Edwards campaign announces surge of South Carolina endorsements

[SangamonTaylor]

COLUMBIA, SC: In the wake of a remarkable finish in the Iowa Caucuses earlier this week, the Edwards for President campaign in South Carolina today announced a new round of endorsements from state elected and party officials, further growing the largest endorsement list of any of the Democratic presidential candidates.

"I am so proud of my South Carolina team," said Edwards. "We have incredible momentum and energy coming out of Iowa, and I am confident that we have just the right people on board to turn that momentum into a South Carolina victory come February 3rd."

The campaign today announced the following new endorsements:

Mayor Christopher Campbell of Eastover, President of South Carolina Conference of Black Mayors
"John Edwards is the best candidate to beat George Bush for the presidency. John Edwards represents the best interests of all Americans, not just the rich," said Campbell.
Representative Leon Howard (Richland County)
"John Edwards is clearly the most viable candidate to beat George Bush in November and return the White House to the Democrats," said Howard.

Representative Jackie Elliott "Coach" Hayes (Dillion-Horry Cos.)
"Like no other, John Edwards has the ability to relate to the everyday average person," said Hayes. "He wants to give every single person the opportunity to succeed in life and has the values and voice that people can relate to."
Curtis Inabinett, Former State Representative (Charleston and Colleton Counties)
"John Edwards cares about the same things I do. He will be a dynamic nominee and a excellent President," said Inabinett.

Mayor Kevin Johnson of Manning
"John Edwards has an incredibly strong record of fighting for working people. He was born in South Carolina and has represented the South as a Senator from North Carolina. This is a candidate who wants to help lift up all Americans, and I wholeheartedly support him," said Johnson.

Mayor William Alston of Awendaw
"John Edwards is an impressive candidate. His optimism is exactly what this country needs," said Alston.
Steven Davis, Berkeley County Council Member
"Senator Edwards understands the plight of people in my district. It is exciting to support somebody like that for President," said Davis.

Sam Hart, North Charleston City Council Member
"John Edwards is the right man to get Americans back to work. He understands working people and will never forget where he came from," said Hart.

Berty Riley, Jasper County School Board Member
"I've been waiting for someone like John Edwards to come around for a long time. He understands the troubles our schools face and will be a real friend to public education," said Riley.
Hazel Holmes, Auditor of Jasper County
"John Edwards is a breath of fresh air. I am excited about working hard for him in Jasper County from now until November," said Holmes.

John E. Parker; Former Chairman of the Hampton County Democratic Party
"Senator Edwards has a unique perspective of the problems facing this country - a perspective that was developed on his journey from an Upstate mill village to the United States Senate," said Parker.
Danny Henderson, Former Chairman of the Jasper County Democratic Party
"John Edwards is the kind of Democrat who can win in November and compete in the South. He will help every candidate who runs as a Democrat this year," said Henderson.

Bert Floyd, Former Chairman of the Horry County Democratic Party
"John Edwards' message mirrors just what I believe and he presents it in a way that is much clearer than any other candidate. He's our guy and our best shot at the White House," Floyd said.

Doug Griffin, Secretary, Sumter County Democratic Party
"Only once in a lifetime do you get the opportunity to vote for a presidential candidate from your state," said Griffin. "John Edwards' positions on healthcare and tax fairness are of particular importance. We need someone to look out for working class families, and John Edwards is that candidate."

In addition to the endorsements announced today from elected and party officials, the campaign also announced the support of Dalton Tresvant, Midlands Director for Congressman Jim Clyburn in South Carolina.

>>Seems like a great deal of local endorsements!

[AP]

1. Many prominent black politicians are endorsing Edwards.

[SangamonTaylor]

2. that is exactly what I was thinking.

Great news for Edwards!

[AP]

3. Black voters the core and outcome-determinative constituency for Dems in

GE, and are even more determinative in primaries, I suspect.

[JohnKleeb]

4. Of course Edwards is quite good on race

Congrads guys. I know we got Hollings but Iowa proved that big endorsers arent gunadreeted victory. congrads again, I think Edwards especially after Iowa could very well win SC.

[tryanhas]

6. Which endorsements matter most?

Well, based on the endorsements that Kerry got in Iowa, in particular from Vilsak's wife, I would say that IN STATE ENDORSEMENTS MATTER more than endorsements from state officials like Tom Harkin who are not in the state a lot.

Edwards may not have Hollings, but I don't think his endorsement is as big as the endorsements of nearly ALL OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S INSTATE OFFICALS which have endorsed Edwards because those people are always in SC, and they have been talking Edwards up for a long time now, and the people there know them more than Hollings who has been in Washington, DC for 40 years.

[AP]

8. These aren't "big" endorsements. They're REVEALING endorsements.

[beaconess]

5. While high-profile endorsements from national figures are great

these kinds of endorsements from local leaders carry much more weight when it comes to influencing voters and getting out the vote on election day.

Go Edwards!

[citizen snips]

7. This is great news.

Edwards will have my full support in NC.

[jenk]

9. alright! go edwards!