John Edwards Kicks Off 2008 Bid

Former VP Candidate Announces Campaign In New Orleans

(CBS/AP)  Former vice presidential nominee John Edwards said Thursday that he is a candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, promising "a grass roots, ground-up campaign where we ask people to take action."

Clad in blue jeans, an open-necked shirt and with his sleeves rolled up, Edwards chose the backyard of a victim of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans' devastated 9th Ward for his unorthodox announcement.

"We want people in this campaign to actually take action now, not later, not after the next election," the former North Carolina senator said, sounding as much like a recruiter as a presidential campaigner.

"Instead of staying home and complaining, we're asking Americans to help," Edwards said. "Most of the good that has been done in New Orleans has been done by faith-based groups, charitable groups and volunteers."

Edwards — who is calling for cuts in poverty, global warming and troops in Iraq — chose the site to highlight his signature concern of the economic disparity that divides America.

"This is the best way to serve my country," Edwards said on CBS' The Early Show.

Edwards, 53, said the difference between his message to voters in 2004 and his 2008 presidential bid is that, "I've learned since the last campaign that it's great to identify a problem ... but the way you change things is by taking action."

And Iraq is one of the biggest issues facing the country.

"It would be a huge mistake to put a surge of troops into Iraq," Edwards said on ABC's "Good Morning America. "It sends exactly the wrong signal. We can maximize our chances for success by making clear we are going to leave Iraq and not stay there forever."

And the next president must restore America's leadership in the world, he said.

"It's absolutely crucial that America re-establish its moral authority and leadership role in the world," Edward said on The Early Show.

Edwards' campaign got a little ahead of itself Wednesday and announced his intentions online a day early. His Web site briefly featured the logo "John Edwards '08" and its slogan, "Tomorrow begins today" — literally, in this case — before aides quickly removed them.

In his message to supporters, Edwards listed five priorities to change America. Among them: "Guaranteeing health care for every single American," "Strengthening our middle class and ending the shame of poverty," "Leading the fight against global warming," and "Getting America and the world to break our addiction to oil."

Edwards has been working to build his campaign ever since he and John Kerry lost a close race to the Bush-Cheney ticket in 2004.

The campaign could pit Edwards against his former partner on the Democratic ticket. Kerry has not said yet whether he will run, nor have other big names like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but Edwards did not wait to find out who will be his competition.

Despite the big names likely to compete for the Democratic nomination, Edwards said he was not scared. "I have been through it before and I know what's involved," Edwards said on The Early Show.

He added, "This is going to be, for me, a grass roots campaign. We will be reaching out to people, asking people to take action, to bring the changes that America needs."

[frb01]

I think his message was clear the last time, there are two America's and a lot of us our struggling. He has also said he learned from the process and that to be a seasoned candidate you have to go through the process. Most of the time, whether it is 1972, 1980, 1984, or 2004, the front runners stumble or fail in the vetting process that is unfortunately part of the political process. This is why people like Evan Byah may have exited too soon. I am not saying that Obama or Clinton lose momentum, but Clinton carries a lot of negative ratings. John Edwards is as viable a candidate as anyone, and I hope all those who want to run, run. But the key is wanting it, because they pay a price. If he gets the nomination, Joe Lieberman would be a good choice to be VP, for he has also had some rivers to cross as of late. Edwards rose from humble beginnings and has had personal tragedy along the way. And this is the type of personal experience we need in our candidates. Obama, Biden, McCain, Guiliani, and Romney that I know of have all had a slice of these tests.

[nyckate]

I liked Edwards in 2004 and I will be voting for him again in 2008 - I think he's got the "it" factor that will make him a very good president - he's smart, intelligent and well-spoken without being elitist or condescending - he's like a majority of Americans who come from working middle class families and he understands the issues that are facing the majority of Americans. Also, in 2004 the Bush/Cheney/Rove cadre went through Edwards' personal, business and political career with a fine-tooth comb looking for dirt and found not a thing - not one 'nasty' legal case he took, not one hint of corruption, not a thing. I really believe Edwards can be the unifer the nation needs and also extremely capable of getting the US back on firm ground again domestically and internationally.

[jn122736]

Edwards may have a good chance to become the democratic nominee for 2008.
If the voters could, in an effective manner, voice their opinions in the choice of a %u201Crunning mate%u201D he would have a much better chance of winning the presidency.
.. I doubt that Joe Lieberman would be among the majority of voter%u2019s recommendations, especially democrats.
Gore%u2019s choice of Lieberman as his running mate was likely the main reason the vote in the 2000 election was so close.

[marcelde]

"Edwards %u2014 who is calling for cuts in poverty, global warming and troops in Iraq %u2014 chose the site to highlight his signature concern of the economic disparity that divides America."

