Edwards supports abortion rights, voted against proposed bans on "partial birth" abortions in both 1999 and 2003, and expressed disagreement with the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the federal ban on “partial birth" abortions.

Edward’s education plan includes quality preschool for every child, an increase in pay for teachers in successful and high-poverty schools, and training for teachers who work in the least-successful schools.  He supports better, individualized measures of success and giving the states more flexibility to identify underperforming schools.  He also proposes a national “College for Everyone” initiative by helping states and colleges lower tuition, simplifying financial aid, and overhauling current student loan programs.

Edwards proposes creating "green-collar jobs" through investments in green technology, opposes oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), and opposes new coal power plants.  He also makes his campaign carbon-neutral through efforts such as cutting energy consumption at campaign offices, using recycled-paper products, and buying carbon offsets to counteract emissions from campaign travel.

Edwards believes in a multilateral approach to global warming, including a new climate treaty that would require all countries, including developing nations, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. His plan includes building a new energy economy in America that will support farms and create new jobs.

Edwards has a plan to transform America's health care system and provide universal health care for every man, woman, and child in the United States. His plans include providing affordable insurance for businesses and individuals, requiring employers to help finance health insurance, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking steps to contain health care costs.

Edwards says he will focus on improving border security, including sea ports and air cargo, and other areas of vulnerability such as chemical plants and arenas.  He also believes in domestic readiness, including “first preventers” in addition to first responders to help local law enforcement prevent rather than simply respond to terrorist acts.  Edwards also promises to prohibit surveillance of Americans’ phone calls and e-mails without a warrant, restore habeas corpus, and end policies that allow for torture.

Edwards supports legal status and citizenship for some illegal immigrants and calls for improved cooperation with Mexico to better control the border and stop illegal trafficking.

Edwards opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions.  He believes all couples in committed relationships should have the same rights, including inheritance rights, health care benefits, and all other legal protections given to married couples.

Edwards believes Social Security can be protected and opposes Bush’s plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts, which he fears would cut guaranteed benefits.  Additionally Edwards proposes a series of initiatives to help families retire with financial security, including tax credits to match the savings of families and giving taxpayers the option of directly depositing their tax refunds into a retirement account.  Edwards says he will also examine ways to modernize the plan to compensate women who pay less into Social Security while caring for children or other family members.

Edwards believes the United States needs to repair the damage done to its reputation in the international community through reengagement with its allies.  He also believes in working toward the goal of a nuclear-free world though international nonproliferation institutions that support peaceful nuclear programs, and he has a plan to build diplomatic relations with Iran.

Edwards regrets his vote for use of military force in Iraq, and he supported the war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008.  Edwards believes in an immediate withdrawal of troops and thinks an American withdrawal will prompt the Iraqi people, regional powers, and the entire international community to participate in creating a stable Iraq.