John Edwards

schieffer __PUNCT__ and good morn again __PUNCT__

senat edward is in lo_angel thi morn __PUNCT__

he realli got an earli wake __PUNCT__ up call todai __PUNCT__

senat __PUNCT__ thank you for come in __PUNCT__

let get right down to it __PUNCT__

thi debat in la_vega wa on of the roughest yet __PUNCT__

you went directli at hillari rodham clinton __PUNCT__ and she went right back at you __PUNCT__

here what she said __PUNCT__

senat hillari rodham clinton __PUNCT__ i don't mind take hit on my record __PUNCT__ on issu __PUNCT__ but when somebodi start throw mud __PUNCT__ at least we can hope that it both accur and not right out of the republican playbook __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ so ar you oper out of the republican playbook __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ i don't __PUNCT__ good morn __PUNCT__ bob __PUNCT__

i don't __PUNCT__ i don't __PUNCT__ i don't think so __PUNCT__

what she wa respond to wa me tell the truth about some differ that we have on issu of war __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ i wa talk about iraq __PUNCT__ what i want to do in iraq __PUNCT__ which is get all combat troop out and end combat mission __PUNCT__ she ha a differ view about that __PUNCT__ and differ we have about iran __PUNCT__

in fact __PUNCT__ i believ we have to be veri __PUNCT__ veri strong in stop georg_bush in hi march to war with iran __PUNCT__ and she vote in a differ wai and vote with bush on that issu __PUNCT__

and i wa just point out those differ __PUNCT__ and i think she complet entitl to take her posit and defend her posit __PUNCT__ it a __PUNCT__ it a presidenti_campaign __PUNCT__

but the idea that thi is mudsling __PUNCT__ i mean __PUNCT__ we talk about substant issu of war that ar go to affect the next presid of the unit_state __PUNCT__

and i might __PUNCT__ i might add __PUNCT__ have been through a gener_elect __PUNCT__ i mean __PUNCT__ if anybodi __PUNCT__ includ senat_clinton __PUNCT__ think thi is mudsling __PUNCT__ thei got thing __PUNCT__ thei __PUNCT__ thi is milquetoast compar to what we go to see next fall __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ all right __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ we need to have __PUNCT__ we need to have a candid who actual readi for that battl __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__ all right __PUNCT__

well __PUNCT__ let me just ask you thi __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__

did you believ that hillari_clinton shouldn't be elect_presid __PUNCT__ or that she can't be elect presid __PUNCT__ do you believ she is not elect __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ oh __PUNCT__ i wouldn't sai either on of those thing __PUNCT__

i think that __PUNCT__ i think that __PUNCT__ first of all __PUNCT__ democrat_voter ar go to have real choic in thi elect __PUNCT__

we have differ approach __PUNCT__

i have a differ approach to washington __PUNCT__

i think there some real chang in __PUNCT__ that need to be done in washington with respect to the wai the system oper __PUNCT__ and what i see is some corrupt of the system over time __PUNCT__

she ha a differ view about that __PUNCT__

as i just mention __PUNCT__ she ha differ view about iraq __PUNCT__ iran and some other issu __PUNCT__

so we __PUNCT__ i want to be certain that the voter know that thei have veri clear choic in thi elect __PUNCT__ and in my case it somebodi that go to fight for them __PUNCT__ fight for work_peopl and fight for that chang __PUNCT__

now __PUNCT__ as to who can best be elect __PUNCT__ what i __PUNCT__ network audio difficulti __PUNCT__ __URL__ i the candid who actual won in a red_state __PUNCT__

i grew up in a small_town in rural_america __PUNCT__

so i think i can go anywher in the countri and campaign and compet __PUNCT__

and i let senat_clinton make the case for herself __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ you mention that she is a defend of a system that you have call __PUNCT__ rig __PUNCT__ and __PUNCT__ corrupt __PUNCT__

do you believ that she is corrupt __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ no __PUNCT__

