Clinton-Obama Spat 'Sad,' Edwards Tells ABC

Feb. 25, 2007 — -- Last week, while the 2008 presidential campaigns of frontrunners Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., exchanged early jabs over Hollywood loyalties and broken promises, a third contender observed from a distance.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who was also the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, is busy campaigning to become the next president.

"It makes me kind of sad, actually," said Edwards, speaking about the squabble to ABC News. "It's entertaining, but I don't think it's what we should be focused on right now. I think the country's faced with a war and huge challenges at home. These sort of back-and-forth personal interactions I don't think are helpful for America."

"Nightline's" Terry Moran spent a day with Edwards as he campaigned in New Hampshire. Watch his full report at 11:35 p.m. ET tonight on "Nightline."

On Wednesday, movie producer and liberal philanthropist David Geffen, a Bill Clinton devotee turned Obama supporter, made disparaging comments about the Clintons. Clinton's campaign responded by asking Obama to denounce Geffen's remarks and return the money raised by Geffen for Obama.

The saga continued throughout the day, with both sides going back and forth, but in the end some political strategists have declared John Edwards the ultimate victor.

"I don't know if that's true or not," Edwards said. "I'm going to run a positive campaign. I'm going to focus on what the country needs."

Saturday, Edwards, along with his wife Elizabeth, embarked on his third trip to New Hampshire since he announced his candidacy. Despite New Hampshire's bitter cold weather, the Edwardses campaigned from Nashua to Salem, hopping from house party to house party. Crowds of supporters packed in to hear Edwards speak.

For Edwards, New Hampshire is one of the crucial battleground states needed to survive the primary elections, which are less than a year away. Unlike other candidates, who have to overcome their unpopular positions on the Iraq war or their modified views on abortion, Edwards' two biggest hurdles appear to be Clinton and Obama, who have emerged as the Democratic favorites.