NPR: Edwards Campaign Feeling Good About Iowa

Edwards Campaign Feeling Good About Iowa

For most of the months of November and December in Iowa, the media has focused their attention on the battle between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's nomination for president. Former Sen. John Edwards looked to be running a sometimes distant third as the top two candidates jostled back and forth.

But two new polls show that the Democratic race for Iowa is a genuine three-way contest. A survey of 600 likely Democratic voters in Iowa by Strategic Vision on Dec. 26 and 27 shows Obama with the support of 30 percent of those polled, Clinton with 29 percent and Edwards with 28 percent. Meanwhile, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll shows Clinton with 29 percent, Obama with 26 percent and Edwards with 25 percent.

But perhaps more important in the Times.Bloomberg poll, Edwards is the second choice of 23 percent of those who plan on going to the caucus, in particular those who prefer Sen. Joseph Biden and Gov. Bill Richardson as their first choice. Those who prefer Sen. Chris Dodd are split between Clinton and Edwards. In the Democratic caucuses, a candidate needs to be preferred by at least 15 percent of those in attendance at a precinct meeting. If they don't get that 15 percent, they are considered non-viable and their supporters may choose a different candidate to back.

Politico notes that Edwards has another advantage. Edwards' campaign "boasts the most deeply rooted rural operation, allowing it to possibly win small precincts across the state that could prove crucial in the final tally."

This is not an unfamiliar situation for Edwards. In 2004, most polls taken a few weeks before the caucuses showed him in 4th place. But a poll done the day before showed he had moved into second, which is where he finished.

2:54 PM ET | 12-28-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

When you match them up portrait and profile camera shot, Edwards and Romney make the most interesting race.

Though Romney would win because the Democrats are basically a wing of the GOP. But, Edwards and Romney could at least make the race a bit more even. Instead of the lopsided landslide loss Hillary and Barack offer for an evening of television election watching.

One can look at the situation two ways: Edwards comes out looking good beating out Hillary for the nomination, or, Hillary has so screwed up the works already Edwards has too much ground to cover to catch up.

Or, the worst case scenario, the Democratic Party is so far gone they can't get rid of Hillary.

But, let's fantasize (if the Ron Paul Libertarian third party people can fantasize, so can I). Edwards gets the nomination. He takes Bill Richardson for running mate? Or, even Barack for running mate? Though I personally think Richardson would be Edward's best choice.

Oh, well. Like I said to the good caucus people of Iowa, you can pretty much put a spike in Hillary's cleavage and make this a more interesting fiasco.

And you Ron Paultards think of it this way: You can really hurt the Democrats if it's Edwards. If it's Hillary's suicide, it don't make a whit bit of difference. And you know how you Paultards really want to put it to the Democrats.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 3:18 PM ET | 12-28-2007

to fred:

You obviously have all the answers to every blog comment presented. Who is your choice for President?

Sent by Tim Schaiberger | 4:54 PM ET | 12-28-2007

The dollar slid across the board on Friday as data showing a 9 percent decline in sales of new U.S. homes last month heightened concern about the economy, putting the greenback on track for its worst week in more than a year.
The housing report, which was weaker than economists had expected, also bolstered the case for more Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2008. Earlier this week, the S&P/Case-Shiller index showed a record decline in U.S. home prices in October.

This is what's happening to YOUR house. All the 'money' and 'equity' you though you had saved - eliminated! The equtiy through falling house prices - and the money because we are DEBASING OUR CURRENCY. That low fed rate you're reading about gets created by printing money and lending it to people. With more money, the money YOU have is worth LESS. So your money is worth less and your property is worth less - where can you turn to keep ahead of inflation? I think you BETTER turn to Dr. Paul. He's the ONLY one running that has a HOPE of being able to deal with this.

Sent by Louis Nardozi | 11:10 PM ET | 12-28-2007

It is fantastic and awesome to have been an Edwards supporter for so very long and now see this endorsement of my gut feeling that Edwards has the potential to be the best President this nation has ever seen. After the last eight years, it is clear that karma will rebalance itself despite all of Rove's machinations!

