I support Edwards and I don't know what anyone else is looking at, but he's actually in my opinion the most honest and has the most integrity of any of the other candidates. As for following the others, I really don't see that, in fact the reverse is terribly true: I really see Edwards leading the way for all the other dems on every topic–a health care plan before anyone else had one, deadlines and pulling out troops in Iraq, etc, and really all the other dems kinda wait to see how the public feels and then if it flies, they jump on it like it was their idea.
In defense of this contest, Edwards has made several trips to New Orleans, much of the time actually getting down and dirty and fixing up a home–he even got a bunch of college students to give up their spring break to join him. We signed up for the contest since me and my husband both felt horrible at the time Katrina happened, seeing people from all over try to go down to help out. Now that we have more flexibility, we'd love to help out, especially considering our knowledge with renovating homes. I think it's great for him to organize something like this for people like us who would like to help–especially where this current administration has just failed to help. Edwards announced his campaign from there and I would have too if were him–it's a disgrace the way the government has failed us all here.
I feel a lot of Edwards bashing for the sake of Edwards bashing going on here (I'm supposing to make the other candidates look better), but in case anyone else is interested, you needn't donate money to enter the contest. You can just sign up for free on his website–just follow the link to the contest rules and follow the directions for entering without making a contribution, and you too might be able to talk to John Edwards in person about your concerns about health care or education or Iraq or give him the name of a cheaper hairdresser, all the while helping to re-build New Orleans. Making a difference. For free.
All you have to do is care.

Chris
I can spell liar …. B U S H

Who accepted money from Hsu?

Oh yes – Clinton and Obama – NOT JOHN EDWARDS.

People complain Edwards got a $400 haircut, but at least it was not a $400 haricut from a CRIMINAL!

Oh yeah all you Edwards bashers, let's also not forgot about a little thing called the Whitewater SCANDAL and that accordign to Hillary lobbies are great for America.

Seriously. You people need to find a new axe to grind if all you have is whining about $400 haircuts. God forbid someone running for world leader wants to look presentable in front of the cameras!

I can't get past the $400 haricut, Im sorry . What world is he living in?

Y'all keep bashing Edwards on here, while supporting the rich full of themself candidates like Hillary and Obama. Let's face it…ALL POLITICIANS ARE RICH AND WELL OFF, HAVE BIG HOMES, AND SPEND MONEY ON THINGS THAT MATTER TO THEM.

Not one poor or middle class person could ever run for president because they don't have the money to do it and WIN. No matter how much y'all bash Edwards for his poor boy in the south story, the fact is, it's true. I'm well off and have a family now to and provide for my kids, but I also remember how hard it was for my family when I was a kid. There is no way Edwards forgets that…kids brought up like him and myself don't forget it.

The fact that he is helping, regardless of how y'all want to skew the story, is helping at least. Y'all can say whatever you want about him being a hypcrite, but he's not. Being a hypcrite because you're rich and want to help the poor??? That's essentially what you Edwards' haters are saying. Him being a hyprocrite would be saying he wants to help the poor and then veto a raise in the minimum wage. When will y'all actually vote for candidates based on their actions instead of their character.

Jennifer from Houstin…. You couldn't say it better when saying that Kerry disliking Edwards makes you like Edwards that much more. I have to agree, as does the state I live in. I would NEVER vote for a Democrat in this next election if Edwards isn't #1 on the ticket. I wanted to vote for Edwards in the last election, but I really disliked Kerry. It wasn't Edwards that lost the south, it's that none of us liked Kerry so we didn't vote for him.

Maybe Deanna from Brooklyn needs some good 'ole American values…"I wish that Edwards and his camp would stop flaunting their goodness and all-American values." Are you serious?? You had to have made a mistake. Is it not those great values we want in a president. Oh, I'm sorry… You have a candidate that moved to New York to claim residence so that she could run as a Senator and win because she's in one of the most liberal states in the country and has a last name of Clinton. She has such great American values (obviously sarcasm). Go ahead…throw this election to the Republicans again and vote Hillary or Obama in office. You definitely don't stand a chance to peel a southern state off with one of them as our candidate.

