Edwards said he has earned the ability to appropriate money for Brazos County by climbing the ladder in the House of Representatives.

He sits on both the powerful House Budget and the Appropriations Committees and is chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.

Edwards said many generals -- including some inside the Bush administration -- opposed the surge and pointed out that factors like the Sunni Awakening have contributed to recent success in Iraq.

But as his power has grown, so have rumors of him moving on to higher office. While he ultimately was passed on as a vice presidential candidate, some think that he will be picked for a position in Obama's cabinet if he wins in November. Edwards declined to comment on those rumors and would only say he was proud to be mentioned.