Edwards Sharpens His Criticism of Kerry

[rodbarnett]

NEW YORK (AP) - John Edwards touted his blue-collar background and sharpened his criticism of Democratic front-runner John Kerry as the North Carolina senator's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination surged on criticism of U.S. trade policy and jobs lost abroad.

"When it comes to bad trade agreements, I know what they do to people," Edwards said in a speech at Columbia University as he tried to build on a surprisingly strong second-place showing in the Wisconsin primary. "I have seen it with my own eyes what happens when the mill shuts down."

Edwards, whose father worked at a mill, said he has a better understanding than Kerry of blue-collar issues. He told his college audience Thursday that his disagreements with Kerry extended well beyond NAFTA and include many trade agreements he has opposed.

"Those trade deals were wrong," he said. "They cost us too many jobs and lowered our standards."

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040220/D80R0EOG0.html

comment : about time someone takes on Kerry