John Edwards Kicks Off 2008 Bid

(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."

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[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!

[bluestardad]

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

[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!

[olebd]

Beware his TV preacher demeanor!

[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.

[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

[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 .

[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!!!!

[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!!! :-{

[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.