John Reid Edwards officially announced his candidacy today.

[chimpymustgo]

Before a huge, diverse crowd. Introduced by the NC Governor, and former Governor, Harvey Gantt, a minister who prayed that we need a President who will turn these dark skies Carolina blue. And finally, by his wonderful wife, Elizabeth, who gave a speech that made me love him more. From the Raleigh News and Observer:


Edwards officially joins race


By JOHN WAGNER, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

ROBBINS - Pledging to "make opportunity the birthright of every American," U.S. Sen. John Edwards made his presidential bid official this morning during a ceremony outside a shuttered textile mill in this small town where he grew up.

"America deserves a president who understands the people of this country, works for the people of this country and will stop at nothing to create opportunity for all the people of this country," Edwards told more than 1,000 supporters, many of whom had been bused in from across North Carolina.

Edwards has been running for president since January, but made-for-TV official announcement was intended to focus new attention on his campaign, at a critical juncture. While he has been enthusiastically received in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two nominating states, Edwards remains in the single digits in polls from both states.


Edwards used his half-hour speech, broadcast live on C-SPAN, to highlight initiatives to expand access to college, offer new tax breaks for the middle-class and lure new jobs to ailing areas.

-snip-

"This is where I learned that the simple promise of America is the enduring greatness of America: a better life for all who work for it. And so this is where - today - to make opportunity the birthright of every American, I declare myself a candidate for the president of the United States."

-snip-

http://www.newsobserver.com/edwards/coverage/story/2874046p-2650877c.html

[blm]

1. That was a welldone report on the event.

They were fair and not even close to snarky like most of the stories on the other candidates.

[JI7]

2. there was a "warmness" to it

i thought there was a warm close family type feeling to the whole event. it was very nice. and the small town song totally fits edwards.

[piece sine]

3. so....

the Breck Girl and Al Sharpton go hand-in-hand, hairdo to harido, skipping into oblivion, high on nothing but ego and hair spray.

[chimpymustgo]

5. And what are you high on?Edwards has wonderful proposals, ideas,

charisma and charm. Sorry, you seem to be lost in "loserland".

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. Ignore Him...

Edwards is my second choice after Wes Clark...

With a little seasoning Edwards can get the Clinton mojo...

[Donna Zen]

4. Aaron Brown

is having Edwards on right now.

[Rowdyboy]

6. He's a really quality guy...

Should he fail to win this go-round, I hope he runs again.

[caledesi]

8. Well, I am a Dean supporter, but

John Edwards really impressed me with his very passionate short speech at the Iowa steak fry. I thought he did great.

I think we have a great field of candidates <as the Big Dog said>

I would vote for any one of them, except of course, you-know-who.

[Cozmosis]

9. Edwards has risen to the top of my list

And so it begins(sorta)!

[newyawker99]

16. Hi Cozmosis!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[PurityOfEssence]

10. The ABC Evening News was rather respectful

Edwards was the first political story of the show, and they pointed out that the Clark campaign had stolen his thunder.

Of course, Wolf Blitzer looked at the camera after his short clip of Edwards with a derisive snotty look. Oh well.

Take heart, others see all of this too. Many rivers to cross.

[leftofthedial]

11. I'm a Kucinich guy

I don't think Edwards' ideas on the economy and on healthcare go far enough, but I really like the guy.

I think he potentially is a budding major populist superstar. I just wish he was more liberal.

But if he is nominated, I'll support him every way I can.

[sandnsea]

12. He is truly a decent human being

I was totally impressed with Edwards today, and his wonderful wife. I'm wondering if we aren't going to start seeing him push a little harder as we go along now. His speech in Iowa was a little more fired up than before and today definitely was. I don't know if his wife has given that speech before, but it sure confirmed that he is just a plain decent guy. Maybe he needs a better PR person to tell people more about him. I don't know if he has every answer, but I know he'd always do what he honestly thought was right. And the way he moved around that crowd, he really loves people!! With the crowd, he's even better than Clinton. Go Johnny Go!!

[Cozmosis]

15. Agreed

I really like his sincerity, and his sense of humor.. he semi announced his candidacy on the Daily Show.. you gotta like that :)

[fabius]

13. GO JOHN!

Hey like 'em all. May the best man or woman win.

Edwards seems like a good 2012 candidate if he doesn't get it this time. Edwards, Braun and Kucinich. The future.

[PurityOfEssence]

14. Just saw the Aaron Brown interview

Wonderful. He answered complicated and lengthy questions fully, quickly and clearly. Without sugar-coating the prospects for the budget within the decade, he went on to say how it should and could work.

A wonderful interview, and Brown dealt with him fairly. It was a really straightforward exchange with a shocking amount of detail in such a short amount of time. Yes, I'm partisan, but I'm very proud of him. If nothing else, it's nice to see someone who believes in the concept of public service. He will play well, so let's see how it goes from here.

His is an intelligence that is reassuring and strangely non-threatening. Since this has always been a bugaboo of American politics, hopefully he can glide past the derision usually brought to bear on politicians that bright.

[chimpymustgo]

17. Edwards has hit his stride. He's got the message, the charisma,

the demeanor, the family.

And he's the son of a mill worker - in case you forgot!