N.C. senator says he's prepared for battle with Bush

One Ohio State student said he thinks Edwards has crossover appeal.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, speaking to hundreds at Ohio State University, says he's itching for an opportunity to face President Bush in the November general election.
"I've been ready for this fight," Edwards, a North Carolina senator, said Sunday at the Ohio Union.
"You give me a shot at George Bush, and I'll give you back the White House!" Edwards said to cheers from the crowd.
Chris Mundorf, an Ohio State freshman from Cuyahoga Falls who attended the speech, said he thinks Edwards has crossover appeal among Republicans and independents.
Joe Faykosh of Paulding, Ohio, majoring in history and English, said he thinks Edwards is electable and might be able to beat Bush, if he's the nominee.
Edwards appeared in Columbus on the second-day of a two-day campaign swing through Ohio in advance of the state's March 2 primary election.
Key themes
Clad in a dark jacket, white shirt and red tie, Edwards sounded the themes he has been echoing in the campaign so far -- inequality in America in schooling and economic opportunity between the wealthy and privileged and the less wealthy.
Edwards also criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement that many labor unions have blamed for the loss of jobs in the United States.
"This White House understands what free trade is. We're going to teach them what fair trade is," Edwards said during his half-hour stump speech.
"We need real labor and environmental protections," Edwards said.