Newly announced Presidential contender John Edwards was in New Hampshire today.
After announcing his candidacy Thursday in New Orleans, the North Carolina Democrat took off on a whirlwind tour of all the early primary and caucus states.
NHPR Correspondent Roger Wood attended the Portsmouth event and files this report.
John Edwards acknowledges applause from the crowd in Portsmouth, including Congresswoman-elect Carol Shea-Porter. (Courtesy Steve Garfield)
The 53 year old former Senator from North Carolina packed an elementary school auditorium in Portsmouth.
Several hundreds more shivered outside due to limited seating.
Edwards asked voters to join him in taking responsibility for problems from poverty to global warming.
And He spoke out strongly against the Bush administration’s war in Iraq.
He told the crowd that he rejects the strategy of sending thousands more troops into the region.
And said the best way to prove the US will leave Iraq is to begin that process.
(Edwards 2) :10
“At the end of the day, it’s the Iraqi’s themselves who have control of their destiny. They have to decide whether they’re going to have a government that’s representative of all Iraqi’s.â€
On the domestic front, Edwards, who ran as the Vice Presidential nominee in 2004, called for investments in alternative energy and changes in the nation’s health care system.
(Edwards 4) :03
“The answer’s simple, we need universal health care in Americaâ€
And during a question and answer session, Edwards was asked about his position on gay marriage.
He responded that he agrees with the right of civil unions between same sex couples, but…
(Edwards 5)
“It’s a jump for me to get to gay marriage, and I haven’t yet gotten across that bridge, but it is something that I struggle with.
His comments on that issue turned off some voters at the Town Meeting style forum.
Mike Michaels from Rye supports gay marriage.
He said that he wouldn’t vote for Edwards.
(Michaels) :05
“I was a little stunned really to hear his comment about gay marriage.â€
Another Rye resident Alisa Bolton, was more supportive, but not completely impressed.
(Bolton) :10
“I wasn’t quite as inspired as I have been but I still like that on some issues he’s really willing to step out front and state what he believes, and that’s what I think we really need in our politicians.â€
After the Portsmouth event, Edwards was scheduled to announce his intentions in Nevada, South Carolina, and end up in his home state of North Carolina.
Currently only two other democrats have formally announced they will run for the Presidency--Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich.
For NHPR News, this is Roger Wood in Portsmouth.
