Ten party leaders from across the country said today John Edwards would do more than any other candidate to help get Democrats elected in their states.

In a conference call organized by the Edwards' campaign, elected officials from six states touted the former N.C. senator's chances not only to win but to help other Democrats on the ballot, Jim Morrill reports.

The call is part of the campaign's effort to sell the electability of a candidate trailing Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois in money and polls.

"For the Democratic Party to nominate a candidate who will not win the general election is obscene as far as I'm concerned," said Oregon Senate President Pro Tem Margaret Carter.

Democrats have recently all but written off many so-called red states, which include virtually the entire South. Nominees campaign instead in states where they've had more of a chance.

Connie Johnson, minority whip of the Missouri House of Representatives, said another candidate besides Edwards at the top of the ticket would cause her party to continue losing seats in the state.

"This state has been hemorrhaging," she said. "If Hillary comes to a state like Missouri, we can write it off."