Posted on 12/29/2006 8:17:29 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
It was a crowd to warm any candidate's heart - even in a New Hampshire winter. Over a year ahead of the nation's first presidential primary, so many voters turned out Friday to hear Democratic hopeful John Edwards' call for a new spirit of American activism on problems ranging from poverty to global warming that hundreds were left standing outside in freezing temperatures.
Nearly a quarter of the crowd of more than 800 were unable to squeeze into the elementary school cafeteria where Edwards was to speak.
The former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee ended up giving his introductory remarks outside, using a microphone that broadcast his voice inside, before heading indoors.
"What we're asking is for you, the people of New Hampshire, not to wait for the next election to take responsibility," he said. "Identifying a problem and talking about hope is talking about tomorrow. We can't wait until tomorrow."
New Hampshire was the third stop on Edwards's six-state, three-day tour to announce his second candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. The early announcement allows him time to build grass-roots support in states with early nominating contests, including Iowa, Nevada, South Carolina and New Hampshire, where Edwards finished fourth in 2004.
He's hardly been a stranger since then, returning to the state just three months after the 2004 general election and at least nine more times before officially starting his second campaign this week.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
