The following piece was produced by the Huffington Post's OffTheBus project.
KEENE, NH- Democratic candidate John Edwards picked the perfect day to visit New Hampshire's Monadnock region. With crystal clear skies and peak foliage, up to 400 people packed Railroad Square to find out why Edwards is running for president: To restore democracy in America.
Edwards said candidates can talk about change all they want but unless they can back it up with action, it still remains words. To create change, Edwards said it begins by telling the truth.
Click here to see OTB contributor Al Cannistraro's photographs of the event.
"My belief is that the system of Washington is broken, that money is corrupting our democracy. Lobbyists and special interests are pouring millions of dollars into the system and are stopping the change that America needs. What we face today is a monopoly of control of influence over our government and I'm running for president to return to the power of government back to the hard working people of this country," said Edwards.
Edwards laid out "The One Democracy Initiative," an ambitious plan to end the powers of special interests and put political power back into the hands of ordinary people. Individuals can donate up to $2,300 but Edwards claims that candidates spend most of their time chasing the ones who can write that $2,300 check. To change that, Edwards said he would revamp campaign financing rules so ordinary Americans can contribute and actually make a difference.
"I would put small donors in charge by matching the first $100 of donations at a rate of 8 to 1. So if you contribute $20, $50, or $100, the govern will match it 8 to 1. Under my plan a $200 check will be worth the same as one $1,000 check and nobody will be allowed to give more than $1,000 we're going to bring that limit down," said Edwards.
Edward also said he is taking public financing and declared his independence from large donors. Then afterwards, he took Senator Hillary Clinton to task for not "walking the walk" on the issue.
"I've backed up my words with actions and I challenged her to do the same. She has not so far, but as I remain optimistic, maybe she will. But if not, then I believe the American people deserve to know why she says she believes in public financing system but will not participate," said Edwards.
In his speech, Edwards did not mention the other candidates but instead focused his attention on Hillary Clinton.
"She seems to think you should still give lobbyists a seat at the table. I think if you if you give lobbyists a seat at the table, they'll eat all the food," exclaimed Edwards. "I believe if you're serious you have to stop taking their money. When I challenged her on this, her response was to defend the system. I don't think you can talk change and then turn around and defend a broken system in Washington."
Edwards also proposed a public financing option for congressional candidates. He would create a public financing system option that will give candidates equal budgets and will give outsiders a fair chance for political office. "Today you either have to be wealthy or you have to be bought. This way Americans can run for office and not cozy up to the big contributors," said Edwards.
After his speech, Edwards was asked why he was still accepting $2,300 contributions and how could the campaign tell where the money is coming from? Edwards said he eliminated lobbyists money as a matter of rule and political action committees (PAC's) have a very specific interest. He emphasized he was all about changing the system and would implement these plans if elected president.
But a reporter pressed Edwards proposal for limiting $1,000 contributions and why he wouldn't just go ahead and limit himself to individual contributions. Edwards responded that now would be too late to change course.
"As a practical matter we're three-quarters of the way through. It's the middle of October and we've been doing this since the first of the year," said Edwards. "I've already accepted $2,300 from people and I'm also taking public financing. I'm taking the match and I don't think you can say, you can support it and not match it. It's not an auction. It's not based on how much money you have but rather who has the real ideas and character to be president."
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