Edwards expresses thanks to Ohio supporters

Edwards said he and Kerry will spend an 'enormous' amount of time in Ohio.
By BRAD PERRIELLO
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
BOSTON -- Hoping to energize supporters from a crucial battleground state, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. John Edwards paid a visit to the Ohio delegation's breakfast meeting Thursday, telling convention attendants and state political leaders that Ohio will be "ground zero" for the Kerry-Edwards campaign.
Arriving about 15 minutes behind schedule to a vigorous standing ovation, Edwards apologized for his lateness. He explained that his wife, Elizabeth, had promised their two young children, Jack and Emma Claire, that they could sleep in the Edwards' bed if they behaved during the senator's convention speech late Wednesday night.
"That made an already short night even shorter," Edwards said.
Local endeavors
The North Carolina senator pledged that he and Sen. John Kerry will spend an "enormous" amount of time campaigning in Ohio.
Edwards stressed his campaign's need for grass-roots involvement from Ohio's Democratic delegates and repeated his promise to end tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas.
He also thanked the delegation's union representatives for their unwavering support.
Edwards' brief speech followed appearances by former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Cleveland, D-11th, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former Sen. John Glenn.