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Edwards campaigns in Madison

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Also by Abby Peterson:

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After publicly denying he would accept an offer to become vice president, Democratic Sen. John Edwards rallied a crowded room of supporters to “give me a shot at George Bush” at the Inn on the Park Saturday. Edwards touched on a large variety of issues, from problems of race in America to the movement of U.S. jobs overseas. He emphasized that free trade must be balanced with fair trade and that an economic recovery is a must in order to help all Americans. “When George Bush’s administration is talking about how well the economy is doing, they are talking about Wall Street, not Main Street,” Edwards said, arguing that Bush’s economic plans promote moving jobs overseas. “I’ll tell you the solution to this problem. It is to outsource this administration.” Saying he was leading a campaign that would never resign itself to cynicism, Edwards refused to attack frontrunner Sen. John Kerry. Edwards told reporters he would “rather say I’m a better bet” for president than say Kerry is an unfit candidate. “If you are looking for the Democrat who is the best at attacking the other Democrats, I am not that candidate,” he said. Although trailing in the polls to Kerry, Edwards said he would not pull out of the race even if he lost Wisconsin. Since 75 percent of all delegates have still not been decided, his campaign has plans all the way into March. The Wisconsin election is extremely “fluid,” as many voters are just beginning to just get information on the candidates, he said.

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz supports the North Carolina senator, saying Edwards was the only candidate who could beat George Bush. The Capital Times also endorsed Edwards.

Kate Hammarback, a UW junior, said she would vote for Edwards after listening to his speech. “I wasn’t really sure between Kerry and Edwards before, but I think Edwards is really in touch with relieving poverty and preventing racial equality, which are really important to me,” Hammarback said. Edwards spoke about the moral responsibility of lifting 35 million Americans out of poverty, saying, “We must say no forever to any American working full time and living in poverty.”

Edwards argued Bush has created two Americas, one for the privileged and one for all other Americans, by forming inequitable tax, education and health systems. “This democracy, this government, does not belong to those insiders; it belongs to you,” Edwards said.