Once Again, Edwards does the right thing

[waiting for hope]

Firefighters slip through cracks as 2008 Democrats court labor
By By Sam Youngman and Aaron Blake
June 20, 2007

Former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) was the only Democratic presidential candidate to mention nine South Carolina firefighters who died in a blaze Monday, although many candidates addressed labor groups yesterday.

The nine deaths represents the most firefighters killed in a single event since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Edwards, speaking at the Take Back America conference, which was cosponsored by the AFL-CIO, took a few moments at the beginning of his remarks to “acknowledge … the incredible sacrifice those firefighters have made and that those families have made.”

Edwards, a South Carolina native, called the deaths “a great loss for my home state.”

The former senator and other candidates, including Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), did not mention the tragedy during their morning remarks at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees conference.

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On Edit - Changed title.

[aquart]

1. Yes, he still has my primary vote.

[iamjoy]

2. Edwards Is a Compassionate Man

And I think that shows in a lot of what he does. He has his share of bone-headed moments, but I think overall he truly cares about people.

I don't fault Hillary and Obama for not bringing it up, it just wasn't on their radar.

As for the firefighters, I was so stunned to hear it because I really thought that despite the inherent danger in fighting fires, they had the right equipment and backing to minimize deaths from it. But nine at once, it's just such a shock.

[tired_old_fireman]

4. I fault Obama and Clinton.

How could it not be on their radar? This is a major American tragedy and they want to lead this country.

Part of the job description is helping the country heal after a disaster...Not to mention recognizing the sacrifice of American heroes. Like it or not, Giuliani went to a lot of funerals and showed a lot of compassion towards fallen firefighters which greatly improved his image in the public eye. Because of that, no one ever challenged why he f'ed up so badly and didn't provide firefighters with proper equipment which led to countless, unnecessary deaths.

Maybe with the war, we've grown so accustomed to losing lives that a handful of firefighters seem meaningless now. That's truly sad. Obama and Clinton showed poor leadership today. It won't hurt them because no one will talk about it, but if they continue to be so thoughtless it won't help them.

[tired_old_fireman]

3. Edwards is a class act.

I hope the other democrats learn from him. These types of gestures are more important than people think.

[Hubert Flottz]

5. Edwards is my pick so far.

I voted for him 2 times in 2004!

[1932]

6. it says something about sincerity and conviction.

[Exiled in America]

7. I waited and waited and waited to support a candidate......

...but by god, I have liked everything I've seen from this man. He's got my primary vote.

[seashorelady]

9. Good for you

He has my vote too.

[Rosemary2205]

8. Excuse me but

it's EDWARDS' home state. I'm thankful Hillary and Obama shut up about it and let Edwards do his deal. Any comment from them would have been a matter of stealing Edwards thunder. IMHO It's a long primary season. Sure their campaign staffers will do some sniping back and forth, but the candidates themselves - especially the front runners - are going to respect each other's "territory" and be at least semi cooperative.