Edwards criticizes Senator McCain for failing to acknowledge the impact of the struggling economy on South Carolina's families and questions Senator Clinton's commitment to the Palmetto State

Bennettsville, South Carolina – Today, on the first stop of his "Back Roads, Back Home Barnstorm," Senator John Edwards explained why it matters for the American people to have a president who understands their way of life, and how, as the only candidate born and raised in South Carolina, he will fight for hard-working Americans in the Palmetto State and across America. At the event, Edwards referred specifically to Senators McCain and Clinton, saying that if Senator McCain believes the economy is really doing fine, he should come to South Carolina and see for himself the impact of the struggling economy on South Carolina's families. He also questioned Senator Clinton's commitment to the people of South Carolina, criticizing her for leaving the state immediately after Monday's debate.

"We need a president of the United States who actually understands you're life. It's one thing to fly into South Carolina from someplace else, give a speech, go to a debate and then fly back out. It is a very different thing to have lived here, to have grown up in this part of the country and to understand in a personal way what's happening in you lives," Edwards said at the Bennettsville event. "I do – I know what it's like to go to Friday night high school football games, I played in a few of them myself, to go to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night—that's the way of life, that's our way of life. It's how I grew up.

"And the reason it matters is because if you have a president who understands your way of life and who cares about where you life, the odds go up tremendously that they're actually going to fight for you. That they're going to understand what's happening with the loss of jobs, what's happening with the economy, that they won't say things like 'well the economy's doing fine.' And they won't just fly in here for political events and leave; they'll actually come back and pay attention to what's happening in your lives.

"We've seen what's happening here in South Carolina with the unemployment rate going up, 6,000 jobs lost last month, and then John McCain said just a few days ago that the economy actually is doing fine, that we're not headed into a recession, the fundamentals were strong and remain strong. He needs to come to Bennettsville and see what's actually happening in the real world – because out here in the real world people are struggling.

"And I know, for example, Senator Clinton was here on Monday night for the debate that we had in Myrtle Beach. I hope some of you got to see the debate. But then right after the debate she flew out and she's been gone and she won't be back until I don't know—later in the week or until Primary Day. And the question is, if she's not going to spend time here the week before the South Carolina primary, what do you think the chances are she's coming back after the primary? And what are the chances she's coming back when she's President of the United States?"

During his two-day rural "Back Roads, Back Home Barnstorm" tour, Edwards will be joined by actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover, former Congressman and Dukes of Hazzard star Ben "Cooter" Jones, and North Carolina Congressman Heath Shuler. Rev. James Blassingame of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter will also join Edwards during the barnstorm. Rev. Blassingame and Senator Edwards both grew up in Seneca, South Carolina and both worked in the J.P. Stevens Textile Mill.

California's sixth largest paper picks Edwards for his leadership in standing up for middle class families

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, California's Fresno Bee endorsed Senator John Edwards for President citing his leadership in standing up for middle class families and ending the war in Iraq.

"Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' campaign for president offers a much-needed vision that recognizes the hope and promise of America," the editorial board wrote. "It's a view that includes solidifying the plight of working families and others in the middle class. This group of Americans has struggled the past eight years under an administration that has catered to the well-connected and powerful, and it's time for leadership that understands the contributions and needs of American families. We believe that John Edwards can provide that leadership and urge Democratic and independent voters to support him in the California primary on Feb. 5."

Last week, more than 1,000 supporters attended a community meeting with Senator Edwards at the Southern California Public Service Workers' headquarters in Los Angeles. Edwards enjoys the support of more than 760,000 union members across California, including the support of California's single largest union, the California SEIU State Council. Edwards has also won the support of dozens of diverse Democratic elected officials and party leaders from every region of the Golden State.

The endorsement can be viewed at: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/341733.html.

The full text of the endorsement is included below.

Edwards best for Dems

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' campaign for president offers a much-needed vision that recognizes the hope and promise of America. It's a view that includes solidifying the plight of working families and others in the middle class.

