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(COMTEX) B: Edwards speaks out in Ohio as debate rages ( The Lantern, U-WIRE )

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct 01, 2004 (The Lantern, U-WIRE via COMTEX) -- Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards was in Columbus, Ohio, last night speaking to an enthusiastic group of supporters following a live broadcast of the first presidential debate.

"John Kerry made it clear that he is ready for this job and has a clear vision for what needs to happen in this world," Edwards said against a backdrop of local lawmakers, union members, business owners and Kerry-Edwards campaign volunteers on risers.

The rally, which was held outside the COSI Science Center in Genoa Park, drew thousands of impassioned Kerry-Edwards supporters. Edwards approached the stage to the song "R.O.C.K in the U.S.A." after the 90-minute debate.

"Let me ask you, Columbus, are the Buckeyes playing great football or what?" said Edwards upon taking the stage. "I don't know about you but I saw exactly the kind of commander-in-chief this country needs and it was John Kerry."

Edwards' speech, which lasted about 30 minutes and drew laughter and enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, cited the Democratic plan to create energy independence, allow prescription drugs into the country from Canada and help college students pay for the rising cost of tuition.

"The cost of tuition in America is going through the roof," the North Carolina senator said. "We want to give direct help to families to help pay for tuition. Give us two years of public service and we'll give you four years of college in return."

He also addressed the issue of Iraq and accused President Bush of not having a plan for the war.

"Respected Republican leaders have spoken out and said that Iraq is a mess, and it's a mess because of the incompetence of this administration," Edwards said, citing Republican Arizona senator John McCain. "George Bush and Dick Cheney are the last two people left in America that think nothing has gone wrong (in Iraq). It's time for Bush to come back from fantasy land (to) where all of us are living."

Prior to Edwards' speech, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman took the stage with his wife Frankie to address the crowd.

"George Bush has a record of failure and he failed to defend that record tonight," Mayor Coleman said.

Columbus hip-hop trio Ordinary Peoples was also featured before the speech singing, "I rocked the party like John Kerry." Two of the band members are Ohio State University alumni.

Introducing Edwards was 9-year-old Essence Cheetham from Columbus, who started a pro-Kerry group at her school.

"He has a plan to bring our troops home safely," the fourth-grader said. "John Kerry helped to get health insurance for low-income children, and he plans to bring back jobs and keep them in America."

In his speech, Edwards accused President Bush of "going it alone" in the war in Iraq, and asserted that John Kerry would be "a strong, decisive leader who will find terrorists where they are and restore the image of America that everyone loves."

He also cited the loss of 237,000 jobs lost in Ohio and the 1.5 million jobs lost in the private sector under the Bush administration.

"John Kerry actually has a plan (for Iraq)," Edwards said. "He plans to speed up the training of Iraqis, help get relief to troops and taxpayers, and he wants to do something that Bush hasn't been able to do: He wants to reach out and bring other countries in."

Krista Stastyshyn, president of the board of education for southwest city schools, was impressed with Edwards' speech.

"He voiced very heartfelt ideas that all of us are concerned about: Jobs, education and the right to know what is happening in Iraq," she said. "I think that Kerry and Edwards have an intelligent way of tackling the issues in Iraq."

"This is the most important election of our lifetime and we're at ground zero," Edwards said. "This state is so important and plays such a role in choosing the president."

Edwards closed his speech with a message he sent out to the American people.

"Our America will never control your destiny," he said. "Help is on the way."

By Lindsay Holmwood
http://www.thelantern.com

(c) 2004 The Lantern, Ohio State U. and U-WIRE

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