IOWA GOV'S WIFE TO JOIN EDWARDS ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL

[MalloyLiberal]

Mari Culver to announce Edwards endorsement

DES MOINES — First lady Mari Culver on Monday will announce she’s endorsing Democrat John Edwards’ bid for the presidential nomination and will join him on the campaign trail.

‘‘I know John and Elizabeth very well,’’ Mari Culver said Sunday in a telephone interview. ‘‘I’ve known them for some years and he’s really got a compelling life story. He came from a very humble background.’’

Despite Mari Culver’s endorsement, her husband, first-term Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, has made it clear that he will remain neutral to ensure a fair contest in Iowa’s leadoff precinct caucuses on Jan. 3.

Mari Culver was a trial lawyer before her husband won the state’s top elected job, and she has made disadvantaged children and families a main cause of her tenure as first lady. That meshes well with Edwards’ focus on fighting poverty and helping the middle class.

‘‘He has been a true champion of the middle class and I share his interests,’’ she said. ‘‘He’s right on the issues that matter most and I think he’s got the vision and he’s certainly got the most detailed plan.’’

There is some precedent for a first lady jumping into the fray while her husband remained neutral. Christie Vilsack backed Democrat John Kerry while her husband was neutral four years ago.

http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/500648.html

[JDPriestly]

1. K&R

[Triana]

2. Excellent News! K & R!

[Nutmegger]

3. Proud to R&K

Edwards 2008!