You may or may not approve of using the Republic National Committee as a source for information, but the following is a transcript of an interview between Tom Funk of the Charlotte Observer and John Edwards. It reveals a politician who is neither a hunter, gun owner nor fisherman.

SEN. EDWARDS: RURAL AMERICA’S CANDIDATE?

Charlotte Observer Reporter Tim Funk’s Interview Of Edwards Says It All

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TIM FUNK’S Q&A WITH JOHN EDWARDS

Q: “Have you done any farming yourself?”

A: “No … I shouldn’t say never: When I was a young kid, we’d go sometimes to pull tobacco and stuff. But I’ve never done any serious farming.”

Q: “Would you call yourself a NASCAR fan?”

A: “I would call myself somebody who’s interested in NASCAR, yeah.”

Q: “You don’t follow the weekly [NASCAR] races?”

A: “No, but I don’t follow anything except politicking.”

Q: “Do you hunt?”

A: “I used to hunt a lot. Haven’t hunted in years.” (Tim Funk, “Q&A With John Edwards,” The Charlotte Observer, 5/26/03)

ü Days Before Funk Interview, Edwards Was “Sorry To Admit” Hunting Past. “[Edwards] went on to explain to some puzzled faces [at his ‘Tar Heel Thursday’ meeting] that he used to hunt the creatures [rabbits and squirrels]. ‘I’m sorry to admit that to you,’ Edwards told [N.C. Wildlife Federation’s Christopher] North.” (John Wagner, “Edwards Guns For The Top,” The [Raleigh] News And Observer, 5/23/03)

Q: “Fish?”

A: “Oh, yeah. Yeah. I haven’t fished in years either. Just (whispers) no time.” (Tim Funk, “Q&A With John Edwards,” The Charlotte Observer, 5/26/03)

ü Earlier This Month, We Heard Different Fishing Story. “[Sen. John] Edwards enjoys fishing from time to time, according to his wife. But otherwise he appears to have few outside interests.” (Charles Hurt, “Who Is John Edwards?” Washingtonian, 5/03)

Q: “Do you own a gun?”

A: “Not today. I have in the past.”

Q: “Are you a country music fan?”

A: “(Laughs) I have in the past been a country music fan.”

Q: “You said you had a gun in the past. How long ago was that?”

A: “When I was growing up. I haven’t had a gun in -- you mean personally? -- in years. I’d have to figure out when …”

Q: “What kind of gun was it?”

A: “Get out of here (laughs).”

Q/Reply: “People want to know these things …”

A: “Yeah, I know. You want to know these things. (Laughter from his staff as Edwards departs to return to the Senate).” (Tim Funk, “Q&A With John Edwards,” The Charlotte Observer, 5/26/03)