Edwards' Closing Argument: I'm The True Fighter For Middle Class
In a new internal memo to supporters, Edwards deputy campaign manager Jonathan Prince has laid out the campaign's closing argument in Iowa.
The closing slogan is, "America Rising: Fighting for the Middle Class," and according to the memo, Edwards will spend every day from tomorrow through January 3 at small roundtable gatherings with Iowans, as well as holding a series of "America rising" rallies.
According to the memo -- which was first leaked to The Washington Post a little while ago and has now been obtained by TPM Election Central -- the Edwards campaign is banking on the fact that his bio as the son of a mill-worker will prove more inspirational to working and middle class Iowans and will enable his message to resonate among them. "America Rising is compelling because it relates the challenges and triumphs of Edwards’ own life to those the country faces right now," the memo says.
The memo also likens Hillary's closing argument to George W. Bush's 2004 message and says that Obama's attacks on Edwards are motivated by the latter's movement in the polls.
"We know that Senator Clinton will spend the week touting her national security credentials in a move that echoes George Bush’s 2004 campaign. We believe Democrats will not be fooled by efforts to play on their fears," the memo reads, adding: "It’s no accident that Obama’s criticisms of Edwards coincide with Edwards' uptick in recent polls."
Full memo after the jump.
TO: Friends of the John Edwards for President CampaignFR: Deputy Campaign Manager Jonathan Prince
DT: 12-26-07
RE: The Final Push
RACE SNAPSHOT
We enter the final week before the Iowa Caucus in a position of strength. Nearly every poll finds Edwards enjoying momentum that places us in a statistical tie with Senators Clinton and Obama for first place. CNN’s Opinion Research poll captured Edwards at 26 percent; Strategic Vision found Edwards at 27 percent. Edwards has been drawing enthusiastic crowds – larger than those our rivals. Last Saturday night in Mason City, Edwards drew 600 people while nearby Obama’s event had roughly 300 attendees. Last Monday in Des Moines: Edwards drew 400 caucus goers while later that afternoon Clinton drew about 100 people. We expected to draw 125 people for our last event before the Christmas break in Coralville – over 300 showed up.But increased energy around our campaign is not limited to Iowa. In New Hampshire, we have climbed to 18 percent support in Gallup and other polls. Last Thursday in Manchester we drew over 600 people while Obama’s close by crowd was roughly 500. In Nevada, had our best precinct recruitment week ever since we started recruiting precinct captains in the summer. In South Carolina, two recent polls have us jumping 6 percentage points while both of our opponents slide.
On the web, we are seeing a significant increase in e-mail list signups and in small donors. When people visit the website, they're clicking to our issues page more than any other area. Analysis by Complete found that Edwards saw the highest growth among Democrats in amount of time voters spend on their website in November.
THE EDWARDS FRANCHISE
The theme for Edwards’ final swing through Iowa will be: “America Rising: Fighting for the Middle Class.” While powerful interests get every break imaginable in Washington, middle-class families have to work harder than ever just to get by. From December 27-January 3rd, Edwards will discuss his plans to stand up to corporate greed and make sure hard-working middle class families can get ahead. Edwards will hold small roundtable discussions and community meetings, meet with Iowans at local diners, and hold “America Rising” rallies to encourage Iowans to caucus for him and help change America.Edwards is closing the campaign talking about the kitchen-table issues that matter most to people: jobs, health care, trade, education, and financial security. America Rising is compelling because it relates the challenges and triumphs of Edwards’ own life to those the country faces right now and calls on Iowans, and all Americans, to rise up and use the power they have to bring the change we need. On the stump, Edwards makes the case that in the face of powerful interests holding the country back, America will rise. Edwards came from nothing but because of hard work, determination, and positive vision, he has been able to achieve the American Dream for himself and his family. But now, because of wealthy interests controlling Washington, the American Dream is out of reach for too many families. On January 3rd, Iowans will rise up make the nation what we want it to be – where everybody who works hard can achieve the American dream.
