Sen. Edwards Announces White House Run

AP | 1/02/03 | REBECCA MILLER

[kattracks]

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan 02, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Democratic Sen. John Edwards will run for president in 2004, telling guests at a party at his home Wednesday he will form an exploratory committee.

The first-term senator from North Carolina told about 200 friends he will announce his plans publicly Thursday, said Walter Dellinger, a former U.S. solicitor general who attended the New Year's Day party.

Edwards' guests gathered in his back yard while the senator thanked them for their support during his time in the Senate and in "what I'm going to do next."

As he spoke, a loud cheer went up.

"John was talking about where he wants to lead the country," Ed Turlington, a former state Democratic party executive director, said afterward in describing the announcement. "He asked for our support. Our answer was yes."

Edwards' announcement gives him the jump on several of his colleagues in Congress who are also expected to join the Democratic field in 2004.

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry are already running, and associates expect Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt to announce he's running within the next week.

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman is leaning toward a run, though he hasn't set a timetable for his decision. Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle is still talking with supporters with a plan to decide by mid-January, and Florida Sen. Bob Graham has said he will decide this month.

Edwards, 49, a millionaire former trial lawyer, has spent months making the rounds at Democratic functions in Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere.

Standing with his youngest children, 2-year-old son Jack and 4-year-old Emma Claire, Edwards said before the party started that his family was uppermost in his mind as he considered whether to run.

"I've been thinking about North Carolina and the nation and what effect it's going to have on my family," he said.

He is scheduled to appear on NBC's "Today" show Thursday morning to make his announcement official. He also has two fund-raisers scheduled for Saturday in Raleigh.

Edwards would be up for Senate re-election in 2004, a factor that had to be weighed in making a decision on the presidential race.

Edwards' move toward a run has drawn a lot of attention. He was an early hit with Democratic activists who saw him as telegenic and able to connect with voters.

The last three Democratic presidents - Lyndon Johnson of Texas, Jimmy Carter of Georgia and Bill Clinton of Arkansas - have been from the South.

Edwards grew up as the son of a textile mill employee, born in South Carolina but spending his teenage years in Robbins, N.C. He became a successful trial lawyer in Raleigh, winning personal injury cases against big companies and amassing a fortune of $14 million.

---

Associated Press writers Ron Fournier in Washington and Scott Mooneyham in Raleigh contributed to this report.

---

On the Net:

Edwards' Senate Web site: http://edwards.senate.gov

By REBECCA MILLER Associated Press Writer

Copyright 2003 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[JohnHuang2]

Edwards who? You don't mean that rookie air-head, ex-ambulance-chaser who still thinks Iowa is a separate country, do you? ;^)

[kattracks]

That's the one.

[JohnHuang2]

Figures. lol

[JohnHuang2]

For Democrats, it seems, the bad news just keeps on coming:

Item 1) New Year celebrations went peaceful -- no terrorist attack on U.S. soil, depriving Dems of grist for the 'Bush-Isn't-Doing-Enough-ON-Homeland-Defense' mill. The newsies were, till 12:01 New Year's morning, almost giddy over prospects a group of as many as 19 Muslim extremists, who reportedly entered the country illegally through Canada, were poised to strike on New Year's day, handing Democrats a major issue.

Item 2) Tom Daschle has decided, and it's a go -- he's running for president. "Daschle," writes Adam Nagourney in this morning's New York Times, "has told associates that he is likely to run for president in 2004 and will create a presidential exploratory committee sometime this month." This, according to "Democrats close to Mr. Daschle."

Daschle, for those who might not be familiar with the name, is the outgoing Democrat Senate "Majority" Leader who led his party to overwhelming defeat in November's midterm elections, costing the Bush-haters control of the Senate. That, if my history is correct, is a first for first midterm elections. Republicans, I assure you, are 'bring-it-on' chortling this New Year's Day.

[byteback]

I love to see so many Senators up in 2004 running; Daschle, Edwards and Graham where the GOP has a better than even chance at the seat. This could be a monster year with 7 or so pickups if Boxer gets a challenge, Giuliani runs, Hollings retires, bin Murray goes down, REid goes down in NV and Huckabee runs in AR. There's a rumor that Nickles will step down and JC Watts will run.

[kattracks]

I can't wait for the backbiting to begin.

[JohnHuang2]

The good thing is, with so many Senate Dems running for president, every criticism lobbed at the White House will be neutralized as purely political.

[JohnHuang2]

Especially Bob Graham, whom the media loved to cite as an "authority" on intel. He now stands as no more than just another opportunist after Bush's job.

[Mo1]

Standing with his youngest children, 2-year-old son Jack and 4-year-old Emma Claire, Edwards said before the party started that his family was uppermost in his mind as he considered whether to run.

