Edwards criticizes rivals on special interests, pledges to stands by those most in need

By: MIKE GLOVER - Associated Press | Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:11 PM PST ∞

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- John Edwards said Saturday his chief Democratic rivals for the White House offer "a complete fantasy" when explaining the role of special interests. His party, he said, could lose its way and alienate supporters unless it stands by those most in need.

"I think if my party, the Democratic Party, if we're not willing to fight for, stand up and show some backbone on behalf of the poor, the homeless, the disabled, the disenfranchised, we have no soul," the former North Carolina senator said. "What are we going to stand for?"

Edwards cited fellow candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton for suggesting that expanded health care and other gains can be achieved by bargaining with what called entrenched interests.

"The easiest thing to do is say we can be nice about this, we can turn our heads and we can sit at a table with stakeholders and negotiate with them and they will voluntarily give their power away," said Edwards, the party's vice presidential nominee in 2004. "It is a complete fantasy."

Edwards opened his latest campaign swing with a little celebrity power -- actor and musician Kevin Bacon -- and he sought to make clear his differences with Obama, the Illinois senator, and Clinton, the New York senator and former first lady.

"We need a president who says to the American people that corporate greed and corporate power is not going to stop us any more," Edwards said. "I do actually believe we have an enormous fight in front of us."

Obama, who held rallies last weekend in the state with Oprah Winfrey, suggests that the health care debate should include all groups interested in the issue. Edwards cast the issue in terms of working people battling against special interests.

"I just fundamentally disagree," Edwards said. "I think we have an epic fight in front of us."

His main challengers take a more intellectual approach to politics than he does, Edwards contended. "I believe we need a fighter, not somebody who talks about it, who thinks about it," he said.

Clinton has built a substantial lead in national polls in the battle for the nomination. But she is in a tough race with Obama and Edwards in Iowa, where precinct caucuses on Jan. 3 will launch the election season.

Edwards, who finished a surprising second in the caucuses four years ago, is seeking to energize his supporters, whom his advisers says are experienced in the often intimidating task of going to a caucus and publicly declaring their preferences.

More than 300 people turned out on a snowy Saturday morning to hear Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, deliver their pitch. Bacon, who said he signed on with Edwards about a month ago, entertained the crowd with some songs by his band.

"He really struck me because he's got a dream and he's got a plan," Bacon said. "I kind of feel like that's what we need."

To the crowd, Edwards said: "If you are willing on a cold January night to stand up with me, I'm going to give you back your Democratic Party, I'm going to give you back the White House and I'm going to give you back your country. "If we don't take the power away from these people, they're not going to give it up."