Edwards ducks debate, goes solo

[chimpymustgo]

Hope is to reach more caucus-goers

By JOHN WAGNER, Washington Correspondent

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- As a national two-hour radio debate aired Tuesday among six presidential contenders headed into the backstretch, Sen. John Edwards strode alone onto a stage in a packed high-school auditorium to pitch his education plans.

The North Carolina Democrat's counter-programming reflected a calculated gamble: that he could reach more likely caucus-goers in Iowa by striking out on his own than engaging in yet another Democratic gabfest.

In the education speech, Edwards called for overhauling President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" initiative and for investing more in the teaching profession -- familiar planks in his agenda.

-snip-

"I'm doing what I believe Iowans expect of candidates, which is grass-roots campaigning," Edwards said, noting that he had participated in a televised debate Jan. 4 in Iowa and would take part in another Sunday.

With the Democrats jockeying for attention in the final two weeks before the Jan. 19 caucuses, Edwards also pulled off a minor coup Tuesday, landing a half-hour solo interview on Iowa NPR stations just a few hours before the six of his rivals debated.

-snip-

"We've got huge momentum," Edwards said. "I feel very good about things right now."


http://www.newsobserver.com/edwards/coverage/story/3189600p-2868917c.html

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I think this was a smart move on Edwards' part - even though he is always a stand-out in the debates. He can definitely work a room.

[Jack_Dawson]

1. Sharing a stage w/ Lieberman is a waste of time

I don't blame him. Those debates are coma-inducing.

[citizen snips]

3. I agree with you.

Lieberman is a big waste of time.

[dsc]

2. He shouldn't have skipped that debate

It was a really good one. I wish they all had been that good.

[billbuckhead]

4. Letting Dean and Lieberman have more time to bash each other

wasn't a bad idea.

[dsc]

7. I take it you didn't listen to the debate then

It was a much better issue oriented discussion than any previous debate. I am not blaming Edwards for not being psychic but it is too bad he chose this debate to skip.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

5. Iowans like Edwards

I say that first-hand as I just got back from Des Moines. Talked to lots of undecided Iowans. They like Edwards, he is being positive and he has a good message. He's doing well there and will probably take some support from Kerry and Gep.

[Rowdyboy]

6. After the first few debates....

they become meaningless, watched by fewer and fewer. Just a way for candidates to polish their soundbites.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

8. Edwards is looking better and better to me

I don't like it when candidates skip debates though. But I have to say that Edwards is impressing me more and more. He was great in the Iowa debate, and I'm glad that he set the record straight about his opposition to these anti-democratic "free trade" agreements.