Another Zinger From Elizabeth Edwards

She's known for her earthy charm and quick wit, and when she appeared at Planned Parenthood's annual public affairs conference in Washington, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, didn't disappoint.

Filling in for her husband, who is on a three-day swing intended to highlight poverty issues, Edwards was introduced as "perhaps even more popular than her husband," reports our Liz Halloran.

Edwards smiled ruefully and suggested that "everyone who is not running is more popular than everyone who is running." Dramatic pause. "Hence, Fred Thompson." The audience roared.

The former senator is famously contemplating--and contemplating--a bid for the GOP nomination. Based on that alone, he has jumped to the upper echelons of presidential preference polls.

Edwards's tart comment came after another that has irked some of Sen. Hillary Clinton's team when she told Salon that hubby John is a better advocate for women than Clinton and questioned the leading Democrat's position on abortion.

By Paul Bedard