act Programs and HOPWA: Enacting true universal health carewill ensure patients have access to care, but fully funding the Ryan White CARE Act will remainessential to ensure that culturally-competent care is available for the special needs of people livingwith HIV/AIDS. These programs include outpatient HIV early intervention services, support serviceslike transportation, case management, substance abuse and mental health treatment, nutrition, family-centered care for children, access to clinical trials and delivery to hard-to-reach populations. Maintaining delivery of outreach and treatment services to the LGBT community, for example, isdependent on these programs. Edwards will also put an end to waiting lines for HIV drugs -- forexample, more than 300 people with HIV/AIDS are on a waiting list for medication in South Carolina– and increase funds for the Housing for People with AIDS (HOPWA) programs, only federal program that provides comprehensive, community-based housing for people with HIV/AIDS.[NASTAD, 2007]

Preventing HIV/AIDS with Scientifically-Proven Strategies, Not Political Ideology: The CDChas identified the three most reliable ways to prevent HIV/AIDS infections. Yet the Bush administration focuses on only one of them – abstinence. As president, Edwards will promotes all reliable prevention strategies, including comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education to ensure young people learn all the facts about preventing HIV/AIDS and harm-reduction programs thatprovide high-risk individuals with access to clean syringes. He will lift the ban on federal funding for needle exchange initiatives. In addition, Edwards will support community and public education that encourages testing.[CDC, Undated; Bush, 2005]

Strengthening America’s Research Agenda: It used to be that more than four out of 10 requestsfor National Institutes of Health grants were approved. Now less than two out of 10 are approved,and existing grants are being cut back. One of those rejected requests might have led to abreakthrough on HIV/AIDS treatments. Edwards supports substantial increases in funding for the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, as well as measures to ensuretransparency in funding decisions, accountability for results and aligning research with outcomes.[NIH, 2007]

FIGHTING HIV/AIDS AROUND THEWORLD

While the Bush administration initially increased funding for the global fight against HIV/AIDS,funding has now flat-lined. We must do more, and do it better. The fight against HIV/AIDS is afight for people’s lives, but President Bush’s way has us fighting with one hand tied behind our back.One-third of prevention funding goes to abstinence-only education that has been shown not to work.The U.S. has also refused to fund medicine approved by the World Health Organization, even thoughrequiring FDA approval means the U.S. sometimes pays up to three times more for drugs. Thismeans fewer people receive treatment, as the profits of drug companies are protected.[Goldberg, 2007;Carpenter, 2007; Love, 2007]

To restore our moral standing in the world, Edwards believes that America must be a global leader inthe fight against poverty and disease. Fighting global poverty and addressing global health crises is amoral imperative, but it is also a security issue. As president, John Edwards will fundamentally transform America’s approach to the world and bring high-level attention to the fight against global HIV/AIDS by:

Providing Universal Access to Treatment Globally: A $4 dose of medicine can help prevent amother from transmitting HIV to her newborn at childbirth. In developing countries, HIV/AIDS medications cost as little as $140 per patient a year – but, by mid-2006, fewer than one in four people who needed it had access to treatment. As part of a comprehensive plan to also fight TB and malaria around the world, Edwards has set an ambitious goal of providing universal access to preventive and treatment drugs for the three “killer diseases” by 2010, investing $50 billion over five years to meet that goal. This includes fulfilling our moral responsibility to help strengthen public health systems and health care workforces in developing nations. While we can make current spending go further bybeing more aggressive with the pharmaceutical industry, Edwards will ensure the U.S. contributes its traditional fair share toward the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which hasproven itself as an innovative, effective model to fight disease.[UNICEF, 2005; U.N. Millennium Project,2005; WHO, 2007]

Using Trade Policy to Save Lives: Edwards will enact trade policies that save lives, rather than protect the profits of big drug companies. He will ensure that U.S. bilateral trade agreements respect the rights of countries to access and use generic medicines consistent with the Doha Declaration onthe TRIPS Agreement and Public Health. We must expand poor countries’ right to safe, affordable generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. The increased distribution of generic drugs has been a step in theright direction. However, as millions of people develop resistance to these drugs, we must beprepared to facilitate access to more effective medications. As president, Edwards will supportefforts to increase the importation and production in developing countries of second-line and pediatric drugs. He will also re-assess the Bush policy that forces us to pay higher prices for drugsthat have been approved by the FDA, when less expensive drugs have already been approved by theWHO and their safety is reliable. WHO safety standards are relied upon by leading international organizations, including the Global Fund.

Expanding the Role of Multilateral Organizations: America’s reluctance to engage the world through multilateral organizations under President Bush has hurt our ability to combat poverty and fight HIV/AIDS. Edwards believes multilateral institutions like the Global Fund can be far moreefficient at using taxpayer dollars than bilateral agencies like the President’s Emergency Plan forAIDS Relief, with far lower overheads. As president, Edwards will support efforts to increase the role of multilateral institutions like the Global Fund in distributing funds to fight HIV/AIDS, ratherthan just bilateral aid agencies and their contractors.