WHY STICK WITH KITCHEN-TABLE POLITICS
Edwards is focused on the middle class because they have been hurt the most over the last 25 years by the politics of greed. He believes if we don't stand up for them now no one will.The anxiety felt by working class families is genuine and widespread. Gallup recently found that more than three-fourths of Americans say economic conditions are getting worse, the highest reading since 1991. In December’s ABC-Washington Post poll, just 28 percent of adults say the economy is in good shape, the lowest number since early 2003.
More importantly, we know the message is resonating with Iowa voters. Nearly every Edwards response in the Des Moines Register debate included his core economic message, and the results were extraordinary. Consistently high focus groups dials indicated undecided voters responded with enthusiasm to Edwards’ answers. Frank Luntz found when Edwards talks about health care and the middle class, the scores “can’t get any higher.” A separate CNN focus group of 23 undecided Iowa Democrats declared John Edwards the winner – and were especially impressed by his answer on education which was “one of the debates strongest moments.” Iowa’s prominent Bleeding Heartland blog also declared Edwards won the debate because he “articulated a coherent message that blamed corruption, greed, and entrenched interests for the problems America faces.”
Look no further than our opponents for confirmation that our message is working. Last week Senator Clinton announced a plan to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 – a proposal Senator Edwards has been talking about on the stump since July. Senator Clinton mentioned poverty on the campaign trail. Senator Obama unveiled an ad echoing the same sentiments that powerful corporations in Washington overshadow the interests of working Americans. This messaging shift is no accident.
Many observers have noticed how powerful the Edwards’ core economic message is. ABC News’ Claire Shipman reported, “Among the Democrats, John Edwards has the message that's most consistently appealing to people suffering from economic woes.” Mark Halperin has noted that Edwards stump speech has audiences “rising up,” the Wall Street Journal reports that on the Main Street Express tour through Iowa, Edwards drew “supersized crowds.” ABC News' Raelyn Johnson reports that Edwards' America Rising message is “met by applause and, at times, standing ovations.”
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OTHERS THIS WEEK
We know that Senator Clinton will spend the week touting her national security credentials in a move that echoes George Bush’s 2004 campaign. We believe Democrats will not be fooled by efforts to play on their fears.We also expect Senator Obama to continue his attacks on Senator Edwards. As NBC News, ABC News, CNN, the New York Times, and the Des Moines Register have noted, Obama’s recent attacks on Edwards coincide with Edwards' gaining steam on the trial. It’s no accident that Obama’s criticisms of Edwards coincide with Edwards' uptick in recent polls. Paul Krugman observed Obama’s attack on outside labor-funded groups could actually hurt the Democratic Party.
THE LONG HAUL
The results of the Iowa Caucus will kick-off a condensed nomination contest, and we are ready to use the momentum from a strong Iowa finish to propel us in New Hampshire and beyond. We have eight times the number of field staff in the state of New Hampshire than the Edwards campaign had in 2004; we recently added two dozen field staffers in Nevada; and we were the first candidate to run ads in South Carolina – a state Edwards won by 15 points in 2004. Given our support throughout the labor community and our advisors at work in all February 5th states, we will have the infrastructure in place to seize on momentum from strong early place finishes.
Comments (22)
CalD wrote on December 26, 2007 1:19 PM:The problem with playing the Bush card in that context is that any Democrat who fails to effectively present themself as a credible custodian of the national security will not be elected president.
Jeremy wrote on December 26, 2007 1:27 PM:I'm so sick of the whining. Edwards has argued that Obama is not a "fighter". Obama has responded to that argument by pointing out that he's fought for and delivered more progressive legislation throughout his career. Is the reason that the Edwards camp's response is to whine about it that they have no response to the counter-argument?
KSWheels wrote on December 26, 2007 1:36 PM:I'm sorry, but Obama supporters have a lot of nerve accusing anyone else of whining. Your candidate's campaign have been the biggest whiners of all. About 527 ads, about Hillary using the cocaine use, which, by the way, Obama brought into the discussion, against him.
