Eye on 2008: John Edwards visits West Virginia

by: Clem Guttata

Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 21:40:52 PM EDT

The former North Carolina Senator and current Presidential hopeful John Edwards visited West Virginia this week.

Here's how the local press covered his visit.

In Charleston for a private fundraising event, Edwards got the opportunity to share some of his plans.

"My whole campaign is about bringing about the bold change that's needed in this country," Edwards said.

West Virginia has proven to be a critical state in past elections. Edwards said he intends to keep a strong focus in the Mountain State.

"If I am the Democratic nominee for President, I fully intend to win West Virginia," he said.

[snip]

Edwards said he understands West Virginia well because it has similar concerns found in his home state of North Carolina.

He said he expects to campaign very hard in the Mountain State.

Edwards spoke Thursday with members of the United Mine Workers and the AFL-CIO at a Charleston hotel and then attended a fundraiser.

The former North Carolina senator praised the UMW for working to improve safety in coal mines, and lauded all unions' efforts to "strengthen the middle class (because) it strengthens America."

Edwards also said he planned to tell his wife, Elizabeth, that prayers were being offered in West Virginia for her. The couple announced last week that Elizabeth Edwards' cancer had returned and was incurable.

"Everybody's been so incredibly kind," he said.

Edwards said everyone deserves the same level of care as his wife, citing the high costs of her treatment.