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Edwards Critical of Clinton’s Absence in South Carolina

While addressing a crowd of 200 people in Bennettsville, South Carolina, John Edwards criticized Hillary Clinton for choosing to leave the state in the days before the January 26th primary.

Clinton left South Carolina after participating in Monday night’s Democratic presidential debate in Myrtle Beach to campaign in states scheduled to hold contests on February 5th.

“Right after the debate, she flew out and she’s been gone and she won’t be back until I don’t’ know—later in the week or until primary day,” Edwards said. “And the question is, if she’s not going to spend time here the week before the South Carolina primary, what do you think the chances are she’s coming back after the primary? And what are the chances she’s coming back when she’s president of the United States?”

In his criticism of Clinton’s absence, Edwards sought to depict her as a politician not genuinely committed to the needs of those living in rural South Carolina. He also characterized the rural South as “forgotten America,” emphasizing his Southern upbringing to persuade voters that he identifies with and understands their economic hardships.

“We need a president of the United States who actually understands your life. It’s one thing to fly into South Carolina from some place else, give a speech, go to a debate and then fly back out,” he said. “It is a very different thing to have lived here, to have grown up in this part of the country and to understand in a personal way what’s happening in your lives. I do.”

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29 Responses to “Edwards Critical of Clinton’s Absence in South Carolina”

Comment by SusanB

While your at it John, why not ask Hillary why she is hiding her White House records? Or how she headed the list of Judicial Watch’s 2007 Most Corrupt Politicians? Or why the Clinton tag team is dividing the Democratic party and stirring up racial issues just to destroy their opponent? It’s pretty clear the Clintons do what’s good for them and not what’s good for our county.

 
Comment by Steve

Great comment, SusanB. I am a Democrat who will never vote for Hillary Clinton. Edwards, McCain, and Obama are all OK with me.

 
Comment by skies11

If this guy can’t recognize a strategic advantage in a presidential primary, how in the world is he supposed to discern a strategic advantage/disadvantage as Comander in Chief?

 
Comment by Joe

Great comments SusanB and Steve. I am an Independent voter and Hillary is nothing but dirty political tricks & lies, much the same in Washington DC with her support of corporate money and lobbyists, and a horrible propensity for being divisive in her own party and in the country in general. I will NOT vote for HRC. Obama, Edwards, McCain are also alright by me.

 
Comment by Michael M.

Edwards has an opening now, however small, for his campaign in South Carolina, so these types of comments on Clinton should be expected. If he could post a second-place finish on Saturday, then his campaign is back in business. From my vantage, Edwards is the most authentic voice for reform in the field and represents a return to New Deal Democratic initiatives.

 
Comment by john

hillary will comeback and will still win him in that south , he should worry about that

 
Comment by Jim

Get ready for a Clinton third term.

 
Comment by Chrissy

I agree with Susan B as well. HRC is an opportunist that will do and say anything to get to the White House. She is divisive and polarizing within her own party and nationwide. We need a unifier that can reach across party lines like Obama. I am a democrat and unfortunately I would not be able to cast a vote in favor of my own party if she happens to win the Democratic nomination.

 
Comment by Andy

Edwards has turned into the Ross Perot of this campaign. He can’t win so he will drain votes away from the candiates that can.

 
Comment by danny doer

South carolina primate could be won by john edwards, if enough people leave hillary and he gets the bulk of the undecided vote…..

 
Comment by theblopster

Billary’s butt and thighs are too humungous to ever be president of the USA. Maybe she can possibly be vice-president of the rosie o’donnell fan club………………………maybe.

 
Comment by LMiller

I am an Obama supporter, and I hate the idea of having another republican president after the last eight years. If Edwards got the nomination, I might consider voting for him but if the Republican nominee is John McCain and the Democratic nominee is Hillary, I will be fully and enthusiastically supporting John McCain’s candidacy for president. Even though I’d prefer Obama as president, I almost wish it would happen just so I can see the look on my democratic friends’ faces when they see a John McCain sign on my lawn. For anyone to suggest that what Hillary/Bill is doing is somehow good for the country or the democratic party just blows my mind. What they are doing probably will work to some extent… it’s like when I was in school, if some kid tried to strangle me and I had to hit him in the face so that I could breathe, then the school would punish both of us. I was “at fault for not coming to the teachers” and hitting the other kid while I was being strangled by a bully, and of course once I did go to the teachers they did nothing, and then the bullying would increase. Obama has to defend himself and then of course he’s not talking about the issues, he’s on the defensive and he’s got to point out Hillary’s own hypocrisies like how she has actually praised Reagan’s policies in the past, so of course I’m afraid that the public will say that “he is at fault” in the same way. She knows this, Bill knows this, their campaign knows this, that’s why they’re doing it and we are not talking about the issues. How can anyone in their right mind say this is good for America?

