Presidential hopeful John Edwards stressed the impact college students will have on the success of his campaign in a conference call Wednesday.
Edwards, who announced Sunday that he will not seek another term in the U.S. Senate, encouraged college Democrats to focus on replacing current President George W. Bush and highlighted his dedication to college students.
The senator stressed his plan to make the first year of tuition at every public university and community college free for students who are willing to work 10 hours a week while enrolled.
"Everywhere I go I have reached out to young people and their energy and ideas," Edwards said. "Young people are going to play a critical role in this campaign."
Despite Democratic candidates advocating conflicting policies, Edwards maintained that college Democrats could still stand united, as the primary goal of Democrats is to replace the current leadership in Washington.
"We need to stay focused on the goal--to make sure that we replace George Bush [and] to focus on the problems of America today."
Noting loss of jobs and health care problems, Edwards asserted that Democrats need to present a strong alternative vision for the country. "There are variations in the ideas between the different candidates but we [all] have a different view of the direction America needs to take," Edwards said.
Zeb Smathers, co-president of Duke Democrats, said that his group is not supporting one specific candidate.
"We will work with Duke Students for Edwards only if Edwards gets the Democratic nomination," Smathers said. "We're all under the flag of trying to get Bush out of there."
Jason Black, president of Duke Students for Edwards, acknowledged that his group is not using Duke Democrats' resources to campaign but stressed their common goal.
In the conference call targeted towards college newspapers, Edwards also thanked Ashley Bell, president of the College Democrats of America, for his personal endorsement. Bell is founder of the College Democrats of Georgia and was the youngest African-American to be a delegate to the Democratic National Committee in 2000.
"I want a job after graduation, so that's why I am endorsing John Edwards for president," he said, adding that he supported Edwards because of his free tuition plan. Edwards attributed his concern for college students to his life experiences.
"I was the first person in my family to be able to go to college," he said. "I remember the obstacles that I and my family went through."
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