Sen. John Edwards courts voters in ("feels at home in") Iowa, New Hampshire

The News & Observer ^ | June 17, 2002 | Lynn Bonner

[jern]

During an address to Democratic activists in Iowa this weekend, U.S. Sen. John Edwards told the crowd, "I feel very much at home here."

It's not hard to understand why. The trip was Edwards' fourth to the state since the 2000 presidential election, and more visits are in the works. Aides say the 2004 presidential aspirant plans to be back the weekend of Aug. 17 through 18 and also is looking at September dates.

Iowa holds the first presidential caucus in 2004, and voters there have grown accustomed to having plenty of face time with potential candidates.

"Running for president in Iowa is kind of like running for county sheriff," said Dick Myers, the Democratic leader in the Iowa state House.

Edwards' Friday night address was similar to other political speeches he's giving around the country these days. But there was a notable addition to the populist rhetoric: Edwards put in a big plug for the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel. That's a big issue, of course, with Iowa farmers.

Edwards got some unscheduled podium time Saturday morning at the Iowa Democrats' state convention. He received a rousing reception after brief remarks plugging the 2002 re-election campaigns of Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin and Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Edwards heads to New Hampshire this weekend for a series of events designed to boost his exposure in the first state to hold a presidential primary in 2004. This will be Edwards' second trip to the Granite State. Return visits are penciled in for the first full weekend in September and a few days in October.

In the meantime, Edwards is convening a meeting of major supporters of his political action committee, the New American Optimists, in late June. Nearly 50 people are expected to converge on St. Simons Island in Georgia for a weekend retreat, where they'll talk strategy about Edwards' future.

One of the Optimists' biggest attention-getting moves thus far has been the donation of 176 computers to the Democratic parties in Iowa and New Hampshire.

More recently, and more quietly, the PAC shipped smaller batches of PCs to Democrats in North Carolina and South Carolina.

North Carolina, of course, is Edwards' home state. South Carolina is more than a good neighbor. Democrats there have moved up their 2004 presidential primary so that it falls almost immediately after the contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

New chief of staff

Halfway through his fourth year in the Senate, Edwards now has his third chief of staff in Washington.

Miles Lackey, a former Clinton administration staffer, is replacing Jeff Lane, who held the post for about two years.

Lane, a former top aide to U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota, recently went on paternity leave and won't be returning, Edwards spokesman Mike Briggs said.

"He had a baby and didn't want to work the hours that some of us work, and have no family life," Briggs said.

Lackey, who grew up in Shelby, joined Edwards' Senate office in early 2001 as Edwards' legislative director. Before that, Lackey ran the legislative affairs office of the National Security Council.

By Washington correspondent John Wagner and staff writers Wade Rawlins and Lynn Bonner. Wagner can be reached at (202) 662-4380 or jwagner@mcclatchydc.com.

[Semper Paratus]

I would love for him to go up against Bush.

"Do you want another slick as oil southern democrat ambulance chasing lawyer as your President".

[Constitution Day]

North Carolina, of course, is Edwards' home state.

Even though some of us don't want to claim him.

[Constitution Day]

Senator Ambulance Chaser ping!

Please Freepmail me if:

1) You want to be added to my North Carolina ping-list.
2) You no longer want to be included in this North Carolina ping-list.

FRegards,
Constitution Day

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[Howlin]

Edwards' support slips in latest Elon University Poll
Less than half of North Carolinians approve of the job U.S. Senator John Edwards is doing on Capitol Hill, while a majority of citizens are paying little attention to the upcoming Senate race to replace Jesse Helms.

Those are among the findings of a new Elon University Poll, conducted
April 15-18 by the Elon Institute for Politics and Public Affairs. The poll sampled the opinions of 648 adults in the state and has a margin of error of ± 3.9 percent.

Only 43 percent of North Carolinians approve of the job Edwards is doing in the Senate, down significantly from a February Elon Poll which measured his approval rating at 53 percent, and an October Elon Poll which gave him a 57 percent approval rating. Enthusiasm was also low for a potential White House bid by Edwards, with just 41 percent of citizens indicating their support.

"The lack of support Edwards is receiving in his home state for a possible presidential nomination is somewhat surprising," says Sharon Spray, assistant professor of political science and director of the Elon University Poll. "But Edwards has not received a lot of publicity at home for his accomplishments in Washington. He has received a great deal of attention recently indicating he spends a lot of time outside Washington. People may think that he is not spending enough time doing what they expect him to do as a senator," says Spray.

