Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spoke to UW-Madison students Thursday at Ingraham Hall regarding his support of 2008 presidential hopeful John Edwards’ plans to fix national poverty.

“If I could, I would solve poverty in Madison,” Cieslewicz said, “but you’ve really got to attack the issue of poverty nationally.”

About 75 percent of the students at Mendota Elementary School on the north side of Madison would qualify as poor Cieslewicz said. Nationwide, 37 million Americans are considered “poor”, while 47 million Americans do not have health care.

According to Cieslewicz, the “growing disparity in wealth” is not healthy for the country as a whole. He said he supported Edwards’ goal of eliminating poverty in the United States in one generation.

“His emphasis on poverty spoke to his sincerity as a candidate,” Cieslewicz said. “People are really craving sincerity; they’re craving someone who comes out and says things.”

David Hoffert, a UW-Madison senior, said Edwards has been the only candidate to address the issue of poverty.

“[Edwards is] always the first one to give his plan every time,” Hoffert said. “He’s willing to talk about it, and that’s going to make all the difference.”

Peter Rickmann, a UW-Madison graduate student, said it is necessary for the Madison community to volunteer and get involved in the campaign process. “Everyone has the duty, the responsibility to be involved in politics,” Rickmann said.

Rickmann also noted he would like to see the nature of the political power in the United States reversed.

“Our political system needs to respond to the needs of regular citizens,” he said. “There is genuinely a reason to be involved.”

According to Cieslewicz, the student votes do make a difference.

“Literally, [the student vote] could elect the next president of the United States,” Cieslewicz said.