Edwards Brings Stump Speech To Life

ABC News’ Raelyn Johnson reports: The man who’s been written into John Edwards’ speeches in front of crowds across the country made an in-person appearance on the campaign trail Thursday.

James Lowe is the 51-year-old from the Appalachian Mountains who Edwards met on his poverty tour in August.  Lowe told Edwards the story of how he didn’t have health insurance and  was never able to afford surgery to repair his cleft palate, until a doctor volunteered to perform the surgery when he was 50.

Since that meeting on a picnic table, Lowe’s story has become a regular feature in Edwards’ stump speech as it fits in with his fight for universal healthcare and taking on insurance companies and lobbyists to achieve it.

“James Lowe lived in America for fifty years not being able to speak,” Edwards often says about the current heathcare system.

During a town hall in Sioux City, Iowa, with Lowe over his shoulder Edwards told caucus goers, “James Lowe finally got his voice back, now it’s time for you to get your voice back.”

Lowe spoke few words, but with an abundance of emotion he told voters, “I believe in the bottom of my heart he’s the number one man.” 

Lowe is scheduled to campaign with Edwards through Iowa until the Christmas break.