"Good people." There's no better description than that for the man I've come to call a friend on the campaign trail these long three years. John, his entire family and all his supporters are good people.
And that's what this is all about.
John grew up in a small town about 15 miles from the small town where I was raised. We were both raised by good people, in good communities, with good teachers, good coaches and good pastors. Listening to John, feeling his passion for people, one knows instantly that small town values are alive and well.
John gives me hope that a regular working guy can make a difference, as John will continue to do his entire life. I'm saddened today that this chapter of our common fight for real change is ending, but I know in my heart John will never give up the fight.
It's truly fitting that John will make his announcement today from New Orleans, a symbol of the poverty and neglect that John championed to rectify. John Edwards knows, as do I, that poverty is the greatest challenge facing a free people, and our solemn duty to address. His leadership and example inspired folks from my campaign to try and help the good people of New Orleans too.
Poverty is a stranger to no community and has certainly ravaged our corner of the world in North Carolina's 8th District. Let us honor John today for his courage and strength of convictions by dedicating ourselves to the fight against poverty.
Good people are counting on us and they deserve a true commitment from us. May God Bless John, Elizabeth, their family and all who have become part of their political family.