by KYW's Mark Abrams

Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards was in North Philadelphia on Tuesday to launch a nationwide anti-poverty effort.

Edwards, who ended his bid for the presidency in January, is kicking off a campaign in partnership with the national Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now ("ACORN"). It’s designed to reduce poverty in the United States by 50 percent in 10 years. He was using the Thankful Baptist Church on West Allegheny Avenue in North Philadelphia as a backdrop for his announcement.
 
Attacking poverty was a keystone of his presidential campaign. Edwards (in center of photo above) says it's time to lift up those who are living at or below the poverty level and to make it possible for them to enjoy the fruits of America:

"I think it is a moral cause facing every single one of us. None of us should wake up any morning not understanding our responsibility to each other."

Edwards will serve as chairman of the national effort, called "Half in Ten." He says it can be done through a combination of steps, including raising the minimum wage, expanding federal earned income and child care tax credits, and providing more child care help to enable more people to go to work.

In his Philadelphia appearance, Edwards shied away from politics. With two candidates still left in the Democratic race, Edwards hasn’t endorsed either one. He told CNN's Larry King on Monday night that endorsements can be divisive:

“Some of the endorsements -- as opposed to helping unite -- have contributed to the divide. And what I don’t want to do is contribute to the divide. But at least for this moment, I think the reasonable thing for me to do is to let voters make their decision.”
 
While praising Sen. Hillary Clinton, Edwards says the reality is that Obama appears to be emerging as the Democratic nominee.

(Photo by KYW's Mark Abrams)