Edwards's Theme: U.S. Poverty


Today, former Sen. John Edwards begins testing his hunch that Americans, though focused now on the war in Iraq, can be won over to a campaign built on what he calls "the great moral issue of our time" -- fighting poverty at home. He plans to do so with an unorthodox announcement of his candidacy, not standing on a flag-draped stage, but volunteering his labor in New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward, which is still struggling to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

The North Carolina Democrat's theme of ending the "Two Americas" of haves and have-nots dates to his 2004 presidential bid. Mr. Edwards didn't win his party's nomination then, but his strong reception among voters helped him to secure a place as Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's running mate. Mr. Edwards argues that the disparity between the richest Americans and the working class has widened since then.

Posted: Thu - December 28, 2006 at 01:35 PM          

©