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Edwards finds support in Conway

Even with the morning chill in the air, John Edwards received a warm welcome from about 150 supporters inside Conway's Peanut Warehouse where he spent about an hour Tuesday talking about issues and policies he would enact if elected president.

Wearing faded blue jeans, a simple brown button shirt and fleece jacket, Edwards was surrounded inside the warehouse by supporters who cheered and clapped at his various points. They took photos using cameras, video recorders and their cell phones. They waved support signs and sought autographs after the event.

"I think he would make America a better place to live," Loris resident Elaine Adams said as she waited in line for a closer glimpse of the presidential candidate. "I just wish he had more time in Horry County."

The retired nurse and her school teacher daughter came to show their support for Edwards, who they said best identifies with the working class Americans.

Edwards touted his plans for education reform, universal healthcare and ending the war in Iraq, if elected as the next president. He took questions from the audience, introduced his parents and asked his supporters to get the word out about his campaign and Saturday's Democratic primary.

"You have the extraordinary opportunity this Saturday to stand up for the kind of change you believe in,'' Edwards said. "All of you can be a part of that tidal wave of change. Vote and take your friends with you to vote."

After the event while surrounded by media from across the country, Edwards did not claim the win in Saturday's South Carolina primary or even agree that he won Monday night's Democratic debate at The Palace Theatre.

"The struggle for me is getting heard. If I get heard, I'll do great," Edwards said.

Edwards plans appearance, watch party

Tonight, before the CNN/Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate, former Sen. John Edwards will join his eldest daughter, Cate, and his parents, Wallace and Bobbie Edwards, in stopping by the supporter visibility area outside the Palace Theatre.

The Edwards campaign is also holding a debate-watch party at the Hard Rock Cafe, near the Palace Theatre at Broadway at the Beach.

The party is open to everyone, and there will likely be discussion about Edwards' plans for One America and his stances on ending the war in Iraq, universal health care, ending poverty and other topics.

Here are the details:
6:45 p.m., John, Cate, Wallace and Bobbie Edwards and supporters meet outside the Palace Theatre in the designated debate visibility area.

8 p.m., John Edwards for President watch party beguns at the Hard Rock Cafe, 1322 Celebrity Circle

Edwards announces three new endorsements

At a press conference in Columbia today, Sen. John Edwards' campaign announced three new endorsements from community leaders -- State Rep. Walton J. McLeod III from Little Mountain, former Newberry County Councilman Curtis Shealy and Folly Beach City Councilwoman Laura Beck.

The endorsements come shortly after the campaign released a list of more than 80 South Carolina endorsements from some of the state's most respected leaders.

Edwards returns to South Carolina tomorrow for a four-day tour, including a stop in Newberry on Sunday. During the trip, Edwards said, he will will call for bold action to ensure that all South Carolinians -- regardless of their backgrounds -- have equal opportunity for education, jobs and to support their families and have secure retirements.

A radio spot with Edwards' recent remarks in South Carolina about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and our shared responsibility to fight for One America can be found online at: www.johnedwards.com/realchange.

Here are the details of his Sunday appearance:

Supporters and undecided voters are invited to meet with the senator at noon at Steven W's Bistro,
1100 Main St., Newberry.

Edwards enhances efforts in Horry County

John Edwards campaign is launching an Horry County steering committee including members Katie Daniels, Shirley Greene and Horry County NAACP Political Chair Abdulla Mustafa.

The committee members will lead the campaign's effort in the county, recruiting  supporters and other members, signing up volunteers and spreading the word about Edwards' ideas and plans on a variety of issues, from the war in Iraq to poverty.

"I am honored to have the support of these leaders who are committed to helping my campaign bring about the change our country so desperately needs," Edwards said in a prepared statement. "They share my belief that real change is worth fighting for, and we need a president with the courage and backbone to stand up to the powerful interests in Washington that are standing in the way of change. Voters in South Carolina have a real choice in this election – and that choice will decide whether or not we have a government that works for regular, hard working families."

Edwards has also launched a Web page designed specifically for South Carolinians – www.JohnEdwards.com/sc – with more information about his plans. The site also gives South Carolinians behind-the-scenes details about the campaign, news and updates from the campaign trail and ways to get involved.

CNN relays rules for Dem debate inclusion

It will take a small but swift uptick in the polls and a large push by Nevada voters to get anyone other than former Sen. John Edwards and Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on stage in Myrtle Beach at the Democratic presidential primary debate Monday.

CNN, the network airing the debate, released its criteria for inclusion to The Sun News. The network will invite candidates who have:

• Come in the top three in Iowa, New Hampshire or Nevada
• Received 5 percent or more in two national polls taken between Jan. 1 and Jan. 18 by the following groups:
  
  CNN; U.S. News and World Report; New York Times; CBS; Gallup and USA Today/Gallup; NBC/Wall Street Journal; Fox/Opinion Dynamics; Washington Post/ABC; Time Magazine; Newsweek; LA Times/Bloomberg

By those criteria, it would be difficult for Rep. Dennis Kucinich - who has protested after he was left out of previous debates such as the one Tuesday night in Las Vegas - to make it in.

