John Edwards in The Associated Press

On Principles & Values: We need a new spirit of activism and leadership

Clad in blue jeans, an open-necked shirt and with his sleeves rolled up, Edwards chose the backyard of a victim of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans’ devastated Ninth Ward for his unorthodox announcement. “We want people in this campaign to actually take action now, not later, not after the next election,“ the former North Carolina senator said, sounding as much like a recruiter as a presidential campaigner.

Edwards, 53, is calling for an increase in community service and cuts in poverty, global warming and troops in Iraq. He also said the country should provide universal health care for all and end its dependence on foreign oil. He said he would tax oil company profits and eliminate President Bush’s tax cuts to pay for his priorities.

On Principles & Values: Campaign slogan: “Tomorrow begins today”

In his message to supporters, Edwards listed his priorities to change America. Among them:

• “Guaranteeing health care for every single American”
• “Strengthening our middle class and ending the shame of poverty“
• ”Leading the fight against global warming“
• ”Getting America and the world to break our addiction to oil.“

On War & Peace: Made mistake in voting for Iraq war resolution

Edwards said it’s not just Iraq that is in chaos and in need of moral leadership from the United States. He said the United States should be leading an end to genocide in Sudan and to atrocities in northern Uganda.

On Civil Rights: Flag burning is despicable, but not a constitutional issue

A: No. I believe flag burning is a despicable act, but I do not support a constitutional amendment to prohibit flag burning.

On Crime: Death penalty for heinous crimes, but applied fairly

A: I believe the death penalty is the most fitting punishment for the most heinous crimes, and I support it. But we need reforms in the death penalty to ensure that defendants receive fair trials, with zealous and competent lawyers, and with full access to DNA testing.

On Education: Private school vouchers drain resources from public schools

A: Today, America has two school systems-one for the affluent & one for everyone else. I am committed to giving every child a great education-by investing in excellent teachers for public schools, and by taking a range of other steps. Private school vouchers won’t help our public schools, but will instead drain limited resources from those schools. I oppose vouchers.

On Energy & Oil: Supports real increases in CAFE standards

A: I support real increases in CAFE standards. As we implement those increases, we must also invest far more in fuel-efficiency technology

On Free Trade: Require labor and environmental standards plus right-to-know

A: I believe we need trade that works for America and the world, and have outlined a new approach to trade agreements that will protect American jobs and require labor and environmental standards in trade agreements. My approach would also establish an international ‘right to know,’ so that consumers know if corporations have moved jobs overseas or engage in abusive environmental and labor standards. I would also take aggressive measures to make sure foreign markets are open to US goods and include strong environmental and labor standards in all trade deals.

On Government Reform: Day 1: Order limits on lobbyists & special interests

A: I will introduce legislation and sign executive orders to limit the influence of lobbyists and special interests in Washington. These measures will include: preventing candidates for federal office from taking contributions from Washington lobbyists; closing the revolving door between lobbyists’ shops and government jobs; shining a bright light on lobbyist influence; and stopping the war profiteering in Iraq

On Health Care: Bush’s Rx plan helps HMOs-help seniors instead

A: When I am president, we will write a prescription drug bill for the American people -- a law that benefits seniors not the HMOs and insurance companies. We will bring drug costs down by allowing reimportation, stopping wasteful and misleading drug advertising, and using the government’s purchasing power. And we will give seniors a better, more secure drug benefit.

On Immigration: Roadmap to citizenship for undocumented immigrants

A: We should reform the immigration system so there is a clear road map to legalization and citizenship for undocumented immigrants who work hard and follow the law. At the same time, we should work with our ally, Mexico, to better control the border and stop illegal trafficking.

On Jobs: Raise minimum wage to at least $6.65

A: I believe that low-income working people deserve better and support an increase in the minimum wage of at least $1.50.

On Tax Reform: New tax cuts to 95% of Americans

A: I will repeal the Bush tax cuts that benefit only the top 2 percent of Americans. I will also impose a new tax on unearned income for the top 1 percent. At the same time, I will offer new tax cuts to 95 percent of Americans.