Associated Press
COLUMBIA — The state Democratic Primary is cashing in on the favorite-son popularity of former U.S. Sen. John Edwards.
Edwards grew up in the northwestern corner of the state near Seneca and went on to become a North Carolina trial lawyer and U.S. senator before running for president in 2004. He earned his only primary win that year in South Carolina — helping him get the vice presidential slot on a ticket with U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
And now Edwards is mulling a 2008 bid while helping the South Carolina Democratic Party raise money for this year's elections at a reception in Columbia Tuesday for U.S. Reps. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt.
Edwards is a good draw in South Carolina, said state Democratic Party Chairman Joe Erwin after Edwards spoke to a crowd of more than 100 at an event that raised more than $20,000.
The crowd repeatedly interrupted Edwards' speech, which focused on rebuilding an America that the world looks up to again.
America is better than the image left by prison abuse scandals in Iraq, Edwards said.
With elections ahead this year, "I want us to never forget what's at stake. It is not overstated to say the future of the planet, the future of the world is at stake," Edwards said. "It is. The world needs us desperately."
"There is a hunger in America — a hunger to be inspired again," Edwards told the crowd.
Before the speech, Edwards said he hasn't decided yet about running in 2008 or set a deadline for making up his mind.
But South Carolina "will play a very important role" for anyone running, he said.
Last weekend, the Democratic National Committee made South Carolina's primary one of the first four primaries or caucuses in 2008. The South Carolina primary comes a week after New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary and will be the first in the South.
Edwards said he intentionally had nothing to do with setting up the election calendar.
Edwards says he's raised between $6.5 million and $7 million for candidates around the nation and plans to continue that work, including with more stops in South Carolina.
Prospects for Democrats are rising as people worry about gas prices, health care and crises overseas, Edwards said.
"I think that they believe — as I do — that ... America can do better than this," Edwards said. "They're looking for an alternative. Our responsibility is to give them that alternative."
