The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

Edwards woos Wisconsin voters

The former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential candidate spoke to several hundreds gathered at American Serbian Memorial Hall, 5101 W.,”Presidential candidate John Edwards got a head start on his opponents in Wisconsin's Democratic primary by addressing a gathering of union members, students and other supporters in Milwaukee Monday night.

The former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential candidate spoke to several hundreds gathered at American Serbian Memorial Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Edwards shook hands and signed autographs after his 20-minute off-the-cuff speech titled, "Small Change for Big Change."

Prior to his Serb Hall appearance, Edwards attended a $1,000-a-head private fundraiser at the University Club, 924 E. Wells St.

Edwards' visit to Milwaukee comes after he and the other Democratic candidates have been doing extensive campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire. Wisconsin's primary is not until Feb. 19, well after the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire primary, considered major events in the presidential nominating calendar.

It's also after Feb. 5, when 19 states will hold their primaries or caucuses and the Democratic nominee may already be determined.

But Edwards is still trying to get Wisconsin votes. He's the second Democratic candidate to hold an event in Milwaukee this year. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama appeared at the Milwaukee Theatre in April.

College Democrats of Marquette chair Jason Rae, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said he has met many undecided Democratic voters throughout the state.

"No matter where I go, I get different responses," Rae said.

Edwards tried to distance himself from his primary opponents, saying his party "needs to show some backbone and courage."

Edwards, like several other Democratic candidates, reiterated his plan for universal health care to replace the "dysfunctional health care system in America."

He said insurance and drug companies should not be included in negotiations on health care.

"If you give them a seat at the table, they'll eat all the food," Edwards said.

He said he would pay for his plan by rescinding President Bush's tax cuts, which Edwards said cost $920 billion a year.

Having announced his candidacy in New Orleans' Third Ward in December, Edwards said the country is mired in "the worst economic inequality … since the Great Depression."

"The world wants to know if America is going to stand by and watch New Orleans," Edwards said. "We don't need a surge in Baghdad. We need a surge in New Orleans."

Earlier Monday, Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee that a reduction in forces would begin this month.

Edwards said Congress should bring the war to an end by not sending the president any funding bills without a timetable for withdrawal.

"I don't think he's damaged our reputation in the world. I think he has destroyed it," Edwards said.

He also pledged a "College for Everyone" program in which students who work at least 10 hours a week would get free tuition and books.

State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass, who has endorsed Edwards, called him "a guy for the people."

"He identifies with the everyday bulk of what America is made of," she said.

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