uncomfortably numb: John Edwards signs Four State Pledge

Saturday, September 1, 2007

John Edwards signs Four State Pledge - Updated with DNC editorial

Sat Sep 01, 2007 at 08:34:59 AM PDT

John Edwards signed the Four State Pledge today, to show his support of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. Edwards agreed not to campaign in any state, other than the 4 designated early states, that schedules a presidential primary or caucus before February 5, 2008.

Check out the official press release. Edwards explained clearly why he is signing:

"This election, more than any other, is about real change and choosing the candidate who is going to fight for that change," said Edwards. "Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina need to be first because in these states ideas count, not just money. These are places where voters get to look the candidate in the eye and measure their policies, ideas, and integrity. That’s why I am signing this pledge. This tried-and-true nominating system is the only way for voters to judge the field based on the quality of the candidate, not the depth of their war chest.
"I strongly encourage my fellow candidates to support this four state pledge. The Democratic Party is the party of ideas, not money; Main Street, not Wall Street; and real people, not Washington insiders, and signing this pledge reaffirms that."

The pledge was written and sponsored by the State Democratic Parties in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina to ensure their role in the process and put the breaks on the leapfrogging that is going on now that would inevitably lead to caucuses and primaries in 2006.
Note that the DNC has decided to strictly enforce party rules by invalidating the delegates from states that move beyond the guidelines originally set up and agreed to originally by the democratic leadership in every state.
UPDATE: Obama has also signed. And Richardson, Dodd and Biden signed yesterday. 2nd Update: Hillary has finally stated she will sign.
(Click on the source link below to read the entire article posted at Daily Kos)