(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
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."
By doing all of this, isn't he doing what he accuses them of doing?
Oooh. You shouldn't cut on Illinois and South Carolina, Mr. Edwards; lest you fall into SINGLE digit ratings...
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.
DESPERATO !!!! Hillary will kick you right back from where you came from.
I like Edwards, but disagree with his comments. the Clintonism did not come from New York, but from Arkansas!
"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.
Somebody wake me up when John is done speaking. Thanks.
Why...?
Just another case of his "Two Americas"?
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.
John, you've been squabbling your whole campaign with the Repubicans and Corporate America!
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.
I like Edwards but disagree with his comments. The Clintonism did not come from New York, but Arkansas!
EDWARDS IS THE MAN A VOTE FOR CLINTON OR McCAIN IS A VOTE FOR ANOTHER BUSH.
The next debate needs to place him in the middle of the Obama ad Clinton
I like this guy. He will make a good Veep, or be some valuable advisor in Hillary's cabinet.
Who does he think he is? ... According to the polls, not much ...
Who started this attacking, Russard siced them and Edwards and Obama fell for it. That's when he came off my #1 choice.
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!)
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 🙂
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!
Hillary is from Chicago, but I'm not so sure what the New York refers to..
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.
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.
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!