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I was thinking were gonna have this debate and everybody on TV is wondering who scored the most points, who won the debate, all of us are gonna be fine (I don't know?) but will America be fine? 35 million people last year went hungry, 37 million lived in poverty, every day 47 million people live without healthcare, who will take on system that is rigged and corrupt? this is about what America needs. Our democratic party needs to show some backbone for what we know is right!

John Edwards#17

PoliticsPolicyElectionDebateSocial justiceSociety

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker argues that political debates should focus on real national needs like poverty and healthcare rather than scoring points.
In plain terms
Politics should solve real problems like hunger, not just win debates.
What can you take from it?
Governance must prioritize material needs over political posturing.

Where it applies

  • debates
  • campaign speeches
  • policy forums

Putting it to work

  • set agenda
  • address poverty
  • critique theater

Questions to consider

  • What should politics focus on?
  • How do we measure success?

Another view

It assumes debates and substantive policy work are mutually exclusive.

More from John Edwards

  1. Sometimes people need a breather.

    Permalink to quote #16
  2. December 29th 2003 Stump Speech Titled: 'Two Americas' (Transcript)

    Permalink to quote #18
  3. On Christopher Reeve: 'If we can do the work that we can do in this country -- the work we will do when John Kerry is president -- people like Christopher Reev…

    Permalink to quote #15

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