Edwards, Belafonte drop in at George Street restaurant
Presidential hopeful John Edwards dropped by The Haven on George Street Thursday to pose for photos and press the flesh with about 100 supporters, and he brought singer and activist Harry Belafonte for a celebrity boost.
The two later visited a party for Charleston County Democratic Women at the College of Charleston.
Edwards worked his way through the cramped restaurant and talked with reporters. Asked whether he agreed with Belafonte's 2006 characterization of President Bush as "the greatest terrorist in the world," Edwards said he would not say that.
"I speak for myself as a candidate, as all candidates do," he said. "I'm proud to have Harry Belafonte with me. He has campaigned for John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy and has a long history of supporting important candidates and important causes."
Libby Smith of James Island showed up at The Haven because Edwards is her choice in the state's Jan. 26 Democratic primary.
"I think he's a very electable candidate and the only candidate putting an emphasis on getting the government back from corporate interests," she said.
Edwards said he doesn't think voters will tune in to the election in force until after New Year's. "I think most Americans are worried about the holidays and Christmas."
He began the day in Seneca and Walhalla, where he told about 900 high school students that Bush's plan to help homeowners with mortgage payments doesn't go far enough and he would freeze interest rates for seven years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Diamondhead (anonymous) says...
Harry Belafonte a well known and undisputed communist sympathizer and Presidential candidate John Edwards. You are who you are by the friends you keep.
December 7, 2007 at 5:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mggoose2000 (anonymous) says...
Harry Belafonte is a "traitor", not a communist sympathizer! His photo op with Chaves was all over the news. I cannot believe that Edwards would be so dumb! However, Edwards is a crook and carpetbagger! Our insurance situation in SC is due, almost entirely, because of his "letting the fox in the hen house" during his tenure in office. I wouldn't vote for him if he was the only candidate on the planet.
December 7, 2007 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
And don't forget those hugs with Fidel too...I'd heard rumors that Edwards was fairly smart, but this sure puts that rumor to bed.
Of course, since the democrat party was taken over by the socialist party long ago this could actually boost his numbers within those ranks.
December 7, 2007 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DominiCubanoStylz (anonymous) says...
As a Latino (27yrs old)of Dominican and Cuban background Harry Belafonte is a puppet with no clue. He supports Fidel and Chavez where in fact in both countries its people are suppressed from the basic things, and LETS NOT go into Cuba directly. My mother can tell you herself how across all color lines in Cuba FIDEL doesnt have his people interest in mind. Yet Belafonte talks how Fidel ares for his Afro Cubano's/Mulattos/Mestizo. GIVE ME A BREAK no matter what color you are in CUBA it's horrible how you are treated. So many young adults in age range 18 on up trying to leave Cuba. Just ask my bestfriend who came to this country 9yrs ago.
December 7, 2007 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
teeitup (anonymous) says...
Accepting the support of Belafonte tells us what Edwards is.
December 7, 2007 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
Harry Belafonte is no "traitor". He's a great man with many humanitarian accomplishments. Some of you need to get a clue.
December 7, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Nonsense (anonymous) says...
Had Harry Belafonte done in the forties some of the things that he has done, i.e., fraternizing with Chavez, Castro, etc., he would have been shot for high treason.
December 7, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Nonsense, you are right. They would have shot Sean Penn and a few others right along with him.
December 7, 2007 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DominiCubanoStylz (anonymous) says...
dolemite77..Hey hows it going..I've heard much about Michael's Moore theory on universal health care in Cuba. He fails to realize. Cubans can't own anything, build their own house, etc, but TOURISTS CAN. The beautiful Cuban beaches like Varadero are "tourist only"...etc, etc... And all of the supplies and medicine Michael Moore supposedly received, is all for the Communist Propaganda, since Fidel knows everything that is happening there like clockwork, and was very aware of Michael Moore's film and intentions.
My mother did come from Cuba and I have many friends and family members on my Cuba side can open that door on answers. Health Care perhaps can be universal,but who does it apply for. Since my mother left and when my bestfriend left 9yrs ago heard no difference.
So go ahead and take a trip to Cuba, you'll be greeted with open arms in all the tourist spots, just like Michael Moore was. Oh, and don't be alarmed when a Cuban in the island isn't complaining or telling you much, just like my family, homes there are raided every day by the government (a government official lives on EVERY block in Cuba, and has a file on every person on that block), and homes and phones are always tapped. Also, If you own anything that speaks of Democracy (a book), you are in arresting grounds to be taken in as a political prisoner
Did Michael Moore bothered to ask about Doctor Oscar ElÃ-as Biscet Gonzalez (Afro Cuban). Oh yeah and what about NAACP with backing Fidel and Chavez. Pure Puppets people support people who never had to live in the conditions that these people are flee. Those who fled in the 50-60 is no different than those of our times. Celia Cruz spoke to ALL CUBANS and the frustration of how life is in such a lovely country that only the tourist is privelege to.
December 7, 2007 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GOP10 (anonymous) says...
Belafonte has lost his mind. He's just a bitter old man being led around for photo ops. Every one calls these people traitors, and rightfully so, but they should look just as much at some of the nutty Libertarian groups parading for Ron Paul. Their foreign policy views are just as Anti-American and spineless as John Edwards and the rest of the Dems.
