Elizabeth Edwards To Promote Health Care Group
We already knew that Elizabeth Edwards was going to advise Barack Obama on health care, but now she's taking on another role that could boost the profile and importance of health care as a driving issue in the presidential race.
Edwards will be playing a key role in promoting a new group of health care organizations, called Health Care for America Now, which vows to pour $40 million dollars into TV ads pushing for universal health care.
Efforts like this will help the Obama campaign counter the expected onslaught of outside spending from the right, such as the National Rifle Association's recent announcement that it would spend $15 million to pummel Obama on guns.
Any visibility that this brings to Elizabeth can only help Obama win over female voters and enhance his credibility on health care. Obama's health care plan was probably the one domestic policy proposal of his that was most often criticized on the left, including by Elizabeth herself.
Late Update: Elizabeth actually won't be heading up the group, just taking a lead role in promoting it. We've edited the above to reflect that.
She turned herself into true class act. I remember her as one of the most-if not the most-hardworking candidate-surrogate on the trail.
Tremendous lady. Tremendous cause.
July 2, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad she didn't listen to the sententious advice from the Beltway Blatherskites to quit public life, shut up, and prepare to die.
July 2, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh dear. What will Katie Couric say????
July 2, 2008 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seconded! So glad she's on board.
July 2, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
What, "health care"? What's that? Oh, yeah, that is supposed to be an issue this time around, isn't it. I had kind of forgotten, what with all the hoopla surrounding "is McCain fantastic war hero, or a monumentally fantastic war hero? And, in a related question, is Obama merely a jerk for not worshipping John McCain, or a devious, American-hating terrorist?"
Good show, Mrs Edwards - trying to re-inject some substance back into this race. May the Lord prosper your work.
July 2, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent news! Hopefully she can helped refocus attention on this issue.
July 2, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
The first commercial will be:
"John McCain doesn't understand the heath care crisis facing this country, the frre health care he recieved after getting shot down flying a jet over Vietnam doesn't give him the requisit executive expierience to understand the heath care challenges facing the next President...I'm Barak Obama and I approve of this message...and John McCain's service."
July 2, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd reword that. "The free healthcare he received after crashing a jet (fifth time to do so) in Vietnam...."
July 2, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It won't be anything like that, of course, but thanks for giving us a preview of how Fox News will describe it!
July 2, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you so cynical that you can't recognize comedy when you see it?
July 2, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought it was funny. I really don't get why people have such a issue with you, SFC.
July 2, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me neither. He cracks me up.
I still laugh thinking of "At least I spelled ass right the first time..."
July 2, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I mean, SFC's an admitted Republican but whatever. He engages in substantive debates; He's certainly no troll.
July 2, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha ha...I'd forgoten about that one...
July 2, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and it's CNN that's beating on all of Obama's surrogates...John Roberts I believe (the reporter, not the Chief Justice).
July 2, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
is it troll o'clock already?
July 2, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another funny, you are in a humorous mood today. I would only add the number of prisoners released after he refused to leave until all were freed and the number of days that he was imprisoned and tortured. Also, I'd add the number of combat missions as well. I think that would cover it. A great commercial. Obama could have clark do the voice over as well.
July 2, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
So is it just going to talk about health care in a generic sense or focus on electing Obama to enact universal health care?
My guess is the former, but it's still useful.
July 2, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
As long as she starts to advocate for REAL universal health care and not just that worthless mandate crap. I'm sick of people calling those plans universal, when Kucinich was the only one with truly universal health care, a single payer plan which a goal of HEALTH CARE instead insurance company greed.
So by all means Mrs. Edwards, push health care, but don't push that bandaid fix crap as a real solution, because it is neither a real solution, nor universal health care.
July 2, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree and I think more of us ought to be doing as she is and as Gore is and working on issues. There's been too much empty process in our party and too much reactive framing to conservtive ideas. We need to start setting a different agenda and putting pressure on politicians at all levels to respond to us for a change.
July 2, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, to hell with it, I say Elizabeth for VP!
I may not have been her husband's biggest fan, but she fuckin' rocks!
July 2, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm impressed. This woman has cancer. When I get a headache I have to disconnect from everything.
July 2, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes! Elizabeth Edwards is an asset to the Democratic Party and especially to the goal of universal healthcare. This is so great!
July 2, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right on, Elizabeth!
July 2, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now if Elizabeth could just convince Obama to give a shit about the Bill of Rights . . .
July 2, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish Elizabeth could be Barack's VP.
July 2, 2008 9:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
This will be so well received. This country is fuckin hungry for this type of change and with a message of hope for a better future!
July 3, 2008 12:27 AM | Reply | Permalink