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In S.C., Edwards Talks Job Growth
Dick Harpootlian, a lawyer and former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, is less sure. "Edwards was born in South Carolina, but he just hasn't resonated in a way I thought he would," Harpootlian said. "I'm surprised that he hasn't caught fire."
Still, Harpootlian thinks it is too early to know what will happen in South Carolina because the state has never held its primary so early in the year. "Nobody knows who's actually going to vote," he said. "It's tough to figure out."
At the Spartanburg Technical College auditorium, Atkins tried to figure Edwards out. He was hailed as someone who could relate to leathery-skinned textile workers such as Atkins, yet he was impeccably dressed in a blue suit, and his sandy brown hair was slate-smooth.
On the other hand, his message came across loud and clear. He talked about how there were two different Americas -- one in which the haves don't worry about getting health care and educating their children, and another in which the have-nots are sick with worry over how to care for their families and educate their kids in failing public schools.
"We have people who are working hard, living from paycheck to paycheck, and I see some of them in this room nodding their heads right now," Edwards said. Atkins has not been getting paychecks, but he got the drift.
"You know what happens in Washington when a person like me crosses the floor to vote?" Edwards asked, and Atkins perked up. "A lobbyist pulls my sleeve and asks, 'Can't you give me a little help on this bill? And by the way, I'll see you at the fundraiser tonight.' We need to cut those people off at the knees."
The audience ate it up. When Edwards said he would close tax loopholes that encourage businesses to move jobs outside the country, those in the audience applauded. When he said he would give tax breaks to companies that stay here and hire workers, they hooted.
Edwards said he could point to the source of their despair: the White House under President Bush. He gave billions to big businesses, such as Halliburton Co., while cutting school and job programs, Edwards said. He never holds town hall meetings in places like Spartanburg to talk to people who have lost their jobs, he said.
"He leads a sheltered existence," the candidate said.
Edwards was leading up to a big finish. "I came here to ask every one of you to join me in this campaign, this cause, this movement," he said. "I can't do it alone. I know you and I can do it together. I will compete with George W. Bush. This is my back yard. This is not George W. Bush's home. I need you."
Atkins leapt to his feet, a new believer. Yes, he said, he liked what he heard. "Everything he said was true."' And yes, he said, he was going to register and vote.
Broadnax, the UNITE district manager, was on his feet, too, but his response was not as positive. He represents 1,300 members in South Carolina, and he had some demands. He wants Edwards to come talk to workers.
"We never tell them who to vote for," Broadnax said. But he was not shy about saying that he was considering four candidates who are furiously contesting the South Carolina primary. "I like Edwards, but I also like Clark, Gephardt and Al Sharpton," he said.
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