Wichita Falls, TX – Texas Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards may not have gotten the vice-presidential nomination, but he got his turn in the spotlight at the Democratic National Convention last night in Denver.
Senate colleague Joe Biden of Delaware emerged as Barack Obama's choice.
Edwards told the convention that Obama will make better health care and benefits for veterans a higher priority, quote, ``than tax cuts for Exxon Mobil and the wealthiest Americans.''
Edwards is chairman of a House Appropriations subcommittee on military construction and voted to give President Bush authority to send troops to Iraq.
He also has championed funding for military veterans.
Edwards said earlier his name may have hurt his chances of becoming Obama's running mate _ either because it's unknown nationally or is too similar to that of a scandal-ridden former candidate.
John Edwards, who was mentioned as a possible Obama running mate after dropping out of the presidential race earlier this year, recently acknowledged that he had an affair with a campaign worker.
He has denied that he is the father of her daughter.