I am a white middle age male voter,I belong to the same  voting group in South Carolina that John Edwards carried. First I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR I am staying with John Edwards all the way. However The conventional wisdom is that if Edwards was not running we would be supporting Obama. but in my case I cannot vote for Obama or Hillary.  

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Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement about today's release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showing the largest increase in union membership since 1979.

"I salute the courage, tenacity, and success of the men and women who have joined the labor movement in historic numbers over the past year, and in doing so, have helped strengthen the middle class in America. I have stood on countless picket lines and in the trenches of organizing campaigns across this country with strong men and women who simply seek fair pay, decent benefits, and a voice on their jobs. But I know too well the ongoing harassment that these Americans face for seeking unionization, and as we struggle with difficult economic times, I will fight even harder to make it easier for more workers to join unions through passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, by calling on employers to be responsible and law abiding, and by continuing to stand with workers in their campaigns."

In the first 25 days of this quarter, campaign has raised more online than the whole 4th quarter - the vast majority of which will be doubled by federal matching funds

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – As a sign of John Edwards' growing grassroots support across the country, today the Edwards campaign announced that it has raised more than $3 million online during the first 25 days of the quarter - more than it raised during the whole 4th quarter of last year. Just yesterday, the campaign had one of its best fundraising days, taking in more than $230,000 in contributions. The vast majority of online contributions will be doubled by federal matching funds.

"First, we want to thank everyone who has contributed," said senior advisor Joe Trippi. "More and more Americans want to get involved in our campaign because they recognize that John Edwards is the only candidate in this race with the backbone to say we are in a fight for the middle class and we can't negotiate or take money from powerful entrenched interests if we are going to have change - we have to take them on. Our campaign relies on the support of regular Americans, and with their support we can bring real change to America."

The Edwards campaign has been built on reaching out to all Americans - not just those who can give the maximum donation to the campaign. Edwards is the only candidate who has never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or PACs. He continues to gain new support as he travels the country to talk with voters about his plans to fight for the middle class.

Americans are also responding to Edwards' Tuesday night debate performance, where he remained focused on the issues that really matter to voters. During the hour following Tuesday night's debate, the campaign saw a significant spike in online fundraising - setting the pace for days of donations arriving in record amounts. Building on the momentum from Tuesday's debate, today the campaign released new two ads in South Carolina that highlight Edwards' commitment to talking about the challenges facing America, instead of attacking his opponents.

Edwards campaign unveils new television and radio ads in South Carolina one day before voters head to the polls

Columbia, South Carolina – As Senators Clinton and Obama continue to squabble, the John Edwards for President campaign today released two new ads in South Carolina focusing on the issues that really matter to the American people in this election.

The new 30-second television spot "Grown Up" includes clips from last Monday's South Carolina debate where Senators Clinton and Obama launch viscous personal attacks against each other. These attacks are contrasted with Edwards' "grown up" response where he reminds voters that this election is not about us personally – but rather "what we are trying to for this country."

In the new radio ad, "What Really Matters," Edwards says he is "proud to represent the grown up wing of the Democratic Party."

"While Senator Clinton and Senator Obama seem intent on tearing each other down, I'm intent on building you up," Edwards says in the 60-second ad. "And, as your President, I'll fight everyday to strengthen the middle class, create good paying jobs, stop unfair trade deals, and make our government work for the American people, not for a bunch of irresponsible corporations."

Today, on the last day before the primary, Edwards is campaigning across South Carolina to meet with voters and tell them, as president, he will never forget the voices of South Carolina's working families. Joined by James Lowe, his parents Bobbie and Wallace Edwards, his daughter, Cate, and Rev. James Blassingame of Sumter, South Carolina, Edwards is discussing his bold plans to make sure America's working families have a voice in Washington.

Transcripts, as well as links to watch and listen to the new ads, are included below.

"Grown Up," (30 seconds – television)

Watch: http://www.johnedwards.com/ads/grown-up

SENATOR OBAMA: While I was working on those streets, you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board of Wal-Mart.

SENATOR CLINTON: I was fighting against those ideas when you were practicing law and representing your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner-city Chicago.

EDWARDS: This kind of squabbling - how many children is this gonna get health care? How many people are gonna get an education from this? This is not about us personally. It is about what we are trying to do for this country.

I'm John Edwards and I approve this message.

"What Really Matters" (60 seconds – radio)

Listen: http://www.johnedwards.com/media/audio/what-really-matters-sc-radio-ad/

ANNOUNCER: The middle class is being squeezed. An economic crisis looms. Our nation is at war. And too many Americans have no health care.

And what do we get from two Washington politicians running for President?

Nasty squabbling and personal attacks.

It's time we had a grown up in the White House who understands us and will actually get something done for the middle class.

EDWARDS: I'm John Edwards and I approved this message because I'm proud to represent the grown up wing of the Democratic Party.

