http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/8568394.htm?1cCOLUMBIA, S.C. - North Carolina Sen. John Edwards had a warm homecoming at South Carolina's Democratic Party convention Saturday.
As Edwards stepped from the stage here, a crowd quickly engulfed the Seneca native and chanted: "John Edwards for vice president! John Edwards for vice president! John Edwards for vice president!"
Edwards wouldn't talk about being a potential running mate for U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts beyond saying "it was nice to hear people's support."
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Edwards started his Columbia visit with a fund raiser for Tenenbaum in her bid to replace Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, who is retiring in January after six terms.
While Tenenbaum faces a Democratic primary challenger in Ben Frasier, who has been a perennial U.S. House candidate, she won Erwin's open endorsement on Saturday.
"Will you stand by our great Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum for the United States Senate?" Erwin called out.
"Yes, we will," the crowd shouted back.
Party leaders usually withhold endorsements until after a contested primary. Erwin said he asked Frasier to address the convention, but that wasn't accepted.
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