A CBS News poll showed Kucinich at 4 percent in January. American Research Group and NBC both had him averaging 4 percent in December. At the same time, other pollsters had him at an average of 1 percent or 2 percent for December.

The Nevada caucuses are Jan. 19, and Clinton, Edwards and Obama have rounded out the top of the first two contests.

In comparison, the S.C. Republican Party and Fox News said the candidates had to finish in the top five in New Hampshire OR receive 5 percent of a major national poll. The party did not, however, specify which polls those were or when the absolute cutoff time for those polls would be before the debate.

Zeppelin campaign shows whole lotta love

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul might travel by plane, but some of his supporters opt for more unconventional means. Several of the candidate's supporters have been flying a 197-foot long blimp around the South with the message, ``Google Ron Paul'' written on the side.

The campaign issued an invitation to several other Democratic and Republican candidates to come out for a ride while the zeppelin is docked in Myrtle Beach for the debate.

Local caucus watches

The local branches of several presidential hopefuls will be watching the Iowa returns tonight-- some with baited breath, others with beer.

A few of the campaigns including those for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will host events at restaurants and bars. Others will be having smaller get togethers at the homes of local supporters on an invite-only basis.

"I think a lot of people will be watching to figure out who will move on and who will be dropping out," said Barbara Leonard, a local organizer for the John McCain campaign. "There are going to be some little home get togethers, but nothing formal."

The Presidential Debates: Frequently asked questions

Now that the dates for the two presidential debates have been nailed down – Jan. 10 for the Republicans, followed by the Democrats on Jan. 21 – you might be wondering how you can attend.

The answer is, you probably can’t, unless you have friends in the state Republican Party or the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus Institute. No tickets will be available for the public.

“Most debates are invitation only,” said Amie Lee, executive project coordinator with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Who issues the invitations?

 The two sponsoring entities, the state Republicans for the Republican debate and the Congressional Black Caucus for the Democrats, control the majority of the invitations, Lee said. Other groups attached to the debates, such as the networks (Fox News for the Republicans, CNN for the Democrats), will also be allocated tickets, Lee said.

Will the volunteers be able attend?

Not necessarily, Lee said.

“We need tons of volunteers to make this thing run smoothly, but unfortunately that does not promise a ticket into the debate,” Lee said.

Much of the volunteer work will take place prior to the debates or off site, such as stuffing welcome bags to working as volunteer concierges at area hotels, Lee said. Another big need will be helping place directional signs for visitors all over town, and picking them afterward, Lee said.

How can I volunteer?

Call local volunteer coordinating organization Step Up!, (843) 349-6488, or go to www.myrtlebeachpresidentialdebates.com. That site is a portal to detailed information on both debates, Lee said, and also has an online sign-up form for volunteers.

Who will moderate the debates?

The networks are still making the final decision, Lee said, but Fox’s Brit Hume has been discussed for the Republicans, and CNN’s Wolf Blitzer for the Democrats.

How will questions be selected?

The networks will select the questions, Lee said.

Who will provide security?

Security will come from all over, Lee said – the State Law Enforcement Division, the Secret Service, Capitol Hill Police, local agencies and private security firms.

Edwards meets fans in stop at MB eatery

Democratic Presidential Candidate John Edwards stopped for a meet-and-greet event at the Spring House Family Restuarant in Myrtle Beach on Friday.

Currently, Edwards - a former U.S. senator from North Carolina - ranks behind Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois in recent national polls by Gallup and Rasmussen Reports.

Hoping to set himself apart, Edwards is taking the lead on issues like poverty with a recently completed three-day, 11-city "The Road to One America" tour and a 14-point rural recovery plan.

His goal for ending poverty by 2036 and increasing funding for rural areas is a message that could ring strong in South Carolina, where 31 of 46 counties have fewer than 25,000 residents and are considered rural by the S.C. Office of Research and Statistics.

In 12 of the 31 rural S.C. counties, at least 20 percent of residents live in poverty.

Edwards' rural recovery plan calls for creating funds for renewable energy sources, raising the minimum wage, cutting taxes for low-wage workers, expanding affordable housing and strengthening the Community Reinvestment Act to prevent banks from discriminating in rural areas.

It's the second time in the past week that Edwards has been in the Grand Strand. He appeared at the United Steelworkers Union Hall in Georgetown on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Edwards makes Georgetown stop

Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards became the first Democratic presidential candidate to grace the Grand Strand when he visited Georgetown.

Sun News reporter Kelly Marshall Fuller was there and photographer Rebecca Koenig created a slideshow of scenes from the stop.

Check it out.