Edwards hammers Clinton on health care: The Swamp

Posted September 17, 2007 12:34 PM

John Edwards in Chicago, Sept. 17, 2007. Chicago Tribune photo by Michael Tercha.

by John McCormick

John Edwards aggressively attacked Hillary Clinton during an appearance this morning in Chicago, as Democratic presidential candidates sought to gain the upper hand in the health care debate.

In his address to a union group, the former North Carolina senator repeatedly pointed to Clinton's failed efforts to win health care reform in the 1990s during her husband administration.

"The cost of that failure 14 years ago is not just somebody's political fortune or their scars," he said. "It's the millions of Americans who have now gone for almost 15 years without health care."

Clinton, a New York Democrat, unveiled her health care plan in Iowa just a few hours after speaking earlier in Chicago to the same group, the Laborers' International Union of North America.

With the number of uninsured Americans growing dramatically since the early 1990s, Edwards pointed to a proposal passed by the Clinton White House that remains unpopular with unions.

"We didn't get universal health care, but we got [the North American Free Trade Agreement]," he said. "We need universal health care. We didn't need NAFTA."

Edwards suggested Clinton is unable to reform the health care industry because she has failed to accept his challenge not to accept any contributions from federal lobbyists.

"I don't believe you can sit down with lobbyists, take their money and cut a deal," he said. "If you defended the system that defeated health care, I don't think you can be the president who brings health care,"

Edwards said he was proud to have been the "first presidential candidate, seven months ago now, to come out with a specific, universal health care plan." He said he would pay for his plan, in part, by eliminating "George Bush's tax cuts for people who make over $200,000 a year."

Speaking later to reporters, Edwards reiterated a new pledge he is making today: to strip healthcare coverage from the president, all members of Congress and all political appointees by July 2009 – six months after he hopes to be in the White House – unless universal health care is passed by then.

"When their health care is personally at stake, they will respond," he said.

Clinton also pledged her commitment to universal health care and to the union movement when she spoke to the roughly 1,000 union leaders, all wearing orange T-shirts.

"There is hardly a square foot of America that doesn't have your fingerprints on it," she said. "You have built the infrastructure, and now we are going to have to build some more."

Clinton was the first of three presidential candidates who spoke today at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware followed Edwards and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is on Tuesday's schedule.

Sen. Barack Obama, meanwhile, bypassed the audience in his home city, instead traveling to Wall Street today to deliver an economic speech. The Illinois Democrat said last month that he would skip most candidate forums because they were getting in the way of his speaking directly to voters.

After appearing there Sunday afternoon with five other Democratic presidential candidates, Clinton immediately returned to Iowa to unveil her health care plan in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

"We need to get to a point where health care is a right, not a privilege," she first told the construction union members. "We have to take on the special interests to get this done."

Clinton said she has lengthy experience in taking on Republicans, one of several lines she offered that drew a standing ovation.

"I have been in their gun sites more than 15 years," she said. "But guess what, I'm still standing."

Clinton hammered at President Bush, saying he has run the country in a way reminiscent of the robber barons of the industrial age.

"They call it the ownership society," she said. "I call it the you're on your own society."

Clinton pledged more work for the construction workers if she is elected president.

"We all saw the tragedy in Minnesota, but the fact is that one bridge is one of 60,000 that are in need of serious repair," she said. "We don't need any more warnings. We don't need any more commission reports. We just need an infrastructure policy that is fully funded in America."

Clinton repeatedly stressed her experience for the job, saying she knew "a little bit about how hard" it is to be president.

"Following George Bush and Dick Cheney, oh my goodness," she said. "I'll tell you what, I'm not sure we know all the damage that has been done. It's going to be a huge clean up effort. I'm going to put out the word: laborers, come to Washington. Bring all your tools."

Clinton also confronted a question that might have been on the minds of the almost entirely male audience.

"There may be a few people that say, 'Well, are we ready for a woman president?'" she said. "All I can tell you is I think we are ready for this woman to be president."

