Anyone who still believes former U.S. Senator John Edwards isn’t using the Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity to gain a political issue for the 2008 presidential campaign is not going to like a report from the Daily Tar Heel today. The paper shows that he is spending more time in states that will be critical to be nominated in 2008 than he is in North Carolina at the Center’s offices. Most of Edwards’ travels have been in places like Iowa and California, crucial states for Democrats in the nomination process. He’s also made multiple trips to Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Virginia.
Edwards is asked about his schedule in the article. He tries to offset concerns by saying everything he does is connected to the Center’s mission. I guess we are to assume that the Center will create an office in New Hampshire soon, since that is where Edwards announced the creation of the center.
Edwards is doing what everyone always knew he would with the Center. He’s using UNC as a backdrop to give him a political issue (poverty) and media exposure to advance his political hopes (Democratic nomination for president) while not serving in an elected position.
