NCDP Chair Jerry Meek made the following statement today in response to the news that Senator John Edwards has dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary:

"John Edwards ran an honorable campaign, one that all North Carolinians can be proud of. Senator Edwards is a fiery champion for the middle class and shifted public debate to real and serious questions facing American families such as how we’re going to educate our children and pay for health care when illness strikes.

We admire his sincere dedication to public service and enriching the lives of those whose voices are often forgotten in horse-race politics. We wish Senator Edwards and his family well."

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Democrats' dissatisfaction with their party's top presidential prospects is one reason little-known candidate Christopher Dodd's campaign will be in the hunt early next year, the Connecticut senator said in Iowa Thursday.
"I think there is an unease that people are feeling about the leading choices," Dodd said in a Des Moines Register interview. "There's going to be a lot of movement over the next nine or ten months." Dodd declined to elaborate on what misgivings he believed voters had about the top Democratic candidates. Early Iowa polls and national surveys show to be New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, while Dodd lags in the back of the pack.

"My sense of it is people feel the door's open, obviously despite resources and attention," Dodd said.

Last week, Clinton, Obama and Edwards reported raising a staggering combined total of $75 million in the first quarter of the year, with Clinton edging Obama as the field's top fundraiser with her $26-million effort.

Philadelphia is set to play host to Campaign '08 when seven democratic candidates debate at Drexel University on Tuesday night.

It has been more than 30 years since Philadelphia has seen a debate between presidential candidates, but it will be the eighth time the seven leading democratic candidates seeking a shot at the White House have faced off, reported CBS station KYW-TV in Philadelphia.

During the nationally televised debate, candidates are expected to discuss various topics, including the economy, healthcare and the ongoing war in Iraq.

Early favorite Sen. Hillary Clinton will join Sens. Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, former Sen. John Edwards, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich onstage for the debate.

The debate starts at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC and MSNBC.com. Drexel University will also offer a live stream on its Web site.

In other election news, presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) on Thursday at Indianola High School in Iowa said that as president he would seek to end overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans, the Indianola Record-Herald reports. According to Edwards, overpayments to MA plans lead to higher premiums for beneficiaries enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare. Edwards said, "The problem is insurance companies are being paid more money for the services they provide under Medicare than the government is being paid."

In addition, Edwards promoted his health care proposal, which he said would establish "health care markets" to help consumers find the appropriate health plan. Edwards also said that the Bush administration has discouraged use of federal programs designed to increase access to health care. "The Bush administration sets up so many hurdles to prevent people from taking advantage of the social safety net," he said, adding, "They want you to run from one agency to another because they think people will give up" (Winn, Indianola Record-Herald, 10/26).

Associated Press

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton rejoins the health care debate in earnest Monday with a plan to expand coverage. Positions of other presidential candidates:

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama: Require employers to share costs of insuring workers and ensure all children are covered. Offer coverage similar to that in plan for federal employees. Says package would cost up to $65 billion a year after unspecified savings from making system more efficient. Raise taxes to pay the cost.

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden: Expand health insurance to cover all children and to make catastrophic care available for all; look to states for ideas on moving toward universal coverage.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek issued the following statement after attending tonight’s first DNC-sanctioned Democratic presidential debate at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina:

“Watching the debate live from The Citadel, I was struck by our candidates’ clear vision for restoring the American dream and protecting America’s security. While their Republican counterparts seem stuck to the failed policies of the Bush administration, our candidates have signaled that each of them would forge a new direction for America.

“Tonight’s revolutionary debate format allowed real Americans to speak directly with the candidates, as part of a dialogue between our Party and the American people.”

“The choice for 2008 is clear. Voters can choose Democrats who offer real leadership, or Republicans who offer only divisiveness and failed policies.”

There are very few moments when we have the opportunity to turn the eyes of the nation away from the three-ring circus that our electoral process resembles and onto the concerns of those whom Jesus called the "least of these."

Tonight is one of those moments, as Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Barack Obama join us for a conversation about faith, values, and poverty broadcast live on CNN (7 p.m. Eastern / 4 p.m. Pacific). And in hundreds of churches and homes across the country, people of faith like you will be gathering to watch the candidates and help us issue a prophetic challenge to put poverty at the top of the political agenda.

It's not too late to join them -- click here to find a watch party in your area.

Candidates With Official Presidential Committees

U.S. Senator Joe Biden (Delaware)
Committee Name: Joe Biden for President, Inc.
Phone: (302) 574-2008
Official Website: www.joebiden.com

U.S. Senator Chris Dodd (Connecticut)
Committee Name: Chris Dodd for President, Inc.
Phone: (202) 737-3633
Official Website: www.chrisdodd.com

U.S. Senator John Edwards (N. Carolina)
Committee Name: John Edwards for President
Phone: (919) 636-3131
Official Website: www.johnedwards.com

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - On Monday, April 23rd, 2007, Senator John Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards will participate in an "Ed Schultz Show" National Town Hall hosted by WCHL 1360 AM.

Monday, April 23rd, 2007
1:00 PM

Senator and Mrs. Edwards to participate in an "Ed Schultz Show" National Town Hall hosted by WCHL 1360 AM University of North Carolina - Student Union Auditorium Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Doors open to the public at 11:00 AM)