Bread, Butter & Biography

CBSNews.com producer Jarrett Murphy is reporting from Boston this week.

Jobs, health care and education were at the top of the delegates' recommendations to Edwards as he tries to attract swing voters nationwide — and even in his home state.

On a rainy, cool day in Boston, the Tar Heels were excited about seeing one of their own join a national ticket, apparently for the first time since Andrew Johnson in 1864.

"One of our own. One of our homeboys," said Larry Townsend of Pembroke, N.C., a tribal officer in the Lumbee nation.

"Just keep bringing the word home about jobs and the economy, and make it personal," was his advice to the senator. And make it clear that "everybody has a stake in this election."

"Economy and children, education and such and common sense," said Ruby Hunt of Lattimor, N.C. "That goes pretty far, too."

One delegate also hoped Edwards' tone was one of unifying, not attacking. A delegate who ate fruit as her daughter sat on her lap wanted Edwards to reclaim the topic of "values" for Democrats. Her husband hoped Edwards would talk more about himself than John Kerry.

"We have known him for a long time," said Shirley Key of Powlett Mountain, N.C. She noted that Edwards parents are getting older and thinks that means the senator will have prescription drugs, health care and social security on his mind. That's what's on Key's mind, too.

"He needs to talk about Social Security for older people," she said. "He needs to let them know that he is behind them."

Melvin Montford from Apex, N.C., which is near Raleigh, agrees. He's upset that the retirement age has been raised, especially since, as a black man, statistics suggest he'll live a shorter life than white people who have been paying into the system as long as he has.

"I may never be able to get Social Security," said Montford, who had hoped Edwards would be at the top of the ticket.

Edwards' background as a trial lawyer, and the vast wealth he acquired through litigation, did not concern the crowd at the Hyatt.

"I don't think it's changed him as a person," said Key. "It's helped him get to Washington to really help us."

"He got his money the right way," Montford said. "I believe he's a person who, when he gets to Washinton, won't forget his roots. I mean, it's embedded in him."

The youth factor also troubled few. Hunt's five daughters, most of whom are in their fifties, are excited about Edwards' candidacy.

"He does look young, but we have not had our young people interested in politics in a long time, if ever, and I believe he can inspire them," she said. "He's got so much energy."

In an interview to air Wednesday, CBS News Anchor Dan Rather asked Edwards what separated him from Vice President Dick Cheney.

"I think we have a different vision of the world," said Edwards, who was joined in the interview by his wife Elizabeth.

"I think the vice president has shown through his own actions during his administration that these alliances — America being strong but being engaged with the rest of the world in a positive way," Edwards added. "I think those things are not very important to the vice president based on what I've seen."

By Jarrett Murphy