| Before the fundraiser, Edwards visited the East Riverside Health Center on Detroit's east-side and rolled-out more details of the healthcare plan. Edwards' plan to guarantee quality, affordable health care to every person in America plan would save an average family $2,000 to $2,500 a year and eliminate at least $130 billion a year in wasteful health care spending.
Those key details included - Eliminating patents on ground-breaking drugs, and transferring the incentive of pharmaceutical companies to research and develop new drugs to a cash prize system -- thus new medicines make it to the patients quicker and cheaper.
- Reforming the insurance industry by setting national accounting standards requiring insurers to spend at least 85 percent of their premiums on patient care
- Cutting the cost of and improving treatment for chronic conditions. Edwards will create patient-centered "medical homes," and require Health Care Markets and public plans to pro-actively monitor the health of patients with chronic ailments, to reduce complications and hospitalizations. He will offer private plans incentives to do the same. Edwards will also require all insurers to cover preventive care, with public plans offering preventive care without co-payments, and he will provide incentives for patients to participate.
- Supporting our health care infrastructure by improving work conditions to bring back 50,000 nurses who have left the profession and recruiting 50,000 young people into nursing.
Media Reports on the Edwards Visit to Detroit
Kathleen Gray, Edwards: Health cost cuts need to start with drug, insurance firms, Detroit Free Press, 14 June. The Free Press also has audio of the press conference.
Edwards on healthcare costs
Edwards on health markets and creating competition among health insurers
Edwards on giving pharmaceutical companies incentives to develop new medicines Kathleen Gray, Edwards details health care fix, Detroit Free Press, 15 June. Edwards: Here in Detroit, the cost of health care is particularly crippling for business, adding that the U.S. auto industry spends $16 billion annually on such costs. These businesses and their unions made a promise to workers, and now it's time for the government to hold up its end of the bargain and lower health care costs. David Josar, Edwards envisions national health care, Detroit News, 15 June. Edwards describes plans for cheaper, universal healthcare, AP, 15 June.
Four of us (others donated, but couldn't make it all the way across the state), piled into my car and made the 2+ hour trip from Grand Rapids to Detroit. Like most road trips, the trip as at least as fun as the destination event. The car included two lawyers and two historians. I'd say the conversation was a tie, with the lawyers dominating the drive there and the historians leading the conversation on the way back. We discussed everything from the current state of the Michigan Supreme Court (I had no idea it was so horrible) to the role of liquor in early American history to the how-to-go-to-the-toilet campaign in Stalin's USSR. Thanks to my desire to have lots of fudge-time and the navigation system on the new car, we were plenty early to the party.
The event was held at Pronto's restaurant in Royal Oak. While I heard that the fundraising went well (and since half the people there were in the huge-cash-money-room I'll assume that's true), the crowd was probably only around 75 people. Based on the people I met and saw the crowd was composed primarily of attorneys, Macomb county elected officials (you'll see below that Edwards got a huge amount of early endorsements in Macomb County), and folks from southeast Michigan's large Arab-American community.
John was running real late. The announcement of more details of the Edwards healthcare plan was real national news, so the press had lots of questions (and then there's that lovely Detroit traffic during what we call Construction Season -- folks outside of Michigan call it summer).
Finally, after lots of anticipation, John arrived. I happend to be near the front door talking Russian politics and college hunting with Jerry Acker and Barry Goodman, who were introduced to me at "the two best lawyers in Michigan" (though that may have been because they helped host the event and are obviously major backers of John) when John came bouncing through the front door. Right away it was clear that he has "the presence" that larger-than-life people frequently have (the last time I really felt that was when I was alone in an elevator with Vernon Jordan). He recognized Barry and Jerry and the four of us and campaign fundraiser Justin Buoen exchanged a few words. John was running so late and had later appointments with a certain leading figure in Detroit, that he was forced to skip the photo session in the big-donor room and head straight to the back deck where everyone was now congregated.
John entered and began to work the room, making sure everyone got a handshake and the opportunity to exchange a few pleasantries or ask a quick question. I stood next to our primo table (we had gotten there early and staked out the best spot) and got my second handshake.