Rescinding the Global Gag Rule: In 2001, President Bush signed an executive order barring U.S. family planning aid to foreign non-profits that offer abortions, except in the case of a threat to awoman’s life or incest, that provide abortion counseling or that lobby to make abortion legal. This“gag rule” stifles free speech and forces non-profits to choose between vital U.S. funds and providingessential health services. The “gag rule” has hurt efforts to ensure access to contraception methods that can prevent the spread of HIV. Edwards will overturn this order and restore support for effectivefamily planning.

Creating a Cabinet-Level Post on Global Poverty: Despite its importance to our national security and international standing, America still lacks a comprehensive strategy to fight global poverty. Ourforeign aid programs are fractured and uncoordinated, delivered by over 50 separate government offices. As a result, bureaucrats fight over overlapping jurisdictions and resources are not tied to anygovernment-wide priorities. As president, Edwards will create a new cabinet-level position that will coordinate global development policies across the federal government and be a voice for the fightagainst global HIV/AIDS.

Promoting Women’s Rights and Universal Education: Strengthening the rights of women and increasing education will help change social roles that underlie the spread of HIV in many countries. Reducing violence against women and expanding education are both proven means of preventing HIV. Edwards will aggressively support political and economic rights for women where they do notexist and support efforts to reduce violence against women and children. He will also lead the world toward a primary education for every child, endorsing the goal of achieving universal basic educationby 2015. As part of a significant increase in overall funding for poverty-focused development assistance, Edwards will lead a worldwide effort to raise $10 billion to fund this cause.[UNAIDS,2005; World Bank, 2002]

Supporting Debt Cancellation: Debt owed to Western lenders prevents many poor countries frommaking the kinds of investments in health and education that can help prevent the spread of HIV andother diseases. Edwards will take the next step on debt relief by eliminating bilateral debt owed tothe United States by the world’s poorest countries, freeing up resources for these countries to invest in health and education. He will also call on other lender nations to follow our lead.

Edwards Picks Up Key Union Endorsements

Official endorsement at Pittsburgh Labor Day rally gives Edwards largest bloc of union support among presidential candidates so far

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The United Steelworkers (USW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) today endorsed Senator John Edwards for president. Following the Thursday endorsement of Edwards by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in America, the two endorsements announced today at a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh with union members and their families give Edwards the largest bloc of union support so far—combined, more than 1.8 million members and retirees—among any of the presidential candidates.

"I am especially honored to receive the support of the Steelworkers and Mine Workers unions," said Edwards, "These are the workers who built the middle class in America, and they are the backbone of the American labor movement. They understand how important it is to fight back when jobs, safety, standards and our values are at risk—and they know what's at stake in this election."

"These workers have felt the negative impact of a broken system in Washington that is rigged against America's working families for far too long—whether it's the tragic lack of oversight in mine safety, trade agreements written to benefit multinational corporations while they ship American jobs overseas, or the millions of working Americans who still can't afford health insurance," added Edwards. "As president, I will proudly lead the fight on behalf of working families with their support—and together we will win."

Representing 1.2 million workers and retirees, the USW is the nation's largest private sector industrial union. Following extensive outreach to USW members that included a poll of the union's 15,000 activists, as well as a nationwide survey of the union's membership, the USW International Executive Board voted unanimously on Sunday, September 2nd to endorse Edwards.

The UMWA represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. Their membership includes more coal miners than any union in the world.

Both Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard and UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts announced their endorsement by making clear the stakes hard-working families face and laying out why Sen. Edwards is the best candidate to lead the fight for change in America.

"Senator John Edwards is committed, as he has been throughout his life, to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government," said Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard. "Edwards is right on the issues that matter to us, and he's the candidate with the best chance of winning in the general election. The big corporations don't need another president who does their bidding. It's time we had a president who will fight for working people—and that's what John Edwards will do."

"Senator Edwards' positions on the issues of importance to UMWA members make him the best fit of all the candidates for president," UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. "We need a president who cares about ordinary working people instead of the richest Americans and the big multinational corporations. We believe John Edwards is that person, and we will work as hard as we know how on his behalf anywhere and everywhere we can."

Close to 1,000 people were expected at the Pittsburgh Labor Day rally where the unions' official endorsements were announced. Sen. Edwards was joined on stage by USW President Leo Gerard, UMWA International President Cecil Roberts and local union members. Elizabeth Edwards and Edwards Campaign Manager David Bonior also attended the event.

On Thursday, August 30th, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, representing more than 520,000 members from all political affiliations, also announced that they would endorse John Edwards for president. Their formal endorsement will take place at a rally of union members on September 8th in New Hampshire.

John Edwards Leading the Race in Iowa

In Iowa, a new Time magazine poll shows John Edwards leading the Democratic presidential race with 32%, followed by Sen. Hillary Clinton at 24%, Sen. Barack Obama at 22% and Gov. Bill Richardson at 13%.

Complete poll results are available.

from Political Wire.

Edwards and Biden Support Global AIDS Pledge

Global AIDS Activists are making their mark on the 2008 election by attending campaign events to ask one simple question. Will the candidates support $50 billion over 5 years to stop the global spread of AIDS?

They've posed the question to Obama and Edwards here in Washington DC. Edwards also got the question in South Carolina. The Boston Globe reports the question was recently given to John McCain in New Hampshire. The question has been asked so many times, that often you just have to say '$50 billion' and the candidates will know what you're talking about.

