Tuesday, January 02, 2007

"Edwards Pushing Universal Health Care"

From AP in the WaPo:
Democratic presidential contender John Edwards says it is more important to invest in universal health care and lifting people out of poverty than to reduce the budget deficit.

The 2004 vice presidential nominee said in an interview broadcast Sunday said "there is a tension" between the two directions, but he has made his choice.

"If I were choosing now between which is more important, I think the investments are more important," he said on ABC's "This Week."

Edwards' proposal, which includes tax cuts and a million housing vouchers for the poor, may place him at odds with Democrats in charge of the congressional spending committees.

Bill Scher gives this advice to Edwards, Be Candid, Be Careful":
Edwards is absolutely right -- substantively and politically -- to recognize the need to take these matters head on.

Only then can the Democratic Party build a solid mandate for policy change, able to withstand right-wing counterattack.

Having said that, there's a reason why most politicians don't talk candidly about fiscal matters.

Because candid talk, not handled delicately, can be political suicide.

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