When is anyone on here going to wake up and realize that Edwards IS most electable (it's in every poll)….Y'all are fighting over our nomination, when this should really be over who is most electable. Of course, you see Edwards losing SC because African Americans are voting for Clinton and Obama. When will y'all wake up and realize thats all good and great, but those same people will also vote for whoever receives the democratic nomination…SO, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER if Edwards comes in 3rd there in the scheme of things…

[...] Edwards: No 'fancy dinners or photo ops' [image]Edwards said he isn’t offering his backers a “fancy dinner or photo-ops with celebrities.” […] [...]

John Edwards is fooling himself. Plus he is a major hater.

His finance campaign is run by Fred Baron, a Dallas trial lawyer. He is richer than John by a far shot. Fred held a huge fundraiser at his $13 million house filled with nothing but a whole bunch of "RICH" folk. How unfancy does a fundraiser get in a $13 million house.

Maybe it wasn't a photo op with celebrities. But celebrities versus rich businesspeople and professionals; sounds like the same to me.

If you have something to say John, stand up and say it, stop with the subtle dirty shots at the other candidates. Oh, and by the way, the shots are not as subtle as you may think. You are so busy figuring out sneaky ways to trash your opponents that you aren't getting the task at hand done, namely, rising in the polls with the hope of winning the Democratic Nomination. I think you are getting worse everyday, why don't you take the next couple of months off and stay home with the wife and kids, you are NOT PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL.

I am a republican who sometimes votes democrat, and I have to take issue with Chris from Middletown. The statement "all dems are liars" is ridiculous and over the top. I have friends and family who are dems and most are good people…honest, hard working and principled.

The two party system reflects America. There are good and bad who line up on either side of the aisle. Neither party is always right or always wrong. That's why I find it easy to vote for someone like our governor, Phil Bredesen. Competence trumps party affiliation every time in my book.

Jon is Sacramento is correct. Edwards is a populist candidate running on a message of "them against us" (the two Americas). This message typically repels the people who are inclined to vote, that's why he's a distant third in the polls.

He comes across as insincere, slimy and phony, befitting his avocation (ambulance chaser). I can't believe this guy is ahead of Biden in the polls. What has he ever done except amass piles of money from corporations?

Chris,

I am assuming you forgot to mention that you would not vote for republicans either, especially if you feel like democrats are corrupt. I would like to hear your response.

I guess people like getting lied to – thats all I can come up with. Edwards is flagrant liar (from the anniversary dinner with his wife….that the media was tipped off – to everything else he has now decided to volunteer for since announcing a run for president) – but then again – all Dems are liars – and yet – I guess some don't want to see it – they back labor unions – look at Detroit – a ghost town – thank you unions – look at the airline industry – thank you unions – any party who backs these corrupt arcane institutions will not have my vote – but….maybe we all like being lied to?

The most telling piece of this article that seems to have been missed by most is below:

'Edwards visit to the Crescent City comes after it was recently revealed that a company he has financial ties with foreclosed on the homes of over 30 New Orleans residents.'

If I were Edwards, the least I could do is to go to New Orleans, especially if I knew the great gains I was receiving off of these residents' backs.

Wayne…"concerned with anyone not himself…"??? Huh??? Tell that to the homeowners who have lost their homes to the company that paid Edwards $465,000.

Edwards is an idiot who is ONLY concerned about himself. That god he is sliding in the polls.

Isn't he part of a company that foreclosed on 35-40 Katrina "victims"?

Oh, sorry for bringing that up.

Included in the five winners' "prize pack" trip with Edwards is having the opportunity to evict New Orleans homeowners whose homes have been foreclosed on because they have fallen behind on the mortgages. Mortgages held by the two subprime lenders owned by Fortress.

Maybe good ol John can tell us again why he was paid a $465,000 salary by Fortress and why he still owns $17 million worth of the company. Or, maybe he can explain that to the evicted homeowners.

