Edwards announces plans for presidential tilt
I am running for president," Mr Edwards told NBC's Today show. "Today I'll set up an exploratory committee to run for the presidency, as I told some friends and supporters here at the house yesterday."
"I want to be a champion for regular people, the same people I fought for my whole life," said the former trial lawyer. Edwards has crisscrossed the country for the past year raising money and seeking support for a possible presidential bid.
Mr Edwards first disclosed his plans to friends in the backyard of his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Wednesday night, then took his message to the nation with an interview on NBC early on Thursday, with his wife, Elizabeth, at his side.
Once Mr Edwards, the first member of a working-class family to go to college, formally files papers on Thursday for the exploratory committee, he can begin raising funds for a campaign.
Mr Edwards is the third Democrat to make a formal move to get into the race, following Vermont Governor Howard Dean and US Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.
The field will become more crowded in the weeks ahead, with announcements expected soon from outgoing House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt, Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and civil rights activist Al Sharpton.
Among others considering presidential bids are Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, Delaware Senator Joseph Biden, Florida Senator Bob Graham and Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd.
The race for the Democratic nomination was thrown wide open last month by former Vice President Al Gore's decision not to seek the presidency in 2004. Mr Gore narrowly lost the 2000 presidential election to Republican George W Bush. Mr Edwards, 49, has made a series of policy speeches over the past year to counter questions about his lack of experience, but also has won attention from Democrats seeking a fresh face to run against Mr Bush.
"This campaign should be about ideas," Mr Edwards told NBC. He said he would focus on fighting terrorism, improving the US economy and maintaining fiscal discipline.
He said he favoured tax cuts for all citizens, "not just the richest Americans," and favoured making a college education accessible to all.
