Blue Order

Edwards: Americans should sacrifice their SUVs

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards told a labor group Tuesday that he would ask Americans to make a big sacrifice: their sport utility vehicles.

"I think Americans are actually willing to sacrifice," Edwards said during a forum held by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "One of the things they should be asked to do is drive more fuel efficient vehicles."

The former North Carolina senator was asked specifically if he would tell them to give up their SUVS. He said, "Yes."

Longshot candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also spoke to the group and said he had a machinists union flag hanging outside his congressional office and that he is a strong supporter of workers.

Edwards was clearly popular with the group, several times drawing standing ovations, including once when he said weapons and equipment used by America's military needs to be made in the United States. He said now tanks and ammunition for M16 rifles are being made in other countries.

"If your tax dollars are being used to produce the products that keep America safe, that provide defense for the American people, those jobs should remain in the United States of America," Edwards said.

He also said as president he would ask residents to conserve energy and said the nation needs to focus on being a leader in creating alternative energy. He said he wants a national cap on carbon dioxide emissions that is lowered each year.

"We are the worst polluter on the planet. We are 4 percent of the world's population, we're putting out 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gas," Edwards said. "America's going to have to change."

Edwards was asked during his appearance how he explained the contradiction of asking Americans to sacrifice while he's living in a 28,000-square-foot mansion.

He said he came from nothing, worked hard all his life, has always supported workers and fought big corporations as a lawyer.

"I have no apologies whatsoever for what I've done with my life," he said to loud cheers. "My entire life has been about the same cause, which is making sure wherever you come from, whatever your family is, whatever the color of your skin, you get a real chance to do something great in this country."

Kucinich was also well received at the convention, and played up his reputation for being against the Washington establishment.

The machinists conference was held at a Walt Disney World convention center, and he told the crowd, "I come from a place you can call Disney World on the Potomac."

slowjoe66

That sounds nice, but he is the biggest hypocrite alive. Walk the walk or else don't talk the talk loser.

wahoonc

I wonder if Edwards will give up his SUV collection? I have no respect for his ilk. He made his money suing hospitals and insurance companies...now you know part of the reason your medical bills and insurance rates are so affordable

Aaron

Blue Order

Does he really have one?

Negligent doctors, right?

I took a class from a P.I. attorney, and every class we would discuss the readings, and then discuss some of his cases. He had one case where a little girl broke her arm, the doctor set her arm wrong, and then ignored her cries of pain when the anesthetic wore off-- he just gave her more anesthetic. Well, because he had set her arm wrong, she was in pain because her blood supply to the arm was being cut off. By the time her family stopped listening to the doctor, it was too late to save her arm. She'll spend the rest of her life with the arm of a 4 year old.

Of course, it's REAL easy for a negligent practitioner's insurance company to blame the rising costs of insurance on the little girl's attorney.

fat_bike_nut

I think the issue of hypocrisy here deals more with the fact that Edwards owns a 28,000 square foot mansion. The amount of fuel required to run the air conditioning there probably equals about ten SUV's.

Blue Order

Maybe.

But I'm not sure that voting for another candidate who ALSO lives in a 28,000 s.f. mansion and who DOESN'T intend to make a serious effort to address global warming will be the response the Earth needs right now...

Bushman

lets not forget the BIGGEST hypocrite in the world, MR Al Gore himself, with his 4 mansions, all his cars and SUVS, and the fact he flies a fuel sucking plane everywhere, telling everyone to shape up and cut back without doing so himself.

maddyfish

Actually his ranch sports many eco-friendly features, and is of a modest size.

okpik

dis the message cause the messenger is a hypocrit?

rings shallow and selective in today's world does it not?

hypocrit or not, less SUV's and smaller cars is a small sacrifice and quite effective

slowjoe66

Nobody here is suggesting that the message doesn't ring clear, what I suggest is that the person ringing the bell isn't qualified.

For the record he has two SUV's, a truck and a 28000 sf mansion. Oh, but he has carbon offsets...that makes it ok (sarcasm). That is hypocracy and I don't mind calling it out, even if his point has merit.

Blue Order

So we should all vote for somebody who WON'T lead on this issue, at least until somebody who is "qualified" comes along?

'cause I don't see anybody else taking a stand....

Should we also require any Presidential candidate to be a practicing vegan-- see the NY Times piece about global warming and the meat industry-- before we allow them to raise the issue of global warming?

okpik

how many senators or representatives are less than millionaires and live "small"?

thing is, his message is accurate regardless and I don't even like the guy

everyone is a hypocrit in some form or fashion, this kind is cheap and petty and quite common in DC

Platy

Bad issue framing: Americans should give up their SUVs.

Better: Let's make it easier for people to get by with less driving.

wahoonc

Yes at least 3 Suburban and his wife drives an Escalade.

I have absolutely no problem with suing someone for gross negligence or malpractice. But in too many cases the big winner is the lawyer, not the victim(s).

Aaron

BarracksSi

That sounds more like a motorcade to me (speaking as someone who's seen his fair share).

I have no opinions about the guy, though. We're still a LONG ways from the elections.

kmcrawford111

What the hell? That is the biggest contradiction I've ever heard in my life. "I think we need to sacrifice, but... I worked really really hard, so it's okay.".

Couldn't someone say the same for their SUV?

What a moron. The same goes for the fools cheering him on. This is just more lip service. This fool thinks he's going to lead us into a lower-energy future? This is just one more example of the great delusion and ridiculous sense of entitlement that exists everywhere in this country. Of the small majority that says they want to help, almost nobody wants to make any real sacrifices. Switch to CFLs and buy a hybrid!!!11 Earth to John: the realities of the future are going to require us to change.

He won't be getting my vote, suffice to say.

maddyfish

I think the problemis, he wants to tell you what to do, but he's too good/important/busy to do it himself.If he feels this way about this issue, he surely feels the same about others.

I will have to say Edwards rubs me the wrong way. The way he tilts his head when talking, his wavy hair, his tone of voice, I wouldn't trust that guy no matter what he said.

okpik

ever worked in a law firm?

this subject with Edwards is hilarious, why? Cause well, we have one of the biggest hypocrits ever in history working in the whitehouse right this very minute yet when that hypocracy is brought up people just act like it never happened, then something petty like this occurs and suddenly Edwards is wrong, his message is wrong, its just all wrong.

this same thread is on P&R at the moment too

govt officials lie

govt officials are hypocrits

everyone is a hypocrit at some point or another

this is nothing new

would less SUV's in the US be a good thing? I think it would, gonna happen one way or the other whether some like it or not

gwd

When I read the title I imagined an Aztec like ceremony where you drive it to the top of a hill, rip its heart out and tumble it down to the recycling center at the base of the hill. Or maybe a sledge hammer party...

rajman

Lol - when can I join in

Peat

The phrase "lead by example" comes to mind. As in, Edwards does not. I would vote for someone who does. I guess that eliminates all the candidates. Bummer.

late

https://www.carbontax.org/

RB1-luvr

i read or heard somewhere that if American SUVs got the same average mileage as cars we would not need any foreign oil. not sure if it's true or not, but if it is...

okpik

nothing new there either, very very few in Congress or govt period "lead by example"

Blue Order

Exactly. The next question is, do you vote at all, or do you not vote? And if you do vote, which candidates are promising leadership on the issue, and which candidates are promising "business as usual"?

By the way, it turns out that Edwards' SUV is a Ford Escape hybrid-- perhaps not carbon-free, but not a gas guzzler either.

Lead by example?

And what do the other candidates drive?