This group of Americans has struggled the past eight years under an administration that has catered to the well-connected and powerful, and it's time for leadership that understands the contributions and needs of American families.

We believe that John Edwards can provide that leadership and urge Democratic and independent voters to support him in the California primary on Feb. 5.

Edwards has been running behind Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama in the early primary and caucus states, and we recognize that he needs to do better if he is going to have a chance of winning the nomination. We believe that Edwards has the opportunity to do well in the upcoming states as his message of hope begins to be heard.

Edwards has a realistic plan for withdrawing this nation from the quagmire of the Iraq war. He has proposed reducing troop levels by 40,000 to 50,000 immediately and then withdrawing all "combat" troops in 10 months. He would station about 10,000 troops in neighboring countries to serve as "quick reaction forces" if al-Qaida attempts to make Iraq a safe haven.

He supports a balanced immigration policy that recognizes the need for an agricultural guest-worker program that would enable farmworkers to "come out of the shadows." He would protect our borders by doubling the Border Patrol and sanction employers who hire illegal immigrants. In exchange for playing by the rules, he would offer illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. That path would not be a gift, but would include paying a fine and learning English.

Edwards has been out in front in offering solutions to the nation's economic problems, even before the administration realized the depth of the current crisis. His plan includes a $25 billion economic package that would invest in clean energy, expand unemployment benefits, help states that are cash-strapped and establish a "home rescue fund" to keep homes out of foreclosure. His plan could grow to $100 billion if the economy doesn't turn around.

We supported Edwards four years ago in the Democratic primary because he offered a real opportunity to bridge a nation that has been divided along class lines. That need has only increased under the current administration, and we think Edwards, with his populist message, offers a change for the better.

Edwards campaign begins airing new television spot in South Carolina that draws contrasts between Edwards and his competitors

Columbia, South Carolina – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign began airing a new 30-second television spot in the Palmetto State to highlight how Senator Edwards is the only Democratic presidential candidate who will stand up to the drug companies and powerful Washington lobbyists and fight for hard-working middle class families.

The ad begins with photographs of Senator Clinton and Senator Obama on the screen as the narrator states, "One gets more money than anyone from drug companies. The other one takes more money than anyone from Washington lobbyists. What's happened to the Democratic Party? Whatever happened to the party of the people?"

As the visuals switch to a montage of crowds at Edwards' campaign events and images of Senator Edwards working to rebuild a home in New Orleans and greeting supporters, the narrator continues, "The only one who's never taken a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists, who knows we've been ignored too long, who knows that rebuilding the middle class is more important that politics - our John Edwards. The only one."

Born to a working class family in South Carolina and raised in small, rural mill towns, Edwards has spent his life taking on powerful interests on behalf of hard-working families like the ones he grew up with. He has never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or PACs, and has pledged that he will ban corporate lobbyists from serving in his White House. As president, he will only support smart and safe trade deals, opposing trade deals that put the profits of multinational corporations ahead of the needs of hard-working families.

Tomorrow, Edwards will set off on 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. During the tour, Edwards will be joined by longtime activist and actor Danny Glover, Congressman Heath Shuler, former Congressman and Dukes of Hazzard star Ben "Cooter" Jones and Bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley. During the barnstorm, Edwards will visit volunteer firefighters, stop by diners and discuss his bold plans for change with South Carolinians.

Edwards is the only candidate in the race who was born in South Carolina and he is the only Democratic candidate to ever win in a "red" state. Edwards leads the Democratic field in both campaign stops and money raised in the Palmetto State, and his campaign boasts an impressive statewide grassroots organization strengthened by deep support from Edwards' 2004 campaign.

A full transcript of the new ad is included below. To view the ad, please visit: http://www.johnedwards.com/ads/what-happened. A high quality version of the ad can be downloaded at: http://www.johnedwards.com/watch/what-happened/press.

