New New Deal on the way, if Edwards gets his way

John Edwards has been in the news recently. It's go time for his campaign. Yesterday, I posted that Obama was gearing up to take on Hillary more directly, well that goes double for Edwards, times 10 (that's 20x overall, for those keeping score). Edwards staked his campaign on winning Iowa, and he's now running third (albeit a close third). So he's gotten serious, outlining bold policy propositions and forcefully criticizing Clinton.

On the policy front, Edwards has proposed a slew of New Deal- esque programs to fight poverty. Edwards would look to raise the minimum wage to $9.50, provide a million new Section 8 housing vouchers for the poor, and also pledged to start a government-funded public higher education program called "College for Everyone."

"It is central to what I want to do as president to do something about economic inequality. I do not believe it is okay for the United States of America to have 37 million people living in poverty. And I think we need, desperately need, a president who will say that to America and call on Americans to show their character."

Edwards said his top three priorities are: Ending the war in Iraq, enacting universal health care, and overhauling our energy policy.

As for the Hill, he ripped her for taking money from federal lobbyists and for her vote calling Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group. Edwards said the vote could give the president the authority to bomb Iran. Obama missed the vote, but attacked Clinton similarly.

I feel bad for Edwards, he's not winning this thing, and he's damaged goods so the VP slot's not happening. The only thing that could save him may be an endorsement from SAM Online... but we're not there yet.

Speaking of endorsements... NBC reports that after heavy lobbying by the Democratic field, the New Hampshire SIEU, one of the state's largest unions, has endorsed Edwards. The nod could be a big help for him, who is way behind in New Hampshire polls, because it means votes and volunteers.

This is the 12th state SEIU endorsement Edwards has won; the others include Iowa and California.

By the way, SAM is also being lobbied for our endorsement. We're leaning Gravel, but nothing's final just yet.