Edwards' Troop Profiteering

John Edwards Campaigns By Politicizing And Profiting Off The Troops

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Today, Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) Will Deliver A Major Speech On Military Policy:

Edwards Is Scheduled To Deliver A "Major Policy Address On Military Policy And National Security" At The Center On Foreign Relations. (John Edwards For President Website, www.johnedwards.com, Accessed 5/21/07)

Edwards' Military Policy Has Turned Ending The War In Iraq Into A Money-Making Campaign Scheme:

The Politico's Ben Smith: "Edwards Supporters, For Instance, Are Regularly Informed That They Should Stop The War By Making Out A Check To John Edwards For President." (Ben Smith, "War And Politics In Obama's Canvass," The Politico's "Democrats '08 Blog," www.politico.com, 5/19/07)

The Edwards Campaign Is Selling T-Shirts And Bumper Stickers To Help "End The War." David Bonior, Edwards' Campaign Manager: "I remember when it seemed like there was nothing we as individuals could do to help bring an end to the war in Iraq. But times have changed. ... First you can order a free 'Support the troops. End the war.' bumper sticker. ... Or, if you're able to chip in $20 to cover production, shipping and handling, we'll also send you a 'Support the troops. End the war.' t-shirt." (John Edwards For President, "Show Your Patriotism Proudly," Press Release, 5/17/07)

• Click Here To View The John Edwards T-Shirts And Bumper Stickers For Sale To "End The War."

The Edwards Campaign Has Also Asked Supporters To Help End The War By Paying For Its TV Ads. "This is the moment of truth on Iraq. ... I asked my staff to create an emergency television ad that would bring the people's voice directly to Congress. ... But I need your help: We need to raise $100,000 in 24 hours to air this ad. ... [I] need you to chip in whatever you can afford right now ..." (John Edwards For President, "Emergency Ad To End The War," Press Release, 5/2/07)

And Its Newspaper Ads: "This is the critical moment in our effort to end the war. ... Last night, my staff put the [petition] signatures into a full page ad for The Washington Post and now we need to raise $29,559 to rush it into print and keep the pressure on. We need 1,000 people to contribute $29.56 to make it happen. Can you chip in your $29.56 today?" (John Edwards For President, "Every Desk And Doorstep In D.C.," Press Release, 5/10/07)

Edwards Wants To Turn A Day Of Memoriam Into A Day Of Political Protest:

Edwards' Plan To Remember The Troops On Memorial Day: Protest The War. "Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is calling on his supporters to turn this year's Memorial Day into a day of antiwar activism, saying that the best way to honor the troops is to demand an end to the Iraq war." (Anne Kornblut, "Edwards Campaigns To Make Memorial Day An Antiwar Statement," The Washington Post, 5/13/07)

• Edwards' New Anti-War Website Calls For Protesting At Memorial Day Parades. "At a picnic or with family and friends, make signs that say 'SUPPORT THE TROOPS - END THE WAR.' Bring them to your local Memorial Day parade." (John Edwards For President's "Support The Troops. End The War." Website, www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com, Accessed 5/14/07)

"Democrat John Edwards' Call For Voters To Speak Out Against The Iraq War On Memorial Day Weekend Has Drawn Criticism From A Leader Of The American Legion, Who Called The Effort 'Revolting.'"("American Legion Leader Rebukes Edwards," The Associated Press, 5/15/07)

• Paul Morin, National Commander Of The American Legion: "[Memorial Day] should be above politics. Period. Yet one presidential candidate has blatantly violated the sanctity of this most special day. ... [The Edwards campaign] e-mail recommends that Americans bring signs with the message 'Support the troops, End the War' to local Memorial Day parades. Revolting is a kind word for it. It's as inappropriate as a political bumper sticker on an Arlington headstone." (The American Legion Website, www.legion.org, Accessed 5/22/07)

Edwards Doesn't Sound Like He Supports The Troops:

"Presidential Hopeful John Edwards On Monday Repeated His Call For Americans To Speak Out Against The War In Iraq This Weekend And Said All Young People Should Serve Their Country, 'Not Just Poor Kids Who Get Sent To War.'" (Philip Elliott, "Edwards Touts Plan To End War In Iraq," The Associated Press, 5/21/07)

When Edwards Refuted His Iraq Vote In 2005, He Said: "We've Reached The Point Where The Large Number Of Our Troops In Iraq Hurts, Not Helps, Our Goals." (Former Sen. John Edwards, Op-Ed, "The Right Way In Iraq," The Washington Post, 11/13/05)

In 2003, Edwards Voted Against The $87 Billion Reconstruction Package To Fund The Troops And Rebuild Iraq And Afghanistan. (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Edwards Voted Nay)

Edwards May Have Fallen Victim To His Own 2002 Observation:

Edwards: "Many People In This Town Are So Accustomed To Fighting Political Wars That They Lose Sight Of The Real Wars We Must Fight And Win." (Sen. John Edwards, Remarks At The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 10/7/02)