Edwards all the way ! :)

-jef

Sent by jef wallace | 11:32 PM ET | 12-28-2007

Or, even better...let's fantasize that Edwards becomes president and the middle-class is saved from corporate greed and Republican stupidity. Ron Paul is a racist wackado

Sent by Tony | 6:29 AM ET | 12-29-2007

NO more Clinton dynasty and corrupted Health Industry.
Its time to end 20 years of Clinton/Bush political
dynasty.

!!! ITS TIME FOR CHANGE !!!

BARACK OBAMA WAS RIGHT ON IRAQ.

BARACK OBAMA WAS RIGHT ON IRAN.

BARACK OBAMA WAS RIGHT ON PAKISTAN.

BARACK OBAMA HAS RIGHT JUDGEMENT FROM THE BEGINNING.

BARACK OBAMA's JUDGEMENT TRIUMPHS OVER HILLARY'S WRONG
EXPERIENCE.

!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!

Sent by jkojs | 8:48 AM ET | 12-29-2007

Edwards all the way! He reminds of JFK and has a real shot at creating change.

Sent by Ryan | 9:54 AM ET | 12-29-2007

Barak's stand on Iran looks great in hindsight.

Sent by kammy | 10:00 AM ET | 12-29-2007

America is a Democracy - We are not a Monarchy.
Wiser folks than us - saw to it long ago, that we be fortunate enough to realize this life blessing.
Nepotism may be fine for the old-corner-store but it will only serve to fail us again -as it has, most resoundingly, for the entirety of this millennium.

Voting for the worst policy decision in our life times does not make one 'experienced'. It -IS- high time America elected a woman as commander-in-chief. When a self made woman of conviction and talent stands up and demonstrates the character that can stand as an example for us all - we should stand behind her - with conviction and fortitude. Hillary Clinton is not that woman. She is the spouse of a former and popular President. In a nation, 300 million strong, are we to believe that the person most suited to be the President just happens to be related to the last President ?!
Are we really to believe this is the case ?
Will we make this mistake, again ?

Barack Obama has the strength and certitude to take America in a new and positive direction - a direction that our evolving nation - being formed all around us all as we pass through our daily lives - very much is in need of. There really is an immediacy of the 'now' that we all share. We truly must begin to think big again and to face the immense challenges before us in brave and selfless ways again - like those people in the old faded photographs on our walls did - for us. It really is time to wake up again America. The time is, most certainly, now.

Barack Obama for President of the United States of America.

It's time for America to Rise and Shine again.

Sent by PulSamsara | 12:09 PM ET | 12-29-2007

Sent by Tim Schaiberger: To Fred: You obviously have all the answers to every blog comment presented. Who is your choice for President?

Obviously you haven't been keeping up with my posts as close as you should, Tim.

When I go into the voting booth..nay, I'll vote early and often via absentee.....I'm writing in Danica Patrick: "The only Indy Car driver you'll want to see in a bikini."

As for who I'm laying my Vegas chips down on for an early line: Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson.

Rudy will get some bigtime cabinet post or become Governor of New York of become head of the Genovese Crime Family.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 12:24 PM ET | 12-29-2007

JOHN EDWARDS will win BIG in Iowa and go on to be President of the United States. Edwards will win because he is the ONLY candidate who represents the middle class in America, and NOT the mega-corporations, BIG OIL, the drug companies, the insurance industry, and the like.

The morally bankrupt Republican Party and their allies in the mass media would LOVE to see either Clinton or Obama as the Democratic nominee, because they know they can defeat BOTH Clinton or Obama, but would have NO chance whatsoever against Edwards in the general election.

If the Democrats are stupid enough to nominate either Clinton or Obama, they deserve to lose!

Sent by The Honorable Eddie Rose, Former Laguna Niguel (CA) City Councilman | 2:00 PM ET | 12-29-2007

barack was right on pakistan? did you hear him try to defend axlerod's comments? there's probably a reason why edwards didn't hire that guy again.

did you see edwards after bhutto's death? edwards responded to this tragedy by calling the ambassador, and then president musharraf called edwards back. edwards said the right words at the right time to the right people, and you do not see him trying to politicize this tragedy--no, he is showing calm, strength, and wisdom.

i've been an edwards supporter for a long time, and he will make a great president. he speaks for me, and i will vote for him. if you think he speaks for you, i ask everybody else to do the same.

Sent by kenshin | 12:44 AM ET | 12-30-2007

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