John Edwards and Joe Biden stand out as the only presidential candidates thus far that have committed to $50 billion over 5 years to fight the global epidemic, part of the 08stopAIDS platform. It leads one to wonder, how many more times will we have to ask the question until Obama, Clinton and the other candidates hear our voices?

Edwards Leads Giuliani and Thompson

Rasmussen Reports: Democratic Senator John Edwards now holds solid leads over the two leading Republican Presidential hopefuls. The most recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows Edwards leading former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani 49% to 41%. Edwards dominates former Senator Fred Thompson 49% to 35%.

A month ago, Edwards held a virtually identical lead over Giuliani. In between, Giuliani had closed the gap to two points in early August. This continues a trend that began in April, with Edwards consistently polling in the mid-to-high 40% range against Giuliani while the New Yorker has polled in the mid-to-low 40’s.

Giuliani started the year with the edge over Edwards. He came out on top in five Rasmussen Reports national telephone polls between November, 2006 and March of this year. Since April, seven more polls have been conducted and Giuliani has not been ahead in any of them..

Edwards has led by double digits in four out of six previous match-ups with Thompson.

Edwards also leads former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain in Rasmussen Reports polls.

Please click here to review the report in its entirety.

Family Reminds Edwards of Health Care Concerns

When John Edwards left Charles City on Wednesday, he took a special memento with him — a photo of 10-year-old Adrian Haught.

It’s the second photo of the Nashua boy that his mother, Tami Haught, has given the Democratic presidential candidate and former North Carolina Senator. Tami was diagnosed with HIV nearly 14 years ago.

“When I gave it to him three years ago, he was talking about health care and poverty so I gave him the picture of Adrian,” she said. “I said if you ever get tired, look at the picture. It’s one of the people that you are fighting for.”

The back of the photo says, “ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) saves lives. ADAP?saves families.” Haught said she wanted to encourage Edwards to support the program that helps provide access to medication.

