January 25, 2008
Posted: 02:10 PM ET

(CNN) – At a Friday campaign event, John Edwards criticized his “squabbling” Democratic opponents for bringing their brand of brass-knuckle, big-city politics to South Carolina – a state long noted for its rough-and-tumble primary season.

“Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama have brought their New York- and Chicago-style politics to South Carolina. Fighting with each other, tearing each other down,” Edwards said at a campaign stop in Greenville. “But South Carolina’s better than that, and you deserve better than that.”

Following Monday’s tough Democratic primary debate, Edwards has positioned himself as the above-the-fray candidate in his party’s presidential field, telling another Greenville audience Thursday night that he represented the “grown-up wing of the Democratic Party,” and releasing a new 30-second television and radio spot in the state Friday – titled “Grown Up” – that emphasizes the same theme.

The former senator, who is running a distant third in most recent polls in his birth state of South Carolina, is also planning to air the ad in the Super Tuesday states that head to the polls February 5. The South Carolina Democratic primary is tomorrow, January 26.

Related: Watch Jessica Yellin's one-on-one intervew with John Edwards

–CNN Producer Dugald McConnell

Filed under: John Edwards • South Carolina


Joe   January 26th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

S. C, Take a good look at John Edwards!!!!!! He gives us the opportunity too take back our Country! Go John!!!!!!!

docrock,tx   January 26th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

It seems that moderation has no place on this blog.Fairwell and good luck to all of the candidates in both parties.

P. D.   January 26th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

Ah, South Carolina! The state with the horrible ads about McCain that propelled George Bush to the presidency! I would like to thank you for the last 7 years.

Wordie   January 26th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Good for Edwards! He is indeed the one grown-up in the race, and the squabbling of the other two isn't good for Democrats overall.

Edwards is the best choice for Democrats who are thinking about November. Edwards was consistently coming out ahead of the Republican candidates, and better than the other Dems, in almost all of the head-to-head polling, which is why the recent decision by most of the polling companies to exclude him makes little sense. Democratic voters need to be aware of which candidate does best against the Republicans. He's not that far behind in the delegate count (not counting super delegates, who can change their vote at any time), and is trending upward in national polling. Giving the way things are shaping up, we may have a brokered convention, so the polling companies should re-visit their decision, and include him in head-to-head polling in the future. Besides, we've only had a few primaries so far, and lots could change between now and the convention.

CNN are you listening?

Phil Memphis, TN   January 26th, 2008 12:52 pm ET

Go Edwards… "The Grown-up's Choice For President". Edwards/Biden in 2008? Edwards/Richardson in 2008? Edwards/clinton in 2008? Hmm… I'm going to have to think about that one for a while.

bannon   January 26th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

Obama is a looser, whiner and do nothing. If he cant know what his close lumlors friend is doing what can he do for 300mil people. If he says 100 times just a present what bills can he get approved, If he just cant agree his relegion what promises he made can he agree. He is looser and dooper. Ed best thing is ask Clinton if you can be VP with her. God bless American

Jon   January 26th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Don't think Edwards can win the nomination for the Democrats - he can't seen to get enough people interested or that will listen to him. That is partly because Slick Willy is campaiging for his wife. Late last year Bill said his wife can take care of herself, now he seems to be doing all her dirty work - don't trust them - never have.
I would vote for McCain, but if Romney is the choice, I would vote for Obama, if it is Clinton - I hope a third party choice rises from the ashes.
Romney is the Republican version of Slick Willy - don't trust him.
Huckabee is likeable but won't win the nod.

