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A campaign stop by Senator John Edwards draws several thousand supporters to SMSU. Mike Smith has the story.
(From the AP and KSMU News)
Democrats campaigning for the White House often ignore Southwest Missouri because of its reputation for backing Republicans, but according to Robin Carnahan who is running for the office of Secretary of State, Democratic leaders were, on August 15th, encouraged by the sight of an estimated 7-8 thousand supporters cheering for Vice Presidential nominee John Edwards when he spoke at SMSU.
In his speech, Edwards said America doesn't have to be divided by race, educational opportunities offered, or employment versus un-employment. Edwards also defended running mate John Kerry's Vietnam war record, which struck a chord with Dennis Estes. The burly former Marine served in Vietnam, and is currently the Commander of Springfield's VFW Post 3404. He says he's offended by those who are questioning the written military record of Kerry's service to the country.
John Edwards asked the crowdd to remember the men and women who are serving in Iraq, and around the world, but Lloyd Smith of the Bush-Cheney 04 Missouri campaign says Edwards should've told his audience about the Senate votes Kerry and Edwards cast in NON-support of the troops.
Small groups of protesters gathered on a sidewalk next to the rally, and mixed in with the crowd of supporters. Mckinze Milligan carried a sign which read "Kerry+Edwards=Every Child Left Behind".
Edwards spent the night in Springfield and the next day, took part in what organizers called a "backyard chat" at a farm newr Willard where he outlined the Kerry-Edwards rural economic plan.
For KSMU News, I'm Mike Smith.
