WSJ: Edwards Strives to Stay In the Public Eye

Edwards Strives to Stay In the Public Eye

Out of Office, Former Vice-Presidential Candidate Tries to Make the Most of His Freedom

By JOHN HARWOOD
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
April 14, 2005; Page A4

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It can be tough for out-of-office politicians to get positive attention -- especially if their next election is three years away. But the former North Carolina senator is working hard at trying to convert the loss of his public platform into an opportunity for broken-field running that may yet take him to the White House in 2008. "I have the freedom to do more good about the things I care about," says Mr. Edwards, in shirt sleeves for a midmorning interview at his home in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood. "The campaign I have now is to do something about poverty in America, we'll just see where that leads."

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Mr. Edwards heads the new Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The wealthy former trial lawyer and his wife, Elizabeth, will sell their Washington house and move near Chapel Hill once she completes treatment for breast cancer in a few weeks. The post provides a $40,000 salary and an opportunity to explore an issue that was a cornerstone of his 2004 message, and remains important to liberal Democratic voters. Earlier this year, on the weekend the new center was announced, he flew to New Hampshire -- the first primary state -- to deliver a speech... Mr. Edwards also is seeking a platform with a foreign-policy think tank to fatten his international résumé. Next month he plans to visit the United Kingdom and Dubai before heading to India in the fall.

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Edwards advisers say he helped the ticket improve its performance in small towns and rural areas last November. In fact, Bush campaign polling data suggest Mr. Edwards's stumping helped the Democratic ticket more than Mr. Kerry's did. Daron Shaw, a University of Texas political scientist close to the Bush team, has calculated that the average Edwards appearance reduced Mr. Bush's poll standing by .389% in affected media markets, more than double the .169% average dent from Kerry visits.

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The speeches -- some free of charge, others for fees Edwards aides won't disclose -- are more sedate than campaign events. He took the stage at American University's Bender Arena without blaring rock music, and his prepared remarks didn't mention Mr. Bush. Yet a sense of purpose was evident when he answered questions, some from students who had helped with his 2004 campaign. When one implored Mr. Edwards to seek the presidency again, he paused, smiled, and responded, "Thank you."

Write to John Harwood at john.harwood@wsj.com

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http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB111344157134206670,00.html

That's no surprise but I loved reading that. The party seriously needs to stop ignoring rural areas if we expect to win.