Transcript of "What Happened" (30 seconds):

Narrator: One gets more money than anyone from drug companies.

The other one takes more money than anyone from Washington lobbyists.

What's happened to the Democratic Party?

Whatever happened to the party of the people?

Good question.

The only one who's never taken a dime from PACs or Washington lobbyists

Who knows we've been ignored too long.

Who knows that rebuilding the middle class is more important that politics.

Our John Edwards.

The only one.

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

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – John Edwards released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

"Roe v. Wade was an important step on the road to full equality, opportunity and dignity for women. On the 35th anniversary, it is important to reflect how far we've come as a nation, but more importantly how far we still have to go.

"I strongly support a woman's right to privacy and reproductive choices. That right has been under attack though -- by President Bush and his anti-choice agenda and by the Supreme Court, which has been moving the right-wing's agenda faster than we've seen in decades. The hard right turn of the Supreme Court is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election. Too much is at stake - starting with a woman's right to choose.

"As President, I will guarantee the right to choose and ensure that women can make choices in their lives with dignity and can participate in our society fully, as equals."

Because of his Commitment to Fighting for the Middle Class and his Bold Ideas to Strengthen the Economy, South Carolina Communications Workers of America Endorse Edwards

Columbia, South Carolina – On a conference call with reporters today, Edwards discussed the growing economic challenges facing the nation, his economic stimulus plan, and the impact it will have to help hard-working families in South Carolina and across the nation who have been ignored by the Bush Administration's policies.

"The problem is that we've had elected leaders who are more concerned with serving the interests of the powerful and the well-connected than standing up for regular, hard-working Americans," said John Edwards. "We need to end the cycle of leadership that has made decision after decision over the last 25 years that benefit big corporations and special interests at the expense of the middle class."

"If we want to stop saying goodbye to South Carolina's manufacturing jobs, we need to start with a real stimulus package that creates new jobs and puts money in the hands of working families," Edwards said. "President Bush's proposal is swiss-cheese stimulus that leaves out millions of hardworking Americans while toeing the line of right-wing ideology at the expense of smart planning for America's future."

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.

The Edwards plan would:

The Communications Workers of America in South Carolina today announced its endorsement of Senator John Edwards for president. The Communications Workers of America represents both active and retired members throughout the state of South Carolina.

CWA's support of Senator Edwards is due to his long history fighting for organized labor and middle-class families, and his commitment to making the economy work for hard-working Americans again.

"I am honored to have the support of the South Carolina CWA, whose members' hard work and expertise make up the backbone of our information age economy, and essential for new job creation," Edwards said. "I share their commitment to bringing universal health care to every American and calling for smart trade policies that are fair for hard-working American men and women."

"John Edwards has spent his entire career fighting for working families and organized labor," said CWA local 3706 President Debra C. Brown. "Our endorsement of Senator Edwards is driven by Edwards' South Carolina roots, his strong position on protecting worker's right to organize, and his understanding of the needs of the rural South."

Mike Parks, President of CWA Local 3716, said, "We are proud to support John Edwards. His dedication to fighting for the middle class and his steady leadership on issues like the economy, universal health care, fair trade deals and keeping good jobs here in America is the right kind of leadership for our members and for all South Carolinians."

South Carolina CWA members have been strong advocates for improving the quality of life for workers by fighting for access to health care, secure retirement, and fair trade policies. South Carolina CWA is made up of 6 Locals, representing over 2,200 active members and over 1,700 retired members.

South Carolina CWA Officials and Locals endorsing Edwards:

Mr. Greg Mize, President CWA Local 3702
Anderson, South Carolina

Mr. Rick Slattery, President CWA Local 3704
Charleston, South Carolina

Mrs. Debra C. Brown, President CWA Local 3706
Columbia, South Carolina

Mr. Alan Poston, President CWA Local 3708
Florence, South Carolina

Ms. Patty E. McLeroy, President CWA Local 3710
Greenville, South Carolina

Mr. Mike Parks, President CWA Local 3716
Spartanburg, South Carolina

CNN's Focus Group of Undecided South Carolina Voters: "They Thought That Senator Edwards Won the Debate." After the debate, CNN reported that a focus group of seventeen undecided South Carolina Democrats said Edwards won the debate:

Anderson Cooper: "Erica, did your undecided voters in the room say who they felt won?"