Michigan legend and Edwards campaign manager David Bonior then introduced John with the standard "and now, the next President of the United States" which elicited excited applause. Before handing off to John, Bonior stressed that Edwards was the candidate that was most likely to get elected to the White House and that it was too critical an election to make poor a nomination decision. Bonior pointed to new polls from likely general election battleground states showing Edwards doing far better than Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama against the four leading Republican contenders. John then gave was has to be his standard 15 minute summary of the campaign. He discussed the withdrawing from Iraq, fighting for truly universal healthcare system, fighting to eliminate poverty in America and the world, strengthening unions, and investing in technology in Michigan. He stated that he wanted his campaign to unite Americans with a vision for transformational change, rather than the Republican tactics of playing on fears.
Next came about 20-minute Q&A session: 1. He was asked about his general foreign policy vision for the Middle East (other than Iraq).
I think the questioner was looking for John to touch on the Palestinian issue (which he did give here), but John concentrated on a detailed discussion of his Iran policy. In short, John thinks that because of the generally pro-American beliefs of the Iranian people, a policy of carrots and threatened sticks can solve the Iranian nuclear issue via diplomacy. 2. Next came a question on Alerto Gonzales, the US Attorney Scandal and the Supreme Court.
John talked about how important this election was because of likely upcoming Supreme Court vacancies and nominations and how we had to have a Democrat nominate someone like Ruth Bader Ginzburg, rather than someone like Samuel Alito. He was visibly angered by the politicization of the Justice Department calling it unprecedented. And he called for the resignation or firing of Attorney General (and mediocre real estate lawyer) Gonzales. There were two other questions, but I just can't remember them anymore [if you were there and remember, let me know in the comments]. Then, I think John grabbed a sandwich and had a few more one-on-one conversations before having to take off for meetings with Detroit city leaders (let's hope they went well). On the way out, I got my third handshake of the day and took advantage of the moment to invite John to Grand Rapids and promise that we would work hard for him on the west-side of the state. He thanked me and said he would love to make it to GR.
I also got a chance to talk with David Bonior for about a minute. I asked him about John's view of the new Pelosi-Schumer-Bush trade agreement (the Secret Trade Deal) and Bonior said that John was still looking into whether the labor and environmental standards that are supposedly in the agreement could actually be enforced. I also pitched a West Michigan visit to Bonior and wished him good luck.
My Reflections:
Certainly, John's 10 minute spiel about the campaign is great, polished, animated, inspiring and, in short, perfect. But, you would expect that from a top-notch politician who probably gives such mini-speeches three or more times a day. What impressed me were the replies during the Q&A session. Every answer was a perfect 1-page essay: an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion and a focus on broad themes. There was no repetition, no tangents. Just good detail, but the specifics don't go over people heads or get bogged down in Senate-speak. There is enough detail to show a command of the issue, but he combines that with an ability to get people to understand his big picture vision. It was an impressive display.
Obviously, I've poured my heart and soul into this campaign, so it would have taken a terrible one-on-one experience to have shaken my resolve to do all I can to help John Edwards to become President. While I was a little disappointed that he had to rush through the event (I had talked my way into the big-donor room so I was going to get a few minutes with him and a professional photograph), I came away more impressed than before. I still hope to have a chance to have my five minutes with the guy to really get a sense of him, but everything that I saw shows him to be a genuine guy, an incredible speaker, a sharp intellect, and skilled campaigner (in short, the total package for what Democrats need to win in 2008). Things I learned: take notes (you're a blogger, that means you're a journalist!).
To read the report of the Edwards Detroit fundraiser by a new friend of mine -- Michael Johnston (the Editor of the Grand Valley Labor News and the Director of the Labor Heritage Society of West Michigan), see here.
For what John did later that evening, see Greg Roach's report John Edwards Reception June 14 on a Cleveland fundraiser at the Ohio for Edwards blog (well worth a read).
During the visit to Detroit, Edwards also took the opportunity to announce the early endorsements by 50 new endorsers from Michigan: http://johnedwards.com/news/headlines/20070614-mich-support/ including 6 Democrats in the State House.
