Dem presidential candidate Clinton in Georgia

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will be in Georgia today.

Clinton will be in Atlanta to speak at the National Baptist Convention. Following that event, she will attend the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.

It is unclear if Democratic Senator John Edwards, who dropped out of the Presidential race today, will also appear at the dinner.

Clinton is making the appearances in Georgia, ahead of next week's Super Tuesday primary for Georgia and several other states across the country.

Barack Obama in Macon

After a decisive win in South Carolina, Democratic Presidential candidate and Illinois Senator, Barack Obama brought his campaign to Macon.

"Can I get an Amen on that?"

Sounding more like a preacher than a politician Obama addressed parishioners at Harvest Cathedral. The non-denominational church is one of the few in Macon that actually has a diverse congregation.

He quoted scripture and shared his own story of baptism and conversion at Trinity Church of Christ in Chicago. He also praised Harvest's diverse congregation, calling it a testimony of what is possible.

"Twenty years ago this wasn't possible. Ten years ago this might not have been possible. But we are a witness to what is possible because God makes all things possible."

Obama wasn't the only Democratic presidential candidate to visit Middle Georgia. Senator John Edwards spent Sunday afternoon campaigning in Dublin.

After S.C. Loss, Edwards Pushes Ga. Roots

Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., speaks to a crowd of supporters at a campaign rally at a farmers market Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, in Dublin, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

Standing next to a patch of collard greens in Dublin, Ga., John Edwards told a crowd of voters Sunday that he is the presidential candidate who best understands them.

A day after his third place finish in the Democratic primary in his home state of South Carolina, the former senator from North Carolina stressed he would continue to run a campaign focused on progress not politics, pointing a finger at his feuding Democratic rivals, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

"I'm about doing the things that need to be done to improve your lives," Edwards said. "I've been watching a lot of time being spent tearing each other down. I'm about building you up."

Edwards also drew applause as he touted his rural and Southern roots, including his two-year stint in small town Georgia.

"I know everything that's happening in your community," he said. "This is where I come from. I understand it and I take it very, very personally. I don't treat Georgia as a place you fly over."

Edwards told the crowd they could continue the legacies of their working class parents by casting a vote for him in the state's Feb. 5 primary. "You can help ignite a wave of change that spreads across this country that is absolutely unstoppable," he said.

Cecil Lowther said Edwards' small town background appealed to him and will be a factor if he decides who will get his vote. "He's got a good feel for what middle and low income people are going through right now," Lowther said.

Ossie O'Neal said he likes Edwards but that Saturday's showing in the South Carolina primary was disappointing. "It kind of put a little doubt there," O'Neal said. "You kind of wonder whether he has the potential to win if he lost in his home state."

Click here for more GPB News presidential primary campaign coverage.

(The Associated Press)

Edwards Stumps To Union Crowd In Georgia

John Edwards speaking at Georgia Southwestern State University, August, 2007. (File photo: Dave Bender)

Fresh off a disappointing third-place finish in Nevada, Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards braved a rare Georgia snowstorm on Saturday to tell a packed union hall that he's the best candidate for organized labor.

"I am not the candidate of glitz and glitter," Edwards told a cheering crowd at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local headquarters. "I will be as strong a president for organized labor as has existed in the United States of America."

The swing through Georgia was part of Edwards' cross-country "Fight for the Middle Class" tour to some of the more than 20 states set to vote on Super Tuesday Feb. 5. Edwards also visited Oklahoma and Missouri on Saturday.

The trip came as caucus goers in Nevada handed the former U.S. senator from North Carolina his third third-place finish. Hillary Rodham Clinton won the state Saturday followed by Barack Obama. Edwards has trailed the two front runners in Iowa and New Hampshire

In Georgia, Edwards rolled out what has become a familiar populist speech, saying he would fight entrenched special interests.

"We need a president of the United States that will fight. Because nothing will change until we have a president who's willing to stand up to drug companies and insurance companies," he said.

He called for a hike in the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour, a repeal of President Bush's tax cuts and a national predatory lending law. Booming applause met Edwards call Saturday for strengthening the rights of workers to join a union.

Following his speech, Edwards told reporters that President Bush's proposed economic stimulus plan leaves out too many low-income Americans who desperately need help.

"It makes no sense," Edwards said.

After coming up short in the early contests, Edwards is hoping to do well in South Carolina, the state where he was born. But he said no matter what he would remain in the race until the end.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the presidential primaries.

(The Associated Press)

Candidates descend on Georgia this weekend

Two Democratic Presidential candidates have confirmed they’re coming to Georgia this weekend. Senator John Edwards will be in Atlanta on Saturday. Senator Barack Obama will be in Atlanta on Sunday speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign says she and former President Bill Clinton will be in Atlanta some time this weekend but have not released details. On Monday, Republican Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is set to appear at Ebenezer Baptist Church to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Edwards slams Bush on Iraq, health care

Carter comments on John Edwards from Dave Bender and Vimeo.

Presidential Democratic candidate John Edwards focused on health care, poverty and environmental issues in an address at Georgia Southwestern State University on Wednesday.

Edwards assailed President George Bush and the Administration's policy in Iraq, calling on Congress to demand a timetable for troop withdrawal when it reconvenes next week:

"No timetable - no funding, and there should be no further excuses. The Congress needs to stand their ground. They had a mandate from the American people in the election of November in 2006, and they need to meet that mandate."

Speaking to some 2,000 students, faculty and area residents on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Edwards assailed the government's handling of the evacuation and resettlement of refugees.

Former President Jimmy Carter, a resident of nearby Plains, welcomed and shared the stage with Edwards. Carter did not endorse Edward's White House bid, but said he admired Edwards and what he stood for.

Edwards makes a point to the audience as former President Jimmy Carter looks on.
(Dave Bender)

Click here for more on the status of Katrina refugees in metro Atlanta.

Click the green arrow below to hear Edwards.

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Romney, Edwards stumping in Georgia

Candidates Mitt Romney and John Edwards will make their cases at events in Atlanta and Americus on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Atlanta, Republican candidate and former Massachusetts governor Romney is to reportedly hold a private meeting with supporters Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Romney plans to attend a private fundraiser luncheon at the Grand Hyatt shortly before noon.

An aide told GPB News that Romney will talk about “a stronger military, stronger families and a stronger economy.”

Democratic contender and former South Carolina senator Edwards will attend a noon rally at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus.

GSW alumnus, former President Jimmy Carter will reportedly introduce Edwards. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter and Edward's wife, Elizabeth, are also expected to attend the event.

A statement from the school said Edwards plans to talk about the "American Dream."

Presidential candidate Edwards visits Atlanta

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards held fundraiser in Atlanta last night.

Edwards returned to health care as a major theme, saying his health care plan would offer full coverage for mental health and guarantee insurance coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The plan would be funded by rolling back recent tax cuts on people making more than $200,000 a year and working to drive down insurance and drug company prices.

John Edwards visits Georgia

Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards will be in Georgia tonight. He and his wife Elizabeth are set to appear in Atlanta at what the Edwards campaign is calling a “grassroots” fundraiser. By grassroots, that means the public is invited and the cost is only $15 per person.

Presidential hopeful John Edwards in Georgia

Presidential candidate John Edwards made a trip to Georgia Thursday. He spoke in Atlanta at the Georgia Democrats' annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

Edwards told the crowd that there needs to be a continued push for a timetable in getting U-S troops out of Iraq. Edwards also detailed an agenda to boost education and health care, and fight global warming.

The dinner for several thousand Democrats was expected to raise about 600-thousand dollars for the state party.