Edwards changes plans for Cape campaign stop

The Kerry-Edwards campaign isn't saying whether Democratic vice-presidential nominee John Edwards will stop in Cape Girardeau this week as part of the campaign's "Believe in America" tour.

Missouri campaign spokesman Michael Golden said Monday he could neither confirm nor deny an Edwards visit to Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee member Cris Edwards would not talk to the Southeast Missourian Monday because she maintains the paper released information about a John Edwards visit prematurely.

The Southeast Missourian reported Sunday that the candidate would attend a rally in Cape Girardeau at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Since then, the newspaper has received many inquiries for information about a campaign visit.

At present, however, Edwards' plans in Cape Girardeau appear to have changed.

According to an employee at the Drury Lodge, an 80-room reservation made for Edwards' visit was canceled Monday morning.

While confirming the Wednesday visit has been canceled, a local Democratic Party activist who did not want to be named said Edwards will attend a private event Thursday morning in Cape Girardeau at the Victorian Inn. He said he was told the goal of the visit is "to activate and motivate the party base and get them energized."

Cape Girardeau Police Department Sgt. Rick Schmidt said the department did have a meeting with a Secret Service advance team but was not able to say when or where a visit might take place.

David Schreiber, the special agent in charge of the St. Louis office of the Secret Service, said his office could not comment on any appearances the nominees might make.

It is certain, however, that Edwards and presidential nominee John Kerry will be busy campaigning in Missouri this week.

Kerry will be in Hannibal on Wednesday. Both candidates will attend a rally at Union Station in St. Louis starting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday before boarding a train and making a 4:15 p.m. stop at the State Capitol building in Jefferson City and will then spend Thursday night in Kansas City before attending a Friday morning event there.

Kerry and Edwards kicked off the "Believe in America" tour right after the completion of the Democratic National Convention in Boston on July 29. The candidates intend to make more than 40 stops in their 15 days on the road.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

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