no __PUNCT__ and i never said that __PUNCT__

i think that veri good_peopl get pull into thi system and get accustom to it __PUNCT__ and can i just sai __PUNCT__ on my own behalf __PUNCT__ i myself have been guilti __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ there no wai i holier __PUNCT__ than __PUNCT__ thou about thi __PUNCT__

i turn my head myself __PUNCT__

and i think we just now reach the stage that we can't continu to do it __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ just in the last week __PUNCT__ we saw that there wa an effort made by the congress to get cheaper gener drug on the market more quickli to help peopl who were go to the pharmaci to bui their prescript_drug __PUNCT__

and the drug_compani and their lobbyist spent million of dollar lobbi to congress last year __PUNCT__ i think almost __MONEY___million __PUNCT__ and thei manag to kill it __PUNCT__

and basic __PUNCT__ what thei kill wa an effort to stop the bribe of gener compani by big drug_compani __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ thi is just on indic of a symptom of a much more pervas problem __PUNCT__

and i do believ that we have to weed that corrupt out of the system and make it work for the major of american in order to do the big_thing we need to do __PUNCT__ attack global_warm __PUNCT__ have univers_health_care __PUNCT__ the big_issu that face america __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ what ar the differ between take monei from the drug_compani lobbyist and from trial_lawyer __PUNCT__ which you take monei from __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__ as i said just a minut ago __PUNCT__ i don't claim puriti and i don't claim holier __PUNCT__ than __PUNCT__ thou __PUNCT__

i rais over __MONEY___million in thi campaign __PUNCT__

i think all of us share some respons in that regard __PUNCT__

now __PUNCT__ it is true that i never taken ani monei from a washington_lobbyist the entir time i been in public_life __PUNCT__ or from a pac __PUNCT__ a special_interest pac __PUNCT__

and i __PUNCT__ and i proud of that __PUNCT__

but thi is not about me or senat_clinton __PUNCT__ thi is about what we have to do to clean up thi system __PUNCT__

and i think the differ is that lobbyist __PUNCT__ regist lobbyist in washington __PUNCT__ their job is to pedal influenc __PUNCT__

their job is to ensur that their client __PUNCT__ the peopl __PUNCT__ big_compani __PUNCT__ in most case __PUNCT__ that thei repres __PUNCT__ get their wai and the wai law ar written __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ but __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ so i think __PUNCT__ particularli in that case __PUNCT__ we have to be veri __PUNCT__ veri care about limit their influenc __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ but you __PUNCT__ you not try to tell me here thi morn __PUNCT__ ar you __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__ that trial_lawyer don't have an interest in what happen in washington and what happen in the congress __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ oh __PUNCT__ lord __PUNCT__ no __PUNCT__

no __PUNCT__ of cours not __PUNCT__

no __PUNCT__ not onli wouldn't i sai that __PUNCT__ trial lawyer have lobbyist in washington __PUNCT__ just like everi other group that try to influenc the congress __PUNCT__

no __PUNCT__ far from it __PUNCT__

i not sai that __PUNCT__

and what i would sai is we ought to __PUNCT__ we ought to take all of their monei influenc out __PUNCT__

none of them should have __PUNCT__ all of them ar entitl to a voic __PUNCT__ bob __PUNCT__

the lawyer ar entitl to a voic __PUNCT__ the doctor ar entitl to a voic __PUNCT__ even the big_corpor ar entitl to a voic __PUNCT__

the problem is __PUNCT__ becaus thei have so much monei __PUNCT__ particularli the big corpor __PUNCT__ and becaus thei spend so much monei in lobbi __PUNCT__ drug_compani __PUNCT__ insur_compani __PUNCT__ oil_compani __PUNCT__ i mean __PUNCT__ the net result is their influenc is wai out of proport to the influenc that ordinari_american have __PUNCT__ and i think thei distort the law that result from that influenc __PUNCT__

and what we have to do is start make thi democraci work for everybodi __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ let me ask you thi __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__ about on of your recent ad __PUNCT__

on of your ad sai that if you ar presid and congress doesn't pass univers_health_care by __DATE__ you ar go to us your power as presid to take congress __PUNCT__ health_care_plan awai from them __PUNCT__

