Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Presidential hopeful Edwards speaks on election, Iraq
By Molly Nevola
Old Gold and Black (Wake Forest U.)
02/02/2007

(U-WIRE) WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Former North Carolina senator and presidential hopeful John Edwards spoke before an overflowing crowd of Wake Forest University students, professors and local residents Jan. 23 in an interview session that relayed to the audience his experiences, advice and future goals.

Edwards noted first and foremost that his work, his family and the community are three essential part of his life.

After receiving a degree in textiles from North Carolina State University, Edwards went on to law school at the University of North Carolina. Because no one from Edwards' family had ever gone to college, he made it his aspiration to fulfill his idealistic view of protecting justice and the power of the state by becoming a lawyer.

"People often forget that people such as Abraham Lincoln and Bobby Kennedy were lawyers; they can be engaged in working to make the legal system work and be an example for others," Edwards said.

It is important to handle one's personal life just as well while going to school, including staying close to family, friends and networks and not losing touch with one's origins, Edwards said.

Edwards practiced law in Nashville, Tenn., before eventually moving and settling in Raleigh, N.C., where he embarked on a career as a trial lawyer.

On the subject of trial law, Edwards noted that success in this field takes one who is willing to outwork anyone on the other side, that is, to have a personal and emotional connection to one's client, while showing honesty, credibility and integrity.

Throughout the question-and-answer session, Edwards made it a point to emphasize his concern for children and family both in law and in his personal life.

Edwards described one of his most recent cases in which he defended a small girl injured by a pool drain — a case that involved familial issues and in particular, children.

In an effort to touch on the upcoming presidential election of 2008, the conversation moved away from law and toward Edwards' attraction to electoral politics.

Edwards noted that he was initially drawn to the field in an interest to help in a larger way, learning more about public policy and the branches of government throughout the years.

"Some say it is too soon to relinquish my spot, but my value system has not changed," Edwards said. "You learn the intensity of the spotlight, the exposure of the good and bad and the maturity and depth required to be an effective president of the United States."

In 2004, Edwards said that he focused on contemplating what to say, but now it is time to think thoroughly about what to do as president, whose judgment to seek and which decisions to make that will ultimately affect the world.

One of the key issues for America right now, Edwards said, is to reestablish leadership in the international world.

"When America doesn't lead," he said, "the world is extremely dangerous, chaotic and unstable."

He noted that the world needs America to rally around when crises occur, and if this is not the case, even more crises will ensue.

"The next president must travel the world as John F. Kennedy and even Ronald Reagan, a Republican, did. The world needs to see their next President as someone they respect, a leader," Edwards said.

"We don't tolerate diversity, we embrace diversity," he said.

When questioned about his previous position in favor of using force in Iraq, the former senator admitted that he was wrong and noted that the idea of escalating the war is a huge, huge mistake made by culprits of incompetence such as President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

"I believe that it is wrong for a member of Congress who knows the escalation of the war

Edwards said that his campaign will focus on poverty in order to take responsibility as an American to take action and make a difference.

"It is important to have a vision and set of convictions and not to blow with the wind," he said.

Offering advice to the student audience, Edwards said that there is a fallacy that young people are apathetic in electoral politics today. Instead, they care about what makes a difference in the country and they too can make a different if they get involved.

Edwards stressed the importance of Americans being patriotic about things that are not just war and joked about how the Democrats can win back the southern states — "by nominating someone who talks like me."

After the interview, senior John Pyle said that he thought Edwards seemed likeable and unwavering in his platform and noticed that the audience seemed to like his views on the mismanagement of the war in Iraq.

Junior Fritz Spainhour said, "Edwards came off as much less 'down to earth' than he thought, slightly arrogant, but well-received."

Within the next hour, a small crowd of about 20 huddled outside, braving the bitter cold temperatures to catch a glimpse of Edwards exiting the building in hopes of receiving an autograph or photo. Some simply offered congratulatory remarks and news reporters flashed their cameras while People magazine's sexiest politician flashed a smile and sped away.

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