continue reading this article inthe Charles City Press

On the Record: John Edwards at the HRC/Logo Debate

Text of the HRC/Logo Debate

CARLSON:
Our next candidate, John Edwards, was elected senator from North Carolina in 1998 and ran for president six years later. And, of course, in 2004 he was the
vice presidential candidate. Welcome to Senator John Edwards.
(APPLAUSE)
ETHERIDGE:
Hi.
EDWARDS:
We've been listening to your music. I want you to know that.
ETHERIDGE:
Good.
CARLSON:
Senator Edwards, welcome. We're so delighted that you're here. Thank you for coming.
EDWARDS:
Thank you. Glad to be here.
CARLSON:
Melissa's going to start off the questions. She was bragging that she's neither a politician, and not even a journalist.
(LAUGHTER)
But we can't sing.
EDWARDS:
That's a great place to start.
CARLSON:
All right.
Melissa?
ETHERIDGE:
Yes. Welcome and thank you so much for being here.
EDWARDS:
Of course.
ETHERIDGE:
We're so grateful for that. Your wife and I actually have a lot in common, both suffering through cancer and such, and I wish her the best.
EDWARDS:
Thank you.
ETHERIDGE:
And I send her lots and lots of love. And we also share more than that. Both her and I are very fortunate to be able to afford the best health care.
EDWARDS:
Yes.
ETHERIDGE:
And I remember being in chemotherapy and having a shot once a week that was $3,000 and wondering how anyone else could afford this. And I know you
understand the health care need of lower income people.
But do you understand the special needs of people in gay and lesbian couples who cannot depend on their partner's insurance for protection because they are
not a legal spouse or have to pay extra on the benefit? What would you do about this?
EDWARDS:
Well, first of all, let me say thank you to HRC and thank you to all of you for your leadership.
And the answer to your question is those rights should be available to gay and lesbian couples. I actually was the first candidate to come out with a universal
health care plan, which I'm very proud of, that made it very clear that those rights to gay and lesbian couples would be exactly the same as they would for straight
couples. And so those health care benefits would be available to someone in that situation.
And I might add just a few weeks ago I was the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, which is an extraordinary place, which I'm sure some people here are familiar
with here in the Los Angeles community, where they are doing amazing, amazing work.
But there's a message from my visit there that I think is really important for America to hear, which is I met a whole group of young people who were there
because they were homeless, and they were homeless because they came out of the closet and told their parents the truth, and their parents kicked them out of the
home.
And there they were -- the only place -- they were living on the street, had nowhere to go. Thank God for the LA Gay and Lesbian Center being there for
them, and an extraordinary woman who runs the center. But without that place, where would these young people go?
And it just can't be that in America people think that's OK. They can't believe that's OK. And they need to hear and see exactly what I saw when I was there,
because it was moving. It was touching, and I actually believe that that kind of experience would have a huge impact on the American people if they could just
see.
(APPLAUSE)
ETHERIDGE:
It seems like it's had a huge effect on you, and that's really nice to see, because I have heard that you have said in the past that you feel uncomfortable around
gay people. Are you OK right now?
(LAUGHTER)
It's OK.
CARLSON:
It's very common.
EDWARDS:
I'm perfectly comfortable.
ETHERIDGE:
But it's experiences like that that people need to know, people need to see, and just how universal -- how we are all just people. We're the same.
EDWARDS:
It is.
ETHERIDGE:
Now, my next question is...
EDWARDS:
Can I just tell you that's not true -- what you just said? You didn't say I said it, but...
ETHERIDGE:
I had heard of it.
EDWARDS:
Someone else said it.
ETHERIDGE:
Not true?
EDWARDS:
It's not true. It is not true.
ETHERIDGE:
OK. I take that back. I apologize.
EDWARDS:
No. I know where it came from. It came from a political consultant, and he's just wrong. And Elizabeth and I were both there, and both of us have said he's
wrong.
ETHERIDGE:
All right. I apologize for ever taking that and putting that out.
EDWARDS:
That's OK.
ETHERIDGE:
I have children in grade school, and they're now in third and fifth grade. But I remember in first grade and kindergarten the little kids coming up to me and
going, "Why do they have two mommies?" And I always felt that this was my place to just bend down and go, "You know what? Some people have a mommy
and a daddy. Some people have just a mommy, just a daddy. Some people have two mommies and two daddies." And they go, "OK," and they walk away,
because it makes perfect sense to them, and they're fine with that.
Do you think public schools should teach about LGBT kids and families? How can we bring this into the public school system, or should we?
EDWARDS:
Oh, sure it should. The kids who go to public schools need to understand why same sex couples are the parents of some of the children. They need to
understand that these are American families, just like every American family.
It's one of the reasons why, of course, we have tens of thousands of kids in foster care who desperately need a home. It's one of the reasons that we need to
allow gay and lesbian couples the same rights to adopt children -- in fact, to provide for them to have the same rights to adopt children.
(APPLAUSE)
(CROSSTALK)
EDWARDS:
I'm sorry. I'm almost done. The only thing I would add to that is I do think it's important for the kids that their peers understand what's happening, because
otherwise, you know, children are children. They can be mean and cruel, as I know that you have seen.
And the question is whether we as adults have a responsibility to make sure that they're educated, that they understand this is a good thing, and it's
something that we as Americans believe in and embrace.
CARLSON:
At what grade or what age would you introduce, for instance, that kind of education in the schools?
EDWARDS:
That's a good question. I've not thought about it enough to answer it.
CARLSON:
Well, think about it and come back later and tell us what you come up with.
(LAUGHTER)
EDWARDS:
Yes. There is a place, though, that I believe it's appropriate.
CARLSON:
Jonathan?
(CROSSTALK)
CAPEHART:
Senator, when you were the vice presidential nominee in 2004, many gays and lesbians felt that they were being used as a scare tactic by the right wing and
the Republican party and that the Democrats didn't do anything to defend them. Why should the gay community think that it will be defended this time by you?
EDWARDS:
Well, first of all, this is only one area where the right wing uses scare tactics to divide the American people. And the truth is both in a presidential campaign
and in governing, it is so important that we reject this hate-mongering.
I was actually very proud, I have to say -- Melissa mentioned my wife Elizabeth -- I was very proud of Elizabeth for taking Ann Coulter on, and taking her
on head-on.
(APPLAUSE)
I have seen the impact of tolerance, for lack of a better word, of hate-mongering. I have seen it with language used when I was growing up in the segregated
South. And if you stand quietly by and let it happen, what happens is it takes hold. And it takes hold, and then people begin to believe it's OK. It's OK to use the
kind of language that Ann Coulter used. It's OK for the Republicans in their politics to divide America and use hate-mongering to separate us.
If we stand quietly by, it's not just bad for a political campaign -- and it is bad for a political campaign, because we have to stand up for what's right and fair
and just, and we have to do it with passion and strength -- but it's also bad for America.
It is bad for America for us to let anybody, speaking to the American people, use these issues to divide us. And it is so important for anyone who seeks to be
the leader of the United States of America to stand up strong and firm and denounce it and speak out -- and speak out strongly -- for equality.
CARLSON:
Senator, did you want to take on Ann Coulter? You could use the opportunity here.
(LAUGHTER)
Or just Mrs. Edwards?
EDWARDS:
No, no. As a matter of fact, I joined Elizabeth (inaudible) most things with Elizabeth. One of the reporters asked me afterwards, "So what kind of
consultation did you have before Elizabeth called in?" I said, "The usual one. I found out about the same time the media found out."
(LAUGHTER)
No, I think that what Ann Coulter does is the worst kind of public discourse. I think she demeans everything that all the rest of us do.
