In a town-hall style speech, the former senator from North Carolina stressed the need for the American people to reemerge as leaders in the global community by becoming the forerunners in the battles against global warming, disease and genocide.
"It is now clear to me that baby steps, incremental change is not enough," Edwards said. "We need serious transformational change on so many fronts. The character of America needs to be seen and heard. As the preeminent power of the planet we have an enormous responsibility to humanity. America must be a force for good on earth, and that means that we have to do more than talk."
Edwards, who announced his candidacy in New Orleans on Dec. 28, repeatedly emphasized his commitment to honesty and to re-establishing trust in the office of the presidency. Foregoing the traditional suit and tie for a more casual blazer and slacks, Edwards' informality has been characteristic of his campaign thus far.
"I have come to believe that the most important thing, not just for America but for the world, in our next president, is to be able to trust again, to be able to believe that you can trust that what your president is telling you is the truth, whether it's good or bad." Edwards said. "You need to believe that your president wants to do the right thing. Your president is human, he makes mistakes, but you need to know that that president is willing to be completely open with us, to be real."
Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, introduced her husband by highlighting his honesty and trustworthiness.
"The motto of the state of North Carolina is to be rather than to seem," Elizabeth said. "This motto perfectly defines this man, which I hope is part of the reason why you are all here, because you know that you will not get any artifice."
Elizabeth Edwards has gained recent celebrity as a result of her best-selling book "Saving Graces." She has played a pivotal role in Edwards' campaign over the past month.
Edwards' speech detailed his plans for Iraq, which he called "a mess." His plans included the immediate removal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops. He also spoke to the importance of opening up diplomatic channels with Syria and Iran.
"The solution has got to be political," Edwards said. "It is clear there is no military solution."
Edwards spoke about the importance of America emerging as a leader in the battle against climate change by putting a cap on carbon dioxide emissions, and he concluded his speech with comments on his plans to battle poverty both in the United States and abroad, a subject that has become one of his hallmarks.
"It is not okay to have 37 million people in this country wake up every day and not be able to clothe or feed their children," Edwards said. "This is a subject I could talk about forever, it is so important that you be instrumental in bringing about these transformational changes. There is so much at stake and you can't continue to keep waiting for someone else to do this for you."
Following his speech, Edwards took questions from various members of the audience, making a point to answer questions from both students and other members of the Upper Valley community. Question topics ranged from immigration to healthcare to environmental issues.
In particular, one community member questioned Edwards on his Senate vote approving mountain-top removal coal-mining. The question was prompted by a pamphlet distributed by Sustainable Dartmouth's new political taskforce. The pamphlet contained quotes from Edwards on his opinions on several environmental issues and included a five-year rating of the former senator on his voting record by the League of Conservation Voters, as well as summaries of his environmental votes. Edwards said he thought his vote was the result of political realities at the time and reiterated his pro-environment stance.
