Aide: Edwards Campaign Doesn't End In Iowa

Political Players: Campaign Manager David Bonior Argues His Man Is The Best To Take On Corporations

(CBS)  Political Players is a weekly conversation with the leaders, consultants, and activists who shape American politics. This week, CBS News' Brian Goldsmith talked with David Bonior, the former House Democratic Whip and John Edwards' campaign manager, about polls, policies, and a new tone from the Edwards team.

CBSNews.com: The national polls have consistently shown Senator Edwards a distant third. And yet, he was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004. He’s run for president twice now. People know who he is. Why do you think he's not more popular?

David Bonior: He is very popular. We have been campaigning in four states--Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. And we have a dead heat in Iowa. In New Hampshire, the polls are closing. We're within striking distance there.

The last two polls that I saw in South Carolina we were single digits from the lead. I think it's important to remember that our two main opponents are huge celebrities in America and have raised, well, probably over $200 million for this race.

And the reason John Edwards is doing well is because the people in Iowa, for instance, have seen him and heard his message. They will come out to caucus because they believe he is the best candidate with the best vision. And he will fight for issues that really matter to them.

CBSNews.com: You talk about Obama and Hillary being celebrities, but three years ago most people didn’t know who Barack Obama was. And people knew who John Edwards was. Can you stick to this message that they’re celebrities and your candidate is not?

David Bonior: Well, I'll give you one example of the coverage in this race. And I don't mean to be too sour on the coverage. But the fact of the matter is if you look at the Annenberg Study from the University of Pennsylvania it'll show you that it's been weighed way in the direction of both Senators Obama and Senators Clinton and less for Senator Edwards.

And so that's part of the difficulty here. But where the candidates have actually appeared together--Iowa and New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina--we are doing very well. We believe that we will win Iowa and do really well in New Hampshire. And that will change the dynamics of the race.

CBSNews.com: Is the campaign over if you lose Iowa?

David Bonior: No. We have to have a very strong showing in Iowa. We understand that. But we have a great organization in the other early states. But we're not going to lose Iowa. We're going to win it.

CBSNews.com: On the electability argument, Senator Clinton's people and Senator Obama's people keep bringing up this one point--and it’s that Senator Edwards can't even carry his home state, that candidates don't usually win if they can't carry their home states.

David Bonior: Senator Edwards is the only candidate in this race that has won in a red state like North Carolina. That statement doesn't make any sense. He beat the Jesse Helms machine there. And he did very well as their Senator.

Running for senator in Illinois and in New York is a lot different than running for senator in North Carolina.

CBSNews.com: A lot of political analysts, both in Iowa and elsewhere, have detected a shift in Senator Edwards' tone in recent weeks from a more combative, aggressive tone to a more positive, unifying tone--that the dominant message now is about “America Rising” as opposed to “Two Americas” which was the message a couple of weeks ago. Why has there been this evolution?

David Bonior: Well, you have to lay out the problem. And the problem is the two Americas. And he's done that. But you have to have a solution. And he has a solution to unite us, to bring us together, to provide opportunity for people who have traditionally been denied that opportunity. And so one logically follows the other. And there's nothing inconsistent at all about them. It's what he's been talking about for five years now.

CBSNews.com: He's talked a lot about how he's fought against insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, oil companies that he says are too powerful in Washington. Are those companies part of the One America that he talks about as well?

David Bonior: The large, multinational, transnational companies have prevented us from becoming One America. They are the ones, the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies, that denied millions of people in this country the right to healthcare.

And the oil companies have prevented us from moving on a more sustainable energy course. A new energy policy that will be compatible with the urgent challenges that we face with global warming. So these are folks that have stood in the way of the One America.

And it's one thing to talk with them. But somebody's got to stand up to them and fight for average people. And that's what John Edwards has done best. That's what he was born to do. That's what he did as a lawyer. He stood up for working people against big corporate interests. And he won on their behalf. And he will fight and he will win for them as their president.

CBSNews.com: So as president, John Edwards would not talk to representatives of pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, oil companies and the like even though they employ millions of middle class Americans?

David Bonior: Well, I didn't suggest that he wouldn't talk to them. It's important for him to stand up to them. And sometimes to get their attention you've got to stand up to them.

There was a great civil rights leader by the name of A. Philip Randolph who said, "Justice isn't given. It's exacted." In other words, no one gives it to you out of the goodness of their heart--whether they're an oil company or a pharmaceutical or an insurance company.

If you want justice, you’ve got to fight for it. And that's what John Edwards will do. And that's a difference between John Edwards and other people in this campaign.

CBSNews.com: But do you think Americans are tired of fighting in Washington and they want somebody who can bring people together?

David Bonior: They want somebody who can get the job done. And it requires someone standing up and being strong like Teddy Roosevelt was against the trusts and the banks and the monopolies. That's what they want.

If it takes somebody like Franklin Delano Roosevelt who stood up for working people when no one else stood up for them, that's what they want. When you take somebody like John Kennedy or LBJ who stood up for civil rights and human rights in this country, that's what they want. They want someone who will stand and fight for them.