December 7, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
Seriously, could this board get more one-sided?
DominiCubanoStylz - You don't speak for all latinos. In fact you probably speak for the smallest minority of them. We all know that the cubans (mostly from Miami)are the republicans butt wipers so I am sorry if I can't take your esteemed opinion as truth. I have to disagree with your comment about it being "tourist only". Read your history. Who do you think basically owned Cuba before Fidel came into power? Umm, we did. In the 40s and 50s it was club med for us. Cuba is bad but is it as bad as the Bahamas (US owns/violence) or Jamaica (basically a 3rd world country but a select few can vacation/more violence)? Again,let me reiterate. Your opinion is not qualified. It is your opinion that is all. Have you even lived in Cuba or are you American born?
I thought liberal minded folks had all the conspiracy theories? Thanks for clearing that up major.
Harry Belafonte is where he wants to be and who he wants to be. He could give a crap if you all thought he was a traitor or not. In my opinion, he isn't. Traitor and communist are two words that get bandied about whenever someone has a view that you don't like. I guess we should hail McCarthy for that. The fact of the matter is we (the US) are BFFs with an ACTUAL communist country. China. They make about 90% of the crap that we use (clothes, toys, tools etc) but obviously no one cares about communism until a celebrity they don't like does something. No one cares that China basically has us by the ears. Someone I know once said that the downfall of America was the fact that we don't make anything anymore. We've become "service oriented" and that is why we people are starting to get sick from the cheap labor that comes from China.
I guess thats not important because Harry Belafonte took a picture with Fidel (oooh the devil).
December 7, 2007 at 8:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hollyman (anonymous) says...
I simply cannot understand why John Edwards would accept help from Harry Belafonte. Edwards wants to be the president of our great country, but he socializes with someone who hates it and wants to destroy it. He should not want to be associated with Belafonte in any way whatsoever, and should strongly renounce the things Belafonte has said about America and its present president. Harry Belafonte makes no bones about his feelings about America and his love for Castro and Chavez, both undisputed haters of America. John Edwards should FIRST be an American, THEN a Democrat. Come to think of it, that goes for more than a few Democrats who jump at every opportunity to bash George Bush. I was considering voting for Edwards for president, but it is out of the question now. He has some serious explaining to do. John Edwards (and Harry Belafonte) should be ashamed!
December 7, 2007 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
angryinjun (anonymous) says...
Edwards has a wife with cancer. He continued on the campaign trail in spite of that. Do you think, given that he wouldn't step down from this race to take care of his wife, that he will take better care of this country? I think not.
December 8, 2007 at 12:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DominiCubanoStylz (anonymous) says...
Test2007
1. NO I wasn't born in Cuba actually born in New York City to a Cuban mother (from Cuba) and a Dominican father (From DR).
2. As for knowing my history I know very well when it comes to before Fidel came into power Batista whom was a puppet like for America in the eyes of many. In Cuba you had a major area for gambling,mafia and plenty of other stuff. Yet Castro won the hearts of simple people across the country with taking back what was there country. In his eyes until he got a little to over-rated with his ideas. Fidel promise much to those who felt already didn't have control in there country with a wild lifestyle.
3. As for me being a BUTT wiper as those people in Miami. WRONG those persons in Miami who for many years when Fidel came into power had a inner revenge on him always. Generations and generations of Cubans or shall I say the Half Cubans of Miami who speak feel for a long time that what was theirs was taken. So in there minds some feel its about getting what belongs to them. I don't vote either party just state the facts base on a personal issue.
4. In Miami I know many young Cubans who don't side with the Republican or even Democrat side as those in there family may strongly feel. Bush or anyone don't have to talk good stuff to me in order to get votes.
5. DO I wish to visit my grandparents and extended family members in Cuba that I have never met in my life. HECK yea and would have visit I was old enough when my parents and brother had the ablility to go,but I was to young then. For me I won't mind if people were able to travel to Cuba. As for my mother I am sure 100% she would love to see her people more often.
6. I know many Cuban Immigrants such as my bestfriend (28)and those who area in my age range. who came to this country and be able to not worry about someone telling on them for viewing there thoughts. Wonder why Cuba is so open with music now than the typical style because ..The country older members are slowing dying and you have a new generation whos minds are more than following the system. Fear comes from those who take power and twisit it beyond control until the minds of those younger see that same idea.
7. So before you quote me on some backing people I only speak from personal things that has happen to those close to me. Do they have a idea of claiming what they lost NO. Just want to be able to see family members without worrying about having someone watch your ever move.
8. In closing you can just ask my bestfriend Fernando Alvarez (28) (alvarezfernym@bellsouth.net). Let him just share his story and his scars on his back.
December 8, 2007 at 11:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
At least Edwards is more articulate, intelligent and caring than the current president we have in the House. Just because Belafonte took a few pictures, you people call him a traitor. Care to read about what he REALLY stands for - Belafonte stands for making a better America; and in fighting the injustices and racism that happens to be so prevalent in this country.
December 9, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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