Katie_SC   January 26th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Edwards will be worst nightmare for the lobbyists, drugs companies, oil companies, the corrupt Washington establishment, and the right wing Republicans, thats why they are pouring all the money into Hillary and Obama campaigns; they know Hillary or Obama can't win the general election, one has way to much baggage and polarized and the other has only empty promises, big slogans and big speeches; but no record. Well at least Hillary is also a a fighter and she will not go down easily…but Obama…hmmm Obama will run to hide behind Oprah, Napolitano, Tyra first or run behind Kerry, Dashle, Jackson, etc. He can't handle the heat! Hillary and Obama are winning or on the lead only because they have political machines supporting them, all millions of dollars and surrogates covering all the press and media, take that away from them and put them in the same page with Edwards and they both will have not chance!
I was undecided before; but I like a President that can stand on his own on principles and has the guts to fight big groups, big packets and corruption! I believe Edwards is the right man!

Edwards for President 2008!

Vi   January 26th, 2008 11:53 am ET

Edwards gives me a funny feeling, I can't vote for him. There is just a feeling of uneasyness about him. for me that is. His story is touching, but there is just something.

chris   January 26th, 2008 11:52 am ET

CLINTON had my vote twice befor and his wife Hilary will have mine this time too.

Debbie in Ohio   January 26th, 2008 11:42 am ET

John Edwards is a joke in that he has really capitalized on being the "grown up" well, he was not the candidate that was attacked during the debate with the Clinton lies. I am sure if he had those lies told about him he would have defended himself just as Obama did. He just came out of the debate looking like the "grown up". We do not need Clintons back in the White House. Stop making this a race issue. Hillary is the same old , same old. We need change and Obama is the man for the job. If Hillary gets the nomination I will vote Repulican before I will take part in voting for a Clinton again.

GO OBAMA!!!!!!! 2008

Aprendi   January 26th, 2008 11:29 am ET

Thanks for reminding us Lisa,

The politicians rely on their constituents having a short memory. Further they rely on us not being able to add two plus two.

JETS   January 26th, 2008 11:25 am ET

The ONLY hope that we all have is Edwards -

Honest
Visionary

This man cares about all of US, the citizens not about corporate america or personal gain.

Wake up before its too late. Vote EDWARDS!

Amanda   January 26th, 2008 11:11 am ET

I do not think Obama can win. He did not carry himself well in the debate. He acted confused and always a step behind. How do you think he will be able to hold his own agains the neo con attack machine.

dave   January 26th, 2008 10:02 am ET

If Obama, and Hillary, was not in the race it might election. With them two, all ya here about is the frist women President or frist black President people dont really look at what they going to do in office just who's going to be first. The same goes for Huckabee too
But ya vote for who ya want, but just think do i want do i want to vote to vote for this person coz i want him or to be frist. Think about IT!

J. McKinney SW MO   January 26th, 2008 9:49 am ET

Poor John doesn't know whether to attack (early debates where he and Obama piled on Hillary) or to make nice. In either case, he is just doing what he thinks will win. Can't blame him for that, but it doesn't look like it will work. He just doesn't seem to be newsworthy.
That said, I am for Hillary. Don't think she has a chance in SC, but am eagerly waiting for the results. But I think Feb. 5. will start to tell the tale. GO, HILLARY!

Donna   January 26th, 2008 9:44 am ET

We need someone honest like Edwards as our President. If Hilary gets it; any VP will be left out because Bill Clinton will do all of her thinking.
Obama is smart and likable but is not quite ready.
Edwards is the man who will get my vote.

Jack form WV   January 26th, 2008 9:44 am ET

Throughout this primary John Edwards has been talking about his ideas and plans to run our government and all we hear from Obama and HRC are snips at each other. If we listen to what he says you might be surprised at what you hear although the media is too concerned on the daily and hourly bickering between Obama and HRC to report this honestly.
HRC will bring slick Willy with her, who knows what will happen this time. Obama has no experience in “running” the government. Both are Senators they run nothing, where’s the experience here? This has to be the worse run primary in history!

Spinmaster   January 26th, 2008 8:56 am ET

Spin spin spin.

