MANCHESTER, N.H.—John Edwards gave his speech to a rowdy (and lightly tipsy) crowd of some 300 people, many of them spilling out the door into the chilly night.
As soon as he hit the stage, hands popped up waving tiny American flags, or hoisting cell phones and digital cameras for snapshots of the candidate.
He spoke a version of his stump speech, vowing to go on with a grassroots campaign and give voice to the 99 percent of Americans who haven't voted in primaries yet, Barb Barrett reports.
The crowd interrupted plenty with applause, sometimes breaking into chants of "Edwards! Edwards," stomping their feet on the century-old hardwood floors in the textile mill.
Afterward, he hoisted his son Jack, hugged daughter Cate, then plowed into the crowd—hopping down from the stage with a spry little jump.
Supporters wanted more than a handshake. Many gave him hugs or long clasps. "Thank you," he said over and over, grinning. He hopped on stage again, gave a big-wave salute, and was gone, bound for South Carolina.
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