Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards says disaster aid for drought-stricken farmers and ranchers is needed, and he took credit for bringing a little help of his own to this dry city.

"I take complete credit for the rain," the former U.S. senator from North Carolina joked as a rare cloudburst soaked everyone at a backyard Democratic fundraiser Wednesday.

Edwards, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2004 and wound up as John Kerry's running mate, stopped in Bismarck to help raise money for Democratic candidates for the state Legislature. Wednesday's $125-a-plate barbecue drew dozens of people.

Edwards said he also came to find out firsthand some of the issues facing North Dakotans, in case he decides to make another run for president.

"You should not be running for president of the United States unless you understand the problems of everybody, everywhere in America," he said.

Edwards said he is thinking "very seriously" about a presidential run in 2008, but does not know when he will make up his mind.

One of the biggest problems in North Dakota and other Western states this year has been drought, which has ruined crops and driven many ranchers to sell off cattle they don't have hay to feed.

Farm-state lawmakers have pushed a $4 billion aid package for farmers and ranchers, but the effort was killed by President Bush and House conservatives who said it was too expensive.

"They're wrong, just wrong," Edwards said. "If a national government can't be there for our families in times of natural disasters, what purpose does it serve?"

Many of those at the fundraiser said they hope Edwards runs for president.

"He puts off a good vibe," said Eric Fugleberg, of Jamestown, who volunteered to work at the fundraiser. "People can trust him. He's honest."

State Republican Party Chairman Ken Karls said in a statement that Edwards is "too liberal for North Dakota."

"There is a reason that John Kerry and John Edwards only received 35 percent of the vote in North Dakota last election," Karls said. "They did not represent North Dakota's values, and in two years nothing has changed."

Edwards finished fourth among seven candidates in North Dakota's February 2004 presidential preference caucuses.

State Democratic Party Director Jim Fuglie said he was "neutral" on who the Democratic presidential candidate should be in 2008. Fuglie said there are several solid candidates, including Edwards, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.

"Our bench is bigger than the Republican bench right now," Fuglie said.

It was Edwards' third political trip to North Dakota. He was a featured speaker at the state Democratic convention in April 2004 and made a campaign stop in Fargo in August of that year.