In May 2002, when Edwards was exploring his first presidential bid, he was interviewed on "Meet the Press" about the Middle East, Social Security and farm subsidies. By some accounts, it did not go well.

"Elon University from your home state did a poll which I found interesting," Russert said, according to a transcript of the show. "And it says, 'Only 43 percent of North Carolinians approve of the job Edwards is doing in the Senate,' down from 57 percent, and enthusiasm for a White House run by Edwards was just 41 percent. The people who know you best. Why are they so lukewarm?"

Edwards responded that he had seen "a lot of polls" with different numbers.

"But the bottom line is, I think the people of North Carolina know me," he said. "They understand what it is I'm doing here in Washington. And I think that what really matters, ultimately, is if I have a connection and have been doing the kind of job I need to do for the folks I represent in North Carolina, they'll be there when the time comes."

Conservative columnist Robert Novak wrote that Edwards "withered under Tim Russert's grilling."

It was more than a year before Edwards appeared on the program again. Most accounts gave him higher marks, and his own supporters said it was a sign that he was a stronger candidate.

"In certain ways it was a benchmark of his evolution as a candidate," said David Axelrod, then a media strategist for Edwards.