John Edwards (D) Former Senator, NC Born: 06/10/1953 Birthplace: Seneca, SC Home: Raleigh, NC Religion: Methodist >> Website >> Forum >> Related Stories Coming Events

HAMPTON — Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina will visit Winnacunnet High School on Wednesday as part of the National Education Association's "School House to the White House" initiative.

Edwards is expected to meet with faculty and staff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a small lecture hall and to speak with students in the civics classroom of Ed Beattie.

"He's trying to gain some insight into everyday life of public schools," said Kevin Fleming, a Winnacunnet teacher and the NEA director in New Hampshire. "The NEA has invited all of the candidates to come to schools."

Wednesday's visit is not a town meeting type of public forum, according to organizers.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., visited Winnacunnet in the spring. Edwards also visited the school in 2004 during the last presidential campaign.

Fleming is active in the NEA, which is sponsoring the "School House to the White House" program. The initiate is taking place in other states, though New Hampshire's first in the nation primary gives the state a higher focus, according to NEA spokeswoman Brenda Alvarez.

"We are coordinating with other candidates," said Alvarez. "We're awaiting confirmation, many have expressed an interest. New Hampshire is definitely the first one because it's a key state."

After his visit to Winnacunnet, Edwards will speak at the Portsmouth office of Seacoast Media Group on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The parent company of the Hampton Union and Portsmouth Herald has also hosted presidential hopefuls, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Edwards, 54, is expected to speak about Iraq. In 2002, Edwards voted in favor of giving President Bush war authorization, but has since repudiated that vote. Edwards said he would immediately withdraw 40,000 to 50,000 combat troops and the rest within eight to nine months assuming the war is still going on in January 2009.

Edwards ran for president in 2004, finishing fourth in the Democratic primary. He was then tapped as John Kerry's vice presidential running mate.

The latest poll released by the American Research Group shows Edwards behind Clinton and Obama in New Hampshire. Clinton leads with 41 percent, followed by Obama at 22 percent, undecided voters at 12 percent, and Edwards at 10 percent, with other contenders lagging behind those figures.

A CNN/WMUR poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire and released last week shows Clinton at 43 percent, 23 points more than Obama, and Edwards at 12 percent. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is at 6 percentage points.