Breck Girl Announces Candidacy

There's shameless exploitation, then there's a fabulously wealthy ambulance chaser going to New Orleans to pretend he's a man of the people.

Two years after his hopes for a Democratic takeover of the White House were narrowly dashed, former vice presidential nominee John Edwards said Thursday that he is making another run at the presidency.

Edwards — who is calling for cuts in poverty, global warming and troops in Iraq — scheduled his kickoff in New Orleans, still devastated from last year's Hurricane Katrina. He chose the site to highlight his signature concern of the economic disparity that divides America.

"I'm here to announce I'm a candidate for president of the United States," Edwards sold NBC's "Today Show" Thursday, one of three back-to-back interviews by the candidate on morning news shows. "I've reached my own conclusion this is the best way to serve my country."

In case you missed it, here's the Breck Girl getting ready for his announcement.

Meanwhile, Edwards is building a lavish estate in North Carolina. No word on whether he's putting up any Katrina victims there. Somehow I doubt it.

Edwards focus on poverty opens himself up to attacks about his own personal wealth. The former personal injury trial lawyer just completed construction on a $4.2 million home in Chapel Hill that includes a 10,000-square-foot mansion. Republican officials are already talking about the home, saying it offers insight into Edwards' character.

"There's a disconnect between who he actually is and who he tries to portray himself as. It's deceptive," said Linda Daves, chairwoman of the North Carolina Republican Party. "That's no way to build up your credibility."