Edwards Criticizes Kerry Over Donations
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By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Democratic presidential contender John
Edwards , in a must-win battle for South Carolina,
criticized chief rival John Kerry on Monday for
accepting contributions from lobbyists and supporting trade pacts that
he contends have cost U.S. jobs.
Edwards, who had gained support in Iowa
and New Hampshire for running a positive
campaign, told reporters, "I don't take
contributions from lobbyists, and he
obviously does."
However, Edwards accepted one donation in
2002 directly from a lobbying firm and
collected more than $80,000 from people
who aren't formally registered as lobbyists
but nonetheless work for some of
Washington's powerhouse firms. He also
has accepted more than $150,000 worth of
flights aboard the corporate jets of special
interests.
Adding to his criticism of Kerry's ties with
lobbyists, Edwards told reporters after a
speech at the College of Charleston that
Kerry had voted for the North American Free
Trade Agreement and other trade pacts that
had helped cost Americans their jobs.
Edwards was not in the Senate when
NAFTA passed, but he has said he would
have voted against it.
"Senator Kerry and I have very different
positions on the issue of trade," said
Edwards, who has been critical of Kerry as
a Washington insider and four-term senator.
"If we want real change in Washington, we
need someone who hasn't been there for
15-20 years."
Edwards and Kerry were in a statistical tie
in a poll in South Carolina, which Edwards
has said he must win. In the other six
states with delegate elections Tuesday,
Kerry was leading Edwards and other
Democratic rivals as they lined up support
for the biggest test yet of the 2004
campaign.
Kerry, however, ignored his opponents in a speech Monday at the
University of New Mexico in favor of criticizing President Bush and touting his health care proposals.
"I predict today, like father, like son, one term only. Bush is going to be
done," Kerry said.
Howard Dean , who was running behind Kerry in polls
in each of the seven states, was looking beyond the Tuesday elections
for success. A total of 269 pledged delegates were at stake in Arizona,
Delaware, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South
Carolina.
On Sunday, Dean continued to criticize Kerry for his financial ties with
special interests, saying those links cast doubt on the Massachusetts
senator's claim to be the champion of the battle against those interests.
"He misrepresented himself, grossly misrepresented himself, as a
candidate who would take on special interests in Washington," the
former Vermont governor said .
"My record responds to that," Kerry told reporters Sunday during a stop
in Fargo, N.D. "I have fought powerful special interests every step of the
way."
In another major boost to his campaign, Kerry won the backing of two
major unions on Monday. The National Treasury Employees Union,
which represents about 150,000 workers in 29 government agencies,
said it was endorsing Kerry because of his steadfast support for federal
employees.
The Sheet Metal Workers International Association, which represents
about 150,000 skilled craftspersons in the unionized sheet metal
industry, also formally endorsed the Massachusetts senator. The union's
general president, Michael Sullivan, said SMWIA volunteers plan to work
phone banks, distribute literature and canvas door-to-door for Kerry
across the country.
Added to his other organized labor endorsements, Kerry now has the
support of unions representing more than 1.3 million workers. On
Sunday, he won the backing of the United Farm Workers union, which
could give Kerry crucial support among Hispanics, a key constituency in
New Mexico and Arizona.
Washington state holds caucuses Saturday, and Kerry planned to head
there and await returns Tuesday night, shifting his focus to the next test.
Retired Gen. Wesley Clark (news - web sites) focused on Oklahoma,
where polls show he has the best shot at pulling off a badly needed win
Tuesday night.
Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman (news - web sites)
touted the endorsements of newspapers in Seattle and
South Carolina. "What this says is I have national
support," he said.
Kerry spent Sunday in North Dakota, fulfilling his
pledge to campaign in all seven states holding tests on
Tuesday. Together they represent more than 12
percent of the 2,162 delegates needed to claim the
Democratic nomination.
Dean, the early front-runner, conceded he may not win
any of the state's Tuesday night, and was focusing on
Washington and Michigan, which also holds caucuses
Saturday. |
