Yep, John Edwards was in New Orleans for spring break this year with 700 co-eds.
However not for what you think. They were pitching in to bring attention to the slow pace of recovery in NOLA and help out.
700 college kids gave up their spring break to help clean up the lower ninth.
http://politicalwire.com/...
I think the choice of NOLA to announce a run for the presidency is awesome on so many levels. It's the right thing to bring attention to why a competent government with integrity is important, and politically is spot on given Edwards' message. I think the timing, while unusual, is good too. Hillary and Obama are occupying all the media air space and this will serve both to get Edwards some more attention and gets in front of the other candidates and may make their announcements seem less profound. (Unless Hillary announces from behind the green zone in Iraq.)
Anyhow, the contrast of Bush going to a prestine part of NOLA at night with lights will be a stark contrast to Edwards' announcement, which if I have to guess will be in the daylight in a severely still damaged area.