Campaigning with Daddy: Edwards takes 'the whole gang' on a bus tour

[chimpymustgo]

Presidential candidate John Edwards takes 'the whole gang' on a bus tour

By JOHN WAGNER, Washington Correspondent

SALEM, N.H.-- When the hulking John Edwards for President campaign bus pulled into a local fire station here, the candidate was upstaged before he even got out the door.

Bounding out of the bus ahead of the North Carolina senator were 5-year-old Emma Claire and 3-year-old Jack, Edwards' two youngest, precocious, photogenic children.

In an effort to draw attention to his agenda for improving homeland security, Edwards was soon chatting with a group of four emergency responders. A fifth attended to the kids as they climbed aboard engines, tried on helmets and darted around the station.

"Daddy, they have a kitchen!" Emma Claire shrieked upon making the discovery, which held her attention for a few moments. She then turned back to her firefighter friend: "What else do you have?"

Most families take off to the beach or visit relatives during their summer vacation. The Edwardses boarded a bus for the better part of two weeks, traveling first across Iowa, home of the nation's first presidential caucuses, and then across New Hampshire, the first primary state.

As Edwards repeatedly told audiences he encountered, "the whole gang" was in tow: his wife of 26 years, Elizabeth; his 21-year-old daughter, Cate; and the two young ones. There were singalongs, late-night swims at hotel pools and other moments of family intimacy.

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Neal Ochs, an electrical engineer who was among the 50-person crowd, said he came away impressed with Edwards' ideas for creating jobs and making prescription drugs more affordable. But Ochs spoke most glowingly when asked about Edwards' family.

"I think it's great," he said. "It's been a long time since there's been a toddler in the White House. It'd be nice to see another John-John."

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http://www.newsobserver.com/edwards/coverage/story/2812513p-2599733c.html



It's really a sweet article. They are a wonderful family. Would love to see them in the White House.

[XanaDUer]

1. What a wonderful and sweet post!

Thanks, CMG!

[chimpymustgo]

2. Hi Liberty! Nice article and pictures.

nt