The Charlotte Observer
Saturday, October 14, 2006
www.charlotte.com

8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Edwards helps Kissell stump
Dem emphasizes grass roots in race against better-funded Hayes

JIM MORRILL

CONCORD - Calling his fellow Democrat "as grass-roots as grass-roots gets," former U.S. Sen. John Edwards stumped for congressional candidate Larry Kissell Friday night outside a high school football game.

Edwards helped draw around 150 people to a rally outside Concord High School in the hometown of Kissell's 8th District opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes.

In jeans and standing on the bed of a pickup truck, Edwards praised Kissell, who grew up about 10 miles from Edwards' hometown of Robbins. In touting Kissell, Edwards poked fun at a mantra of his own 2004 presidential and campaign.

"This guy's not the son of a millworker," Edwards said. "He is a millworker. He's the real thing."

Kissell worked in a Montgomery County mill for 27 years before leaving to teach high school in 2001.

Kissell talked about a recent poll that showed him running ahead. Hayes, whose campaign dismisses the poll as flawed, holds a wide fundraising lead.

Reports expected to be filed next week will show Kissell had $88.94 in the bank at the end of September. Hayes reported over $1.16 million.

"We are dealing with a guy who has an announced cash-on-hand of $88," said Hayes' campaign manager, Garth Regan, "which is not a very good sign of support any way you cut it."

Kissell spokesman Steve Hudson said in the first days of October, the campaign raised about $20,000 from new donors, including many in increments of $88.94. As soon as money comes in, he said, it goes for media.

"We wouldn't change a thing," he said. "It's what got us here."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced plans to spend $1.4 million on political advertising on behalf of Heath Shuler, running against Republican Rep. Charles Taylor in Western North Carolina's 11th District. It has yet to spend anything in Kissell's race.

Edwards, widely expected to run for president in 2008, sounded like a candidate himself.

Speaking of his recent trip to Uganda, he said that country's humanitarian crisis represents "an opportunity for America to show some leadership."

"You have to have more than strength to be a leader. The rest of the world has to look up and respect you."

Edwards left the rally to join 6-year-old son Jack at nearby Lowe's Motor Speedway to watch Friday's Busch Series race.