Posted on 10/09/2007 4:47:13 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
CORYDON, Iowa - Democrat John Edwards tried to make light of Hillary Rodham Clinton's big lead in national polls Monday, saying that four years ago it looked as if Howard Dean might run away with the nomination.
Edwards, campaigning in the state that will hold leadoff caucuses in January, said his organization is much stronger than at this point in 2004 when he eventually won a surprise second-place finish.
Clinton now leads in Iowa as well nationally, according to the latest polling. The Des Moines Register on Sunday had her at 29 percent in the state, up from 21 percent previously, with Edwards at 23 percent, down from 29. Barack Obama was at 22.
Asked about a belief among some that a Clinton nomination is inevitable, Edwards brushed the idea aside.
"I lived through the inevitably of Howard Dean," he said.
Dean, now chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was the front-runner in polls and fundraising in the 2004 election cycle before finishing third in the Iowa caucuses behind John Kerry and Edwards.
"I know that what happens, from my experience in 2004, is people look much more intensely at you as a candidate the closer you get to the caucus," he said. "A lot of the celebrity fades away. So, I think as a practical matter, that bodes well."
Edwards has increased the intensity of his criticism of Clinton in recent days, and his wife was asked about that in an interview with "NPR News All Things Considered."
When Edwards was a boy, said Elizabeth Edwards, his father told him that if he was in a fight and had to hit back, "aim for the nose; you sort of get more bang for your buck there."
"So you have to aim for their vulnerability and make them understand that there is a cost associated with attacking you," Mrs. Edwards said. "You're not going to lay down. You're strong enough not only to take it but to hit back. It gives you an opportunity, I think, when you're fighting on even ground to redirect the conversation to something more productive for voters."
The candidate himself, speaking to reporters after an event in southeastern Iowa, said he thinks about half of Iowans are still undecided.
Edwards was wrapping up a four-day, 17-county swing through Iowa. The trip was largely aimed at rural Iowans, and he spoke about aiding family farms, extending technology into all corners of the country and offering incentives to attract top teachers throughout the country.
"We need a president who instead of standing up for these big, corporate farming corporations, actually stands up for the family farmer," he told a crowd of more than 150 people in Corydon, a town of about 1,600.
Organizers there said Edwards was the first of the front-runners to visit Wayne County, where he spoke at a museum featuring old farm implements.
Edwards called for creating up to a million new jobs by making the country more energy independent with cleaner alternatives to oil. "A lot of those jobs ought to be in rural America," he said.
He blamed the Bush administration for the number of Americans who struggle to make ends meet and said, "We have the worst economic equality in this country since the Great Depression."
"You look at what's happening under Bush, and we've got a few people who are doing extremely well and everybody else is struggling," he told the group, which included farmers wearing bib overalls.
Edwards has been working to throw off the image of a wealthy politician with an extravagant home and expensive haircuts, and distinguish himself as a candidate for the working people. He frequently accuses his rivals, especially Clinton, of being Washington insiders out of touch with real people. At almost every stop he reminds crowds that his father was a mill worker, and that he put in his time at the mill during college.
So did Dean, and was that ever funny. Pity it won't happen to Hillary.
Sorry John, this time it’s different. Hillary is the choice of our Mainstream Media and they’re giving her free advertising.
The Breck Girl is a political lightweight, but he has a point. However, HitLIARy Clinton is no Howard (the Scream) Dean!! Barring a miracle, she’ll still be standing when the Donkey National Convention is over.
Did John say that or did his wife??
Sorry, Johnny, even the Democrats are looking for someone a little more masculine.
Lets hope he is right. Don’t like Edwards. Don’t like Obama. HATE Hitlery.
“Satan leads by 29. “
I think Satan would be a better choice for President over Hitlery.
Here's a quote from Dean to Dale Ungerer of Iowa, Jan. 11, 2004
"You sit down. You've had your say, and now I'm going to have my say.''
The world looks different when viewed out your sphincter.
Ho did Howard Dean end up as head of the DNC?
I though the last presidential primary winner (Kerry) got that job.
Wow - imagine hilLIARy as DNC leader...
“So, you’d rather have Pure Evil over Mostly Evil?”
Keep in mind, Satan used to be an angel. Hillary was hellspawned from the start.
I explained to her that Howard Dean offered the best hope for the Democrats because he was a lot better at inspiring the youth of the party, but there is a danger there. She was puzzled I said that and asked what danger.
My reply was .."Dean has a problem saying the wrong thing at the worst possible moment...in front of the cameras. He will detonate his campaign with his own mouth."
Fortunately, I was correct. Unfortunately, it was 6 months too soon. YYYYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAHAHHHHHHAAAAAA!!!!!!
I use the name Satan in deference to Imus because his calling Hillary Satan is really what got him fired off the air.
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