John Edwards speaks at USC in Columbia, SC

[Carolina Voice]

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I attended a speech John Edwards made at USC. It was another beautiful southern late fall night but, fortunately it didn't feel like a late fall night. Parking at USC in Columbia, South Carolina was horrendous as it is at most college campuses across the country. But the walk from the parking lot was quite pleasant and everyone was friendly and helpful. The event was held at Rutledge Chapel on USC Campus and was part of the Lecture on Peace and Justice 2006 series. Former NC Senator John Edwards was the speaker for the evening and the topic of his discussion was Restoring the American Dream: Fighting Poverty and Moving More Americans to the Middle Class.

Although I didn't know exactly where Rutledge Chapel was located, I knew the general direction. A student told me it was next to the large house where the president lives (I guess they don't call that the White House) and that it was in the horse shoe and no cars were allowed in the horse shoe. It hasn't been so long since I was in college that I couldn't remember some fundamental rules... If you don't know how to get somewhere, you just follow the herd and try to blend in... so that's what I did.

Once inside Rutledge Chapel I found a seat... one of the few remaining and settled in. As usual, I started talking with the people nearby. The nice couple next to me were Florida transplants and seemed quite excited about getting to hear the Senator speak. The hosts and hostesses were beginning to open folding chairs which they opened chairs in front of the front row, in the aisles, in the wings and everywhere one would fit. There were nice red carpeted steps up to the platform where the podium stood. So, they allowed people to sit on the steps. They were spotlessly clean. Then, some students were allowed to sit around the stage area where the Senator was to speak. Yep, I think we were packed and ready to go. I could just imagine the person in the 'center' of the auditorium needing a drink of water. I would estimate there were between 400 and 500 people in the crowd. And, they hadn't really announced it to the public for fear of not being able to accommodate the crowds.

Soon, Senator Edwards entered with a couple of other men and he was introduced as the speaker for the night. This was a speech that was 'deeper' than anything I had heard from the Senator before. He talked with a deeper, more compelling, gut wrenching conviction than I had ever heard before. He talked about how the adults of today always believed if they worked hard and applied themselves they could make something of themselves, but it was much harder for the youth of today. He talked about how the Pell Grants had been cut and student loan rates were too high and it made it harder than ever for students to be able to afford college.

He talked about how it was shameful that the victims of Hurricane Katrina were still suffering with no relief in sight... and how it was the students who jumped at the opportunity to help last spring.

He told us how many things were implemented to benefit the rich and leave the burden of paying to the middle class .... and how the secretary might be paying more taxes than the boss. How the disproportionate share was an unfair burden and pulling the middle class down. The applause was loud and long.

Perhaps most importantly he talked about the importance of regaining respect for America on the world stage. He talked about how raw power alone didn't make you a great leader. The world had to see you as a great moral leader.

It was a very moving speech and a rather long, lasting around an hour,but no one was ready to leave. The audience, regardless of age was totally enthralled by what he was saying. He was interrupted several times with a rousing round of applause and at the end a standing ovation. The applause was loud and long. This was an emotional applause of agreement. Senator, we'll see you in the White House sort of applause. Something must be done about the direction America has taken.

As I walked back to the car, the air had gotten a little cooler, but not cold. I began thinking how proud I am to be an American as I began humming America the Beautiful. I'm glad we took the time to go to the speech. It was heartwarming and meaningful. I'm proud to be a Carolinian and I'm proud to be an American. There have been times during the last six years, that we had to cringe at what we saw happening under the banner of America. But, there are two more of those years left. After that, I want to see us being inspired and a proud country as we once were.

[Catchawave]

1. Thanks so much for sharing!

He does inspire hope for the future with his vision that American is better than this!