For Immediate Release – July 1, 2008
Contact: Dallas Woodhouse, (919) 671-1050
Or Annie Patnaude (202) 441-5193 or annie@afphq.org

Americans for Prosperity to Fly Hot Air Balloon Over Former Senator John Edwards’ Estate, July 9th

Flyover to Highlight Global Warming “Hot Air” and Hypocrisy

CHAPEL HILL – The taxpayer watchdog group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) will call attention to the “hot air” and hypocrisy in the global warming debate by flying a six-story-tall hot air balloon over former N.C. Senator John Edwards’ massive Chapel Hill estate. AFP-North Carolina Director Dallas Woodhouse noted that Edwards is among a group of global warming alarmists that expect average Americans to sacrifice and shoulder higher energy costs, but fail to live up to their own rhetoric. The fly-over is scheduled for Wednesday evening.

“We are traveling the nation to highlight the ‘hot air’ that comes out of so many politicians’ mouths when it comes to global warming,” said Woodhouse. “Nobody better represents the ‘hot air’ in the global warming debate than John Edwards, who traveled the state proposing much higher taxes and regulations on average citizens while be built a massive energy-guzzling house in Orange County.”  

According to published reports, Edwards’ home totals 28,200 square feet of connected space. The main house is 10,400 square feet and has two garages. The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet.

The main house is all on one level except for a 600-square-foot bedroom and bath area above the guest garage. The recreation building contains a basketball court, a squash court, two stages, a bedroom, kitchen, bathrooms, swimming pool, a four-story tower, and a room designated “John’s Lounge.”

John Edwards, Hypocritical Energy Hog

Throughout his political career, John Edwards has sought to cultivate the image of a populist, progressive candidate. One of the centerpieces of his failed 2008 presidential campaign was a hard-line stance on global warming and a call on Americans to cut back on energy consumption. Like his Democrat counterpart Al Gore, Edwards appears to abide by the principle “do as I say, not as I do.”

John Edwards’ Breathtaking Hypocrisy

•    “We're going to have to be willing to sacrifice. If we love this country enough, we're going to have to conserve, in our homes, in our workplaces, and alter our behavior to make America what it's capable of being.” - 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University Oct 30, 2007

•   Within months of asking Americans to conserve in their homes and to alter their behavior, John Edwards and his family moved into 28,000-square-foot estate in Orange County, North Carolina. One can only imagine the energy consumed to power this $4.3 million house. So while asking other Americans to change their lifestyles, John Edwards continues to live an indulgent life of energy consumption and excess.

•    “The president needs to say I'm willing to drive a more fuel-efficient vehicle and I'm willing to conserve in my home and workplace, because all of us have to do this together.” – Huffington Post Mash-Up: 2007 Democratic on-line debate Sep 13, 2007

Really, John? We have to do this together?

•    According to an AP article, Edwards stills owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica midsize SUV and a 1994 GMC truck, according to state vehicle registration records. Campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said the Edwardses, who have two small children, use the Pacifica when they need more than two seat belts in the back, and the truck when they need to move furniture or haul something.

•    Edwards wants his own family to have the option of owning large cars to transport his children, but would like to deny this very same luxury to other American families.

(John Edwards on the campaign trail entering a Cadillac SRX Crossover, a 15mpg SUV)

John Edwards: the Regulator’s Superhero, the Taxpayer’s Archenemy 

•    “America needs to put at least a billion dollars into the development and implementation of carbon catcher, carbon sequestration technology.  And by the way, until and if we do, there should not be another coal fire powered plant built in the United States of America.”  - Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 19, 2007

•    “I think we ought to cap greenhouse emissions in the US. We ought to ratchet that cap down every single year. We ought to reduce greenhouse emissions by at least 80% by the year 2050.” - - Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 19, 2007
John Edwards Simply Does Not Understand the Economic Situation of Average Americans

•    When asked about his wife’s decision not to buy only local food, John replied ominously and tellingly, Edwards said, “Would I add to the price of food? I’d have to think about that.”

John Edwards Isn’t Content Just Devastating America’s Economy, He Wants to Ruin Developing Countries as Well

•    “Leading the world to a new climate treaty that commits other countries—including developing nations—to reduce their pollution. Edwards will insist that developing countries join us in this effort, offering to share new clean energy technology and, if necessary, using trade agreements to require binding greenhouse reductions.” – John Edwards plan for a “New Energy Economy” from his campaign website