AP: Edwards embarks on "marathon"
From the Associated Press:
AMES, Iowa (AP) - Democrat John Edwards embarked on a 36-hour campaign marathon, focusing on pocketbook issues while launching a new wave of advertising on the airwaves and in print. He dismissed a spate of polls showing that he had sunk to third place in the race."I don't need a poll to tell me that we're moving and moving in the right direction every single day," said Edwards.
He campaigned with his family and Mari Culver, wife of Iowa Gov. Chet Culver.
"I am rolling up my sleeves, traveling with the campaign," said Mrs. Culver, who - like Edwards - is a former trial lawyer and has long known the candidate.
Edwards was met by about 500 people jammed into a ballroom at the student union at Iowa State University as he began the overnight campaign push, aimed at energizing backers and delivering them to the precinct caucuses Thursday. He planned a rally in Atlantic at midnight and had a stop at 2:15 a.m. in Creston and an early breakfast in Centerville at 5:15 a.m.
Meanwhile new television and newspaper ads focused on Edwards' populist message. A TV spot features a worker - who lost his job when the Maytag factory in Newton closed - suggesting Edwards is the most likely candidate to fight to get his job back.