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Going for Green, Edwards Fundraises in Red

September 04, 2007 10:40 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson reports: The University of Montana—home to 28 Rhodes scholars, 8 Pulitzer Prize winners, 47 Fulbright scholars, and today, 1 presidential candidate.  Former Senator John Edwards D-N.C. became his party’s first contender in the 2008 race to campaign in Montana. 

Nearly 400 people poured into a sweltering ballroom at the University of Montana to fundraise for Edwards.  The event cost $15 to get in, and is part of a low dollar fundraising series by the campaign called “Small Change for Big Change.”

The room ballroom was decked out with Grizzly and Montana insignia, but it began to take a different shape by the time Edwards arrived as the eager crowd tore down a large banner for a better view of the senator.

“I don’t’ think we can pack anyone else in here with a shoe horn,” said Edwards when he saw the crowd.

  Edwards was first welcomed by Governor Brian Schweitzer, who kicked off the event saying, “The presidential campaign doesn’t come to Montana that often, the presidential campaign doesn’t come to Missoula that often. The presidential campaign is in Missoula tonight.”

Edwards’ stop in Montana tonight puts him on a short list of democratic contenders to campaign in the state. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) visited in 2004 and Ralph Nader in 2000 when he ran as an Independent.

“John Edwards is the guy who’s told the K street lobbyists they can keep their money.

John Edwards says when he’s president he’ll work for you,” said Schweitzer falling right in line with Edwards’ latest pitch to fight the entrenched interests in Washington.

“John Edwards understands the constitution and he knows there’s no fourth branch of government. We didn’t’ elect the lobbyists and they don’t own the government.”

Though it’s unlikely Schweitzer will endorse Edwards, his short, yet glowing review is worth something here.  Schweitzer is the popular governor whose 2004 win put a noticeable dent in lengthy succession of republican leadership in the red state.  And of late, Edwards has been making the electibility argument defending himself for nomination against rivals Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-I.L). 

While picking up the Steelworkers endorsement in Pittsburgh yesterday, Edwards acknowledged, “John Edwards is the candidate who can campaign and win in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky—places where Democrats can and should compete.”

Tonight, he tried to make that argument in the West vowing that he wanted to be the president of the United States, not of the blue or the red states. “I want to be the democratic candidate who goes into every state in America to campaign in the general election.”

Nearly every line in Edwards’ 20 minute speech was met with thunderous applause.  His “College for Everyone” plan pleased the largely academic audience; as well touting that he would end the “mess of war in Iraq” and guarantee all Americans universal healthcare.

But despite the rare visit of a presidential contender, some things were business as usual in Missoula.  Edwards had to cut his appearance short as the Missoula airport was quickly closing down for the rest of the week. 

However one young fan had the right idea—he perched himself on his father’s shoulders blocked the exit, therefore guaranteeing himself a handshake from a presidential contender.

 

September 4, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (3)

User Comments

Posted by: cliff jones | Sep 5, 2007 11:40:21 AM

Posted by: Stephen Swain | Sep 7, 2007 3:19:10 PM

Posted by: Stephen Swain | Sep 7, 2007 3:19:59 PM

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