While Senator Clinton and Senator Obama seem intent on tearing each other down, I'm intent on building you up.

This campaign isn't about us personally. It's about what we're trying to do for this country.

I understand the struggles middle class families face, just like mine did right here in South Carolina.

And, as your President, I'll fight everyday to strengthen the middle class, create good paying jobs, stop unfair trade deals, and make our government work for the American people, not for a bunch of irresponsible corporations.

It's time we had a President who will stand up for the American people.

ANNOUNCER: Paid for by John Edwards for President.

Spartanburg, South Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards released the following statement on the economic stimulus package before Congress:

"This is another example of Washington deserting working people and the middle class. They gave $70 billion of tax breaks that do nothing for those who've lost their jobs. It's a complete disconnect between what's happening in Washington and what I see happening here in South Carolina and across the country. We desperately need a modernization of the unemployment insurance law to cover more poor families and those who have lost their jobs. We also need to build an infrastructure for the clean energy economy that will create jobs and fight global warming.

"George Bush will sign whatever economic stimulus package that is sent to him by the Congress. The Congress needs to stand its ground. They need to insist on unemployment insurance modernization. Because otherwise we're going to have thousands and thousands of families across this country who don't get the unemployment help they need, and they lost their jobs through no fault of their own."

Facing oil that has topped $100 a barrel, the burden of an unemployment rate that rose 0.7 points to 6.6% for December, the largest one month gain in 17 years, and following the loss of 90,000 manufacturing jobs under the Bush presidency, South Carolinians are ready for president who will fight for them. Edwards proposed a short-term economic stimulus plan in December, leading both his opponents and the White House with a smart plan to put money in the hands of people who need it the most and who will use it within their local economies. Edwards plan would build a clean energy infrastructure, provide relief to states, expand unemployment insurance, and help families facing foreclosures.

To help South Carolina families, Edwards' plan would:

In upcoming attraction, John Edwards rescues a nation hijacked by special interests and delivers it back to the hands of the people

Columbia, South Carolina – Two days before South Carolina voters go to the polls, the John Edwards for President campaign unveiled a new theatrical trailer for Native Son: The Movie starring Senator John Edwards. The trailer, narrated by well-known voiceover artist and Edwards' supporter George DelHoyo, highlights how Edwards has spent his life standing up to the rich and powerful to help the kind of regular people he grew up with in the Palmetto State, and how, as president, Edwards will rescue a nation hijacked by special interests and deliver it back to the hands of the people.

"From the people that want to end this senseless war, comes the story of the man who will bring you stronger schools, smart trade and universal health care," the narrator explains. "Starring South Carolina's native son, John Edwards. On January 26th, choose a brighter future – John Edwards for President."

Today, Edwards wraps up a two-day "Back Roads, Back Home Barnstorm" of South Carolina's small towns and rural communities to bring attention to the millions of rural Americans who, for too long, have been forgotten by Washington politicians. Edwards has seen how the voices of working Americans – like James Lowe, who could not speak for 50 years because he did not have health insurance, like the men and women who worked in the mills with his father Wallace, and like so many others he has met across South Carolina, have been forgotten.

Joined by James Lowe, his parents Bobbie and Wallace Edwards, his daughter, Cate, and Rev. James Blassingame of Sumter, South Carolina, on the last day before the primary, tomorrow Edwards will campaign across South Carolina to meet with voters and tell them, as President, he will never forget the voices of South Carolina's working families.

The new trailer for Native Son: The Movie is featured prominently on the John Edwards website at http://www.johnedwards.com/sc/video/native-son-movie and a higher resolution version can be downloaded at http://www.johnedwards.com/watch/native-son-movie/press. A full transcript of the trailer is also included below.

Transcript of Native Son: The Movie Trailer (90 seconds):

NARRATOR: In a world where candidates are many, one man stands apart from the crowd.

EDWARDS: When people say to me, 'why are you running for President of the United States,' I can say it in one sentence. I'm running for President of the United States because I want everyone in America to have the same chances that I've had.

NARRATOR: Born to humble beginnings in South Carolina, he spent his life fighting against the rich and powerful to help the kind regular people he grew up with.

SUPPORTER: Give 'em hell, Johnny.

EDWARDS: Oh, I will.

NARRATOR: Now we have the chance to let him bring that fight to the White House, to rescue a nation hijacked by special interests and deliver it back to the hands of the people.

EDWARDS: The strength of America's not just in the Oval Office, the strength of America is in this room, right now. It's the American people, the incredible capacity of the American people to do great things. And we need you. Your country needs you.

NARRATOR: From the people that want to end this senseless war, comes the story of the man who will bring you stronger schools, smart trade and universal health care. Starring South Carolina's native son, John Edwards. On January 26th, choose a brighter future – John Edwards for President.

EDWARDS: I'm John Edwards, and I approve this message.