Elizabeth Edwards Bashes Clinton Health Plan

AP:

Elizabeth Edwards accused Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton of copying the health care plan outlined more than seven months ago by her husband, John.

The New York senator has failed to lead on an issue in which she has extensive experience, Edwards said.

"Does Mrs. Clinton's plan seem very familiar to you?" Edwards said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Mrs. Clinton has -- seven and a half months after John unveiled his health care plan -- unveiled a health care plan that is in every material respect just like John's."

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[PaulAbrams]

This whole matter of "leading" on an issue is not the point---the point is WHO IS GOING TO GET IT PASSED.
Yeah, John Edwards, in this cycle, was the first to announce a healthcare plan---but unlike all the other major candidates (Clinton, Obama, Richardson, Biden and Dodd), John Edwards does NOT HAVE A REAL JOB. So, not hard to spend the time to fashion a plan.
And, what of it? Look at all the plans in the '04 campaign, don't they count? In fact, the Kerry plan on health care was by far the best, too bad it never got much press. But, what about, as others have said, Hillary's longterm association with this issue...
Overall, seems as if E&J E are desperate....

[CandyCanuck]

I realize Canadian politics can be a little boring, but compared to American politics it feels 'grown up'. Your elections must interest all for obvious reasons but it's hard to understand so much manipulation. People logging in here who consider themselves liberal, or at least anti-neocons, but who trash democrat candidates, might as well be republicans. In fact, I imagine some of you are.
A system that takes two years in the run-up to an election, where the candidate must have millions and millions, (almost ensuring they will take tainted money), numerous debates that say the same things over and over, candidates of one party running each other down for the voters to see even before the selection of presidential candidate (democrats are systematically better at this, therefore helping out the republicans)it all comes down to ludicrous. The point is to get a democrat elected and pull the country away from the arrogant right wing evangelical hypocrits that is having so much influence in the U.S. and that brought about Iraq. Which ever democrat can bring this about is great, but don't do the republicans' job by running down any candidate---they may be the one running against Rudy or whoever.
From a far off perspective the democrats have some exceptional choices this election. It is also a turning point for the U.S. One candidate being female and one being black. (That couldn't happen in the republican party)
I like Elizabeth Edwards. When she spoke out against Anne Coulter I cheered. Coulter had taken personal shots at her husband though. She can only hurt him by criticizing fellow candidates platforms however. The 'good old boys' in the republican party will have a field day with it were Edwards the presidential candidate. Come on, look past the here and now.

[Leota2]

C'mon Liz?
Has your husband lost his ability to speak?
I'd hate to think that your speaking for him is
a nasty strategy of daring an opponent to say
something mean back to a brave sick woman.
Or am I jaded?

[jeanruss]

Hillary can only steal ideas, because she doesn't have any-John Edwards has been LEADING for a while now-on every issue you can tell he has thought it through carefully-the political debate resonates with his viewpoints-Hillary wouldn't even have a plan, if not for Edwards-I am so glad he is running and I think he will make a tremendous President-Every time I see an unwarranted attack on him, or someone co-opting his ideas, I make another contribution. The country would not have been vulnerable to the Republicans if her marriage had been better and th4e Clintons hadn't sold out to corporations with Nafta-I still recall her husband saying how good Nafta would be for American workers. I vote Democrat, but I, like millions of others, won't vote for her, and the Republicans are counting on it.

[arethabaez]

The Edwards should be proud that someone as powerful and popular as HC liked and essentially endorsed their propostion. Is this a speed race? We've been without a working health plan for decades now. Hilary wisely shopped around and endorsed the best of several plans. That's what leaders do. NONE of these candidates are writing anything without lots of help from a ton of advisors, GROW UP! Why isn't Elizabeth happy that this plan has a better chance now that HC is behind it and will get it passed when she becomes president.

[average joe]

Your old man can't speak for hisself. Hillary stole your plan. Hillary you going to take that? Ann C was right he's a little fag. Hillary says nothing or fat moma will smack her face.