Last to speak was Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, who gave a speech that started in a soft-spoken way that eventually turned fiery.

"It is time we have a president who can pronounce the word union," he said.

Many white-collar workers are starting to reconsider the benefits of unions, Biden said, now that they are facing reduced benefits and layoffs. "All of a sudden, they are having an altar call," he said.

Biden said the next president needs to help rebuild the union movement in "a different and bigger way," by helping to add white-collar workers.

"Unions are the key to our competitive advantage in the world," he said. "The future of America's economic growth grows out of organized labor."

Biden also called for greater investment in America's infrastructure, saying world competitors are investing more in that area and that it would "return 10-fold" to the nation's economy.

On health care, Biden said universal health care is needed so that companies can compete in the world economy.

"Every major country we compete against has universal health care, or some version of it," he said.

The union is not expected to endorse any of the candidates for some time, but hopes instead to mobilize and educate its half million members about the issues and candidates.

Comments

The race to see who can spend more of our hard earned money faster.

Posted by: Terry | September 17, 2007 12:38 PM

"We didn't get universal health care, but we got [the North American Free Trade Agreement]," he said. "We need universal health care. We didn't need NAFTA."

AMEN!

American healthcare is a scandal. It is the exclusive pervue of the insurance industry in concert with the AMA. The sadly ironic result is state-of-the-art medicine that nobody can afford, the 12 minute doctor's exam and treating existing illnesses rather than preventing them.

The question is, can ANYbody fix it? The Powers That Be be powerful.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2007 12:56 PM

"Edwards Hammers Clinton On Health Care"

It's good to see that the Dems understand that the current health care system in America is broken...unless you are a rich Republican.

Posted by: John E | September 17, 2007 1:19 PM

I say no no no to any type of National Health Care.

There are plenty of private health care insurance plans out there that almost anyone can get some type of coverage. Maybe some people do not want health care insurance.

Personally, I do not want the government to tell me what I can and can not do in this case.

The government can not even get the Military and VA health care right. Now Clinton wants the government to take over health care. When they do, you will see them telling doctors not to give heart meds to anyone over 70, or anyone that has terminal cancer or to those that have asthma. The government will dictate what doctor you will see, what hospital you can go to, and what medication you can take or not take. Are we so child like that we as adults need this type of treatment?

Posted by: Darkwater | September 17, 2007 1:21 PM

How about our senator, rather than travelling around the nation speaking to voters, spend some time in Washington representing the people of Illinois. When was the last time the senator actually did work that he is paid to do?

Posted by: TED | September 17, 2007 1:44 PM

What a turkey this guy Edwards is! Think about it.

He attacks Hillary for trying, but failing, to get health care enacted - when she was the First Lady – and not even a member of Congress – while up against a determined opposition from congressional Republicans!?!?!? This is absolutely ridiculous. She tried when she had no control or say in the process. But at least she tried.

That is more than can be said for our wanna-be pretty-boy-in-chief. When did he ever try, during his single term as U.S. Senator, to introduce legislation dealing with health care? He didn’t. His record in the Senate on health care issues wasn’t spectacular either. He voted more often against health care bills than for them. In fact, he only got interested, in earnest, in the issue of health care in 2003, once he began to seek even higher office. This is what I call an opportunist, and not a sincere partisan of the People.

Now, mind you, I’m no fan of Hillary Clinton. But his two-faced, hypocritical attack on Hillary is entirely unjustified. I don’t know how much money he spends on his suits; nor do I care. But, at any price, they are too expensive to leave that empty.

Please do not vote for him.

Posted by: John W. | September 17, 2007 1:45 PM

Ms. Clinton is calling mandatory health insurance "universal health care". What an insult. Those robber barons she talks about in her speeches will be the ones that most benefit from her plan.The big HMOs and the health care corporations are the ones involved in her closed-door meetings on health care.She may sound populist on the campaign trail to get votes but she is a corporatist if one reads between the lines.

