by [courtesy of Blog for America]

Former Vice President of the United States (and true victor in 2000) Al Gore continues to amaze me! Wow! He just released a strong video statement in favor of gay marriage.

This past Monday’s debate has been criticized as focusing too much on personality and not enough on issues. I tend to agree and Senator Edwards (for whom I proudly voted last week) deserves credit for driving the dialog back toward substance.

Despite his efforts, though, an issue which has received inadequate attention is gay marriage.

Problem solved! Former Vice President Al Gore has endorsed it!

As you will see in the video below, Mr. Gore’s position is clear and I share it.

The reason I was among the first congressional candidates to receive the national endorsement of Progressive Democrats of America earlier this month is my full and complete support for all 7 tenets of the Progressive Agenda. One of them calls for an end to discrimination of every kind.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Randy Bayne
The Bayne of Blog's California Notes

Last night I spoke to the Sierra Foothills Democratic Club in El Dorado Hill on behalf of John Edwards. Below is what I told them.

Thank you, Sierra Foothills Democratic Club for inviting me to speak on behalf of Senator John Edwards. If you get all your news and information from mainstream media you may not have heard about it yet, but Senator Edwards is running for President of the United States.

I probably over thought what I could tell you about Senator Edwards this evening. I could tell you about his plan for universal health care that puts us on the road to a single payer system. I could talk about his plan to immediately withdraw between forty and fifty thousand combat troops from Iraq. I could talk about his support for middle-class families and working Americans. His education proposals may interest some of you, and his energy plan works toward energy independence and fights global warming. I could also spend some time talking about his plan to revitalize rural America.

by Ilya Sheyman [courtesy of Blog for America]

With the New Hampshire primary fast approaching, I wanted to wrap up our trip to Iowa last week. Out trip began with us spending a whirlwind day in Davenport which I blogged about earlier. Here's a photo of Jim leading a discussion at the Live from Iowa Link Up. Nearly 700 of you have now listened to the call via our brand new channel at blogtalk radio. Thanks for all your feedback and a special shoutout to San Diego Meetup #23 which participated in the call from their monthly meeting.

That night, Jim, Danny, Matt and I headed over to Des Moines to be in the center of things for the caucuses. And, we were not dissapointed. Our day began at 7:30 am as we headed out for a John Edwards rally at the Steelworkers Hall in the southeast part of town. After navigating through the many one way streets, we finally arrived just in time to hear Senator Edwards rally the volunteers on their busiest day yet.

by Todd Beeton [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

(cross-posted from ATM Watch)

So far, we've received hundreds of questions at our ATM Watch Ask The Candidates page. Today, Senator John Edwards responds. 

In the video below, Edwards addresses two of your most pressing issues, health care reform and energy independence. He then goes on to answer a specific question from Jane in Los Angeles: 

My three issues are poverty, peace and global warming.  I see them as connected.  Do you?  What would you do to address them, both domestically and internationally?  Are they your top priorities and if not, why not?

Great question, Jane.

Video and more over the flip...
Here's the video.  

Tomorrow, Senator Edwards continues to embody the spirit of ATM Watch with his Small Change for Big Change event at San Jose State University. It costs just $15, details are HERE.

by Sheri Divers [courtesy of Blog for America]

Democracy for America members are keeping the pressure up on the Democratic candidates for President. We're demanding they stay true to progressive principles and articulate a clear vision on the most important issues of our time. In March, Senator Edwards was the first to state his position on Iraq in a video directly to you.

Last month, DFA members asked the candidates to lead America forward with a plan to stop global warming, encourage conservation and invest in renewable resources. Senator John Edwards is again the first candidate to respond:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/edwardsenergy

Senator Edwards takes three minutes to lay out every aspect of his plan. You won't hear responses like this at the primary debates or in a T.V. commercial. The mainstream media acts like it doesn't have time and won't pay attention to the detail. But we will.

The core of Senator Edwards' plan is "to ask Americans to be patriotic about something other then war." Hear the whole plan:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/edwardsenergy