Kind of reminds ya of JFK.. doesn't it

[JohnnyZ]

The good thing is, with so many Senate Dems running for president, every criticism lobbed at the White House will be neutralized as purely political.

That's kind of funny, really. I think you meant: "every criticism lobbed at the White House will be accorded extra credibility coming from the Next Leader of the Free World".

[Leisler]

Edwards! And He's a tobacco lawyer too! And such nice children! Wow!

(sound of crickets)

< sarcasm off >

[wotan]

Don't underestimate Edwards. He is willing to advocate what it takes to win.

From his website (Dec. 18, 2002):

"Pointing to dramatic failures in stopping the September 11 terrorists from entering the country, Senator Edwards also proposed increasing the number of immigration, border patrol and state department consular officials by 10,000. He called for tripling funds for border control information technology, and condensing the confusing array of immigration documents."

Bush is going to be in big trouble if the economy is tanking in 2004, there is another big terrorist attack, and he's still dragging his feet on preventing illegal immigration.

[Tom D.]

It looks like Edwards' pollsters have told him that he cannot win a Senate re-election in 2004 so he has nothing to loose by running for Prez. I'm guessing that the NC Democrats will give Bowles another shot at a Senate seat. It's too early to know who the Republicans will run for that seat, but if I had to guess, I think Congressman Richard Burr of Winston-Salem has the inside track at the Republican nomination for that seat.

It is interesting to note that this Senate Seat has changed hands everytime it has come open since the mid-1970's when Senator B. Everett Jordon retired.

[ihatemyalarmclock]

Edwards gives me flashbacks. I swear to God he has Glen Campbell's 1969 hair.

[No Dems 2004]

Personally, while I'm not overconfident for the GOP, I don't think that John Edwards has got what it takes. He's radically liberal on issues like abortion (he even opposes the partial birth abortion ban) and homosexuality, while at the same time claiming to be "moderate". Recent surveys that I've heard of have suggested that he's not even all that popular in his native NC. Don't forget what happened to Max Cleland who had pretty much the same record as Edwards. Being the slick, pretty boy won't buy him the presidency -- people want substance.

By the way, any more word on Bob Graham's potential candidacy?

[No Dems 2004]

"Don't underestimate Edwards. He is willing to advocate what it takes to win."

I must agree with your assertion that we must not be overconfident of President Bush winning re-election. I always pray that he'll remain aware that he's human and mustn't think he's invincible.

But let's not fear the Democrats either. I fully expect the Democrats to do everything they feel they can to win, and we may even feel vulnerable sometimes. But John Edwards and all the other Democrats planning to run are not good men, and they can't pretend to be either.

So let's have faith and pray for the best for our nation.

[Jim Noble]

>>4-year-old Emma Claire,<<

who has asked her parents to change her name to Caroline...

[Snardius]

Kind of reminds ya of JFK.. doesn't it

Kennedy announced for president on this day in 1960. Coincidence? I think not.

[Snardius]

"He became a successful trial lawyer in Raleigh, winning personal injury cases against big companies and amassing a fortune of $14 million."

IOW, he's an opportunistic parasite.

[johnny7]

Don't underestimate Edwards.

Nor Kerry either. Both are more restrained than crazy Algore... and he almost won!

We won by The Electoral College and the SCOTUS.

[PJ-Comix]

Let us now welcome Edwards' candidacy by offering up this campaign song for him written by Freeper azhenfud:

Hello ambulance, my old friend, I've come to chase you once again,
Because a money vision creeping, Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain,
Still remains, within the sound of sirens.

In restless dreams I ran alone, through the streets on my cellphone,
'neath the halos of the street lamps, I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a rescue light
That split the night, and heard the sound of sirens.

And in the naked light I saw, Ten injured people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking, People hearing without listening,
Suing others, without any care.
Since Johnny's there, Amidst the sound of sirens.

"Fools" said I, "You do not know, how sirens set my heart a glow.
I use the courts that I might teach you, I use lawsuits that I might reach you."
But my words like heavy raindrops fell,
And echoed, Like the wail of sirens.

And those alike bowed and prayed, To the flashing gods they made.
And the strobe flashed out its warning, In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, "The words of the juries are written on the ER walls
And patient halls." and whisper'd in the sound of sirens.

...in the sound of sirens....

[PJ-Comix]

Edwards gives me flashbacks. I swear to God he has Glen Campbell's 1969 hair.

That is so he can campaign against John F. Kerry's 1960 John F. Kennedy hair helmet.

[The Wizard]

Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, etc, etc, etc................

[Sparta]

John the Frat Boy is running for President? God can't be this good to Republicans.

[PJ-Comix]

When does Al Sharpton announce his candidacy and will it be on the Today Show? I sure want to see the uncomfortable looks from Matt and Katie when Big Al makes his announcement.

[hchutch]

Too bad we would not be able to "Stern" such an announcement.