Posted by: Daniel Phillps | September 17, 2007 2:05 PM

"Clinton repeatedly stressed her experience for the job." WHAT EXPERIENCE? Approving menues for WH
dinners? Ordering secret FBI files? Setting up a phony land trust in Arkansas? Chasing away Bill's Bimboes? Counting
campaign contributions from China? Maybe she includes her "executive" experience? Nope, she doesn't have any.
In college, we called this an internship...learning on the job.

Posted by: Damien | September 17, 2007 2:37 PM

Posted by: Daniel Phillps | September 17, 2007 2:05 PM

Knuckledragging Wingnut,
Why are you crying about a possible universal healthcare plan? You and your rich white Republican buddies will still be able to afford the best healthcare available for yourselves, that's what it's all about, isn't it?.

GOP = IT'S ALL ABOUT ME ME ME ME ME!

Posted by: John E | September 17, 2007 2:38 PM

An interesting post ..

" .. Today, there is little in Mrs. Clinton's new "universal health care" proposal that would ensure quality universal health care. If enacted, it would most likely just create more unresponsive bureaucracy to make health care more complex, costly, and problematic. Her husband once promised the "end of big government:" her plan appears to be trying to bring some of "big government" back ..

The remainder at --

http://healthcaremoney-newsblog.blogspot.com/2007/09/analysis-opinion.html

Posted by: H.F. Cheng | September 17, 2007 3:19 PM

Posted by: Damien | September 17, 2007 2:37 PM

RNC Brucie,
No one has made China more wealthy than your Republican President Lone Ranger and the Republican Party.
Who do you think is financining this stupid civil war in Iraq?....that's right Brucie, CHINA!

Posted by: John E | September 17, 2007 3:37 PM

John Edwards was the first candidate to present a comprehensive health care plan seven months ago and Hillary Clinton basically copied it for her own. She should show some class and give credit where credit is due. I think this article should have pointed out the similarities but I do praise you for giving top billing to Senator Edwards for this one. Rare when it comes to HRC, the apparent forgone conclusion to win the nomination.

Posted by: Krissie E | September 17, 2007 4:11 PM

Three comments: 1st, John Edwards built his vast fortune suing hospitals and doctors. How much do malpractice lawsuits add to each medical bill or insurance premium? 2nd,before you jump at the idea of a government run healthcare system, think about everything you don't like about HMO's. Now think of how goofed up most government run programs are (bridges, postal service, border enforcement, Iraq,etc.) Now think about a government run HMO. 3rd,we always hear about how other countries enjoy free healthcare. They pay six dollars a gallon for gas and fifty percent (or more) income tax. That's alot of money to pay for free healthcare.

Posted by: JohnP | September 17, 2007 4:16 PM

TED are you related to BOB? Maybe Bruce knows, or possibly Bruce's alter ego Damien. Bruce, I think you've hit a new low today. Please stop. Everyone can tell that TED, BOB, Damien, Sierra, JFK Democrat, and Former Leftist are really creations by you.

PS And Johnny D stop posting as JD.

Posted by: janet | September 17, 2007 4:18 PM

Trickled On - go back and look at Billy Boy's record of American assets given to China

Given to China during the 90's:

- advanced space technology that can be used for nuclear combat

-COSCO is subleasing port facilities in the Long Beach area

- China had apparently been stealing top secrets from the U.S. nuclear weapons lab at Los Alamos

Good ROI for their campaign contributions to Clinton/Gore

Posted by: Terry | September 17, 2007 4:20 PM

The idea that Republicans are the rich and the Democrats are not is fast becoming a fallacy.

See
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A56905-2001Mar25?language=printer

and
http://people-press.org/commentary/display.php3?AnalysisID=114

Posted by: Darkwater | September 17, 2007 5:18 PM

Posted by: Terry | September 17, 2007 4:20 PM

Scary Terry,
We are massively in dept to China because your party (Republicans) and your President (The Commander Guy) "totally" sold us out to China in order to fund your (Republican-led) civil war in Iraq, end of story beanie boy.

