Highlights of the Main Street Express Iowa Bus Tour
Senator Edwards wrapped up his Main Street Express Iowa Bus tour today after being greeted by “frenzied enthusiasm” and bringing large “Iowa crowds to their feet with America Rising” throughout the state.
Watch Senator Edwards’ Inspiring Speech, “America Rising” Here:
12.16.07
Edwards Crowds Rise for ‘America Rising’
As his eight day bus tour through Iowa winds down, John Edwards is starting to bring audiences to their feet when he talks about America rising.
“Every time we speak up for 47 million people who have no health care coverage, America rises,” Edwards says. “Every time we speak up for 35 million of our own people who went hungry last year, America rises. Every time we speak up for 200,000 veterans who ware homeless and sleeping under bridges, America rises.”
It is a newly injected message that Edwards has been preaching to larger crowds than he’s previously attracted. It is met by applause and, at times, standing ovations.
“That rising is going to begin right here in Iowa on Jan. 3,” Edwards told caucus goers Sunday at a town hall in Colfax, Iowa.
The Main Street Express Tour kicked off in Des Moines. Along the campaign trail, Senator Edwards was joined by Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon.
Kevin Bacon Performs “Footloose” at a John Edwards Rally
Kevin Bacon Sings at an Iowa Rally for John Edwards
Edwards’ plan to help America Rise Again will:
Create good jobs:
Edwards will invest in renewable sources of energy to create new industries and at least 1 million new, good-paying jobs. He will pursue a trade policy that ends tax loopholes for companies that send American jobs overseas, and end the NAFTA trade model. Edwards will also raise the minimum wage, reform our tax code, build career ladders, and strengthen organized labor.
Give middle-class families the tools to build a secure financial future:
Edwards will create Universal Retirement Accounts that people can take with them from job to job, and to respond to the mortgage crisis, he will pass a tough new national law to prevent predatory lending abuses. Edwards will also reign in credit card and other abusive lending practices by creating a new consumer watchdog agency.
Remove the burdens that are weighing families down:
Edwards will help families afford rising home heating costs, make sure that college is affordable for everyone, so that every child can have a fair shot at the American Dream, help people balance their work and home lives by making sure that workplace policies are keeping up with changes in the economy, through expanding early education programs, providing paid leave, including sick leave, to all workers, and expanding job protection under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Create universal health care in America:
Edwards’ top domestic priority will be making sure that every man, woman and child in America is covered with high-quality care.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON SENATOR EDWARDS’ PLAN TO STRENGTHEN THE MIDDLE CLASS
In addition to presenting a number of new plans, along the Main Street Bus Tour, Senator Edwards participated in and won the Des Moines Register Debate.
The grande finale of his tour included the endorsement of Iowa’s First Lady, Mari Culver.
Excerpt
John can win because he inspires the best in people. His message has always been rooted in optimism and opportunity and lifting up people. I believe Americans are ready to rally behind a President who inspires us to our very best.
I’m honored to support John Edwards. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work on his behalf and I respectfully ask Iowa Democrats to join me in caucusing for John Edwards on January 3. Please encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Senator Edwards is now off to barnstorm through New Hampshire where Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt will join him on the campaign trail!