Edwards is backed into a corner here. He is trying to suckhole as many delegates as possible so he can decide the primary. Except he wont be able to. He will fall off after super tuesday.

constant   January 26th, 2008 8:54 am ET

I find it interesting that Edwards is now against "squabbling". He didn't seem to mind when he was dong to the squabbling in debates. He saw an opportunity when the media started paying attention to the attacks by the Clinton machine. Then when Obama defends himself, Edwards jumps ship! He is an opportunist as well. I had alot of faith in Edwards, but not anymore. He has touted the change we need, and when given the opportunity to stand up against what is right or wrong, he thought…what about ME? He has shown he is not the voice of change either. When the attacks come his way, I don't want to hear him cry foul!! Obama got the attcks, because he was doing well. If Edwards numbers go up, he will be in the "target". Good Luck John, you have sold out the American people for more of the same….the dirty politics machine that the Clintons run!

Clay, CA   January 26th, 2008 8:38 am ET

Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! The Right Choice for America in Crisis!

Tom, Boston MA   January 26th, 2008 7:45 am ET

The clintons are Not from NY or Chicago, but their power and money bases are in NY & Chicago.

UNITERNOTADIVIDER   January 26th, 2008 6:33 am ET

BILL-ARY at it's best, HRC calls out the slum lord…opps she was doesn't remember taking the picture AT A FUNDRASIER FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. Bill-Ary has made race and gender an issue in SC, to SCARE all the KOOLAID drinkers away from a man who kept RACE OUT of the the campaign. To ensure he doesn't remind us the 40% of Americans said they WOULD NOT VOTE FOR BILL-ARY BEFORE THE ELECTION, AFTER THE ELECTION BILL-ARY WANTS TO MAKE SURE HE PANDERS…JUST A BIT. If ONE COUPLE could do this kind of damage to THEIR OWN PARTY…IMAGINE WHAT THEY WOULD DO TO THIS COUNTRY??????????

OBAMA 08

ames   January 26th, 2008 4:39 am ET

Obama rox!

abu   January 26th, 2008 12:33 am ET

Obama,
Obama,
Obama

abu   January 26th, 2008 12:31 am ET

hallo there my name is abub, and i am 25 years old who live Boise, Idaho, who had never join politics but my view of choosing the right candidate is Obama, because we America specially young men and young woman choose old presidents many times but non of them ever kind for us, but in this election we have our own choice to elect who will bring peace and bring together as one world.not a war all the time i individually choose Obama as president.
Abub

Dorothy   January 25th, 2008 11:56 pm ET

I do not understand why folks do not see in Edwards , what I see. He is for the working folks, talks from the heart. You have to look through all the crap and see what the issues you want and no go with the flow. I think he would be good for this country and the working folks that kicked in the teeth all the time and I have no doubt he would take on the large cooperations or least try.
I must be missing something

mr.fair tax   January 25th, 2008 11:20 pm ET

OBAMA A DO NOTHING PERSON!
OMG YOU PEOPLE ARE NUT CASES!!
VOTE ROMNEY HE IS A GREAT AMERICAN!!

Hello   January 25th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

Obama for President….Huckabee for Vice President

BRING IT TOGETHER!

AJ, IL   January 25th, 2008 10:50 pm ET

Most Americans have a short-term political memory of two weeks. They see the Clinton-Obama spat as the dominant political back-and-forth. Edwards was the first and most consistent candidate to "attack" Hillary on the campaign trail. His finishes in New Hampshire and Nevada confirmed that his ground support is small. He has benefited the most from the Obama-Clinton spat in SC. If Edwards doesn't win SC, he is definitely out of the race. If you can't win in your backyard with your neighbors voting, he can't win anywhere.

Jeanie   January 25th, 2008 10:27 pm ET

I like Edwards but, I'm going with Obama.

B.C. in Virginia   January 25th, 2008 10:03 pm ET

Edwards—the only Democrat that could win the general election. Too bad so many liberals are incapable of realizing this. I guess I'll be gearing up for another four to eight of Republican "leadership".

Democrat in MO   January 25th, 2008 10:01 pm ET

Well, I like JE but he did not really participate in the Debate because nobody was looking at time. He is not the Uniter we need. He should not get too rancid with his remarks … if he would have to face the Clinton Fraud Machine he would have to speak up in the debates as well.