Seeryer wrote on December 26, 2007 1:58 PM:Any other year and Edwards wins the nomination in a land slide. His message resonates most with the typical Democrat. The only problem is the Entrenched power that is the Clintons and the freshness of Obama's politics. Also, they both have the "historic" quality to their runs for the White House that Edwards does not. I am sick of Democrats saying a candidate is "too liberal" for the genral election. Ever hear a Republican say their candidate is "too conservative" for the general? Of course not. Why should the left say it. I say John Edwards is the man to hitch our sails to. I don't trust Hillary, I think Obama is naive (I would not hesitate to vote for either if they are the nominee)but Edwards is ready to fight and I want to be in his corner.
Bill R. wrote on December 26, 2007 2:14 PM:This is exactly the right message for this election and this electorate in this time in history! The important threshold now is that Edwards has to win Iowa so he can convince the national electorate that he is the right messenger. Winning Iowa will give him the platform!
sadhana khan wrote on December 26, 2007 2:19 PM:Obama is little substance, all hype. The key to his success: a freshness, a lack of record to run on, the constant repetition of simple feel-good platitudes that lull listeners into a sense of trust and induce in them a yearning to believe. No wonder Barack Obama is so popular among denizens of Hollywood like Oprah: they certainly have an eye for those who can create an image, can generate a buzz that compels others to suspend their disbelief, and who can induce a trance-like stargazing. But the fact is that Barack Obama does have a record to run on and it is a record that should be of concern to those who support America's middle class.
Barry W wrote on December 26, 2007 3:03 PM:If the politics of division, cronyism and war profiteering hasn't made you angry, you're either in on a deal with Bish or Cheney, or you are hopelessly mesmerized by Fox News and their choir of one dimensional right wing nuts. Edwards gets it. His message is clear. We aren't going to get anywhere sitting around asking entrenched power to volunteer itself away as Obama hopes. And when you are a part of the entrenched power, as Hillary is, it's unlikely you will bring anything more than window dressing to the cause of change.
Vote Edwards in Iowa and open the door for his campaign to shock the world.
Edwards and Hillary are both honorable people who will get my vote if Obama does not get the nomination, but please, can we put to rest this nonsense that Obama is naive and lacks experience. He's been in elected office longer than either Hillary or Edwards. He's also been a community organizer and taught Constitutional law. He's lived overseas, yes as a child, and still has relatives that live in Africa. He has more foreign policy experience than Bill Clinton did in '92. So vote for Edwards if you think he's better, but let's stop this tripe about Obama's lack of experience as a public servant.
Swiftboater wrote on December 26, 2007 3:06 PM:Obama can be as fresh as Febreze, but when it comes down to the general election, Americans will not elect an African- American named Barack Obama as president. Obama supporters are being idealistic and not realistic.
CalD wrote on December 26, 2007 3:48 PM:Foul!
dajafi wrote on December 26, 2007 4:23 PM:"Swiftboater"... well, points for truth in advertising. But you left out "Hussein," which is usually a key point in promoting the sort of bile you've got here.
Johnny2bad wrote on December 26, 2007 4:46 PM:Mark L. wrote on December 26, 2007 3:06 PM:
"Edwards and Hillary are both honorable people who will get my vote if Obama does not get the nomination, but please, can we put to rest this nonsense that Obama is naive and lacks experience. He's been in elected office longer than either Hillary or Edwards. He's also been a community organizer and taught Constitutional law. He's lived overseas, yes as a child, and still has relatives that live in Africa. He has more foreign policy experience than Bill Clinton did in '92. So vote for Edwards if you think he's better...".
Ok. He is so I will.
Seeryer wrote on December 26, 2007 5:21 PM:Mark L,
I don't mean naive in the sense that he does not have a clue. I mean naive in the sense that he can't change politics in America. That aint happening my friend, not in the hyper partisan times we live in. The right will pull out all the stops against Obama and it will be uglier than any stunt pulled by them thus far in presedential politics. I want a liberal Democrat that believes the middle class is the back bone of America. I want a liberal Democrat who will say your captal gains should be taxed the way the middle class worker's income is taxed. I want a liberal Democrat to say your Social Security tax rate should be the same if you earn 30K or 330K. Edwards will say and fight for it. Obama won't even say it and Hillary needs fiscal discipline back in the Executive office before she even comments.
