In S.C., Edwards Talks Job Growth
State Wants Hope After Factory Layoffs
By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 17, 2004; Page A06
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- A long, winding trail of red, white and blue campaign placards led to the open doors of an auditorium at Spartanburg Technical College, and for once in his life, Charles Atkins followed them.
He slipped into his first campaign rally and quietly took a seat in the back. He said that, at age 57, he had not registered to vote because "politicians make promises they don't keep." But after losing his job and failing to find work for two years, Atkins said, he is looking for someone to believe in, who will give him hope.
The words were barely out of his mouth when two stereo speakers started blaring. Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), the Democratic presidential who was born 60 miles away, in Seneca, S.C., marched in the room as John Mellencamp's voice sang, "I was born in a small town." Atkins joined about 125 others in a lively ovation, but his weathered face was blank and his blue-green eyes were sullen.
To win in this state's primary on Feb. 3 and stay in the race, Edwards is seeking to find a way to put smiles back on the faces of voters such as Atkins. He is also trying to convince them that he will get back their manufacturing jobs and that he will be their voice in Washington.
But he is facing stiff competition from retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark for their hearts and minds. Clark, who is not competing in the Iowa caucuses, campaigned in Edwards's home state Thursday and is headed back on Monday. Also, according to state Democratic Party officials, Clark has the largest number of paid campaign staff members, followed by former Vermont governor Howard Dean and Edwards.
The candidates are promising to water down the free trade agreement that took so many jobs, especially in the textile industry, from the Palmetto State -- a poll late last year found that 67 percent of South Carolinians believe there should be restrictions on free trade.
Within the past three years, 46,000 manufacturing jobs were cut in South Carolina, including about 4,000 in Spartanburg County, according to state figures. In the same back row where Atkins sat were four members of UNITE, a union that represents textile workers. They didn't crack a smile.
"It's been devastating," said Roosevelt Broadnax, 56, manager of the South Carolina district of UNITE. "A lot of our friends and co-workers have been laid off. They have no way to care for their families."
Economically, Don Fowler, a University of South Carolina political science professor and former national party chairman, said, "South Carolina is in very bad straits. If somebody can find a way to articulate that issue and make it real, they really could create a lot of momentum in South Carolina."
If any Democrat in the race could relate to that feeling of sorrow, it should be Edwards, analysts said. His father, Wallace, was a textile worker, and at one time -- before Edwards became a rich trial lawyer -- he worked beside his dad. On top of that, he represents a neighboring state in the Senate.
Edwards's background led political analysts to say he was the odds-on favorite to win South Carolina. But that was early in the race, before former Vermont governor Howard Dean surged ahead of the other Democratic contenders in fundraising and the polls, and before Clark made a late entry into the race.
Edwards has said if he does not win in South Carolina, he would have to consider leaving the race. Jenni Engebretsen, spokeswoman for his South Carolina headquarters in Columbia, said Edwards had visited the state 17 times since July. South Carolina Democratic Party officials said Edwards, Clark, Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.) and Al Sharpton have been the most visible candidates to date. Engebretsen said the state campaign had raised $300,000 and mustered about 400 volunteers.
Polls have shown Edwards anywhere from first to third place. "There is a lot of support for Edwards here," Fowler said. "I call it home cookin'. He has a background that a lot of southerners can relate to. He engendered a lot of support early on."
Edwards got a boost in Iowa when the Des Moines Register endorsed him, and polls recently put him within striking distance of the leader there. A good showing Monday in the caucuses could help Edwards. "Whoever comes out of Iowa and New Hampshire [the next week] with credibility and momentum will be helped in the states that follow," Fowler said. "South Carolina voters are no different from any other voters. We watch the same television, read the same newspaper articles and hear the same gossip as everybody else." |
