Edwards takes time to volunteer

Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards pulled off his blazer, rolled up the sleeves of his collared shirt and quickly fell into place Thursday at the Lowcountry Food Bank, helping volunteers from his campaign's OneCorps group box food for the needy.

The Democratic presidential hopeful said little while he worked, except to periodically greet volunteers.

Edwards' appearance came hours after his former 2004 presidential running mate, U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, publicly endorsed opponent Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois at a College of Charleston rally.

But Edwards, of North Carolina, said he has no hard feelings.

He said: "Senator Kerry is a terrific person and would have made a great president, which is why I worked so hard for him. My only feeling is, about not just (Obama's) endorsement but mine, too, is for the most part voters decide on their own who they're going to vote for. But still, congratulations to him."

While Obama picked up Kerry's endorsement and gained national attention for it, Edwards' campaign noted Thursday that he continues to capture endorsements in a growing list of more than 80 state, local and community leaders.

Charleston City Councilman Wendell Gilliard, who volunteered at the Food Bank alongside Edwards, said he supported Edwards when he made his first presidential run four years ago and still stands by him.

Gilliard said Edwards doesn't need Kerry's backing.

"It was Kerry who did not resonate with the people in this country," he said of the 2004 presidential race. "They saw him as a blast from the past."

Gilliard said Edwards was the only candidate pushing for change then and continues to do so. "You can't have a campaign talking about change and have Kerry endorse you."

Edwards won the 2004 Democratic primary in South Carolina but has fallen behind front-runners Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York as a distant third in the state's polls.

But local volunteers with OneCorps, which has nearly 1,700 chapters in cities nationwide, say their support is unwavering.

Rob Groce of Summerville said he thinks Edwards' volunteering showed that "he's the only candidate coming out honestly instead of having a big (fundraising) party."

Susan Nial of West Ashley spoke with Edwards briefly about his plan, as he has said, to "fight the corporate greed that has an iron-fisted grip on our democracy."

"I said to him, 'Please stay in, because you have a lot of important things to say,' " Nial said. "He's the only person talking about the real issue."

Edwards told reporters that he has no intention of backing down in his quest for the presidency, assuring that "we're in this for the long haul."

Reach Tenisha Waldo at 937-5744 or twaldo@postandcourier.com.