(APPLAUSE)
And I think it is intended to go to the lowest common denominator in the American people and to divide us.
And it goes to the same point I was making just a minute ago with what I saw when I was growing up in the South, which is if you stand quietly by and let
this happen, then what happens is hatred gets a foothold. And when hatred gets a foothold, it is much harder to unseat.
And you cannot let these people go by quietly and continue what they're doing, which is why Elizabeth spoke up. And I think it's absolutely crucial that we
speak up in a presidential campaign with strength and passion, not quietly and carefully, to do what's right.
CARLSON:
Joe, do you have a question?
SOLMONESE:
Yes. Senator, thank you for being here.
EDWARDS:
Thank you.
SOLMONESE:
Susan Stanton is in our audience tonight. She was for 17 years the city manager in Largo, Florida. She did her job well. She was respected and admired, and
when it was revealed that she was transgender, she was fired.
So my question for you is, if a member of your staff came to you and told you that they were transgender and that they were thinking of transitioning, how
would you react to that? And who in your life has influenced what your reaction might be?
EDWARDS:
I would support them in every possible way, including on a personal and an emotional level, provide every bit of help and support that I possibly could in
going through what they were going through.
And by the way, can I say about the first point you made in your question -- it's the reason we need powerful employment nondiscrimination laws in the
United States of America, so that people cannot be fired.
But I will say I do think that you deserve, and the American deserve to know beyond your policy position what your reaction is, too. I mean, what is it you're
actually willing to do on a personal level? Will you stand with them? Will you support them? Will you support them publicly? Are you willing to do what's right
under the circumstances?
And I can tell you I know in my heart and soul that I would. I've had -- not on that specific question -- similar experiences when I was younger on issues of
race that were extraordinarily difficult in the place where I grew up, when I did what I believed was right, when my family did what we believed was right, and I
think that's at least some indication of what I would do under these circumstances.
SOLMONESE:
And finally, Senator, you've expressed your opposition to same sex marriage, and you've raised your faith as part of the reason for your opposition. I'm
wondering if you could talk a little bit about what is it within your religion that's leading you to this position?
EDWARDS:
Well, you know, I have to tell you I shouldn't have said that, because first of all, I believe to my core in equality. My campaign for the presidency is about
equality across the board.
And I listened to your discussion with Senator Obama a few minutes ago. I was backstage, and I was able to hear what you were saying and what anyone
here was saying. And it makes perfect sense to me that gay and lesbian couples would say, "Civil unions -- great; 1,100 federal benefits -- great; you know, give
us these rights. We deserve these rights." And they're absolutely right about that. But it stops short of real equality.
It makes perfect sense to me that people would feel that way. I totally can understand it. It makes sense. And the only thing I would say about the faith
question is I think from my perspective it is wrong, because we have seen a president in the last six-plus years who tries to impose his faith on the American
people. And I think it is a mistake, and I will not impose my faith belief on the American people. I don't believe any president of the United States should do that.
I believe in the separation of church and state.
And these things that we have talked about -- all these substantive issues of equality, which is really what the discussion has been about, these are part of my
heart soul and core. And they are not just issues that I will answer when I am in front of you. They are things that I will fight for every day, both in the
presidential campaign and as president of the United States, because I think America desperately needs it, and I believe in it deeply.
CARLSON:
Joe, very quickly, one more question.
SOLMONESE:
I was just wondering, then, if you could briefly talk about, as you said, it is not your faith. Then what is at the core of that resistance? I know that you said
you're on a journey, and I'm curious where and when you might end up on that journey.
(LAUGHTER)
CARLSON:
How old are you?
EDWARDS:
I'm too old. I'm 54. I can tell you where I am. First of all, I think you deserve to know the truth. And the truth is that my position on same sex marriage has
not changed. We're past the time of political doublespeak about this. I do believe strongly in civil unions and the substantive rights that go with that. I believe we
desperately need to get rid of DOMA. I think we need to get rid of "Don't ask; don't tell." I think we need to get rid of those things.
(APPLAUSE)
And now what? Just as an aside, "Don't ask; don't tell" is not just wrong now. It was wrong when it began. It's been wrong the entire time, as is true with
DOMA. Exactly the same thing is true with DOMA. All I can tell you is where I am today. That's the best I can do. You deserve to know that from me. Today, I
believe in all these other things, but I do not support same sex marriage.
CARLSON:
I want to squeeze in a viewer-generated question. And it's about "Don't ask; don't tell." This is from Jason Knight in Washington, D.C. He was a former
native linguist who was dismissed under "Don't ask; don't tell." We have so many fewer Arabic speakers, thanks to that rule.
EDWARDS:
I know. I know.
CARLSON:
And he said since the ban cannot be lifted by executive order, he claims you need more than the president. President Clinton wanted to do more, but ran into
the generals, ran into Congress, ran into a lot of roadblocks. So how do you do it? What are you going to do?
EDWARDS:
Well, I think the president of the United States can get rid of "Don't ask; don't tell." I appreciate the question, but if the president of the United States
believes that "Don't ask; don't tell" is bad for America -- in fact, bad for our military, and it's discriminatory, all of which is true...
CARLSON:
And when General Colin Powell says no, you can't do it.
EDWARDS:
I'm not sure Colin Powell would say no.
CARLSON:
I think he did say no.
EDWARDS:
Back then. Back then. But it doesn't matter. It's not the job of the generals to make this determination. It is the job of the president of the United States to
make this policy decision.
(APPLAUSE)
And I can tell you I am firmly committed to eliminating "Don't ask; don't tell."
CARLSON:
Well, we're out of time with our questions.
EDWARDS:
Oh, come on.
CARLSON:
Would you like to wrap up? You know, you get to ask us questions if you'd like to. Anyway, you have a minute to yourself.
EDWARDS:
OK. Thank you. Thank you all very much for being here, and thank all of you. You're so important. The truth is America owes you a debt of gratitude.
Some of you heard me talk in the past about two Americas and trying to have one America. If we actually believe in having one America, we've got a lot of
work to do, don't we? And nobody understands that better than the people in this room and the people you're advocating for.
We have such work to do to keep loving couples together who are separated because of immigration laws that are unfair; to have exactly what was described
in one of the earlier questions, to have an employer be able to walk in to an employee and say you are fired because of your sexual orientation, and nothing can
be done about it; to have someone brutally murdered in the United States of America because of their sexual orientation and not have that be a hate crime.
We're better than this. The United States of America is better than this. And we, and all of you, are important in bringing about the change that's necessary in
this country.
And the last thing I want to say to every single person in this room and everyone who can hear the sound of my voice -- it's great that you're having a
presidential forum; I love that; I'm glad we're talking about these really important issues of equality -- but I want to add to that, the real change and the real
movements in America didn't start in the oval office. They started in places and in communities just like this with people with courage and strength that went out
and stood up and fought for what was right, who marched and spoke up. That's what you're doing today, and you're going to change this country along with the
next president of the United States. Thank you all so much.
(APPLAUSE)

