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Anika Clark
Keene Sentinel
Jul 11, 2007
The sky may have grumbled above Keene residents Kathleen O'Donnell and Andrew A. Willis' lawn Tuesday. But numerous party guests were singing praise.
Although undecided about who she'll support for president, Carol L. Littleton of Keene said, "I'm a fan of Elizabeth Edwards."
The wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards from North Carolina flew solo Tuesday at house parties in Keene, Hopkinton and Bedford.
For more than an hour in Keene she covered everything from increasing veterans' access to health care to the need to facilitate fair competition in the prescription drug industry. More than 170 people turned out to listen.
She described her support of stem-cell research and John Edwards' vow to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.
"We can't just hold on to people with the idea that they are some continuing threat to us without evidence," she said.
Regarding withdrawal from Iraq, Elizabeth Edwards said, "Our presence there is like a hot flame" and described her husband's plans for withdrawing troops.
While withdrawing from Iraq, the United States must reassert itself as a leader in both humanity and industry, she said.
Through helping fund educational opportunities in other parts of the world, the United States can help improve its standing in world opinion, she said.
Meanwhile, she said, the nation must strive to stand at the forefront of the emerging alternative energy and biomedical fields.
At the end of Edwards' address and question-and-answer period, Abigail Abrash Walton, 41 — a Democrat from Keene — gave mostly positive feedback.
Describing herself as "heavily-leaning" toward John Edwards, Abrash Walton raved about Elizabeth Edwards' presentation of detailed, common-sense proposals.
But, Abrash Walton said the lessons of Bill Clinton, who was elected president in 1992, shows it takes more than a Democratic president to truly effect change.
And, while looking for an acknowledgement that social movements are the way change happens, Abrash Walton said, "I didn't quite hear that."
Possibly the lone Republican on the lawn, Brian R. Leighton, 56 \xE2\x80\x94 who lives next door — said he liked some of what Edwards had to say and agreed that Guantanamo Bay is a problem.
But Leighton, who said he's undecided but not thrilled by the Republican candidates, said he thought Edwards' description of the need for patent restrictions for prescription drug manufacturers may have gone too far.
And, he said, on the issue of Iraq, he's concerned about the Islamic threat and feels an American presence in the Middle East provides security for Israel.
While guests offered a kaleidoscope of political ideas, many seemed united in their esteem for their guest of honor.
"I respect her a lot for all the adversity that she's gone through, yet she still has a real positive outlook," Littleton said, likely referencing Elizabeth Edwards' much publicized relapse of cancer.
In explaining how she remains strong in the face of adversity, Edwards referenced 80-year-old Keene resident Jean Diamond's concerns about the future of Medicare.
"Every time you're out you hear stories like that," she said. "A little bit of her fear is enough to say, 'whatever I'm facing — first of all I can't make it go away by not doing this, and second of all it seems pretty small in comparisons to the struggles a lot of people are facing.'"
Q&A: Educational Disparity
John Edwards answers a question about educational disparity at Hanover Middle School in Hanover, N.H. on September 27, 2007
Paid for by John Edwards for President Contributions to John Edwards for President are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
© 2006 John Edwards for President, 410 Market Street, Suite 400, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