TO ALL COMMENTERS:

Yes, Edwards contest offers an opportunity to obtain media attention (just like ever other candidate); however, at least he is making an honest to goodness effort to physically be a part of the solution, rather than hold a dinner or simply speak about the problem (unlike any other candidate). Edwards efforts on that day will more good than raising money for a political ad. The reward should be free media and attention to the problem that still exists from Katrina that continues to be ignored!

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!

Sorry, I'm kind of busy counting my giant piles of money right now. Can this wait?

People's criticism of John Edwards is so inaccurate and hateful it is funny. I assume most mus be Republicans since they only look at the bare surface of anything, including this article, his haircut, house, etc. He is the one candidate that is truly concerned for everyone, not himself. Unfortunately money should not be an issue in any election but it is the nature of the beast. I would donate and probably will now to his campaign anyday over Obama or Clinton who does get more money from the far left and celebrities.

oops This is a MORE selfless act.

People fuss if you ignore a problem and they fuss if you try to help a problem. They fuss if you throw a fancy dinner with rich people and they fuss if you take special interest money.
COME ON PEOPLE PICK YOUR BATTLES CAREFULLY!
Good deeds and people willing to help are hard to find these days because the worst is always assumed no matter what you do.
To me this is a less selfless act then just raising money and eating or making promises to people who have a special interest and want favors.

Why is it that Mr. Edwards in taking five persons to work in New Orleans now? Is it because he is running for president? Of course it is!

What a Hypocrite; however, he is not alone is that regard!

Good for him. Politicians talk about helping Katrina victims all the time. Nice to see one of them actually doing something, instead of just talking.

And as far as I'm concerned, Kerry not liking him makes him all the more likable.

Scott from NJ: you can read his 9/10 press release on his website. Why the jibe at "fancy dinners" if not to make a point. LOL: you can google his news and learn of a "fancy dinner" ($1,000 should be "fancy") he's fundraising on the other side of the country. Guess he must have been against fancy dinners before he was for them!

I'm not sure which group of blind zealots scare me more, Bush's supporters or Oprah's. It's amazing that she can do no wrong…if you're going to criticize people for publicizing the good they are doing, I can't see how you can look past Oprah. She's the biggest "look at how good I am!" media monger of all time. Shameless. At the same time, I will NEVER criticize anyone for doing something constructive for the betterment of any community. I applaud John Edwards for this approach and its why I'm pulling for him.

Wow, decent comments today…

…No Racist or sexist rants about Clinton or Obama. No "The only reason any black person supports Obama is because he is black." Or, "I don't like Clinton because she can't cook and puts her right shoe on first instead of the left." What is the problem?

Cary -Lowell, IN we need you in here. We can always count on you for inappropriate comments.

what you guys dont understand is the edwards is not taking a shot at anybody. CNN skews the articles everytime Edwards is in the news to make it seem like he is taking a shot at Obama and Clinton. The biased reporting in this election is truly atrocious. Half the articles are titled "Edwards slams Clinton" but when you read the quotes Edwards makes no reference to Clinton at all. CNN and other media outlets are creating drama!!!

John Edwards is a good man and he's my candidate. After the disaster of BU$HCO, America deserves an Edwards administration.

GO JOHN GO!

I can't believe he's playing the Katrina card. How cheesy? That's about as cheesy as Giuliani playing the 9-11 card. Using these tragedies to score votes is beyond me.

While Hillary Clinton copied Senator Obama's idea of inviting supporters to dinner, John Edwards should get credit for being more innovative.

I hope he brings Elizabeth along- definitely worth the contribution!

Presidential candidates often show their human side by putting on jeans every now and then and doing something hands on.

Hillary Clinton has yet to get out of her typical business suit and show a less-scripted, more common persona.

Please tell me who decided that Oprah was going to be a "decider" in the next election? I rarely watch her show…but she gives away stuff to the audience members and is as gullible as we all are…remember the "book" incident?

