Edwards Talks Two Americas in Historic South Carolina

ABC News’ Raelyn Johnson reports: Making a campaign stop in Penn Center-Durah Hall on St. Helena Island, S.C., home of the first school for freed African-American slaves, Edwards revived his campaign message of two Americas.

“I was in this historic place four years ago. I remember it vividly. It made such an impression on me, and we have such important work to do as we go forward,” said Edwards.

“We do still live in an America that in so many ways is two different Americas,” he added, arguing that America has two public school systems and health care systems — one each for the wealthy and the poor.

Beyond education and health care, Edwards noted that the concept of two Americas also is broken down by race. 

“Race plays an enormous role in the economic conditions of Americans. We can pretend it’s not true, but decades after decades of slavery followed by decade after decade of segregation, followed by decade after decade of discrimination has an impact.”

Edwards went on to speak about issues plaguing African-American communities, including predatory lenders, the disparity in wealth between African-American and white families. 

At the start of his town hall, Edwards offered a pretty simple argument for why he believes he’s going to win the South Carolina primary.

“One simple answer," he said. "I talk like this.”

He was alluding to his southern accent, of course.