A Southern accent is ringing true
GORHAM, N.H. -- John Edwards traveled north to this mountain-ringed hamlet yesterday to deliver his Southern-accented stump speech, but stopped midway through to make a weather observation:
"I was thinking on the way here, I was thinking fondly of those summer nights in North Carolina."
The crowd broke in laughter, and the North Carolina senator emphatically added, "Y'all know cold up here."
Edwards's personal charisma and all-American good looks, once thought by many to undermine his ability to appear presidential, appear to be charming potential voters here.
Yesterday, overflow crowds at two campaign stops greeted him with enthusiasm, applauding vigorously at his attacks on Washington lobbyists and the Bush administration. In interviews afterward, many said the very attributes once thought weaknesses -- his boyish good looks and aw-shucks enthusiasm -- made him an appealing candidate.
It was also clear from the interviews that many New Hampshire residents are now getting around to serious consideration of the Democrats and that intangible qualities like personality and demeanor are playing a significant role in their decision-making.
"I will be giving him my vote," said Jon Googins, 57, of Barrington, who was, until yesterday, torn between Edwards and Senator John F. Kerry. "Edwards seems to have great composure and he looks like an honest man."
The Edwards camp hopes for a second-place finish in next week's New Hampshire primary, though his aides said his fortunes here are even more uncertain than in Iowa, where a last-minute surge propelled him into second place.
Edwards's crucial test comes Feb. 3, in the South Carolina primary, where his boast of being the only candidate able to win Southern votes will be put to the test.
This week, the Edwards campaign has ramped up operations in two other Feb. 3 primary states, Oklahoma and Missouri. In Missouri, the campaign yesterday said it had hired two of top campaign aides of Missouri Representative Richard A. Gephardt.
Gephardt dropped out of the presidential race this week after a poor showing in Iowa. Missouri, which most candidates assume Gephardt would win, now appears to be up for grabs.
Edwards has long said that his working-class Southern roots will appeal strongly to voters in South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Missouri. But New Hampshire residents also appear to be responding, at least when they see him in person.
Some potential voters said his twang signaled he could win Southern votes. Others said his overall presentation conveyed an authenticity and sincerity lacking from the campaign thus far. Still, some worried he looked too young to persuade the nation to make him commander in chief.
Edwards began the day at Gorham Town Hall, where about 100 people listened to him.
"I feel he says what he means . . . he does look presidential," said Kelly Rigg, 27, of Manchester.
Betty Forestall, 54, of Berlin, had not been convinced Edwards could win until she heard his talk yesterday: "I think if people listen to what he says, they'll like him."
"He's of a younger generation, and that's important," said Mary Burack, 71. "I've seen Clark too, and I like Edwards better."
Her husband, retired physician Richard Burack, 77, said, "Without question he's the most charismatic candidate. He makes contact with people. He looks you straight in the eye."
Asked whether Edwards looked too young, he said, "That's baloney. He's 50."
After Gorham, Edwards went to the Rochester Middle School in Rochester, where so many people jammed the halls that Edwards had to give his speech twice -- once in the packed cafeteria, then again in the gym. More than 500 people listened to his pitch.
Afterward, Rebecca Lufkin of Hampton, who is deciding between Kerry and Edwards, said, "As I learn more about Senator Edwards, his looks become a nonissue."
At his rallies over the last week, many people have praised his ability to connect with a crowd, and that was in evidence yesterday.
"He engages people real well," said Steve Fink of Durham.