how do you go about do that __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__ can i just add on thing __PUNCT__ schieffer __PUNCT__ sure __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ there is anoth piec to that __PUNCT__

i also sai that i will take awai __PUNCT__ do __PUNCT__ us my power __PUNCT__ the power that i have avail to take awai the health care for member of my administr __PUNCT__

and the basic_idea is i don't think politician in washington should be protect their health_care when we have __NUM___million_peopl in thi countri who don't have health_care coverag __PUNCT__

but to answer your question __PUNCT__ the most power tool that the presid ha is the bulli pulpit __PUNCT__

and that mean make the case to america __PUNCT__ submit legisl to support exactli what i just said __PUNCT__ and then make the case to america in ani place __PUNCT__ ani congression_district or ani state where a senat is oppos it __PUNCT__ sai __PUNCT__ your senat __PUNCT__ your congressman is defend their health_care at the same_time that thei not provid health_care for you __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ so __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ and i think that the most power tool __PUNCT__

but i would add to that __PUNCT__ there ar other tool __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ the presid of the unit_state ha veto power over budget __PUNCT__

so there ar other tool avail __PUNCT__

but the most import_thing is __PUNCT__ bob __PUNCT__ wit __PUNCT__ somebodi got to shake that place up __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ mm __PUNCT__ hmm __PUNCT__

sen __PUNCT__

graham __PUNCT__ i mean __PUNCT__ peopl have gotten complac __PUNCT__

the politician take care of themselv __PUNCT__ the lobbyist ar everywher __PUNCT__ and i think we ax to __PUNCT__ actual need to shake the place up __PUNCT__

and that what i talk about do __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ but what you talk about here __PUNCT__ you would actual propos_legisl to forc congress to give up it own health_care and forc them to vote on that __PUNCT__ is that __PUNCT__ is that what you sai __PUNCT__ if thei don't come around to provid health care for the rest of the countri __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ that exactli right __PUNCT__

the whole point of thi is not to take congress __PUNCT__ health care awai __PUNCT__

the point of thi is to get health care for america __PUNCT__

and i actual believ everi democrat member of congress in the hous and the senat would vote for that __PUNCT__ so it wouldn't be an issu for them __PUNCT__

and i suspect a lot of republican would __PUNCT__ too __PUNCT__ becaus thei don't want to have to go home and defend __PUNCT__ in their congression_district __PUNCT__ have support their own health_care and not have support health care for their constitu __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ all right __PUNCT__

well __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__ let take a break here __PUNCT__

we be back and continu thi convers in __NUM__ second __PUNCT__

__PUNCT__ announc __PUNCT__ schieffer __PUNCT__ back again with senat_john john_edward __PUNCT__

senat __PUNCT__ i like to __PUNCT__ you talk and we talk about senat_clinton __PUNCT__

i like to talk about some of the differ __PUNCT__

you talk about her plan and what you see her do regard iran and also iraq __PUNCT__

what the differ in what you would do about iraq and what she would do __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__ i think there ar some basic_question that all of the presidenti_candid should answer __PUNCT__

basic __PUNCT__ all of us ar sai rhetor that we will end the war __PUNCT__

but i think peopl ar entitl to more specif inform than that __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ do you have a specif plan __PUNCT__ how mani troop will you get out over what period of time __PUNCT__ and is there some point at which all combat troop will be out of iraq __PUNCT__ will combat mission ceas in iraq __PUNCT__ will you keep perman militari_base in iraq __PUNCT__ the answer to those question for me __PUNCT__ bob __PUNCT__ is i would get all combat troop out within nine to __NUM___month __PUNCT__ ceas combat mission __PUNCT__ and no perman militari_base __PUNCT__

and i haven't heard a specif plan from senat_clinton __PUNCT__

i don't think she said exactli what she would do __PUNCT__ except that i have heard her sai on a stage stand next to me that she would keep combat troop station in iraq and she would continu combat mission in iraq __PUNCT__

and __PUNCT__ for me __PUNCT__ that a continu of the occup of iraq __PUNCT__ which is a huge issu for america and the world __PUNCT__