John Edwards Reacts to Bush Threat to Veto Hate Crimes Legislation

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards released the following statement in response to President Bush’s threat to veto pending federal hate crime legislation.

“Every American is entitled to live in dignity without fear of violence. No community should feel that they can be targeted with impunity. But until law enforcement has the tools to aggressively investigate and prosecute all hate crimes, some Americans will doubt that the government is on their side. President Bush’s threat to veto hate crime legislation sends just that message.

“With 25 hate crimes committed every day by the FBI’s count – one every hour – it is embarrassing that the White House says stronger law enforcement tools are ‘unnecessary’. Nine years after the heinous murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., I know these tools are more necessary than ever. As president, I will sign the hate crimes law and make sure law enforcement has all the resources it needs to protect every community in America.”

Hans Johnson on Edwards & the Supreme Court

Hans Johnson has another excellent article in 'In These Times' entitled God—And Progressives—Save This Honorable Court!. Many of you know Hans as a board member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force or as chief consultant to the Democracy Project. You may not know that Hans is one of the many LGBT folks who have endorsed John Edwards (in fact I recently bumped into Hans at a fundraiser with Elizabeth Edwards here in DC).

Hans talks about John Edwards and the Court in his article:

Given the gulf between common sense and the rulings of the court, it is fitting that the presidential candidate who has rooted his campaign in a pledge to reconcile the “two Americas” had the most forceful response. John Edwards deplored the Roberts court for “slamming the courthouse doors in the faces of ordinary people, favoring big businesses over civil rights, and undermining protections for women and the environment.”

For Edwards, the great divide confronting the nation’s future is between haves and have-nots. But in a welcome turn from earlier progressives, like Jimmy Carter and even Al Gore, who opted for legalism over populism, Edwards has wedded economic and social justice appeals in wooing supporters. Both are interwoven in his critique of the Bush court and his vow to restore balance to the bench.

click here to read the entire piece.

Elizabeth Edwards Calls Ann Coulter

Elizabeth Edwards announced her support for legalized gay marriage at SF Gay Pride

http://origin.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_6223612

Edwards Continues to Gain Support from LGBT Community

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards' campaign to transform America continues to gain momentum in the LGBT community. Today, the campaign announced the support of several prominent community leaders from across the country. In April, the campaign announced the support of 25 national LGBT leaders, which can be read at http://www.johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/200700410-lgbt/.

“As a first-generation college graduate from rural North Carolina, I come from a similar background to Senator Edwards and believe he understands on a gut level issues of justice and equality” said New York based activist Kevin Jennings.

Northern California activists Jeff Soukup and Jeff Anderson said “We are proud to add our voices to the growing chorus of LGBT leaders from across the country who are enthusiastically endorsing John Edwards for president.”

The LGBT leaders endorsing Edwards for president are:

Kevin Jennings, New York LGBT Community Activist

Jeffrey Davis, New York LGBT Community Activist, Managing Director of Lehman Brothers

Gregory G. Simoncini, Commissioner of Illinois Human Rights Commission, former Board Member of National Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, former Board Member of Lambda Legal

Stephen Handwerk, Board Member of National Stonewall Democrats and Co-Chair of Louisiana Stonewall Democrats.

Jeff Anderson, former Co-Chair of John Kerry for President National LGBT Finance Committee

Jeff Soukup, Board Member of Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, former President and COO, PlanetOut Inc., and former Co-Chair National Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund

Pam Cooke, Board Member of National Stonewall Democrats

John Edwards Answers HRC Questionaire

John Edwards has responded to a presidential candidate survey from the Human Rights Campaign.

click here to see John Edward's responses (pdf file)

Chris Crain: Edwards is Frontrunner on LGBT Issues

Former editor of the Washington Blade and Blogger Chris Crain has a new post, calling John Edwards the frontrunner on gay issues.

Crain writes "There may be three Democrats in the "top tier" of presidential candidates, but on gay issues we now have a clear frontrunner. Now that we can see in complete form the "campaign statements" issued by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama last week on gay issues, it's clear that rival John Edwards is willing to go further and is much stronger on the specifics."

Crain also comments on Edwards strength on transgender issues. Commenting on the recent HRC questionaires filled out by Edwards, Obama, and Clinton, Crain writes: "It's also noteworthy that only Edwards commits to inclusion of "gender identity" in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, although both he and Clinton (but not Obama) back a similar category in federal hate crime laws."