OBAMA'08

Lisa   January 25th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

Edwards was saying Obama was "too nice" to get things done in WA, and that he as a career aggressive attorney could fight to force people to get things done which he said was the only way to do it. Now he sees people are sick of the fighting, and he wants to be the one above it? What ever happen to the platform he was repeating over and over again about he being the only one capable of fighting? I think Edwards is trying to say anything to get attention.

BILLY JOE, IA   January 25th, 2008 9:33 pm ET

BARACK OBAMA

RIGHT on day one!!!!

OBAMA '08

mr.fair tax   January 25th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

GOOOO– ROMNEY!!!

Angela   January 25th, 2008 9:15 pm ET

It always comes down to this type of campaigning and the end.
Nobodies hands are clean if your in politics.
Not even St. Obama with his fortune cookie message. "Your life can change." Really??? How????

Hillary/Edwards. I can only hope.

JB   January 25th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

My sense is that Edwards will lose S. Carolina but he won't get crushed. I wouldn't be surprised if he polled in the low- to- mid-20s, benefiting from all this media hoopla over Obama and Hillary. That will be enough to keep him around, and his supporters will have to wait until Super Tuesday for the big wake up.

Truethis   January 25th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

He's coming off desperate. I liked him but I wish he would have change his message a long time ago.

capsaicin   January 25th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

how exactly does going around calling himself the only grown-up in the race, smugly accusing the other two of being children, constitute staying above the fray?

wouldn't staying above the fray be continuing to campaign as usual and not making those kinds of attacks?

BAFO   January 25th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

Who is Senator Edward fooling? You don't get to be a successful trial lawyer by playing soft and above the frails! Sounds to me like a fox is attempting to wear sheep clothing! My advice Senator Edwards? Stay true to who you are! Running a distant third to Clinton and Obama should not change your style, which is combative by nature!

Freedom   January 25th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

I'm above the fray just like Edwards, and that's because nobody knows me and Hillary has not attacked me. I think I'm on the same level with Edwards, he should get out of the race already!

Greg   January 25th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

What a hypocrite. In previous debates he attacked Clinton and Obama just as much if not more than they are fighting now. I specifically remember him getting booed by Nevada voters for his negative attacks. The voters rejected his attacks so now he's above them. Give me a break.

wayne, kentucky   January 25th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Edwards is the candidate with great leadership and integrity.

M   January 25th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

Chief, well said.

LisaMpls   January 25th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Oh Edwards, you are learning aren't you: the only way to get media attention is to call out the other two candidates. Yes, you took the moral high ground when the other two were bickering, but you can only ride that out for so long. It is time to run on the issues and run on your own policies, not theirs.

Dan   January 25th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

Whats obvious to me is that the Clinton camp is on the run and they are desperate enough to act like they do. But the people of South Carolina are Independent and smell Slickwilliism from here to Washington DC . If Obama wants to shut that microphone down all he has to do is remind Bill and Hillary of the 'good old days' when they sided with the Republicans and'big busines' to shove NAFTA down our throats!

sharon   January 25th, 2008 6:23 pm ET

Mr goody -goody we don't see thru your holier than thou act give me a break john you should have stayed in the sen. seat you had but I guess you can start in iowa again in nov.

Justin, Burlington MA   January 25th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Of course McCain will get the endorsement of Senators. I'd be shocked if he didn't. He's one of them!!! Washington insiders will always want to support other Washington insiders. These are McCain's 'co-workers'!!! It's no shock that government officials and the liberal media by and large pick McCain. The Republican electorate however has by and large chosen Romney. I look forward to a McCain defeat to Romney next Tuesday in FL.

Gene Ortiz   January 25th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

Hillary is from Chicago, but I'm not so sure what the New York refers to..

pam Eugene OR   January 25th, 2008 6:04 pm ET

I think you will make a great VP John. Please remember it was the Clintons who attacked and Obama who defended. What was said in that private talk after the last debate. Please say you did not make a deal with Clinton. John…say it ain't so!

