Most of the Democratic presidential candidates who’ve been campaigning in Iowa this week stopped off at the State Fair to campaign and stand on the “soapbox” sponsored by the Des Moines Register to give a short stemwinder. North Carolina Senator John Edwards focused on education reform, and the lack of federal support for schools during his “soapbox” stop yesterday. Edwards says if the federal government sets standards, then it must follow through with the resources to help schools meet those standards. Edwards says the federal government needs to help boost teacher pay, and lure new teachers into the profession. Edwards proposes “bonus incentive pay” for teachers who serve in “chronically disadvantaged areas.” Edwards says college students who promise to teach in disadvantaged schools should get a federal scholarship that covers their college tuition. Edwards says the feds need to spend more on HeadStart and after-school programs, too.