[BrokenMirror]

Douche.

[imusintheevening]

A misleading Headline, she is not bashing the plan, since it is supposedly the same as her husbands, she is bashing the candidate for touting the same obvious solution.

[BrokenMirror]

I think Elizabeth Edwards would make a spectacular First Lady. She would certainly be a welcome change from the opinionless, perma-grinned stepford wife that currently occupies the position. Ms. Edwards has principles, appeal and the remarkable ability to bounce back from tragedies that would make most male neocons dry up and blow away.

[SiskoKid]

So is Elizabeth running for president or John? I don't think I've heard a word from John in months. It has been Elizabeth and the poor girl is sick. Jeez, a sick woman is stronger than her weak husband. I say more power to her, but it doesn't bode well for John's nomination. I'd rather see the ticket change to Elizabeth than have her husband on there anymore. She's the only one out there fighting with arms swinging.

Good for her, bad for John. I think John should let her run and then be happy if she chooses him as HER vice president.

[TWOSHORT]

Hey is her HUSBAND marching in JENO?

[kmccaskill]

didn't see that coming

Hypocrite Hillary(DC Experience Matters?JFK & Bill HAD LIL

This Video Is Showing That Hillary is a hypocrite for saying obama has no experience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBy3AKn_2Fk

[larry278]

E & J Edwards appear to be working together to insure that J Edwards is nominated to run for POTUS by the Democratic Party. Team Edwards always had my admiration; they are close to winning my vote.

[rssrai]

Way to go EE. Hillary cannot lead on anything. Her only experience at leading on something was universal health care and she blew it big time. Why would anyone think that this woman could get any universal health care plan passed when she is in the pockets of health insurers. Anything that Hillary would get passed would be a pale pale imitation of anything for real working families. It would be another Bush plan for drug companies and health insurance companies. Why do democrats want someone who would be no better than Bush when it comes to pandering to lobbyist?

[batmanindy]

She really needs to STFU.

Let the boy do his own fightin'

This has got to be embarrassing even to John.

[JoAnnCr]

Quite the contrary, I am certain John is extremely proud of his wife. As always she is right on.

[MissFortunate]

Elizabeth Edwards is a ver important part of John Edwards' campaign and she's allowed to speak her mind any way she pleases. Anyone who dispariges her remarks merely based on the fact that she is ALLOWED to express them makes you a sexist. Obama's wife makes many comments on the campaign, hers just don't get the same kind of headlines. These women are an important part of the campaign and have a right to express an opinion if they are on the stump with their husbands.

Hillary has been triangulating throughout this campaign and because she was crowned the frontrunner because of her name recognizability, everything she does gets much more coverage than Edwards or Obama. So there tends to be a perception that she's leading the way when really, she's just bringing up the rear. It's a very valid point.

[batmanindy]

In part Hillary gets more coverage because she is relevant. Edwards is a private citizen who is running for potus with very little public support. If he wants attention, he needs to pay for it (advertise). Instead he allows his wife to do his fightin' for him and he comes off as the wimpy guy he is. Cheney killed him in the debate in 2004. He made Edwards look like a kid.

Edwards lost many of his supporters with that horrid debate performance and they ain't coming back -- even if his wife is tough and rumble/tumble.

Edwards is not tough and is not right at this time for America.

[JoAnnCr]

Edwards is the only one who is tough and right for America now!

John Edwards is a pit bull who knows how to beat the most tenacious villains. A smart pit bull with heart.

Never underestimate John Edwards.

[dora rice]

Hillary did health care long before you were even thinking of Washington...get a grip loud mouth.

[steamboat]

Hillary's plan is all PRIVATE plans. Yet, it'll cost $100 billion, it is estimated. So WHY?

BTW, do you know what politician gets the 2nd biggest amount of money from the drug and insurance companies? Answer: Hillary.
Doesn't that send up a signal to you liberals?

[JoAnnCr]

And Hillary was letting lobbyists stand in the way of her health care plans then, too.