EDWARDS BUS TRIP LAUNCHES WEDNESDAY

[Bombtrack]

) U.S. Sen. John Edwards will board the "Real Solutions Express" -- a campaign bus -- next week for a six-day trip around Iowa.
The North Carolina Democrat's wife, Elizabeth, and three children -- Kate, 21, Emma Claire, 5, and Jack, 3 -- will be joining him on his travels around the nation's first presidential caucus state, the campaign announced.

The trip, which starts Wednesday, includes meetings with Democratic activists, "Main Street" walks and time at the Iowa State Fair. Along the way, Edwards plans to hawk "Real Solutions for America," his 60-page campaign booklet that outlines his agenda.

A similar trip is planned later in the month in New Hampshire.

[TheBigGuy]

1. is this a takeoff on McCain?

what say you DU ers.?

[AP]

13. Clinton & Gore got on a Bush after '92 Dem convention

and drove around US. That's where McCain got it.

[hedda_foil]

2. He's taking a campaign bus trip with preschoolers in tow????

The bus trip idea is great but the only things the kids can do is get cranky and serve as window dressing for his campaign. If I were his wife I'd veto that idea pronto.

[Bombtrack]

4. Ever think Edwards might enjoy being with his family as much

as possible?

[liberalnurse]

5. How do you think he's going to repond to the

familiar questions, " When are we going to get there daddy? Are we there yet? " Oh, thats going to be festive. It better be a really big bus.

:party:

[sandnsea]

7. 6 days?

If he can't manage 2 pre-schoolers for 6 days, he won't be able to manage Congress anyway!

[mlawson]

11. Yeah, they are his kids, after all!

If he didn't take them, people would ask, why not??

[chimpymustgo]

12. LOL, sandnsea. I think he's up for both jobs.

nt

[AP]

14. Tell that to working class and poor families whose only

choice is to take the bus. If its good enough for them, I think the Edwards family can take it for a couple days.

[liberalnurse]

3. I think it is a workable means to

meet and energize democratic voters. I do see the 9 as being capable of covering a lot of territory and inspiring our base to get involved. I'd go see him.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. Me Too

And McCain didn't invent "campaigning by bus"

After the 92 Dem convention, Clinton and Gore rented a bus and drove through the heartland.

[jagguy]

8. it goes back much farther than that

.

[DemDogs]

9. Shows his family supports him

This is a great idea. And having his family there is better for him surely and shows voters that his family supports him.

[chimpymustgo]

10. It's a fabulous tactic. His family is supportive, loving and gorgeous.

It will reinforce the image of Camelot. Edwards has the RFK thing in spades.

[tjdee]

15. He's best one on one.

Hey candidates, New Jersey's important, it is, it is!

Man. Iowa is pretty lucky around primary time, huh.

I want to get a look at this folks in the flesh.

John Edwards is smart to do this, and it's good that he can have his family with him. Campaigning is probably tough when you don't see your family so much.

[chimpymustgo]

16. I hope this gets lots of tv coverage. Great pictures.

nt

[Habibi]

19. Heh. I was just thinking that too--

C'mon, youse guys. Upstate Noo Yawk! We wanna see youse too!

[jbm]

17. Edwards..

was my initial favorite,but he seemed to have faded from the limelight. Maybe I was a little early in counting him out of the game. Hope so!

[topdog08]

18. The campaign was purposely trying a "come back kid" approach

Looks like the idea was to save as much money as possible the first six months. As a result, they do not have much stuff in place yet.