In my Sunday column about John Edwards, I wrote: "Edwards was the strongest presidential candidate from North Carolina in the history of our nation. Whether you liked him or not, he was a big story here."
Several readers said I was wrong. One wrote: "Take a bag lunch to work tomorrow. Walk a couple of block to the capitol and feed the pigeons sitting on the heads of three more viable candidates. Wow."
I've been to the Capitol -- and I stand by my statement. Andrew Johnson and James Polk were born in North Carolina. Andrew Jackson is claimed by North Carolina and South Carolina. But each made his political career in Tennessee. None was a North Carolina resident when he ran for president or vice president, as Edwards was. For more on the limited North Carolina roots of those three presidents, click here to read a story by The N&O's Josh Shaffer.
Edwards was born in South Carolina but has spent almost his entire adult life in North Carolina.
Comments
Point taken.
Mon, 08/25/2008 - 10:05 — AwakeReaderPoint taken.
A. Johnson's Birthday Bicentennial
Sun, 08/24/2008 - 15:37 — David P. McKnight (not verified)Speaking of Presidents from Tennessee and the Carolinas, here's hoping The News & Observer will mark the approaching bicentennial of the birth of the 17th U.S. President, Andrew Johnson, in Raleigh on December 29, 1808. Johnson eventually made his residence in Greeneville, Tenn. Of course, if Andy Johnson had made his home in Greenville, N.C., he could have saved himself the trouble of writing that extra "e" for his adopted hometown, but on the other hand, he wouldn't have been able to follow Old Hickory to the Volunteer State. (The 200th anniversary of Johnson's 1864 running mate on the Union-Republican ticket, Abraham Lincoln, will come a few weeks later on February 12, 2009.)
John Edwards
Wed, 08/20/2008 - 07:54 — Anonymous (not verified)Regardless of where Edwards is from it is a moot point. He is out to pasture where he belongs. Hope he fades away permanently.