so we have a differ perspect about that __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ don't we have to be veri care __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__ that what we do and if we draw down __PUNCT__ that if we draw down too fast that thi mai be misread by other in the neighborhood out there __PUNCT__ how do you address that __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ no __PUNCT__ absolut __PUNCT__

and i think the presid of the unit_state ha a respons to do thi the right wai __PUNCT__ and what i would do is take __NUM__ to __NUM__ combat troop out immedi __PUNCT__ intensifi the effort to make __PUNCT__ to push the shia and sunni leadership to reach a polit compromis __PUNCT__

i would also engag in realli intens diplomaci with other countri in the region __PUNCT__ particularli the iranian and the syrian __PUNCT__

it __PUNCT__ thei have an interest in a stabl iraq __PUNCT__

and then we have an interest in the region __PUNCT__ which mean we need to maintain a naval presenc in the persian_gulf __PUNCT__ we mai need to beef up our presenc in afghanistan __PUNCT__ we probabl should keep a quick reaction forc in kuwait __PUNCT__

so it not like we abandon the region __PUNCT__

but i think we need to make it absolut clear that we end our occup of iraq __PUNCT__ which is why i laid out the propos i did __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ presid_bush sai we cannot allow iran to gain the knowledg to build nuclear_weapon __PUNCT__

do you agre with him __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ i not entir sure what he mean by that __PUNCT__

i think that what we know is that we have a presid __PUNCT__ ahmadinejad __PUNCT__ who radic and bellicos in hi rhetor about us __PUNCT__ about israel __PUNCT__ about our alli __PUNCT__ and i also __PUNCT__ we also know that the iranian peopl have histor been among the most moder in the muslim_world and the most pro __PUNCT__ american in the muslim world __PUNCT__

i think that present a huge opportun to america if we smart __PUNCT__

if we work with our european friend and the european_bank bank_system to put a clear propos veri publicli on the tabl for the iranian __PUNCT__ that we will help them with their economi in a seriou wai __PUNCT__ becaus their economi in shambl __PUNCT__ if thei give up their nuclear prolifer ambit __PUNCT__

but if thei don't __PUNCT__ there will be sever econom consequ __PUNCT__

but i do believ that we __PUNCT__ the vote on the iranian revolutionari_guard and whether to declar that group a terrorist_organ wa a critic moment for the democrat __PUNCT__ and i think it wa realli import for us to stand up to bush and chenei __PUNCT__

and senat dodd and senat_clinton vote __PUNCT__ as i believ wa __PUNCT__ took the correct posit and were strong __PUNCT__

senat clinton vote the other wai and she entitl to do that __PUNCT__

i just have a strong disagr with her about it __PUNCT__

and then recent __PUNCT__ as you well know __PUNCT__ the administr declar the iranian revolutionari_guard a terrorist_organ and a prolifer of weapon of mass_destruct __PUNCT__ which is exactli what a lot of us had fear __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ some democrat __PUNCT__ some critic of the administr __PUNCT__ sai the presid is realli just look for an excus to get into iran __PUNCT__ to go in there with bomb strike or some kind of militari_action __PUNCT__

ar you on of those who believ that __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ i think it possibl __PUNCT__

i can't read georg_bush mind __PUNCT__

i gave that up __PUNCT__ network audio difficulti __PUNCT__

but what i __PUNCT__ what i do see is i see a continu pattern of behavior that veri similar to the pattern of behavior lead to iraq __PUNCT__

and i think that why it crucial for us __PUNCT__ between now and __DATE__ of __NUM__ to take everi step we can take to stand strongli against bush and chenei continu to move_forward and on the march to militari_action in iran __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ and on more question about foreign_polici __PUNCT__ and that is pakistan __PUNCT__ presid musharraf __PUNCT__

the unit_state __PUNCT__ deputi secretari of state john negropont deliv a veri blunt messag to him yesterdai __PUNCT__ told him to lift the emerg rule and restor the constitut __PUNCT__

he given no sign that he go to do that __PUNCT__

should we begin to cut off militari_aid to pakistan __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__ we ought to __PUNCT__ at a minimum __PUNCT__ that is the leverag that we have __PUNCT__ and we ought to __PUNCT__ at a minimum __PUNCT__ reform that aid __PUNCT__

