New York, New York – Below are excerpts of remarks as prepared for delivery today by Senator John Edwards at the Ninth Annual National Action Network Convention’s “Keepers of the Dream Dinner.”

“Tonight, I want to talk about intolerance and inequality and the insidious way they feed on each other, hurting not only the people and groups they target, but all of us and the future of our country.

“We’ve obviously heard a lot about this lately thanks to the repugnant remarks of one broadcaster on the radio and television last week.

“I find it astonishing that there was even a debate over whether Don Imus’ comments crossed the line. And I know I don’t have to tell anybody here: Don Imus’ comments didn’t just cross the line. They defined the line that divides this country like the blade of a knife.

“There can be no debate over how much bigotry is too much bigotry. Any bigotry is too much.

“There can be no question of how much intolerance this country can tolerate; we have already tolerated its effects for far too long.

“And let’s be crystal clear: Intolerance affects everything, starting with our economy and ending with our ability to lead at a time of massive global change and new threats to our security.

“I think some people really believe that we have put these things behind us; that the civil rights movement took care of all that and everyone is on a level playing field now.

“I think some people really believe that all you have to do to succeed in this country is pull yourself up by your bootstraps and work hard.

“Well, I can tell you, I have traveled all over this country and I have been in the places where people’s bootstraps are worn to a thread from all the pulling they’ve been doing. Places where all the hard work in the world hasn’t helped to pull them out of poverty—because the system discriminates and opportunity isn’t equal. But if we come together and are honest about it, we can change that and build an America that gives every American an equal chance.

“There is no question in my mind that intolerance is a direct cause of one of our greatest and most threatening problems: the growing disparity between rich and poor, between haves and have nots, between working people and all those powerful forces who do not have their best interests in mind. Because guess what? The people that are usually the targets of intolerance and bigotry are too often the same people who suffer from lack of opportunity, the same people who are left behind. And as long as intolerance pervades our culture, it’s far too easy for politicians in Washington to ignore the big changes we need to make in order to end poverty once and for all.

“I don’t just talk about these issues here—racial intolerance, the two Americas that still exists—I talk about them everywhere I go, because it’s silence that allows them to survive and even thrive. And I hope everyone running for president will do the same, because we have an obligation and the opportunity to help end the silence.

“It’s a shame we have to wait for the Don Imus’ of the world to provoke a national conversation through bigotry—but we should jump at the chance to have this conversation, not just to look at whatever bigotry lies in our own hearts, but to finally engage on a problem that isn’t going anywhere unless we do something about it. And our strength as a nation depends on it.”

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that prominent Georgia leaders endorsed Senator John Edwards for President. State Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown and State House Democratic Leader Dubois Porter, along with former Governor Roy Barnes and Shi Shailendra will lead the campaign’s efforts in Georgia.

“I am honored to have the support of so many outstanding Georgia leaders,” said Edwards. “Together, we can change our country and lift up all Americans.”

Porter endorsed Edwards saying, “John Edwards shares the same values that I do – family and opportunity for a better life for everyone. He would be a president we could relate to in Georgia, bringing a record of priorities of economic development, the environment, education and health care in ways that would truly make a difference in regular people’s day to day lives.”

Former Congressman Ed Jenkins endorsed Edwards saying, “John will win in the South and lead our nation in the right direction. We need a strong leader and John is the right man for the job.”

The following Georgia Democrats endorsed Edwards for President:

• State Senator Vincent D. Fort (D-39)
• State Representative Rob Teilhet, Chief Deputy Whip (D -Smyrna)
• State Representative Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta)
• State Representative Michelle Henson (D – Stone Mountain)
• State Representative Gerald Greene (D – Cuthbert)
• State Representative Jeannette Jamieson (D – Toccoa)
• State Representative Charles Jenkins (D – Blairsville)
• State Representative Hugh Floyd (D – Norcross)
• Chuck Byrd, Middle Georgia attorney
• Amol Naik, Atlanta attorney and former Chief of Staff to Senate Democratic Caucus
• Jeff DiSantis, Former Executive Director of the Georgia Democratic Party
• Emil Runge, Former Communications Director of the Georgia Democratic Party

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement about today’s 5-4 Supreme Court ruling upholding the federal abortion ban.

“I could not disagree more strongly with today’s Supreme Court decision. The ban upheld by the Court is an ill-considered and sweeping prohibition that does not even take account for serious threats to the health of individual women. This hard right turn is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election. Too much is at stake – starting with, as the Court made all too clear today, a woman’s right to choose.”

South Dakota congresswoman STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN earlier this week announced she is endorsing JOHN EDWARDS in his bid for the presidency, citing in part his commitment to addressing the issues facing rural communities.  “Senator Edwards has offered a detailed plan that reflects his understanding of and commitment to rural America,” said Herseth Sandlin, co-chair of the House’s Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America.  “Stephanie is a true leader who understands the concerns of rural Americans and works every day to lift up rural communities,” said Edwards, who announced Monday in Nashville his plans to revitalize rural America through a “Rural Recovery Act” (click for details here)—————————————CONTINUED———— –  

Jim Hightower tells it like it is, and to him I am forever grateful.

Now in his April “Hightower Lowdown”, he alerts us to the real story behind the Walter Reed debacle of poor care for our soldiers.

It seems that a little known fact has once again escaped the discernment of the established media.