McClatchy: John Edwards bets it all on Iowa

[babylonsister]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/18070.html

John Edwards bets it all on Iowa
By Jim Morrill | McClatchy Newspapers


ANAMOSA, Iowa — His sleeves rolled up under a hot afternoon sun, John Edwards stood in front of a giant American flag fielding questions from 150 Iowans in a small-town park. Then, he posed one of his own.

“How many people here plan to participate in the caucuses?” he asked, watching hands shoot up. “That’s about what I was expecting. You have enormous power to decide who the next president of the United States is going to be.”

Iowans also may have the power to make or break Edwards’ bid for the Democratic nomination. In less than six months, they’ll hold the first contest of the 2008 campaign. A win offers big momentum heading into an unprecedented crush of primaries over the following three weeks.

That’s why the North Carolina Democrat barnstormed the state last week, cruising past cornfields like the low-flying crop-dusters along the way. It was his 27th visit since the 2004 election.

While his campaign has struggled nationally, polls in Iowa have consistently shown Edwards leading or running neck-and-neck with Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.

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[On the Road]

1. That's About All He Can Do at This Point

I've been amazed by Edwards's sinking performance in the polls. But this is his best strategy. Support is not deep at this stage, and probably will not be before SuperDuper Tuesday. An Edwards win in IA would give him sudden credibility.

[NYCGirl]

2. Oh oh. Two words: Joe Trippi. NT