The Race for LGBT Dollars

Lisa Keen has a great article in PrideSource looking at which Democratic Presidential Candidates are getting LGBT dollars. She writes:

"In ten zip code areas with well-known heavily gay neighborhoods in seven cities, Clinton took in 51 percent of contributions made to the top three Democrats, as reported in the April quarterly report made available by the Federal Elections Commission this week. Obama raked in 39 percent, and John Edwards 10 percent. In Ann Arbor's zip code of 48104, Clinton took 68 percent of the money given to the top three Democrats, followed by Obama with 20 percent, and Edwards with 12."

It's always hard to tell just how much LGBT money goes to Democratic causes. Obviously we don't just live in those zip codes, we are everywhere. But unless you make it clear that your donation is from an LGBT Democrat, who's going to know?

John Edwards Statement On New Hampshire's Recognition Of Civil Unions

Senator John Edwards released the following statement today on New Hampshire's recognition of civil unions.

"Today, Gov. Lynch and the state of New Hampshire showed us that the idea of America -- fairness, justice and equal opportunity -- can become a reality when we have the courage to stand up for what is right. New Hampshire's decision to recognize civil unions and grant gay and lesbian couples the same rights granted to heterosexual married couples is an important step in the fight for justice. This is an issue of fundamental fairness, and by passing this law, New Hampshire's leaders chose fairness over discrimination."

LGBT Leaders Endorse John Edwards

from the Edwards campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2007

NATIONAL LGBT LEADERS ENDORSE JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that prominent LGBT leaders from across the country endorsed Senator John Edwards for President.

"I am honored to have the support of so many well-respected LGBT leaders," said Edwards. "They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans."

The following LGBT leaders endorsed Edwards for President:

- Skip Paul, Corporate Executive

- Darren Star, TV Producer

- Julie Johnson, Human Rights Campaign Public Policy Committee Co-Chair

- Eric Stern, Former National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director; Former Democratic National Committee LGBT Outreach Director

- David Mixner, Former Bill Clinton for President Adviser; LGBT activist, fundraiser, author www.davidmixner.com

- Dennis Erdman, TV Producer/ Director

- Mary Snider, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Executive Committee Member

- David Tseng, Kerry-Edwards 2004 National LGBT Advisory Committee Co-Chair; Former Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National Executive Director

- David Mariner, Former Out for Howard Dean Co-Chair; Founder,
www.outfordemocracy.org

- James Duff, TV Producer

- Ramon Gardenhire, National Stonewall Democrats Black Caucus Co-Chair;
Former DNC LGBT Deputy Outreach Director

- Scott Benson, Majority Leader Minneapolis City Council

- Shane Larson, AFL-CIO Pride @ Work National Executive Board Member;
Association of Flight Attendants (AFA)-Communications Workers of America
(CWA) Government Affairs Director

- Scott Wiener, Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors Member; San Francisco Democratic Party Chair* (for identification purposes only)

- Jeff Gardner, Garden State Equality Vice Chair; New Jersey for Democracy Co-Chair

- Lynne Wiggins, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National Leadership Council Member; Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors Member

- Ken Keechl, Broward County Commissioner; Former Dolphin Democrats
President

- Linda Elliott, Human Rights Committee Board of Directors Member

- Dave Garrity, Former Democratic National Committee Member

- Mark Periello, Former Human Rights Campaign staff member; Democratic strategist

- Ron Ginsburg, LGBT Community Activist; business owner

- Randall Kelly, LGBT Community Activist; attorney

- Stephanie Kornegay, LGBT Community Activist; business owner

- Robert D. Horvath, Mautner Project Board of Directors Member

- Patrick J. Lyden, LGBT Community Activist; Homeland Security Advisor

Which Presidential Candidate is Winning over Web Activists?

As 2004 showed, internet activists, bloggers, and netizens can play an incredibly important role in campaigns. So it's only natural to ask - which presidential candidate is winning over web activists? Obama, Clinton, and Edwards appear to have relatively equal traffic to their sites. Obama currently holds the highest Alexa Rating, which is based on web traffic going back several months. In the past week however, John Edwards came out on top.

Obama and Edwards have both gotten another important web nod. They were the top two candidates in an online poll sponsored by Democracy for America, the grassroots organization that is the legacy of the Howard Dean 2004 Campaign.

John & Elizabeth Edwards on 60 Minutes

Gay Democratic Party Activists Back Edwards

Two established Democratic and LGBT leaders have come out in support of 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards. Both men plan to be actively involved in the Edwards campaign.

Eric Stern has served as both the Executive Director of the Stonewall Democrats, and former Director of LGBT Outreach for the Democratic National Committee. Stern writes on the Edwards website "I initially was inspired to enter the field of activism and politics because of my desire to advocate for disdvantaged communities. John Edwards is the only presidential candidate who has a demonstrated committment to the social justice issues about which I care so deeply."

David Mixner is a long time political strategist, advocate, and activist. He has played important roles in over 75 campaigns, including Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. Mixner is a former national co-chair of the Victory Fund. Mixner recently told the New York Observer "This is probably the first election in a while that LGBT issues are not what I'm voting on. It's the first election where other issues are coming to the fore."

