WEIRTON, WV -- Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate, Sen. John Edwards (D-North Carolina) held a town hall meeting at the Serra Manor conference center Wednesday afternoon, bringing the weight of the Kerry-Edwards ticket on his shoulders. His running mate, Presidential candidate John Kerry, is holed up in Wisconsin, preparing for Thursday's Presidential debate, so Senator Edwards brought a message of change, criticism of the White House and what his ticket will do if it takes over come January.

On Homeland Security, Edwards pledged to keep Americans safer, to seek out terrorists and crush them, and sharply criticized President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney for taking too much credit: "No one should be exploiting one of the great tragedies in American history, September 11th, for personal gain."

On the much-scrutinized No Child Left Behind act: "[President Bush] got his education plan, but he didn't fund it. It's $27 billion underfunded."

On health care, with retirees paying big bucks for prescriptions and employers crippled by the cost of benefits: "Every single time [Bush] has chosen to stand with big insurance companies, big drug companies. We need a president who will fight for you."

The day's most prickly moment surrounded one of this election year's hottest issues, and encapsulated the risky nature of an unscreened, unscripted town hall meeting. Franciscan University of Steubenville student Gabriel Hahn took his chance with the microphone to speak of the value of life, especially unborn life: "I'm asking you, Mr. Edwards--will you please stand up and fight for life? For everyone?" was all Gabriel got in before the microphone was yanked away from him. Senator Edwards said he respects Hahn for his view: "This is one of those issues on which good people have different views. And personally, I don't think it's the job of government to tell women what to do." Hahn was unmoved, "It's very kind of him to say he's respectful of my point of view, but I cannot respect the view of someone who would allow innocent children to be murdered."

After his meeting, Senator Edwards' caravan went to the Kings Creek area, to speak with some residents severely affected by the flooding of two weeks ago.