Looking to get a boost before the Feb. 5 primary, presidential candidate John Edwards made a quick stop in Oklahoma City this afternoon. The former Democratic senator from North Carolina touched down at Wiley Post Airport and briefly met campaign staffers and reporters.
"I feel I know a great deal about the problems facing Oklahomans," Edwards told the press.
Edwards is locked in a three-way battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. The party has held a state caucus and primary, and Edwards has yet to claim a victory. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won the Iowa caucus and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton took the New Hampshire primary.
Edwards finished second in Iowa, but a distant third in New Hampshire.
However, he was quick to remind reporters it's still early.
"Only two states have voted; we still have 48 states to go," he said.
TRYING AGAIN
This is Edwards' second attempt at running for president. He first made the move in 2004, only to lose the nomination to Sen. John Kerry. But Kerry tabbed Edwards as his running mate. They lost the presidential election to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney by a slim margin.
However, Kerry recently gave his endorsement to Obama.
With Oklahoma's primary approaching in three weeks, Edwards said he will have to remain a strong candidate in hopes of gaining more Oklahoma votes. He feels confident a Democrat can win in this state.
"Looking at statewide offices, they are primarily held by Democrats," he said. "It tells me Oklahomans are willing to vote for a Democrat if it's the right kind of Democrat like me who grew up in rural America."
Edwards will be back in the state on Friday to attend a Teamster rally in Oklahoma City. -Scott Cooper
