Bush Disses John Edwards In N.C.

President Bush on Wednesday curtly dismissed Democratic Sen. John Edwards' political skills and experience as a rival to his vice president, telling reporters "Dick Cheney can be president."

Mr. Bush, campaigning in Edwards' home state of North Carolina, said he was unconcerned about the potential of Edwards to help carry states in the South — the backbone of Mr. Bush's political support.

"When they go to the polls to vote for president, they'll understand the senator from Massachusetts doesn't share their values," Mr. Bush said. "I'm going to carry the South because the people understand that they share — we share values."

When a reporter noted that Edwards was being described as "charming, engaging, a nimble campaigner, a populist and even sexy" and then asked "How does he stack up against Dick Cheney?" the president immediately responded, "Dick Cheney can be president. Next?"

After Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry selected Edwards as his running mate, the Bush campaign and the Republican Party immediately began criticizing Edwards' level of experience. He is serving his first term as a North Carolina senator, his only elective office after a 20-year career as a trial lawyer.

Mr. Bush said earlier that Edwards and other Senate Democrats are obstructing the work of the federal judiciary by refusing to fill judgeships around the country, resulting in backlogs of unresolved cases that languish for years in the federal courts.

"You're being hung out by a handful of United States senators," Bush said he told three of his judicial nominees in a private meeting in North Carolina, where polls show the ticket of Bush and Cheney even with Kerry and Edwards.

Planned weeks ago, Mr. Bush's trip turned out to be timed perfectly, considering Edwards' selection. After North Carolina, the president heads to Michigan to meet other federal court appointees whose nominations have been blocked by Senate Democrats. Mr. Bush will also raise money for the Republican Party in each state.