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American Morning

Interview with Senator John Edwards

Aired September 16, 2003 - 07:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: He is one of nine Democrats with sights set on the White House. North Carolina Senator John Edwards, campaigning for months now, and today he makes it official -- his run for the White House.
Senator Edwards is with us now live in Robins, North Carolina, site of the official announcement a bit later today; 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time in fact.

Senator, good morning. Thanks for joining us here on AMERICAN MORNING.

Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: You know, before you take on the White House and George Bush, you may just have to set your sights on guys like Howard Dean and John Kerry. If a Democrat were watching this interview, why should he or she vote for you and not Howard Dean and John Kerry?

EDWARDS: Well, because I'm the best person to beat George Bush, you know. Behind me is the mill that my dad worked in. In fact, I worked there myself when I was young. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina, and I've been fighting for people, just like my own family, working people all my life. And because of the way I grew up, what I have been doing and the values that I have, and having lived the American dream myself, you know, what I want to do is make opportunity a birthright for every child born in America.

That is exactly the case that needs to be made against this president. Because if you look at what's happening in America today, working-class, middle-class families are really, really struggling. They're having a terrible time.

And the president is mostly looking out for insiders. My responsibility is to take this case to him and, more importantly, to offer an alternative vision for America.

HEMMER: And before you...

EDWARDS: A vision that gives real opportunity to everybody.

HEMMER: Before you truly get that opportunity, polls show you are running fourth right now. About a year ago, you were considered the next fresh face of the Democratic Party. How do you gain traction at this point?

EDWARDS: Actually, I think we're getting traction right now. When I see what's happening, when I campaigned in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, it's incredibly encouraging -- huge crowds, great response. This race is wide open, and that's the reason we have campaigns, Bill. I mean, we've got a long way to go between now and January and February when the caucuses and the early primaries occur. My responsibility is to make sure people know who I am, where I come from and what I want to do as president.

You know, my whole thing is about making sure that kids have the health care, every child in America and we make it the law of the land, making sure that kids who want to go to college and are willing to work for it get that chance, making sure we have tax cuts that allow -- for middle-class families, not for rich people -- that allow people to save and buy a home. I mean, that's what my whole life has been about, and that's what I want to do as president.

HEMMER: Senator...

EDWARDS: But I have to make sure people know that.

HEMMER: Your focus and your answers are on domestic issues. Let's take it overseas, if we could, and talk about Iraq.

EDWARDS: Sure.

HEMMER: You believe two things are critical right now: relieve the burden on the U.S. troops, relieve the burden on the American taxpayer. What are you, if president, willing to give France, Germany, Russia in order to bring more international support into Iraq, which is a position that you support?

EDWARDS: A seat at the table. I mean, they have to be able to participate in the decision-making. I mean, we would never put American troops under the command of someone else. But it's important if we want these folks to come in, give financial -- provide financial resources, provide troops on the ground, help, as you just pointed out, Bill, relieve some of the responsibility from our troops and the American taxpayer. And, I might add, also reduce some of anti- American sentiment on the ground that exists there. The way to do that is to actually let them participate in the decision-making, and that's what's going to be necessary.

HEMMER: Senator, you have said in the past that you will not run again for your Senate seat. You're putting all of your focus and attention into the race for the White House. If you don't get the nomination, is your political career over?

EDWARDS: Oh, I absolutely don't accept that premise. I mean, I have committed mind, body and soul 100 percent to getting this nomination. I am convinced I will get the nomination because of what I want to do for the country and what this country desperately needs. And at the end of day, Bill, this is not about me. For that matter, it's not about any of these candidates. It's about what needs to be done for America and the direction America needs to take.

HEMMER: Senator John Edwards from North Carolina. The announcement comes at 10:00 a.m.. Thanks for your time this morning and sharing with us.

EDWARDS: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.







Aired September 16, 2003 - 07:16   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: He is one of nine Democrats with sights set on the White House. North Carolina Senator John Edwards, campaigning for months now, and today he makes it official -- his run for the White House.
Senator Edwards is with us now live in Robins, North Carolina, site of the official announcement a bit later today; 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time in fact.

Senator, good morning. Thanks for joining us here on AMERICAN MORNING.

Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: You know, before you take on the White House and George Bush, you may just have to set your sights on guys like Howard Dean and John Kerry. If a Democrat were watching this interview, why should he or she vote for you and not Howard Dean and John Kerry?

EDWARDS: Well, because I'm the best person to beat George Bush, you know. Behind me is the mill that my dad worked in. In fact, I worked there myself when I was young. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina, and I've been fighting for people, just like my own family, working people all my life. And because of the way I grew up, what I have been doing and the values that I have, and having lived the American dream myself, you know, what I want to do is make opportunity a birthright for every child born in America.

That is exactly the case that needs to be made against this president. Because if you look at what's happening in America today, working-class, middle-class families are really, really struggling. They're having a terrible time.

And the president is mostly looking out for insiders. My responsibility is to take this case to him and, more importantly, to offer an alternative vision for America.

HEMMER: And before you...

EDWARDS: A vision that gives real opportunity to everybody.

HEMMER: Before you truly get that opportunity, polls show you are running fourth right now. About a year ago, you were considered the next fresh face of the Democratic Party. How do you gain traction at this point?

EDWARDS: Actually, I think we're getting traction right now. When I see what's happening, when I campaigned in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, it's incredibly encouraging -- huge crowds, great response. This race is wide open, and that's the reason we have campaigns, Bill. I mean, we've got a long way to go between now and January and February when the caucuses and the early primaries occur. My responsibility is to make sure people know who I am, where I come from and what I want to do as president.

You know, my whole thing is about making sure that kids have the health care, every child in America and we make it the law of the land, making sure that kids who want to go to college and are willing to work for it get that chance, making sure we have tax cuts that allow -- for middle-class families, not for rich people -- that allow people to save and buy a home. I mean, that's what my whole life has been about, and that's what I want to do as president.

HEMMER: Senator...

EDWARDS: But I have to make sure people know that.

HEMMER: Your focus and your answers are on domestic issues. Let's take it overseas, if we could, and talk about Iraq.

EDWARDS: Sure.

HEMMER: You believe two things are critical right now: relieve the burden on the U.S. troops, relieve the burden on the American taxpayer. What are you, if president, willing to give France, Germany, Russia in order to bring more international support into Iraq, which is a position that you support?

EDWARDS: A seat at the table. I mean, they have to be able to participate in the decision-making. I mean, we would never put American troops under the command of someone else. But it's important if we want these folks to come in, give financial -- provide financial resources, provide troops on the ground, help, as you just pointed out, Bill, relieve some of the responsibility from our troops and the American taxpayer. And, I might add, also reduce some of anti- American sentiment on the ground that exists there. The way to do that is to actually let them participate in the decision-making, and that's what's going to be necessary.

HEMMER: Senator, you have said in the past that you will not run again for your Senate seat. You're putting all of your focus and attention into the race for the White House. If you don't get the nomination, is your political career over?

EDWARDS: Oh, I absolutely don't accept that premise. I mean, I have committed mind, body and soul 100 percent to getting this nomination. I am convinced I will get the nomination because of what I want to do for the country and what this country desperately needs. And at the end of day, Bill, this is not about me. For that matter, it's not about any of these candidates. It's about what needs to be done for America and the direction America needs to take.

HEMMER: Senator John Edwards from North Carolina. The announcement comes at 10:00 a.m.. Thanks for your time this morning and sharing with us.

EDWARDS: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.