'Common Man' Focus of Edwards' Campaign

RALEIGH -- After several months of hinting at a presidential bid, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., announced Thursday that he will make a run for the White House in 2004. He kicked off his presidential campaign Saturday with several fund-raisers, including one at Greenshields Brewery and Pub.

At the Greenshields event, Edwards said he will show the rest of the United States the principles of North Carolina while he fights for regular people.

"It's about showing the rest of America and the entire world what North Carolina is made of," he said. "We will be the voice for regular Americans every single day, and I will be their voice in the White House."

Edwards has long considered himself a champion of the "regular people." He points to his career as a successful trial lawyer -- during the course of which, he says, he defended the rights of the average citizen.

He says he has continued that service during his four years in the U.S. Senate, where he served opposite longtime Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C. Edwards will become the state's senior senator today as Helms leaves office and Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., takes his place. Edwards now is one of eight potential contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Notable guests at the Greenshields event included former Gov. Jim Hunt, State Auditor Ralph Campbell, N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper and former N.C. Secretary of State Rufus Edmisten. Edwards said Saturday that he will uphold an earlier decision not to take money from political action committees or Washington, D.C., insiders.

Edwards said that while he will serve all the common citizens' needs, his campaign's centerpieces will be the economy, civil rights and national security. "We will lead, we will not follow, on civil rights," he said. "We will stand up to stop discrimination in this country and support judges who stand up for (civil rights). We will make sure people are safe and get this economy working again."

Edwards also said he will fight to give every child an equal education. "In America, no matter your income, every child can afford an education the richest parent in America can afford for their children," he said. "We're going to show the country we have a vision for America that lifts up all Americans. We have the courage to make it there."

Mary Gail Walker, a Wake County Public Schools employee, said Edwards will stand up for the rights of regular people in the United States.

"He's not afraid to bring up issues such as civil rights like the Bush administration," she said. "I am so tired of people not speaking about the issues. He's not -- he's not based in fear."

Edwards' avid supporters are confident in his message. "I really like what he stands for -- civil rights and social justice," said Reyna Walters, a former UNC student body president who is now a member of the N.C. General Assembly's staff. "I can relate to him and where he comes from on an everyday level."

Since Saturday, Edwards has appeared on ABC News' "This Week" and has traveled to several states to campaign. He is in Washington today for the start of the 108th U.S. Congress.

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.