I might want to stress that poor is a relative term and pointing out to a poor person in America that they are better off than a middle class person in Europe will get you about two votes.
they are poor because they are compared to the people around them and every night on the TV and cable or satellite system they own they are reminded through commercials and TV just how poor they really are, because they can't afford crap they shouldn't want in the first place.
Attack Edwards for the fact that he is a damn hypocrite, that's all that is needed, but this pointing out what poor means in America is not a winning political strategy.
It's perception and someone who isn't poor telling someone who is poor that really they aren't that bad off ain't winning any votes for Republicans.