Edwards loses 10 states to Kerry, drops presidential race in Raleigh

By Kelly L. Griffith
News Editor

Sen. John Edwards ended his campaign for Democratic presidential nominee on March 3 at Broughton High School in Raleigh, after defeats in 10 states on Super Tuesday.

Sen. John Kerry of Mass. won nine of the 10 voting states, losing only Vermont - Howard Dean’s home state.

Surrounded by family and campaign workers, Edwards said he would be dropping out of the race, but he encouraged supporters not to give up the fight to oust President George W. Bush from office.

“The truth of the matter is that John Kerry has what it takes, right here in his heart, to be president of the United States,” Edwards said. “And I, for one, intend to do everything in my power to make him the next president of the United States, and I ask you to join me in this cause. For our country, for our America.”

Nearly 2,000 supporters throughout the Raleigh area traveled to see Edwards’ concession speech and praised him for his efforts.

Robert Spencer, a marketing writer for Koroberi in Carrboro, said any event for Edwards would have brought a lot of people out.

“I felt that I had to leave work and come out here because I personally have invested a lot of time and energy into this campaign,” Spencer said.

After hearing the concession speech, supporters were still hopeful that Edwards would have his name on the Democratic ticket as vice president.

Spencer said Kerry’s speech on March 2 gave him hope that Edwards would be a top contender for the vice president position.

Edwards remained optimistic about the November election despite his loss and urged patrons to promote change in America.

“We should never settle for less than our highest aspirations in our leaders and for our country,” Edwards said. “Because we are America – where all things are possible. And our message today is this: we want to change America and we will.”