becaus essenti what we been do is we have been aid musharraf __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ we help musharraf with f __PUNCT__ 16 __PUNCT__

we help musharraf in support hi power base as oppos to do what we need to do for the pakistani peopl __PUNCT__

and i believ we ought to reform the natur of the aid we provid __PUNCT__

we ought to make certain that we push toward fight against terror __PUNCT__ toward protect __PUNCT__ toward do what we need to do in the northwest __PUNCT__ what need to be done in the northwest territori __PUNCT__ provid help directli to the pakistani peopl to move them in the right direct __PUNCT__

i also think that we have some veri basic thing that we ought to be do that we not do __PUNCT__

we ought to be approach thi problem multilater with our friend around the world __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ mm __PUNCT__ hmm __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ we ought to __PUNCT__ we ought to have a better knowledg base within our own govern about the pakistani peopl __PUNCT__ their histori __PUNCT__

there wa a report just a few dai_ago indic we had veri littl expertis in that regard __PUNCT__

and we need intens diplomaci __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ i think all those thing ar the comprehens wai of deal with thi issu __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ all right __PUNCT__

forti __PUNCT__ six dai to the iowa_caucus __PUNCT__

the poll suggest it a dead heat __PUNCT__

do __PUNCT__ is it __PUNCT__ is it iowa for you __PUNCT__ and if you don't win there or do well __PUNCT__ is your campaign done __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ i think anybodi who doesn't do well in iowa go to have a struggl __PUNCT__

i mean __PUNCT__ we know that over the last few elect_cycl the winner of the iowa_caucu end up be the democrat_nomine __PUNCT__

as you point out __PUNCT__ it a __PUNCT__ it basic a tie there __PUNCT__ at least accord to the public poll __PUNCT__

and i think if __PUNCT__ i think it be a veri intens campaign process for the next __PUNCT__ what did you sai __PUNCT__ __NUM___dai __PUNCT__ i haven't kept track of __PUNCT__ track of the exact dai __PUNCT__

but i know we get close __PUNCT__

and i live through thi befor __PUNCT__ i know what iowa_caucu __PUNCT__ goer care about __PUNCT__ i know what thei concern about __PUNCT__

i think thei look for the candid who thei believ is readi to be presid __PUNCT__ who __PUNCT__ second __PUNCT__ ha specif __PUNCT__ veri specif idea about what need to be done __PUNCT__ and i lead on all the big __PUNCT__ major_issu in lai out a posit __PUNCT__ veri specif agenda __PUNCT__

and third __PUNCT__ thei look for somebodi who can win in the gener_elect __PUNCT__ becaus thei don't want __PUNCT__ thei don't want to see four __PUNCT__ eight more year of republican __PUNCT__ of a republican white_hous __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ all right __PUNCT__

what do you think __PUNCT__ do well __PUNCT__ mean __PUNCT__ you said anybodi who doesn't do well will have a struggl from here on __PUNCT__

what is do well for you in iowa __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__ edward __PUNCT__ well __PUNCT__ obvious for ani of the three of us who ar ti __PUNCT__ senat_obama __PUNCT__ senat_clinton or myself __PUNCT__ win is do well __PUNCT__

but if it close __PUNCT__ and it a close contest __PUNCT__ then that could also be do well __PUNCT__

finish second or close could be do well __PUNCT__

so __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ all right __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ i think it veri hard to sai in advanc what that mean __PUNCT__

but i think it __PUNCT__ i do want to sai __PUNCT__ i think it a veri import place __PUNCT__ just as new hampshir __PUNCT__ south_carolina and nevada ar to all three of us __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ all right __PUNCT__

thank you veri much __PUNCT__ senat __PUNCT__

we be talk to you again befor then __PUNCT__ i hope __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ thank you __PUNCT__

schieffer __PUNCT__ and we back with a littl analysi in just a minut __PUNCT__

edward __PUNCT__ thank you __PUNCT__ bob __PUNCT__