Global Poverty – will it be a US election issue?

US Presidential hopeful John Edwards has set out a plan for fighting global poverty:

As president, John Edwards will fundamentally transform America’s approach to the world. As part of his $5 billion initiative, he will bring high-level attention to help people in three priority areas: primary education, preventive health, and greater economic and political opportunity.

He proposes a Cabinet level post to tackle global poverty (which the UK introduced in 1997) and promises a new Global Development Act to consolidate and simplify the US foreign assistance system.

Comment: It would be good news for development if this becomes an issue in the US Presidential elections.

More at CGD.