He'll end up being known best for having a permanent chip on his shoulder. That will beat out $400 haircuts, $50,000 poverty speeches, and a house that could give gaudy a bad name. Perhaps he's confused left with gauche.

wow is this guy transparently phony…

Instead of fancy dinners, he has fancy haircuts.

You keep running on that Populist Campaign, John, and become a national footnote joining the ranks of Ralph Nader, Ross Perot, and Pat Buchanan.

In 43 Presidential elections, the Populist Candidate has NEVER been elected. Don't let that stop you – keep dividing America into the have and have-nots.

Geez, John, give it a rest…

He risks looking like a goodie-two-shoes.

Oh please John Edwards, why don't you go get another huge house and a $400 haircut. You also don't have any experience and haven't done zilch with your time in the Senate! I used to support you, but after you helped lose the 2004 election, I see how ineffective and pretentious you are.

I would also like to add that Kerry didn’t really like Edwards either especially after he kept telling the story about his kid. He said one time that he only told that story once however kept telling the same story to every person he met after that. I don’t think john Kerry wanted to continue with Edwards as his vice president because he felt his priorities and reasons for wanting to become president and vice president were backwards. He just wants to be there for his own selfish reasons not for Americans. Any man that blinks every time he talks can not be taken seriously. He's not firm on a lot of things and just likes to say stuff to get an arousal out of people.

Edwards is funny people talk about not trusting others….well this guy I think people should really watch out for. He's just starving for attention and hates the fact that Obama gets more of the attention then he does. This is what he really said….Edwards in his deep deep southern accent: "No fancy dinners or photo ops for me. However I do enjoy fancy hair cuts that the poverty stuck Americans sure wish they could get that’s for sure" He's fake any man that uses the death of a child and the illness of his wife to score political points with voters to me will always be someone you just have to watch out for. I do not doubt his sincerity amongst his family but I don’t give pity points. Sorry this is not the pity race it’s for the presidential office. And he's just not the type of guy I would vote for.

And another thing his wife god bless her for going through this battle with cancer. But at the same time stay in your place, she has said some crazy stuff since announcing she has breast cancer. And who's going to say something negative about a woman who has breast cancer? That’s why a lot of the stuff the Edwards campaign says goes in one ear and out the other.

Can John Edwards ever do anything without taking a potshot at someone else or without stealing an idea? Just because he is out of the contest because he can't get the support he needs to raise money and just because he can't get crowds of 1,000's to his events is no reason to attack others. Don't blame your problems on others John.

All Edwards did was take another Obama idea, like Hillary has done, figure out how he could do it too, but then came up with the same thing as Obama initiated, but in a different way, then of course he invented it — the 5 people, etc. My goodness, he seems — jealous — rather than — political. And he talks about leadership but all I've seen him do is — follow — Obama.

Mr pretty face, stop exploiting these poor Katrina victims. They already suffered enough.
Stop stabbing these poor citizens on their backs. Your Mortgage investments, stole money from poor Katrina victims. Hypocrite!!!

He is going to far with the populist thing. He is going to have to run on something other than healthcare and fixing poverty. He is going to have to find a balance in here somewhere cause the people he is looking for do not vote in primaries.

That's an excellent idea ! Very creative and it doesn't offend anyone with images of candidates having lavish dinners just to get the donation.

John Edwards needs to stop HATIN'. You would have to be one foolish person to turn away an Oprah endorsement…and if it were the other way around, I'm sure Edwards would be happy to accept it.

I wish that Edwards and his camp would stop flaunting their goodness and all-American style. Such as sending out emails soliciting donations and promising his mom's pecan pie recipe in return; his wife standing up to Ann Coulter (as should be done) but then sending her own email saying this is why you should vote for Edwards and donate to his campaign; now pointing out I'm going to volunteer instead of attending a celebrity dinner. If Oprah was supporting him he'd do the same. I think this New Orleans project is great, but just do the good deeds and stop pointing out why you're doing them. It makes them a little less 'good'. Besides, would he be doing this if his connected company did not just foreclose on these homes?