Edwards agrees to help in statewide Democratic races

http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw115611_20050510.htm

Edwards agrees to help in statewide Democratic races
May 10, 2005, 8:21 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Former vice presidential nominee John Edwards agreed Tuesday to help strengthen the Democratic presence in state legislatures, including Michigan's, by recruiting candidates and raising money. "Far too often, people think that the solutions to the problems we face as a country must come from Washington, but much of the important work on the issues Americans face every day is done in the states," Edwards said in a prepared release. "State legislators can do a great deal to fight poverty, expand educational opportunities, and make health care more affordable."

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator who joined the ticket of Sen. John Kerry last year, has agreed to help raise money for Democratic legislative caucuses in Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Maine, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Carolina during the next few months. He also plans to work in other states later in the year. Edwards recently founded the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The center draws together university faculty and public policy experts to study how to move people out of poverty.

Edwards also recently announced that he is working with labor unions and community organizations to put initiatives to raise the minimum wage on the ballot in targeted states. North Carolina Republican Party chairman Ferrell Blount contended Democratic candidates choose not to link themselves to Edwards. "Voters rejected John Edwards' liberal message during the 2004 election, and voters will again reject the candidates that John Edwards recruits and assists financially," Blount said in a prepared statement.

im glad hes staying "in the game" and using his celebrity to help good dem causes.

The more nationally-known Democrats we can get out there helping candidates, the better we are. I'm especially excited about him spreading his anti-poverty message because too few prominent Democrats do.

The only thing that still disturbs me about him is his support early on for Bush's folly.

Given that he's a genuinely intelligent man, I'm very interested to hear his point of view about that stance now. Looks like it's time to do some Googling.

There are at least 4 dates listed for the next couple weeks.

I like his statements and his efforts.