CBSNews.com: Experience has also been a big issue in this campaign. It's mainly been a discussion between Senators Clinton and Obama. But what do you think are John Edwards’ biggest accomplishments when he was a senator?

David Bonior: John Edwards has been an incredible leader in this country. His positions on moving forward with jobs, affordable housing, universal healthcare. He's put together probably the best universal healthcare proposal out there in the country today. In terms of education, he wants to invest in teachers with higher pay and establishing national teachers' universities where we're involving No Child Left Behind. He hopes to invest more in our struggling schools…

CBSNews.com: Sorry to interrupt, but what I'm asking is what legislation did he sponsor and get signed into law as a senator that you're particularly proud of?

David Bonior: I'm very particularly proud of the Patients' Bill of Rights. That was a major piece of legislation that gives the patients the rights to take on the multinational corporations, insurance companies, in dealing with their healthcare concerns.

---

David Bonior is campaign manager for John Edwards. He served for 26 years as a US Representative from Michigan, including 11 years as chief vote counter and strategist for House Democrats. His record in Congress was generally liberal, though Bonior was particularly noted for his opposition to free trade deals and abortion rights. Bonior left Congress to run unsuccessfully for Governor of Michigan in 2002. He graduated from the University of Iowa (of all places), received an MA from Chapman College in California, and served in the US Air Force. He is married with three children.

[mudrose-2009]

Hopefully it will just end.

[evereye3]

To: Iowavoter
It does not matter if Edwards has the organization for Feb 5th...organizations will not matter by then. People in those states are going to show up and vote based on what they see on TV. No one thought John Kerry was going to get the nomination until he did well in Iowa and New Hampshire. If Clinton doesn''t win Iowa or NH, or worse finishes 3rd in both places, which can only happen if Edwards wins in Iowa, she won''t be able to compete come Feb. 5th. Almost all of her support comes from people who (falsely) believe that she is the most electable. I say falsely because I have not heard anyone make a convincing case that she can win a single state that either Gore or Kerry lost. If you like Edwards, then caucus for Edwards. Don''t let the media decide this is a two candidate race. Momentum is everything, don''t waste it on voting against someone.

[denn034]

Good! This can only benefit Obama and that makes a Republican win all the more likely.

[mbcsmith]

Posted by realpatriot1 at 02:47 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Typical LIB, the subject here is Ms Edwards. She amassed a $35 million fortune by stealing 1/3 of the settlement fees from the sick and injured. TORT REFORM NOW!

[marytnurse-2009]

JERSupporter; I''m talking just about his VOTING RECORD IN CONGRESS. You are talking about his campaign rhetoric. Anyone can talk, and John Edwards does a nice job of talking. He even points his thumb nicely. Go ahead and try to poke holes, but first you''d better check his voting record. Check with Washington Post, No More Mr Nice Guy from Dec 11 as the latest actual accounting of his votes. I could commit to anything you wanted me to if you''d just vote for me!!!

And no, in Iowa we caucus. We go and gather in a room and make our opinions and our beliefs known to others, as well as the voting records of our candidate and other candidates.

[realpatriot1]

mbcsmith,

How much did Romney spend to shellack his head? How much in public funds did Rudy spend on cousin HO?

[rowdytexan2]

Gawd, I hope he''s not around after the caucuses, and I pray I don''t have to vote for him to vote against someone.

I am sick of seeing his sniveling junior high school attitude. He spent all but the last month on nothing but attacks against Hillary. Never had a plan, never talked about a policy, never had a positive word to say about anything but himself. Finally, he decides to talk about real issues, after the Iowa debate attendees boo''d his arse.

He looks you straight in the eye, and says ''I am your man! I am the only one can represent you and knows YOUR issues!"

He never HAD a plan for universal health care until he entered this race. THE primary domestic issue before this country! Then he looked at every body elses policy and drew up basically the same thing. Real innovative thinking there.

The man has made his money from leaching off of people in tort cases, by charging them $5.00 for a single page of a fax. $300/hr. with the clock ticking every time he so much as talked to them on the phone, and by taking huge lump sums out of their awards. And we won''t get into the money he''s made off the hedgefund rats.

So you want me to really believe that he has the best interests of the American people, more so than any other candidate? This ambulance chaser???

[evereye3]

To: Iowavoter
It does not matter if Edwards has the organization for Feb 5th...organizations will not matter by then. People in those states are going to show up and vote based on what they see on TV. No one thought John Kerry was going to get the nomination until he did well in Iowa and New Hampshire. If Clinton doesn''t win Iowa or NH, or worse finishes 3rd in both places, which can only happen if Edwards wins in Iowa, she won''t be able to compete come Feb. 5th. Almost all of her support comes from people who (falsely) believe that she is the most electable. I say falsely because I have not heard anyone make a convincing case that she can win a single state that either Gore or Kerry lost. If you like Edwards, then caucus for Edwards. Don''t let the media decide this is a two candidate race. Momentum is everything, don''t waste it on voting against someone.