Perhaps Mr. Edwards SHOULD make Iowa or New Hampshire his home!

[billbears]

I would love for him to go up against Bush.

I wouldn't!! They'll have to wear uniforms to tell them apart. After what he's done to us here in NC, I'd be suprised if he wins his home state

[callisto]

In the meantime, Edwards is convening a meeting of major supporters of his political action committee, the New American Optimists, in late June....

One of the Optimists' biggest attention-getting moves thus far has been the donation of 176 computers to the Democratic parties in Iowa and New Hampshire.

More recently, and more quietly, the PAC shipped smaller batches of PCs to Democrats in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Sounds like he's trying to buy the Presidency. Oh, those are only for Dems. hmmm, well based on the latest popularity stats I've seen maybe he needs to bribe his own base.

[boomop1]

Just a side, I was watching Torriclle on Fox News yesterday and he as Edwards does non stop blinking, we know the torch is a lying criminal. Edwards is a moron, never prepared for a tough question it would be a joy to watch him in a debate.

[Free the USA]

Another list that covers all candidates for president.

[Theodore R.]

Don't discount Edwards too soon. If Bush goes into free fall in late 2003, as his father did in 1991, then Edwards could combine the strengths of his neighbor "Georgia Jimmy" and his ideological comrade, "Arkansas Bill." Pretty soon the South would rise again with a native-born southern candidate, not one born in CT. The people don't know that he is liberal because he will talk "moderate." And the media people like Bruce Morton or Chris Matthews will say that the Democrats have revitalized themselves with another charismatic southern candidate who can steal away the "hearts" of Dixie.

[Constitution Day]

Thanks!

[Constitution Day]

The people don't know that he is liberal because he will talk "moderate."

That, and the fact that Lauch Faircloth ran a dog of a campaign, is what got Edwards elected here.

[newgeezer]

Edwards put in a big plug for the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.

Yep, that's about all it takes to make most folks love you here in Ioway. Nevermind the fact that ethanol results from a terribly inefficient method of converting sunshine (and fertilizer and herbicides and insecticides and diesel fuel and processing plant resources) into "an alternative fuel."

[biblewonk]

Yep, that's about all it takes to make most folks love you here in Ioway. Nevermind the fact that ethanol results from a terribly inefficient method of converting sunshine (and fertilizer and herbicides and insecticides and diesel fuel and processing plant resources) into "an alternative fuel."

We're not tree huggers, we're corn huggers.

[Durus]

The last thing New Hampshire needs is another democrat import.

[johnny7]

Edwards is perfect for the DNC. Young, a southerner like Clinton and a liberal to-the-bone.

Bush won't have to do a nose dive. His father didn't and lost to a rapist!

Look how close that dolt Gore came.

The suckermoms, seniors, blacks and most hispanics will flock to him.

Throw in Hitlery as VP and the Jews and gays will jump on the wagon.

The media will fawn over this “breath of fresh air”. Toss in McCainiac as an Independent and Bush clearly loses.

[warchild9]

Conservatives around Central NC, at least, are souring on Bush, and women love that Kennedy-I'll-be-a-better-husband-for-you hair. The Mexicans nationwide will never compensate for the loss of the former, and the latter make the vast majority of the white population. I'd say he's got a chance.

[Theodore R.]

But Karl Rove and the Bushies think they will be largely unopposed in 2004. Talk about "wishful thinking." I am expecting a disaster in 2002, maybe with the liberal Ron Kirk becoming the next black senator and only the fifth in history. People in TX do not know that he is liberal. He is a former mayor of Dallas. For years, Dallas was synonymous with TX conservatism. Of course, Dallas is now a liberal stronghold, but most Texans don't know how Dallas has changed. And John Cornyn is doing no campaigning to speak of thus far. Cornyn thinks HE is a shoo-in.

[Theodore R.]

We cannot blame these southern voters for choosing Democrat candidates. Why? The GOP is offering them nothing, not even any "serious" rhetoric as it did in the days of Nixon or Reagan. The GOP is spending all its time trying to convert Democrats instead of getting the faithful to the polls in a predictable, orderly manner.