Elizabeth Edwards Reminds Us to Keep Our Eyes On the Prize

On the Today Show this morning during an interview with Meredith Viera, Elizabeth Edwards reminded Democrats that despite the contentious primary race between Clinton and Obama, Democrats need to stay focused on promoting the issues that matter most to the country and the party 

Resisting Viera's repeated attempts to steer the conversation into a discussion of why John Edwards has yet to make an endorsement of either leading Democratic candidate, Elizabeth pointed out key flaws in John McCain's health care plan. She revealed the fact that, under the Republican presumtive nominee's current proposal, even McCain himself would likely not qualify for affordable coverage, because McCain's plan fails to protect citizens with pre-existing conditions from being gouged or excluded by health insurance companies.

In addition, Edwards pointed out that McCain's plan to make health insurance more affordable by allowing all insurance companies to write insurance policies in any state might actually backfire, as, given such deregulation, insurance companies would likely choose to write policies in the states with the least amount of regulation, avoiding states with stricter patient protection laws that could ding company profits. 

Edwards has also written about the issues with McCain's plan for Think Progress's Wonk Room here.

 

Thanks, Elizabeth, for coming out at this critical time to remind Democrats that no matter which candidate finally secures our nomination, either would do more to address the health insurance crisis than John McCain.

(The video of the interview is not yet up at the Today Show website. I'll be traveling today, but I'll try to keep an eye out so I can post it here later.)

Jaelithe also writes at The State of Discontent.

Comments

[Linda]

Good for Elizabeth! Because that's what it's about, ultimately -- getting a Democratic win in November and keeping McCain from continuing Bush's swath of destruction...

[Stefania/CityMama]

Yay, Elizabeth! She is absolutely right. I don't know why, but it hadn't really sunk in before I was at the CA Dem Convention. That was the message that was repeated over and over by party higher-ups even though some nasty in-fighting was playing out all around us. I think up until this point I have been completely wrapped up in wanting to pick a nominee...but when I read about conservative talk show hosts urging republicans to vote for Hillary because they think it will help McCain win, I get so angry. The eye is on November. It's about getting a Democrat elected in November. Don't let the Republicans divide us—don't let US divide us.

[Daisy]

Good for Ms. Edwards! Stay on message. Stay on message. Stay on message.

[debbie - i obsess]

It really IS about remaining focused on electing a Dem in November. McCain would be horrendous.

*shivers*