Edwards in '08 Democratic presidential bid

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards announced in New Orleans Thursday he would seek the Democratic ticket for the 2008 presidential race.

Edwards, 53, was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004, and chose New Orleans' flood ravaged Ninth Ward as the backdrop to make his announcement.

He criticized U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., seen widely as the leading Republican candidate for recommending that more troops be sent to Iraq to help quell the violence there and said instead, the United States should bring back as many as 40,000 troops quickly, The Washington Post reported.

"There is not military solution to what's happening in Iraq right now," Edwards, D-N.C., said in an interview with CNN.

Edwards is the third Democrat to announce his candidacy, joining Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.