Erica Hill: "They did. The interesting thing is they thought that Senator Edwards won the debate." [CNN, 1/21/08]

CNN's Focus Group Had a Great Reaction to Edwards When He Jumped in After the Clinton-Obama Personal Attacks.

Erica Hill talking about CNN's focus group: "What didn't pay off were attacks…That may have played well in the debate hall, but it left our voters cold and left an opening for John Edwards to grab his best reaction."

John Edwards: "This kind of squabbling -- how many children is this going to get health care. How many people are going to get an education from this?" [CNN, 1/21/08]

NBC's Matt Lauer: "I thought it was a particularly strong night for John Edwards, who seemed to walk the fence and try and calm down the bickering, at the same time calling attention to the issues." On the "Today Show" this morning Matt Lauer said, "I have to say, I'm not one, I don't want to handicap this thing and call a winner or a loser, but you have to echo what John Edwards said, aren't there three people in this debate. I thought it was a particularly strong night for John Edwards, who seemed to walk the fence and try and calm down the bickering, at the same time calling attention to the issues. How do you think he did last night?" Tim Russert: "Well, John Edwards was able to be the odd man out and look reasonable and much more focused on issues than personal positions." [NBC, "Today Show," 1/22/08]

CNN's Amy Holmes: "I thought the winner was John Edwards…This actually ended up being John Edwards' night." "And like many of the guests you've had on previously, I thought the winner was John Edwards. I thought he really helped himself tonight where he could come in above the fray, refocus the debate on the issues. This actually ended up being John Edwards' night." [CNN, "Larry King Live," 1/22/08 (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0801/22/lkl.01.html)]

KIRO Radio Talk Show Host | Seattle Times Contributor Carl Jeffers on CNN: "I believe that actually tonight was John Edwards' best performance. And actually he came out better than he has in any other debate." On CNN immediately after the debate, Carl Jeffers said, "And I believe that actually tonight was John Edwards' best performance…But, Edwards clearly came out very well tonight…he certainly helped himself, and I believe now, even if he comes in third, as a result of his performance tonight, can keep going to the convention where he may still have a role to play." [CNN, 1/21/08]

CNN's Candy Crowley: John Edwards probably won – he "was the one who was on message, who kept bringing them back and saying, what does this have to do with children's health care." Larry King: "Candy, if you were keeping score, who won?" Candy Crowley: "Probably John Edwards simply because he stayed out of it. I talked to people who were in the room during the debate and I said, well, what did you think and they said, well I thought it was too much arguing. So, if you buy into the old political saw that when A and B argue, C is the beneficiary, John Edwards was the one who was on message, who kept bringing them back and saying, what does this have to do with children's health care, that bite that you played. So, if I had to guess, it would be him." [CNN, "Larry King Live," 1/22/08 (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0801/22/lkl.01.html)]

The Hotline's Jen Skalka: "I'd score this one for John Edwards." "This was the rowdiest debate by far in the Democratic contest. And while each of the candidates had fine moments, I'd score this one for John Edwards. Especially in the standing portion of this two-hour rumble… tonight, he was the catalyst for the action." [http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/01/rough_and_tumbl.html, 1/21/08 (10:06 PM)]

CNN's Bill Schneider: "John Edwards got himself back in it — he showcased his style and his key issues, and is clearly back in the game." 10:37 PM | "Here's some quick post-debate thoughts: John Edwards got himself back in it — he showcased his style and his key issues, and is clearly back in the game. He showed he continues to deserve to share a debate stage with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and voters here will likely give him another look after tonight." [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/21/schneider-some-final-thoughts-%e2%80%93-two-different-strategies/, 1/21/08]

