John Edwards Launches 2004 Presidential Exploratory Committee

RALEIGH, NC - U.S. Senator John Edwards, D-NC, announced Thursday the formation of a committee to explore a bid for the Democratic nomination for President. Edwards informed friends and supporters of his plans at his North Carolina home on Wednesday.
"I believe I can be a champion for regular people," explained Edwards. "My own life experience allows me to see things through their eyes. They are the people I grew up with, the people who worked with my father in the mill, the people I fought for as a lawyer. My vision for the country comes from them. They're not the insiders, they don't have lobbyists, but they're the heart and soul of this country and their voices should be heard."
Edwards began outlining his positive agenda for the country in several policy addresses delivered during Fall 2002.
"I have laid out ideas about how to make the American people safer, make the economy stronger, make our schools better and to open the doors of college to all who want to go," Edwards said. "That's not going to stop now. I am going to continue to lay out my ideas - and I am happy to have the American people judge me on them."
Edwards' exploratory campaign committee will be headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The required paperwork will be filed today with the Federal Elections Commission.
John Edwards was born in Seneca, South Carolina and raised in Robbins, North Carolina. The son of a mill worker, he was the first in his family to go to college. After graduating from law school, Edwards spent nearly twenty years representing children and families across North Carolina. He was elected to the Senate in 1998. Edwards has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, for 25 years. They have had four children.
The John Edwards website is now available.