TO CLARIFY THE USE OF THE WORD "cuts", EDWARDS WANTS TO reduce POVERTY, reduce GLOBAL WARMING, AND reduce THE NUMBER OF TROOPS IN IRAQ.

I wish the author of the article had substituted "reduce" for "cuts" since the first reading suggests just the opposite of John Edwards goals.

[tibu987]

I will NOT vote for Edwards if he is the Dems candidate.
'Nuff said.

Edwards WILL get my vote. He has already been vetted. Hillary, please GO AWAY.

[mrwhitey3]

Who cares what Edwards says, look at what he did. Edwards wrote most of the patriot act prior to 911.

Want another insider skull and bones type in the Whitehouse? Vote Edwards. Want to be represented? Vote in the primary election and actually select who you elect.

I will not vote for a rich person, an insider or an Israel supporting zionist. That only leaves Dennis Kucinich on my list.

[nyckate]

To Mr. Whitey - John Edwards comes not from wealth but from blue collar working class family - he and his wife both worked their way through college and law school. He's not one of the elitists from Skull & Cross Bones club - he's the American Dream - factory job to self-made wealthy attorney.

You don't have to like Edwards or even vote for him - but to spread distortions and deceptions about him is just plain wrong. Haven't we had enough of that from the Bush White House?

[Free Citizen]

I think Edwards will make a great President. Youthful like Kennedy and Clinton was but what sets him apart is that he is a champion of the working class. America never had a President like that. It would be interesting to see what he can do for America.

[diverinnl]

Now that Edwards has announced, he needs to asked the hard questions. I do like that he has set a 3 part initial platform that all Americans, Rep and Dem alike can actually grasp and get behind but now is the time to hold his feet to the fire and ask how, when, and why on his platform. In order to pull moderate rights to his side, he NEEDS to answer those three questions.

[jeforpres]

YES! Thank you! Though Edwards was a little rough in the first running, I think the Democrats would have had a better turn out if Edwards had run up front the first time, though I am glad he didn't. With what happened with his wife I am so glad he took the time to be with her and work behind the scenes. I think he has an excellent chance for 2008!

Until then, I wish more people would come to the conclusion of IMPEACHMENT!!! :-{

[boydgood]

What Edwards says sounds good so far. Put America in front for moral leadership, not at the rear like Bush. We are sick and tired of CIA type behind the scenes nonsense that trains up terrorists who then turn against us because even they can't believe how God-awful we are! Lets take our stand with the countries and citizens of the world who want straightforward, out front action on the issues of the day: such as fighting poverty and corporate greed, polluted air and water, saving what little there is left of real human values like honesty, cleanliness, compassion and simplicity. Lets start with a plan for phasing out automobiles and phasing in friendship and cooperation and world peace!!!!

[hhhss-2009]

Blue collar...*** ..A two bit cheatem lawyer who made more than his clients ever got .A one term wonder Senator who couldn't get reelected in his own state ..Yea he be good President, so would Castro .

[hhhss-2009]

Instead of announcing from his home state he goe to NO and grabs some black kids and makes a show of it..What A big FAKE !!!!! Waite till it comes out about his girlfriend, wife will be pissed

[sallyr5522]

I viewed Mr. Edwards on local TV tonight. He was in New Orleans, La. He made a remark saying that if he was President that every day he would ask his directors what did you do for New Orleans yesterday. Well Mr. Edwards how about the other parts of Louisiana that was damaged by the hurricane. I live south of New Orleans and hurricane Rita put the home I was living in under 10 feet of water. How about someone looking after us for a change. Every time we watch the news it's New Orleans, New Orleans, sure I know that a lot of people lost there lives there but when we were told to get out of the area we left. And came back to nothing 10 days later. Starting from scratch again is horrible. So how about someone from Washington or anyone with political ties try looking into helping other people too.

[olebd]

Beware his TV preacher demeanor!

[revhowdy4277]

John Edwards is a fine, outstanding,Christian man. I went to high school with him and it was an honor and a privilege to know him.He worked hard to get where he is today and I personally believe that he will be a tremendous improvement to what we have in the "Oval Office" today!

[bluestardad]

Hey Pretty Boy Floyd! Come up with something original and take a stand on something or qo home!

[randalds]

Stop fu*cking around! If you really care then put your feet where your mouth is and protest! Carry a sign! Bit*ch! Complain! Make yourself heard! If not then you're just a mouthy as*shole that likes to complain like the right wingers say you are!

On March 17th there will be protests across the country (and around the world) and (if that idiot in the White House orders in more troops) some of them may well be violent! We can hope so! Protest and protest violently or peacefully, which ever turns you on but godda*mn it DO SOMETHING!

Go to www.internationalanswer.org and find out how to make your voice heard. Otherwise shut the fu*ck up and let Bush run your life for you!

Be a coward or be a hero, but *** it make your position known! Speak up!