AP News, November 20th, 2007
Democrat John Edwards implored college students Tuesday to elect a trustworthy president, but sidestepped questions about whether rival Hillary Rodham Clinton was untrustworthy.
Edwards spoke at Grinnell College on the second day of a two-day swing through Iowa campuses with singers Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. The college flared into the headlines last week after its student newspaper reported that a Grinnell student had been asked by the Clinton campaign aide to pose a question about global warming to the New York senator during a campaign visit earlier this month.
The Clinton campaign acknowledged planting the question, but said it had been a mistake.
Edwards told students that President Bush had "destroyed the trust relationship between Americans and the president" and asked potential caucus-goers to carefully size up the candidates running to replace him.
"Does this guy really believe what he's saying? Is he sincere? Does he have passion about it? Does he have integrity?" Edwards said. "You should judge me and judge every presidential candidate on who is honest and sincere. You have to be able to trust the next president."
Asked by reporters whether his remarks were aimed at Clinton, Edwards insisted he had been talking about Bush. When asked directly whether Clinton was trustworthy, Edwards punted.
"That's what these caucus-goers are going to have to decide. Her and me. And all the other candidates," he said.
Edwards' pitch came amid polling that indicated Clinton is lagging her rivals on issues of character and trust.
A new ABC News/Washington Post poll found three-fourths of respondents felt Edwards and Barack Obama answer questions honestly, while just 50 percent believe Clinton does. Nearly as many — 45 percent — said they did not believe the former first lady is candid.
The Clinton campaign has taken steps in recent days to reinforce the notion that she is trustworthy. The campaign began airing a new ad in New Hampshire and Iowa with a testimonial from a New York constituent who said he trusted Clinton to secure a bone marrow transplant for his son, which saved his son's life.