Senkump   January 25th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

The Son of south is no more a candidate after tomorrow’s primary. Lets wish him good luck for 2016 election. Better Politics next time :-)

L. Smith in Atlanta, Georgia   January 25th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Yes, Edwards is the man! He has my vote!

That last Dem. debate was very revealing–the only one that I want leading our Country is Edwards.

Clinton is so "Bush-lite." (I think Obama coined that term–very apropos!)

Chief   January 25th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

Who started this attacking, Russard siced them and Edwards and Obama fell for it. That's when he came off my #1 choice.

Oliver   January 25th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Who does he think he is? … According to the polls, not much …

Casey   January 25th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

I like this guy. He will make a good Veep, or be some valuable advisor in Hillary's cabinet.

jess   January 25th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

The next debate needs to place him in the middle of the Obama ad Clinton

dan shore   January 25th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

EDWARDS IS THE MAN A VOTE FOR CLINTON OR McCAIN IS A VOTE FOR ANOTHER BUSH.

Independent   January 25th, 2008 5:07 pm ET

I like Edwards but disagree with his comments. The Clintonism did not come from New York, but Arkansas!

Tony   January 25th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

John is a nice guy with good ideas but his candidacy has not shown a wide appeal so far. Now he is trying to score something around the heated Obama - clinton competition. I don't see his point in highlighting the Obama-clinton brawl. Although this is something obvious, does it make him better? I don't think so. Besides, contrary to his stamp message, he seemed to be on the side of the 'status quo' in the last debate. As many commentators have already pointed out that the Clintons started the race/gender controversy, he should have also been honest about this and point it out. After all he is also hurt by it: he was second in Iowa but after the Clintons stirred the pot he is distant 3rd.

An Agnostic Democrat   January 25th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

John, you've been squabbling your whole campaign with the Repubicans and Corporate America!

Amy R   January 25th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

I like Edwards but Obama is really the candidate OF THE PEOPLE.

Obama got a majority of votes in Iowa so he trancends both race, gender and party lines. I am tired of people trying to pigeonhole Obama, (who had a Mom who was white mind you) as "the black candidate"…that is just not true. Obama is the PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE. He is America's candidate. And we can trust that Obama will get the job done for us all. Obama '08.

carole   January 25th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Why…?

Just another case of his "Two Americas"?

Jim in Orlando, FL   January 25th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Somebody wake me up when John is done speaking. Thanks.

Pete NY, NY   January 25th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

"Big city" politics? South Carolina? They are not known for being lightweights down there and Edwards should know it. That is not even taking into consideration their place in Civil War history - as those who started it all. Belligerency (including political) is nothing new to South Carolina and I think they can handle it just as well as we big city folk.

Amy   January 25th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

I like Edwards, but disagree with his comments. the Clintonism did not come from New York, but from Arkansas!

Franco   January 25th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

DESPERATO !!!! Hillary will kick you right back from where you came from.

josh 7911   January 25th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

Edwards, come on now! You gotta do better than this to sell yourself to America. Instead of publicizing that your "above the frey" just BE above the frey.

obama '08   January 25th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

Oooh. You shouldn't cut on Illinois and South Carolina, Mr. Edwards; lest you fall into SINGLE digit ratings…

Karen   January 25th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

By doing all of this, isn't he doing what he accuses them of doing?

Bob   January 25th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

Well at least John Edwards is not staging campaign events

Per NY Newsday:

The Barack Obama campaign organized an "economic roundtable" of South Carolinians, scheduled with the Illinois senator for 11:30 a.m. today. But nearly an hour and a half before the event — at 9:36 a.m. — the campaign e-mailed to reporters a text of what the participants "said."

"At the Columbia roundtable, Donna McGreevy, a mother of two grown sons, said her family was feeling pinched on all sides by the weakening economy," the e-mail read. “When it comes to the economy, I have firsthand knowledge and experience in just about every area where we are seeing problems."

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