FAIRFIELD — John Edwards wasn’t mincing words Friday.

The Democratic candidate for president was in town both to encourage supporters and try to convince those who are “shopping” for a candidate that he’s the right candidate for them.

Later, one audience member said he appreciated the fact that Edwards actually answered audience questions, rather than using them as a springboard into pre-rehearsed speeches about policy.

But Edwards started by saying how tired he was of what he called political slogans — “Global war on terror” and “Support our troops” — taking the place of action and good decisions.

He said President Bush uses these slogans to justify everything he does, from spying on American citizens to problems at Guantanamo Bay. He said lawmakers had a chance to put their foot down this week.

“Congress let us down yesterday,” he said.

Edwards said he felt the compromise spending bill providing money for the war in Iraq, one without a timeline for bringing troops home, will only encourage the president to continue combat. Edwards said Bush won’t leave Iraq until Americans make him leave.

Yet questioning the government, Edwards said, is being discouraged, and he doesn’t like it.

“Anybody who doesn’t agree with him is ‘not a patriot,’” he said, adding true patriots should be able to stand up and speak their minds.

He said he was disturbed by a “secret government” operating without the knowledge of the American people.

“No more government behind closed doors,” he said. “I would make sure the public knows what we’re doing.”

One audience member asked whether Edwards would be in favor of impeaching Bush over actions he called “illegal.”

The man seemed a bit surprised when Edwards said he would not. However, Edwards told the audience, he does want to see Bush held responsible for actions, like electronically eavesdropping on the American people: There are bodies, including committees in The House, that have subpoena power. They should hold the president accountable.

But when it comes to impeachment, the time spent on either trying to impeach or preventing impeachment, ties up lawmakers. That means, focus would be off of things to make the country successful: health care, energy conservation and ending the war in Iraq.

Edwards said he wants to see improvements in the way veterans and current military members are treated. But he wants to bring them home, too.