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IowaPolitics.com: Edwards touts electability in Iowa visit
6/15/2007

By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com

JOHNSTON -- Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards said Friday he is the most electable Democratic candidate in the field.

Edwards' comments came Friday morning during the taping of Iowa Press on Iowa Public Television. The programs airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Democratic presidential hopeful said his drive to end poverty, establish a universal health care plan and fight to reduce America's dependency on foreign oil resonate with all Americans -- especially those in the rural areas.

"I can be competitive in rural America," said Edwards, who added he can fare well the south.

The 2004 vice presidential nominee stressed earning the right to compete in the general election begins in Iowa.

He credited Sen. John Kerry's victory in Iowa with leading to winning the nomination. Edwards finished second in the Iowa caucuses.

"I know what it takes to campaign in Iowa," said Edwards, who is the current leader in the state in several polls. "You get into people's houses and the smaller communities."

Edwards kicks off a three-day campaign swing through Iowa Friday. After leaving Johnston, Edwards left for Marshalltown. He will be joined by his wife Elizabeth and children on this trip. The campaign message Edwards is touting this time around revolves around the cost-saving measures in his universal health care plan.

"The rising cost of health care is putting the squeeze on hardworking Iowa families as well as employers," Edwards said. "More and more people are getting priced out of the market, and too many families live in fear that they are one serious illness away from bankruptcy. My plan for universal health care would not only guarantee health care to all Americans, but it would also help reduce costs and make health care more affordable for Iowa families."

By reforming the insurance industry and requiring insurers to allocate 85 percent of premiums to go toward patient care and cutting the cost of treatment of chronic diseases as well as lower the cost of prescription medicine, Edwards said his plan would save families up to $2,500 annually and cut $130 billion in wasteful health care spending.
IowaPolitics.com audio of Edwards press conference
Edwards details cost-saving measures in universal health care plan


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