 
Comment by Kay

Maybe when Edwards loses his home state, he will get it!!

 
Comment by Rod

I love Bill and Hillary, But i am worried if they win the nomination then the republican will re-intruduce, All of Bill Mistreses. And that would be the end of the democratic party.

Rod.

 
Comment by Mark C. Eades

While Bill Clinton’s antics on the campaign trail are making him look increasingly more like a liability than an asset, it seems legitimate to seriously consider Hillary Clinton’s obvious dependence on him as an indicator of her own ability to independently fill the role she seeks. We seem increasingly to be getting a “package deal” with this campaign: not a candidate with her spouse in a supporting role, but co-candidates who seem likely to function as co-presidents if elected (one wonders how her vice-president would feel in a No. 3 role utterly in the shadow of the president’s spouse). Rather than a clearly-delineated picture of the candidate’s individual record of achievement, we are getting an increasingly blurred story about their shared achievements. How many of us for a job interview would take our spouses along and attempt to gain favor on the basis of combined achievements? Democrats should seriously consider the effect that a Clinton co-candidacy might have on their hopes for November.

 
Comment by Jack

I’m amazed with how many of you lack any and all real information.

JudicialWatch receives most of its funding from Conservative groups — why do you think their “Top 10″ list for 2007 includes mainly Democrats and left-leaners. Yet, George W. Bush is completely absent from their “corruption” list. There is no politician more corrupt than Mr. Bush. They are also one of the forerunners for the government being “in” on 9/11. Guess who gave them over $7 million? A known Clinton critic. Guess who magically made #1 on their list? Surprise! Clinton!

So you people who are thumping your chests, you support crackpot theorists funded by conservatives to bash Democrats? Wow. You call yourself Democrats.

As for the personal attacks on the Clintons, it’s a pathetic fact that you people have very little left. She’s fat, he cheated, aren’t you clever? All the while you supposedly support a man who says doing this is wrong politics, and you want a change from the same old attack-dog politics. Clinton may be a hypocrite, but so are you.

Mark, many people use spouses to attempt to improve impressions. “Family Owned and Operated.” So really, you’re just upset because a spouse of a candidate actually has an opinion. They should all be brainless, lifeless arm candy like Obama’s wife. Stand back, smile every once in a while, and never have an opinion on anything. Good room decoration.

 
Comment by skies11

Rod,

you love the clintons?

 
Comment by Southern girl

Edwards should worry about his own campaign and stop being so focused on Hillary. The problem is that he and Obama know that Hillary is the most experienced and intelligent candidate and so they have to sling mud. I have my own opinions and the newspapers and television slander is not going to influence my vote.

On the other hand, I have a real problem putting someone in the white house with the name of Barack “Hussein” Obama. There is something about this man that can’t be trusted. He clearly stumbled through the debate the other night, while Edwards and Clinton swormed on him for not being prepared, as usual. If he can’t stand up with the big boys and girls, without crying like a little biatch, then he needs to go back from where ever he is claiming to be from today.

As far as the Bill slander with monica? That is soooo old and ridiculous. How many political officials have cheated on their wives? Kennedy also cheated and look what a good president he was. And, I bet you all were not complaining when our economy was flurishing while Bill was president. Have you had as much money in your wallet while Bush has been in office? How soon we all forget what is really important and that is our economy, not who bedded who! Go watch your soaps if thats what blows up your skirts…

 
Comment by skies11

So the dollar is the bottom line for you, Southern girl?

That’s a morally bankrupt position.

 
Comment by Southern girl

Skies11… this country runs on the american dollar…duh And your opinion of my morally bankrupt position does not pay my mortgage!

