Edwards Lets Loose on Clinton

By: Aaron Lewis
Topics: John Edwards

(CBS)

From CBS News' Aaron Lewis:

KEENE, N.H. -- John Edwards's fingers must be cold, because his gloves just came off.

Angered by remarks made last night by Clinton spokesman Jay Carson (He told The Politico: "In order to be president, you need to do more than read articles about people who need help and talk about them," and added that Clinton was "somebody who's actually going to help people and not use them as talking points."), Edwards told reporters that the Clinton campaign "has no conscience" at an impromptu press conference in Keene.

"The idea that somehow everything is about them, I mean it's an indication that they have no conscience about what's at stake here," said Edwards.

The charges on Edwards came as the family of Nataline Sarkisyan joined him on the campaign trail today. According to the campaign, the family reached out to Edwards and not the other way around. They have also been joined by James Lowe – the man who did not have enough money to fix a cleft palate that kept him from talking for 50 years – and Sandy Lakey, the mother of the young girl who was disemboweled by a faulty pool drain and who Edwards represented in a $25 million lawsuit over ten years ago.

"They didn't come here by accident," said Edwards. "They believe they have a responsibility to their families and their children to create a better America, and to make sure what happened in the Sarkisyan family's case never happens to any other family. I'm proud of it. Everybody should be proud of it."

Edwards has made health care a top platform in his presidential bid, in no small part because of his wife Elizabeth's fight with cancer.

"If there's a campaign where health care and the fight for it for people is a personal issue, it's this campaign," said senior adviser Joe Trippi, "And for that campaign to question that in any way IS unconscionable."

The verbal battle between the Edwards and Clinton campaigns has escalated in recent days since the Iowa caucus. Edwards has made a considerable effort to paint Hillary as the "status quo" and to paint himself and Obama as the agents for change. While Clinton launched attacks against Barack Obama at last night's debate in Manchester, it was Edwards who retaliated.

"I didn't hear these kinds of attacks from Senator Clinton when she was ahead," he said. "Now that she's not, we hear them."

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by rugldy January 7, 2008 8:00 PM EST: Will Hillary cry when she doesn''t get her way with other world leaders?; Reply to this comment


by jmarcus81 January 7, 2008 2:38 PM EST: John Edwards is the most viable candidate in the democratic party to beat a republican in Nov. Sure, Obama and Clinton have star power (shhhh! because they are a black man and a woman) and don''t forget Oprah. I say Edwards/Obama is the winning ticket. Combined, they''ve got enough experience. But not too much to be corrupt (Clinton). Also, Edwards can capture the southern /rural/heartland vote (important) and Obama would capture, the right/left coast liberals, young people, women, and the black vote. Together, they could do alot of good and turn this country around.; Reply to this comment


by rogerfisher-2009 January 7, 2008 8:46 AM EST: As far as honesty and being genuine, Hilary places last. That is why Obama defeated her in Iowa. When people go to see them talk they come out feeling good about Obama and distrusting Hilary.; Reply to this comment


by jn2deal January 7, 2008 2:49 AM EST: Hillary held her own in the debate and proved that she is a fighter and will not be bullied. The White House is no place for sissies or pretty boys. The President needs to be a fighter, I''ll put Hillary up against any world leader or threat that arises and know that she will not back down!; Reply to this comment


by timbohoagie January 7, 2008 2:32 AM EST: Mr. Edwards is obviously the best candidate in this presidential election. I am a Republican, and yet i choose to support Mr. Edwards. As he showed last night, he has the most poise and intelligence in this entire race. And yet he supports Ameicans from all walks of life. He told Hilary last night the the status quo is not good enough...John Edwards IS the candidate for change. He is the only one truly dedicated to making America a great country for all people to live in.; Reply to this comment


by January 7, 2008 2:17 AM EST: John has been in a bind on this one - the last time her tried to criticize her policies, and clarify why he is different (and the leader), Mr. & Mrs. Clinton, and the mainstream press jumped all over him for being "too tough on a girl". He wasn''t being "mean" - he was doing what was right, and making the point that she has shown absolutely no leadership in this campaign - she waited for John Edwards to publish a Healthcare plan - and when the reviews were positive, her campaign copied it and called it her own.

John Edwards is the only one left standing, who has the courage of his convictions, and the moral indignation about the current healthcare mess, to make a change. You can not "negotiate" with profit-driven corporations to give up their profits, just because it would be the right thing to do.

Recall - that the goal of any firm is to "maximize shareholder wealth". Being nice to patients doesn''t do that.

Thank you, John Edwards!; Reply to this comment


by jeanruss January 7, 2008 1:45 AM EST: I have been contributing to Edwards for a while now and am more impressed with him with each debate-unlike the others, he was fresh and dynamic-remarkable, as he has been going nonstop for weeks-we need his energy with the mess that is going on in our country right now-I think looking longterm , to have Edwards for 8 years, with Obama as his VP, and then Obama for 8 years would remake America back into what The Founders wish for us, a fair just society where each man would only be limited by his own ability.; Reply to this comment


by deborah08-2009 January 7, 2008 1:36 AM EST: Associated Press, "Barack Obama played poker and basketball with lobbyists when he was a state senator. He took their campaign donations and worked with them to write legislation ... A look at Obama%u2019s seven years in the Illinois Legislature reveals a complicated relationship with lobbyists - particularly for someone who now makes criticism of lobbyists a centerpiece of his presidential campaign."; Reply to this comment


by deborah08-2009 January 7, 2008 1:31 AM EST: OR PERHAPS A PARDON FROM PRESIDENT EDWARDS :); Reply to this comment


by deborah08-2009 January 7, 2008 1:30 AM EST: LOOKS LIKE HILLARY MIGHT WANT TO PLAY NICE AS SHE IS GOING TO NEED EDWARDS TRIAL LAYWER EXPERTISE!; Reply to this comment