[Cottonbay]

For NC / Edwards list-
Let the fun begin....

[Constitution Day]

Let the fun begin....

Wheeeeeeeee! :)

[Constitution Day]

Ambulance chaser alert!!

[Constitution Day]

NC ping!
Please FRmail me if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[guitfiddlist]

Imagine if it were Sen. Edwards first to the accident scene in Broward County. He would've had his business card in each of the victim's hands, live or dead, and would be interviewing State Troopers and witnesses to prioritize the list of his own victims for lawsuits, including the car manufacturer, the state highway authority, drivers of other proximate vehicles, and the paramedics for their actions in trying to rescue survivors.

I'd advise 'Rat scumbags to take a goooood look at the kind of trash holding their banner - and compare them to a man like Frist.

[Constitution Day]

indexing...

Click the negative for *Edwards Watch articles!

[AmishDude]

Nope, it's this guy:

I hear he can talk to the dead, which helps him immensely with constituent services.

[rmvh]

Don't kid yourself....Edwards will be a formidable opponent!!!

Women "go for his boyish looks and big hair and the vast majority of voting females don't care that he is an intellectual moron.

[AlwaysLurking]

I love how Edwards is pictured outside his million dollar house in Raleigh, not to be confused with his new 3 million dollar house in the DC area, or his million dollar house on exclusive (no Blacks allowed) Figure 8 Island....but he says he wants to be "a champion for regular people."
Uh huh.........................................

When asked about the high cost of health care/drugs, he said this morning on a local radio interview that he had been talking to doctors about that and was just not sure why the costs were so high....maybe it was the drug companies who invested in the stock market and when they had loses they passed it on to the little people.......Yeah RIGHT Johnny....maybe it is because of trial lawyers like you who drive up cost with exorbitant lawsuits......ya think??? And who, might we ask, are your largest financial supporters??? Trial lawyers from across the fruited plains are shoveling money at you! Wonder why?

I am telling you this guy is dangerous.....very dangerous!!!!! I can not stress it enough!!! He is a total light weight but the press will be creaming in their jeans over him!

[wbill]

"Pointing to dramatic failures in stopping the September 11 terrorists from entering the country, Senator Edwards also proposed increasing the number of immigration, border patrol and state department consular officials by 10,000. He called for tripling funds for border control information technology, and condensing the confusing array of immigration documents."

But...but...but I thought that Republicans were the ones that were against immigration. They always repress minorities! /sarcasm

I wonder how quickly this one will get kicked under the rug when Edwards realizes that he needs the Hispanic vote to carry California.

[Hatteras]

I'm reeling this morning. As I mentioned on another thread, this morning my boss came in boasting of being at the Edwards' home last night for the announcement. So THAT'S where this year's raise is going? I think I'm going to be sick. I need to find a new job...

[Constitution Day]

I am telling you this guy is dangerous.....very dangerous!!!!! I can not stress it enough!!! He is a total light weight but the press will be creaming in their jeans over him!

BUMP to that!!

[AlwaysLurking]

EDWARDS MAKES IT OFFICIAL
http://www.newsobserver.com/edwards/latest_all/

I can not post pictures but check out the art the Raleigh News and Observer is using on all stories about Edwards....look like anyone we know?????

[guitfiddlist]

NC Freepers need to get this suit's schedule - that is, if he ever plans to be in NC again. If he comes down Charlotte way, let me know.

[mewzilla]

Does Edwards sit on the Senate's Selcect intelligence Committee? And if so, how long as he been there? Because if he is on that committee, I can see a whole bunch of 9-11 related questions coming up to bite that guy on his fanny.

[Constitution Day]

ROFL!!!

[PJ-Comix]

NC Freepers need to get this suit's schedule - that is, if he ever plans to be in NC again. If he comes down Charlotte way, let me know.

Why? Do you want to serenade him with his new campaign theme song?

[Hatteras]

Just great, ain't it? Now we will finally have our opportunity to see what a wonderful president RFK would have been...

/sarcasm

[PJ-Comix]

They need to publish the John Edwards Campaign Theme song on that site.

[Constitution Day]

As I mentioned on another thread, this morning my boss came in boasting of being at the Edwards' home last night for the announcement.

Good Lord, man. You have my sympathies.

[mwl1]

Your analogy is weak. The companion year to Kennedy's announcement would be 2004, not 2003. Kennedy did not announce on January 2, 1959.

That was a different era.

[guitfiddlist]

Why? Do you want to serenade him with his new campaign theme song?

That is an intriguing thought. Does he have one? If not, I'm sure we can Freep one out for him. Suggestions?

[Constitution Day]

They need to publish the John Edwards Campaign Theme song on that site.

That will NEVER happen, PJ.
The Raleigh News and Observer (a.k.a. "Views and Distorter", etc.) is NC's self-anointed 'paper of record'.

It's like our New York Slimes.