John Edwards was on Meet the Press this morning, and he did a fantastic job.  I have to tell you something, because I think this is pretty funny. I did not see Meet the Press this morning, and had to wait until the videos were uploaded to the internet. I also didn't know if JRE was on for the whole show, or only part of it. When I finally got the video links from NCDem Amy, I assumed what she had uploaded to YouTube was just the highlights, because it was so good.  It turned out it was the full interview.  I guess it was ALL highlights.

My absolute favorite part of the interview was at the end, when JRE said we're going to have an election not an auction and talked about the importance of breaking through the money influence on politics and fixing our rigged system. Here's the clip:

SEN. EDWARDS: I--this is going to be an election, Tim, it's not going to be an auction. You know, we're not going to determine who can raise the most money and thereby who should be president of the United States. It's an amazing thing to me that when you do something that you believe is right, same thing I did in 2003 and 2004, that this is the response. What I know is true, I know that when we get to after February 5 and it's pretty clear who the Democratic nominee for president's going to be, that there needs to be absolutely clear divisions between me as the Democratic nominee and the Republicans.

And I am completely convinced if I have, and I believe I will, beaten two celebrity candidates who will probably have spent over $200 million during the course of the nomination process, I can certainly beat a Republican who's carrying George Bush's baggage. And the way I will do it is not on the basis of money, but on the basis of what America needs, on the basis of principle stand, on the basis of big and bold ideas. I want people to see clear differences between me and them, them being the Republicans in this case. They will be awash in corporate money. You can take that to the bank. I will not.

You can see the rest of the interview on YouTube here:
Part 1: Iraq
Part 2: Why He's Running
Part 3: Fighting for Those in Poverty

Here's the transcript:

Meet the Press Transcript

John Edwards is still on his tour of Iowa today. Here is the schedule of events for the tour.

During the trip, Edwards will visit 17 counties to talk to caucus goers and answer their questions about his specific plans for change, including his plans to end the war and stop the abuses by security contractors in Iraq. From ending the war in Iraq to guaranteeing universal health care to revitalizing rural America, Edwards has proposed big, bold ideas to change our country and build One America. The four-day trip will also highlight the grassroots strength of Edwards' campaign, with important organizational announcements along the way.

"Our country faces big challenges and we need more than rhetoric and half measures to meet them," said Edwards. "We need big, bold change - and the starting place for change is in Iraq. Last November, the American people voted for real change in Iraq, but instead the president has refused to change course. Congress needs to stand firm against President Bush and not send him any funding bill than does not include a timeline for withdrawal. No timeline, no funding. No excuses."

Here's a video you may enjoy of some of the sights the Edwards team may see along the way.

Tonight's Edwards Diary Roundup

Here are some wonderful Edwards diaries from around the tubes today that you may have missed.

Sacrificing for John Edwards by cjjason (Stop by and welcome this first-time diarist!)
Edwards on MTP: No Combat Troops in Iraq by Tom P.
Changing Minds One Person at a Time -- JRE v. HRC by passionateprogressive
Public Financing and Serving Two Masters by BruceMcF
Free Money... and the American Dream by jamess (Not a JRE diary per se, but worth thinking about)