Let's just be honest and say that John Edwards is the Democratic candidate with an actual vision and agenda for America. He is both the most liberal and the most electable of the leading candidates and he comes by those characteristics honestly.
John has worked hard all his life and does not know the meaning of the word 'quit.' He stayed in the race in 2004 to the bitter end and I expect him to do the same this year. John cares about America's lower and middle classes and his life's work proves that.
I'll vote for any Democrat in November, but this spring, I am voting for the candidate who will expand the American Dream to include more Americans. I am voting for John Edwards.
Paulie wrote on December 26, 2007 6:31 PM:I'm not happy about it but Swiftboater may be right.
In Iowa it's basically a three-way tie but the latest polling in Oklahoma (where I live), shows Hillary at 34, Edwards at 25 and Obama at 15. I hope BO's low poll number here has nothing to do with his race but I'm not convinced.
You've got to admit that for a guy whom "Americans will not elect" as president, Barack Obama polls pretty convincingly against most Republicans nationally. So if he can't get elected, maybe none of them can either?
warren terrah wrote on December 26, 2007 9:26 PM:This is my dilemma - I don't particularly care for the Clintons and really don't want 4 to 8 years of "Who is WJC fornicating with today?" I want to like Obama but I think the Repubs will destroy him based on the middle name and supposed lack of experience. Edwards is the guy I really like. He really grew on me later on the 04 campaign. Edwards, however, is running the crappiest campaign of the three and I really question the judgement of somebody who hires Joe Trippi to a senior position with a campaign. I also love Elizabeth Edwards who if it wasn't for the cancer should be running for an elected position herself.
Anon wrote on December 26, 2007 10:27 PM:Remember that politics dictate that changes come about in response to 'shifts' in thinking among the electorate. A major 'shift' in public thinking has occurred under Bush, and those in power in Washington do not stand a good chance of being identified with the 'changes' which must come about. Edwards stands in the right place at the right time to bring about the needed 'changes' and he as a result he is connecting with the public.
It is looking more like Edwards will prevail the closer we get to the caucuses in Iowa, and beyond. THe 'Big Mo' is behind him.
gtash wrote on December 27, 2007 4:13 AM:America has an underclass and a middle class who both need a fighter on their behalf. We need a Democrat. And it isn't that we just need a dog in the fight, we need to have "fight in the dog"---and that is why we need Edwards.
Hillary and Obama have been claiming experience is the key. If you want experience, vote for Biden or Dodd. They have decades more experience that both Hillary and Obama put together.
Edwards has led the other candidates by controlling the Democratic agenda since the day he entered the race: poverty, health care, the fact that we have Two Americas and the one that controls the game, wrote the rules and owns the ever-loving "table" we all want to sit at is not the one who is going to sit idly by while the other America tries to take its rightful place.
We need a fighter, and we need to help a fighter because that is the only way we can help ourselves out of the god-awful mess the Republican Party has put us in.
Anonymous wrote on December 27, 2007 8:56 AM:This memo shows that the campaign really gets the one thing Karl Rove should teach us: run with authenticity. Bush won because he was true to his anti-intellectual self. He did not try to be smart. He proudly displayed his gleeful petulant ignorance. By being real, Americans trusted him and voted for him.
Edwards was being phony when he voted FOR the war. The real Edwards is a rags-to-riches fighter who will dominate the Republican candidate, now that he is not being Bob Shrum-ed. This memo shows the campaign gets it; let Edwards be Edwards and run on the issues he owns.
Kris wrote on December 27, 2007 1:30 PM:The NYTimes now has evidence that Edwards it, was, and always has been a phony. He talks about changing politics, but was full-in on the 527 ads now flooding Iowa.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/27/us/politics/27donate.html
yesterday gone wrote on December 27, 2007 2:01 PM:"fighting for the MIDDLE class" is a DLC trademark. that's how they frame arguments.
real populists fight for the working class.