The Nation's John Nichols: "Edwards effectively pointed to the heated squabbling between the two frontrunners…as a deviation from the issues that matter…In short order, Edwards had gotten the best of both his opponents." "John Edwards effectively pointed to the heated squabbling between the two frontrunners in anticipation of Saturday's South Carolina Democratic primary as a deviation from the issues that matter…In short order, Edwards had gotten the best of both his opponents. That was the order of the night. Again and again, Edwards took the side of one of the frontrunners against the other, effectively serving as an arbiter between the two. It was an ideal position for Edwards, the outsider candidate who is struggling to distinguish himself from two opponents with more money and better poll positions." [http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=273581, "CLINTON, OBAMA COME TO BLOWS; EDWARDS WINS ..." 1/21/08 (10:47 PM)]

NBC's Andrea Mitchell: Edwards "did very well in the debate." [MSNBC, "Morning Joe," 1/22/08]

The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn: On universal health care, Edwards "had the best argument of all," asking Obama "whether he would make the same sort of argument about Social Security." "Clinton and Edwards would require everybody to obtain health insurance and Obama wouldn't…Clinton and Edwards framed the argument perfectly…It was Edwards, though, who had the best argument of all. When Obama said, as he has frequently, he doesn't want to force people to buy health insurance, Edwards asked whether he would make the same sort of argument about Social Security: 'The problem with this argument is you can make exactly the same argument about Social Security. ... I mean, you think about the analogy. What George Bush says is he wants people to be able to get out of the Social Security system, choose, elect to get out of the Social Security system. Well, that's exactly what this argument is. ... This argument is you shouldn't have to have health care. If you choose not to have health care, you shouldn't have to have it. And that is a threshold question. It is a judgment. It's a fair policy debate.'" [http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/01/21/debate-blogging-hard-truths-and-half-truths-on-health-care.aspx, 1/21/08]

The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn: On Edwards, "From the day this campaign began, he's driven the policy agenda." "Right now, John Edwards is talking about poverty. And that alone is reason to be thankful he's on the stage, even now. From the day this campaign began, he's driven the policy agenda--not just by embracing ambitious policy initiatives but also by focussing everybody's attention on people who, frankly, don't get enough explicit attention in politics." [http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/01/22/is-this-debate-too-ugly.aspx]

The Hill's Sam Youngman: Edwards "likely won favor with viewers by repeatedly trying to take the high road and stay above Obama's and Clinton's demolition derby." [http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/clinton-obama-throw-sharpest-elbows-yet-at-debate-2008-01-21.html, 1/21/08 (10:40 PM)]

Wall Street Journal's Susan Davis: After the Debate Descended to the Personal, "Edwards said to applause 'How many people are going to get an education from this? How many kids are going to be able to go to college because of this?'" "The biggest benefactor of the fight might be former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards who is fighting to regain a foothold in this race. Edwards has repeatedly been given the opportunity to take the higher ground as the two frontrunners throw insults. 'I also want to know on behalf of voters here in South Carolina, this kind of squabbling, how many children is this going to get health care?' Edwards said to applause. 'How many people are going to get an education from this? How many kids are going to be able to go to college because of this? We have got to understand — you know, and I respect both of these — my fellow candidates, but we have got to understand this is not about us personally. It is about what we are trying to do for this country and what we believe in.'" [http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/01/21/obama-clinton-trade-jabs/, 1/21/08 (9:23 pm)]

TPM's Josh Marshall: "8:58 PM ... Edwards comparison of 'choice' in health care to 'choice' is Social Security is a pretty good analogy." [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/064342.php]

TIME's Mark Halperin: "Made the best of the situation: On a level playing field, Edwards would have won the debate by a wide margin." [http://thepage.time.com/excerpts-from-mark-halperins-debate-report-cards-3/]