In an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," the former North Carolina senator said politicians "take care of themselves," and taking away one of their benefits would be a way to "shake the place up."

"... The basic idea is I don't think politicians in Washington should be protecting their healthcare when we have 47 million people in this country who don't have healthcare coverage," Edwards said.

Edwards said as president he would support legislation providing universal healthcare, using the office as a "bully pulpit" to rally public pressure on Congress to enact it. He said he could use the president's veto power and other tools as necessary to accomplish that goal.

A poll conducted by American Research Group showed Edwards trailing New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama among Iowa Democrats. The poll showed Clinton with 27 percent, Obama with 21 percent and Edwards at 20 percent.