Edwards aiming for second choice support

[Herman Munster]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7659.html

AMES, Iowa — Kicking off a 36-hour marathon of campaigning, John Edwards dismissed a recent poll showing his campaign still mired in third place and later declared himself the best second choice in the caucuses set for Thursday.

“I think we are the strongest candidate for second choice among caucus-goers, and I think what will move them is this very personal, passionate message of ending corporate greed and standing up for their children and grandchildren,” Edwards told reporters after an appearance here before several hundred people.

The Iowa Democratic caucuses allow voters to choose a second candidate if their first choice receives little backing. Edwards’ advisers have noted for some time that they hope to woo these supporters of lower-tier candidates.

A man selected at random from the crowd here said Edwards was indeed his second pick, after New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

“My choice up to this point is Richardson, but I’m feeling good with Edwards,” said George Patrick, an employee of Iowa State University and an Ames resident.

“They’re pretty close for me, but Richardson is a little bit more low-key.”

The results of a recent Des Moines Register poll showed the former senator from North Carolina still trailing Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, despite some evidence that Edwards may be gaining momentum.

“I don’t need a poll to tell me we’re moving, moving every single day in the right direction in this campaign,” Edwards said Tuesday as he launched the 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class.”

As with much of his campaigning, the tour makes repeated appearances in small-town Iowa, where Edwards hopes his humble roots and repeated visits will have strong appeal.

The rural strategy plays on inconsistencies in the Iowa caucus system, in which rural voters often have proportionally more clout in caucus results.