 
Comment by Jack

skies11, who appointed you the bank of morality? Did Jesus talk to you and say “Hey, I want you to police morality. Here’s your nifty little badge, and don’t forget that you’re our bastion of morality!”

I sure wish I could put on my dialing wand in the morning and police the internet by telling others that they’re BAD.

 
Comment by skies11

Read the commentary at the following link and be encouraged by it.

http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed011708a.cfm

 
Comment by G8

Right on! SusanB and Chrissy. Some people are still naive and mesmerized by the Clinton lies and deception which may cost us the election.

A huge percentage of dems and independents will vote republican if she gets the nomination.

Hey, maybe they are working for the republicans.

 
Comment by blah blah blah

I would be more encouraged if people like SKIES11 would stop posting stupid remarks and articles!

 
Comment by Florida gal

SusanB sounds like a babbling uninformed idiot. You want to talk about lies and deception? Then ask Obama why he shut down his website at http://www.islamichope.com ? The whole website talks of uniting all colors and religions but yet there is not one picture or photo of a white or latino person. Obama’s picture is there with ALL black people and this is not the only site he has shut down, there were many more just like it. Oh, and how about Obama’s dealings with the slum lord Rezko? How many American families did he hurt in that process? Rezko sold Obama a home for half of its original value, plus the lot next door. Then Obama proudly announces that he returned the campaign money given to him by Rezko. What a joke! Has Obama given back his house and the lot next door that he bought in that shady deal from Rezko also? Obama will destroy our country, not the clintons. How soon we all forget how the Clinton presidency had this country booming financially and he paid back our deficit in record time!

Obama is the one who does what is good for him and his pocketbook, he could care less about you and your cronies!

 
Comment by Basant
 
Comment by G8

Rezco is no match to the families Wal-mart hurts everyday. Hillary was on the board and getting paid.

From child labor in other countries, sweat shops, loss of American jobs, running local businesses out of business, to poisions and lead in our kids toys - Hillary was on the board making the decisions to take Wal-Mart in this direction.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people WORLDWIDE are still being effected by Hillary’s bad judgement at Wal-Mart. She had an opportunity to bring people together for the common good of Americans and what did she do? Jobs, lead in toys, child labor.

Rezco PALES in comparison. It’s a shame too many people rely on the 6:00 news for their information. The press and CNN (Clinton News Network) is not telling this LARGE CORPORATION story and it’s impact on the American people. Rez-who?

 
Comment by LEXIE MATTHEWS

HUH,BILLIARY,AND HILLIARY ,BILL WANTS RESECT FROM EVERYONE FOR SWEET HILLIARY,BUTDID HE SHOW ANY RESPECT FOR HER WITH ALL HIS MISTRESES? NO NOTHINGS NO MORE DISRESPECTUL TO A WIFE THAN A HE MAN ,(NOT HAVING JUST ONE ) BUT HOW MANY MISTRESES . Will we be getting Hilliary for President are Bill, He HAS NO problem standing in ront of a camera pointing his finger and LYING OR has Americans forgot?
So Who’S LYING NOW BILL or HILLIARY?OBAMA, EDWARDS,

 
Comment by red

Anybody that raises their arms to the sky and does the “jesus” thingy needs to have THAT behavior questioned. But no…. nit picking comments from a former President (who kept peace and balanced our budget) is the cowardly thing to do. That should speak for itself. And, Hillary will also do a great job as President because she states the FACTS even if some folks don’t like it.
Obviously Obama doesn’t present himself as a person commited to his faith since he has to fire accusations or excuses and do his dramatic “jesus” presentation to gain popularity among those who consider themselves righteous with their superstitious belief in fables. You know what I mean about judging, don’t ya? (I can judge, though, cause I don’t believe in fairy tales. haha)

So, because of Obama’s behavior, anyone with good old common sense will realize that Mr. B. O. would not be able to commit to being a good President. I am so grateful that we have a candidate like Hillary Clinton who is not riding towards the Presidency on a cloak of superstitious religious beliefs. I liked the honesty of Goldwater.
And, I would vote for any candidate that stated, “Separation of church and state is what I believe!!!!!” Yep, that would be the candidate for me as long as it were the truth and not a dramatic event.

I am disgruntled with charmers because they leave behind them a stench… a B. O. And that is what we need protection from. ha.ha.

 

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