news-record.com

Less than one percent of the United States has voted, John Edwards told supporters Tuesday night. So his third-place finish in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire only meant that it was time to head to South Carolina and the rest of the states where voters have yet to weigh in, he said.

Should Edwards stay in the race? Join the discussion at the Debatables blog.

"Those 99 percent deserve to have their voices heard," Edwards said, smiling at a crowd that cheered him on even as Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York edged out Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois for first place. "We've had too many Americans whose voices have not been heard in this democracy."

Edwards will head to South Carolina later this week, a state he won convincingly in 2004 by playing on his early upbringing in Seneca, S.C. But this year he trails Clinton and Obama in most polls there for the Jan. 26 contest.

Both political scientists and national political writers say Edwards will have a problem making inroads in future primaries because of a fundraising disadvantage and his early lack of success.

And New Hampshire's results complicate the story line that Edwards' campaign was constructing earlier in the day.

"Tonight is a referendum on Hillary Clinton," said Joe Trippi, a senior advisor to the Edwards campaign speaking before the close of the polls. For the past five days, polling showed Clinton trailing Obama, and the Edwards campaign painted her as out of the race.

Trippi said the "Clinton status quo will be rejected" and that the Democratic campaign would come down to a contest between Obama and Edwards — and who can better create a change in Washington.

But The Associated Press and CNN projected Clinton would edge out Obama, keeping her in the race.

Still, Edwards' campaign announced he was bolstering his forces in South Carolina and the candidate himself declared, "I am in this race to the convention."

Edwards' third-place showing disappointed local supporters, who still held out hope their favorite son could bounce back.

"I have not given up hope for him," said Janice Sullivan , a retired educator from Greensboro. When asked why Edwards hasn't had success so far, she speculated that some people figured he had his chance in 2004.

"Most of my Democratic friends do not talk so much about Edwards as they do (Hillary) Clinton or Barack Obama," she said.

Other voters echoed the Edwards camp line that he and Obama share a common ideology.

"I think Obama and Edwards are very similar in most of their thinking," said Marshall Woodard , a self-employed dental technician from Jamestown and a self-described Edwards supporter. "I wouldn't mind seeing Obama come out on top, Hillary less so."

Woodard said he would like to see Edwards continue in the race and said he wouldn't mind seeing him run as a vice presidential candidate again.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com