Ann Coulter Sinks to New Low

David Mixner: Don't Count Out Edwards

In a recent blog post David Mixner comments on a 2008 election poll which places Edwards in the lead in Iowa:

Though we’re still 11 months away, the message of this poll is clear: Don’t underestimate John Edwards. Also, we should look out for Iowa polls over the next several weeks as the Big Three duke it out for Tom Vilsack’s supporters.

Meanwhile, it’s important to note that the nasty dustup between the Clinton and Obama camps this week does not bode well for either campaign. Remember that in 2004, Dick Gephardt and Howard Dean were frontrunners in Iowa until they went after each other tooth and nail. The voters, tired of the cut-throat campaigning, placed Kerry and Edwards at the top of the ballot."

If you've never checked out David Mixner's Blog, be sure to add it to your list. David has been a highly regarded leader in American politics and international human rights for over 40 years. He writes daily from Turkey Hollow, his mountain top home in upstate New York.

John Edwards Statement on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards released the following statement today calling for an end to the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy on gays and lesbians in the military. Earlier today, Congressman Marty Meehan reintroduced his Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy.

"It is long past time to end the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy and to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military. It is critical to our national security that we have the best people in our military. Gay men and women have continually served our country with honor and bravery, and we should honor their commitment and never turn away anyone who is willing to serve their country because of their sexual orientation.

"This is an issue of fundamental fairness - and our military ought to treat everyone fairly. I applaud Congressman Meehan on his important legislation."

For John Edwards Supporters

Do you want to show your support for John Edwards in 2008? Do you have a website? Here are two very easy things you can do.

First, if you know RSS, you can add the Out for Edwards RSS Feed to your website.

Second, I've created this banner graphic to promote the Out for Edwards site. If you would like to add this banner code simply cut and paste the HTML below to your website:

<A HREF=http://www.outforedwards.org><img src=http://www.outfordemocracy.org/images/banners/edwards1.gif width=468 height=60 border=0></a>

John Edwards One Corps

Are you supporting John Edwards in 2008? Well then in addition to signing up for the Out for Edwards Yahoo Group, you'll want to register at One Corps. One Corps is John Edward's online organizing tool for offline action. Check it out

* Click here to get started, and be sure to list Out for Edwards as one of your friends on One Corps!

2008: Three Emerge, War Top Issue for LGBT Voters

Lisa Keen has a great article in the Bay Area Reporter, in which she notes two important trends in the 2008 presidential campaign. First, LGBT voters are looking closely at three candidates: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards. LGBT issues continue to be important to our community. Much like the rest of the country, however, the War in Iraq is a defining issue.

John Edwards on Gay and Lesbian Issues

Kathy Belge from About.com has posted the following review of Barack Obama on Gay and Lesbian Issues.

Employment Non-Discrimination: Edwards supports a federal bill that would outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Employment: Edwards is undecided on a federal bill to outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

Hate Crimes: Edwards supports expanding federal Hate Crimes Law to include sexual orientation.

Marriage Equality: Edwards opposes same-sex marriage, but he does not think the Constitution should be amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

On 2/24/04 Edwards said in response to President Bush's proposed Constitutional amendment, "I am against the president's constitutional amendment on gay marriage...I don't personally support gay marriage myself. My position has always been that it's for the states to decide."

Family Medical Leave: Edwards is undecided on extending Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.

Same-Sex Immigration: Edwards is undecided on legislation that would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.

Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Edwards supports giving same-sex couples the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Edwards supports the rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly in the United States Military.

Edwards Comments:

On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "As the recent discharge of Arabic language specialists demonstrates, the current policy does not serve our national interests and should be changed."

On Hate Crimes: "I am an original cosponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which adds protections based on sexual orientation to hate crimes legislation."

Edwards Answers Marriage Equality Question

During an appearance at Dartmouth College, John Edwards answered a question about Marriage Equality for same sex couples. According to this article ........

Edwards, 53, said he would support civil unions and laws to prevent discrimination against gays and lesbians, but said his roots in the Southern Baptist church left him uncomfortable with supporting gay marriage.

"I grew up in that faith, and I grew up in rural North Carolina. I feel personally conflicted about some of these issues because of my own life, and my culture," Edwards said.

"So I am not personally for gay marriage, but it troubles me that I would use my personal experience in life as a basis for establishing a policy for the United States of America, and I feel conflict about that."

I wish Edwards could just answer the question without giving the offensive justification. Imagine if someone said "I grew up in that faith, and I grew up in rural North Carolina" to justify their racism?

Argh.

Edwards: If you're not going to come out in full support of marriage equality, then just answer the question without your offensive 'I love jesus more than the gays' explanation. And please, use these opportunities to clearly and articulately state what you DO stand for in regards to LGBT Equality like ENDA, Hate Crimes Legislation, and letting service members serve honestly.

LGBT Leaders Look to Obama, Edwards

The Blade has an article this week in which John Edwards and Barack Obama are singled out among the Democratic Presidential Candidates.

According to the article DNC LGBT Caucus Chair and others feel that "Edwards and Obama have quickly outshined a crowded field of other White House hopefuls because they’re prepared to sincerely discuss gay issues."

Read the whole article here

Out for Edwards Yahoo Groups

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) supporters of John Edwards for President in 2008 are encouraged to join one of these two yahoo groups to begin networking.

Out for Edwards Announcement List
Out for Edwards Discussion List