[mbcsmith]

Posted by JERSupporter at 01:50 PM : Dec 14, 2007

LOL...LOL again.. LIBS are sooooo funny!

[jersupporter]

$400 haircut anyone? Ms Edwards must be a bit*h when she''''s on a shopping spree.
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Posted by mbcsmith at 01:37 PM : Dec 14, 2007

I have to believe English was not your strongest subject in school? It''s OK, I am quite sure you are well respected in your community with talk like that. Good Luck and please try to set an example for our children by not being so vulgar and uniformed. Thanks.

Edwards is the best candidate for the Democratic Party. He, above all the rest, represents the average American. I especially like his stance on corporate greed. Americans are very tired of trying to understand a foreign accent when they call about the their telephone bill, air fair, or other product or service. These are jobs that should be filled by Americans. And, above all, Edwards is very electable!

[mbcsmith]

This is why I will caucus for Barack Obama. He''''s the only one who can stop the Clinton machine!!




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Posted by iowavoter at 12:22 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Now just what is it "to caucus"? Don''t you go to a poll and vote?

[mbcsmith]

America needs solutions not just problems - so unless you have a solution, I suggest you research, analyze, and make a decision. But just throwing people under the bus is rather counter-productive.



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Posted by JERSupporter at 01:32 PM : Dec 14, 2007


Here''s a solution: send Ms Edwards back to North Carolina for good, where she belongs.

[jersupporter]

Let''''s see, Ms Edwards voted for the Iraq war and no child left behind. That''''s pretty clear isn''''t it. She also has said she WILL raise payroll taxes. That will hit EVERY American not just the filthy rich ambulance chaser.
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Posted by mbcsmith at 01:17 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Again another negative filibuster with name calling attached. Leadership is the process of influencing others to complete a mission by providing a purpose, direction and motivation. Your comment solves nothing and actually is just a product of whining. America needs solutions not just problems - so unless you have a solution, I suggest you research, analyze, and make a decision. But just throwing people under the bus is rather counter-productive.

[mbcsmith]

Posted by JERSupporter at 12:29 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Let''s see, Ms Edwards voted for the Iraq war and no child left behind. That''s pretty clear isn''t it. She also has said she WILL raise payroll taxes. That will hit EVERY American not just the filthy rich ambulance chaser.

[jersupporter]

Everyone in Iowa knows him because he''''s LIVED HERE with NO OTHER JOB. And STILL he can''''t raise any more momentum than third place. Why must we keep dealing with a man that voted YES and said he read the NIE report re: Iraq war, who voted YES for No Child Left Behind (both things he now opposes), ...
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Posted by marytnurse at 11:16 AM : Dec 14, 2007

Seriously martynurse, where do you get your talking points?
Iraq War - Edwards has stated "We must show the Iraqis that we are serious about leaving by actually starting to leave, with an immediate withdrawal of 40,000-50,000 troops and a complete withdrawal within nine to ten months." Others are unwilling to make this comment even though it is the will of the American people (see 2006 election results).
Education - John Edwards was the first candidate with a comprehensive education plan. Others have now copied most or parts of his plan.
I could go on-and-on to shoot holes in your statement, but will run out of room - so please don''t be a homer for your candidate and actually look at the facts first before posting more lies.

[marcodele]

I like Edwards and would vote for him if I had the chance.

He was excellent on "Mama''s Family."

[iowavoter]

Please, as a resident of Iowa, I do like John Edwards, but I do not believe for a minute that he has a REAL chance to be the Democratic Nominee. I feel that if he wins in Iowa, it would only help Hillary Clinton''s campaign!! There is no way he will win NH or SC. When he gets to the Feb 5th states, he does not have the organization to beat the Clinton machine.

I like Edwards and I like Barack Obama, but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do I want Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic nominee.

This is why I will caucus for Barack Obama. He''s the only one who can stop the Clinton machine!!

[iowavoter]

Please, as a resident of Iowa, I do like John Edwards, but I do not believe for a minute that he has a REAL chance to be the Democratic Nominee. I feel that if he wins in Iowa, it would only help Hillary Clinton''s campaign!! There is no way he will win NH or SC. When he gets to the Feb 5th states, he does not have the organization to beat the Clinton machine.

I like Edwards and I like Barack Obama, but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do I want Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic nominee.

This is why I will caucus for Barack Obama. He''s the only one who can stop the Clinton machine!!

[iowavoter]

Please, as a resident of Iowa, I do like John Edwards, but I do not believe for a minute that he has a REAL chance to be the Democratic Nominee. I feel that if he wins in Iowa, it would only help Hillary Clinton''s campaign!! There is no way he will win NH or SC. When he gets to the Feb 5th states, he does not have the organization to beat the Clinton machine.

I like Edwards and I like Barack Obama, but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do I want Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic nominee.

This is why I will caucus for Barack Obama. He''s the only one who can stop the Clinton machine!!