Posted by: John E | September 17, 2007 5:20 PM

John E. You don't know me. If you did you would know I'm not a Republican.I believe in single-payer health care system. In other words, more taxes on the rich.Is that a Republican concept?Hardly.So be careful who you call a Knucledragging wingnut.

Posted by: Daniel P. | September 17, 2007 5:22 PM

Sorry Danny,
I figured you were just another one of Bruce's fake post names.

Posted by: John E | September 17, 2007 6:13 PM

"Scary Terry,
We are massively in dept to China because your party (Republicans) and your President (The Commander Guy) "totally" sold us out to China in order to fund your (Republican-led) civil war in Iraq, end of story beanie boy.

Posted by: John E | September 17, 2007 5:20 PM"

I have to agree with John E on this one.

The ongoing sub-prime cancer, falling dollar, massive debt, tax cuts going into war ('trifecta'), pending interest rate cuts that will destroy the dollar even more, is being called the '6 trillion dollar dooms day machine'.

Congrats, GWB.

Posted by: C.Morris | September 17, 2007 7:28 PM

Trickled On - your wasting oxygen which could be used by someone or something more productive.

All that money we borrowed from China is now coming to us thru campaign donations to the democratic party.

Posted by: Terry | September 17, 2007 10:04 PM

Dumb Dumb Janet, or is that Susan, Dumb Dumb Janet???
JD is JD. I am John D. I post as no one but myself, unlike you, Dumb Dumb Janet, or is that Susan, or John E??

Posted by: John D | September 17, 2007 11:13 PM

"end of story beanie boy."

Posted by: John E | September 17, 2007 5:20 PM"

"Beanie Boy" is a malicious slur against Latinos. How is it that this kind hateful, offensive stupidity isn't screened?

Also, isn't it interesting that most of the hate and malice and intolerance expressed in this blog comes from the so-called "Left"?

Posted by: Anonymous | September 18, 2007 7:50 AM

Johnny D,
If JD is not you, then why is there a blog called "JD's blog" that is in your name as the author???? Is that just a coincidence?

Posted by: janet | September 18, 2007 9:22 AM

Posted by: JohnP | September 17, 2007 4:16 PM

"1st, John Edwards built his vast fortune suing hospitals and doctors. How much do malpractice lawsuits add to each medical bill or insurance premium?"

-- if doctors, hospitals and the AMA actually policed their industry and cracked down on the incompetent doctors instead of shielding them, then lawyers like Edwards wouldn't have to fight for the rights of injured people.

"2nd,before you jump at the idea of a government run healthcare system, think about everything you don't like about HMO's. Now think of how goofed up most government run programs are (bridges, postal service, border enforcement, Iraq,etc.) Now think about a government run HMO."

-- We already have Medicare and Medicaid, two government run health programs that are generally held in high regard for trying to deliver health care at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer. Now let's discuss the government run health care programs that the military and all federal politicians use, okay? Why didn't Bush's recent visit to a hospital go to a PRIVATE one, instead of one paid for by US taxpayers?

"3rd,we always hear about how other countries enjoy free healthcare. They pay six dollars a gallon for gas and fifty percent (or more) income tax. That's alot of money to pay for free healthcare."

-- And those countries that pay $6 for a gallon of gas DON'T have thousands of soldiers in an occupation of a Middle eastern country to protect another source of cheap gas for their country. But the USA does.

Posted by: BC | September 18, 2007 10:57 AM

[quote]
All that money we borrowed from China is now coming to us thru campaign donations to the democratic party.

Posted by: Terry | September 17, 2007 10:04 PM

Got any proof of this, or is this just your OPINION?

Posted by: BC | September 18, 2007 10:59 AM

BC - For starters

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/congress/jan-june98/china_5-19.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4264134/

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1998_rpt/sgo-sir/2-18.htm

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/clinton-campaign-will-keep-contributions/

Posted by: Terry | September 18, 2007 7:53 PM