Edwards Exults in South Carolina Win
By Randal C. Archibold -- The New York Times
Wednesday, February 4, 2004COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 3 — With the pounding beat of the rock song "Small Town" rattling the walls, Senator John Edwards seized the moment on Tuesday night that was more than a year in the making...
"It's a long way from that little house in Seneca, S.C., to here tonight," Mr. Edwards said, referring to the town where he was born the son of millworker. "Tonight, you said that the politics of lifting people up beats the politics of tearing people down. And today, we said clearly to the American people that in our country, our America, everything is possible."
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But Mr. Edwards did not celebrate long, speaking six minutes before slipping backstage for hugs with his parents, Bobbie and Wallace, and supporters. Pressing for further victories in the South, Mr. Edwards planned to take off for Tennessee, for a campaign event on Wednesday morning in Memphis and an afternoon town-hall-style forum in Virginia.
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"Based on what I see on my television," Mr. Edwards said, "
is not ignoring it. He is spending a lot of money here. He made his announcement for his presidential campaign here in South Carolina. He's got the endorsement of most of the statewide public officials, the best-known public officials. I think we're in a dogfight here."
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"The truth is I may be losing my voice, but you haven't lost yours," he told the crowd of 80. "You can go to the polls today and make an enormous difference."
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