Who is John Edwards and why is he considered Democratic front-runner? [View All]

CNN just announced that in a recent Iowa poll, Edwards has eclipsed Hillary Clinton as Democratic front-runner. I bet she's glad to dodge a little heat, even if it includes losing the limelight for a while.



Before entering politics, Edwards was a successful personal injury trial attorney. He represented families and children that had allegedly been wrongly injured by negligent corporations and government entities, or by medical malpractice.

Edwards is widely regarded as a potential candidate for the 2008 U.S. presidential election; his concession speech at the close of the 2004 race hinted at his continued presidential ambitions: "You can be disappointed, but you cannot walk away. This fight has just begun."

During the following months, Edwards was courted by a number of organizations; he told interviewer Larry King that he doubted he would return to his occupation as a trial lawyer and showed no interest in the possibility of becoming the Democratic National Committee chairman, a post sought by fellow nomination contender Howard Dean. He finally chose to accept an offer from his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, of a part-time faculty position as director of a new Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the university.

The Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was established because millions of hard-working Americans still find themselves living in poverty. Poverty is one of the great issues of our time. It cuts to the heart of America's great promise: that anyone who works hard and plays by the rules will have the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their family. I can't think of a better group of people to work on solving this problem than the remarkable students and faculty here at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The Center brings the best minds in the country together with some of America's best and brightest young people. We do not pretend to have all the answers, but we will ask the hard questions:

How can we restore the promise of America for those living in poverty?
How can we combat poverty in a way that also honors our core beliefs in hard work, responsibility and family?
How can we find ways to build more homes and fewer shelters, more small businesses and fewer minimum wage jobs?
How can we find a way for government and charities and religious groups to work as more effective partners and honor America's traditions?