HENNIKER, N.H. (AP) – Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards used a commencement address on Saturday to again call for an end to the war in Iraq and challenged the 250-person graduating class of New England College to support him.
“As I have said repeatedly, Congress’ real power to end this war is to use its funding power. But while that’s Congress’ only real power, it is not the only power in America,” Edwards said. “The irresistible power of America lies in your hands, in the hands of the American people.”
Edwards’ speech comes on the same day he launched a new Web site, www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com, which outlines his plan to end the unpopular, 4-year-old war.
“Each of us has a responsibility as an American, as a duty to our troops and to each other, to do every single thing we can to support those troops and end this war,” Edwards said.
He said young people helped bring about civil rights, end the Vietnam war and promote anti-Apartheid causes.
“Today, we are at that place again. It is time for you – all of you – to take responsibility for your country, for your government, for your community,” Edwards said. “This is not about waiting for leaders or someone else to solve these problems for you. It will never happen. You have to take responsibility.”
“Help our nation break its silence, speak out,” he said, calling on the graduates to work to end the war.
He said anything less is a failure.
“Silence is a betrayal,” Edwards said, borrowing from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous anti-Vietnam sermon.
Edwards, his party’s vice presidential nominee in 2004, was visiting the first-in-the-nation primary state this weekend seeking support for his second run. Trailing Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama in most polls, he has been criticizing them for not doing enough to end the war.
“We can’t wait for the next elected leader to solve this country’s problems. … If we’re going to truly build a better life for all of us, we have to start right here, with you,” Edwards said.
Later Saturday, Edwards spoke by phone with active and retired military members to explain his new opposition to the war.
“One of the best ways to support the troops is to raise awareness of what’s going on,” said Alex Cornell du Houx, an active reservist Marine from Maine who was on the call. “The best way to support the troops is to end the war in Iraq. We’ve turned from protecting the Iraqis to protecting ourselves.”
Edwards then visited a carpenters’ union picnic in Hollis and told them they should help him end this war.
“We need desperately to reclaim the mantel of patriotism in this country,” said Edwards, who had changed from his academic robes into jeans and a button-down shirt. “George Bush has used the word ‘patriotism’ to justify every bad thing that he’s done, everything to Guantanamo, to the illegal spying on Americans to the ongoing war in Iraq.”
A spokesman for Obama responded to Edwards, who’s been critical members of Congress for not doing more.
“Sen. Obama is focused on getting the 16 votes we need to override the president’s veto and end this war,” said Reid Cherlin, an Obama spokesman. “He’s been encouraging people across the country to hold their elected officials accountable in respecting the will of the American people to end this war and bring our troops home.”
On Friday, Edwards gave the keynote to the International Association of Fire Fighters – a nod to the union support he’s courting.
“You’ll remember, I’m a mill worker’s son,” Edwards said with a laugh on Friday, referencing his oft-repeated line during his 2004 run.
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On the Web:
www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com
AP-ES-05-12-07 1644EDT
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