John Edwards, Progressive Politics, and the South

John Edwards, a former senator of North Carolina and Democratic Vice-Presidential Nominee in 2004, is expected to announce that he is running for the Democratic presidential nomination for 2008. Edwards, a native of the Carolinas, was the topic of a recent article in the Charlotte Observer which discussed the progressive agenda Edwards has set forth in his speeches and work at UNC--Chapel Hill's Center for Poverty, Work, and Opportunity.

The 2004 vice presidential nominee already has a retooled campaign agenda that is unabashedly
progressive.

Today, Edwards tosses around phrases such as "universal health care" and "public campaign financing." He criticizes the Bush administration's "convergence of stupidity" on education and demands the immediate withdrawal of thousands of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Sources say that Edwards plans to announce his bid from New Orleans after Christmas.

He is one of the few Southerners in both major parties that is a prospective presidential candidate. Former General and Democrat Wesley Clark and outgoing Republican Governor Mike Huckabee--both from Arkansas--are considering bids for their parties nominations. Former House Speaker and Republican Newt Gingrich of Georgia is also condering a presidential bid.

Will these candidates draw attention to issues that particularly affect the South? Will Democrats try to make inroads in Southern states? Will the rest of the nation embrace these Southern candidates, especially in early nomination contests in Iowa, Nevada, and New Hampshire? An Edwards' candidacy only makes these questions more intriguing.