50 Michigan Democrats Endorse Edwards for President in first round of endorsements Detroit, Michigan - As Senator John Edwards visits Detroit to discuss his plan to guarantee quality, affordable health care to every American, the John Edwards for President campaign announced that 50 Michigan Democratic leaders are endorsing Edwards for president. Edwards' campaign to transform America already has the support of two Michigan leaders: Congressman Bart Stupak, who endorsed Edwards in February and former Congressman David Bonior, who is leading Edwards' campaign as the National Campaign Manager. In April, Edwards delivered the keynote address at the Michigan Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. From David Bonior: "I can't think of anything more important that I could be doing than working to elect John Edwards our next president. He is a leader in the fight for social and economic justice in our country and I'm proud to be a part of his campaign to create a working society where every person who works hard has the chance to achieve the American Dream." The Rev. Michael C. Murphy: "Through his leadership on poverty, the minimum wage and with the victims of Hurricane Katrina, John Edwards brings morality and voice to issues too often ignored. The prophet Amos said 'let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.' Senator Edwards' willingness to speak truth to power embodies this spirit." Former State Senator and environmental leader Lana Pollack: "I'm thrilled that John Edwards is running for president because he is not afraid to speak the truth on even the toughest issues. He is the only one taking on the issue of poverty in a way that counts. He clearly has the strongest position on the biggest environmental challenge we face -- global warming." Sheriff Mark Hackel: "John Edwards is committed to the working people of this country. He cares about our future, jobs, and health care. He's the one person who can bring us all together." From State Representative Fred Miller: "These are tough times in Michigan with many complicated issues. John Edwards is the kind of leader with real plans to address the problems we are facing in these tough economic times in Michigan. As the son of blue-collar workers, John understands the concerns of Michigan's working families and knows that now is the time to stand up and fight for what is right. My colleagues and I are proud to endorse John Edwards for president and ask others to stand with us to create a better America." The Michigan Democrats endorsing Edwards for president are: Congressman Bart Stupak
Former Congressman David Bonior
Former State Representative Reverend Michael C. Murphy (St. Stephen's Church, Lansing)
State Senator Ray Basham (Wayne County)
Former Michigan Senate Minority Leader Mike Hanley (Saginaw)
Former State Senator (Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County) and environmental leader (Michigan Environmental Council President) Lana Pollack
State Representative Doug Bennett (District 92 - Muskegon County)
State Representative Bob Constan (District 16 - Wayne County)
State Representative Marie Donigan (District 26 - Oakland County)
State Representative Kathleen Law (District 23 - Wayne County)
State Representative Fred Miller (District 92 - Macomb County)
State Representative Mike Simpson (District 65 - Jackson, Eaton and Lenawee Counties)
Former State Representative Stephen Adamini (Marquette)
Former State Representative Ken Daniels (Detroit)
Trisha Stein Executive Director One United Michigan
7th Congressional District Chair/Chair of Jackson Democratic Party Leonard Smigielski
8th Congressional District Chair Kathleen Carney
Clinton Township Trustee George Fitzgerald (Macomb County)
Delta Township Trustee Sherry Freeman (Eaton County)
Macomb County Commissioner Brian Brdak
Macomb County Commissioner Ed Bruley
Macomb County Commissioner David Flynn
Macomb County Commissioner Joan Flynn
Macomb County Commissioner/Former State Rep Paul Gieleghem
Macomb County Commissioner Robert Mijac
Macomb County Commissioner Sarah Roberts
Macomb County Commissioner Jon Switalski
Macomb County Commissioner Kathy Tocco
Macomb County Treasurer Ted Wahby
Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel
Mount Clemens City Commissioner Lois Hill (Macomb County)
Mount Clemens City Commissioner Matthew Dreger (Macomb County)
St. Clair County Commissioner Howard Heidemann
Wayne County Commissioner Tim Killeen
Wyandotte City Council Member-Mayor Pro Tem Joe Peterson (Wayne County)
Saginaw County Democratic Party Chair Bob Blaine
Southfield City Councilman Bill Lattimore (Oakland County)
Michigan Democratic Women's Caucus Vice Chair Trina Ellis Erwin
President, Wyandotte Democratic Club Diana Keller (Wayne County)
President, Clinton Township Democratic Club Christine Koch (Macomb County)
Orion Area Democratic Club Chair, Phil Reid (Oakland County)
Former Commissioner and past Chairman of the Michigan Interfaith Loan Fund Gene Kuthy (Oakland County)
Vice President, Warren Woods Board of Education Elizabeth Lenhard (Macomb County)
Lathrup Village City Councilor Maria Mannarino (Oakland County)
Brighton Area Schools Trustee Joe Carney (Livingston County)
Royal Oak School Board Member Kevin McLogan (Oakland County)
Chippewa Valley School Board Member Kenneth Pearl (Macomb County)
Chair, St Clair Shores Democratic Club Charles Roberts (Macomb County)
President, Warren Center Line Democrats Mike Scozzari (Macomb County)
Treasurer, Clinton Township Democrats Bill Sowerby (Macomb County)
Justice Caucus Co-Chair Paul Stevenson
Ingham County Commissioner Tim Soule
Crossposted at the Michigan for Edwards Blog |
