Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt, the perceived front-runner here in Iowa, was in nine cities over the weekend and plans to deliver a “major policy address” this morning in Cedar Rapids. North Carolina Senator John Edwards is not on the leader board, but could be poised to make a move. There was much ado when Howard Dean visited Howard County and crossed the threshold of having visited each of Iowa’s 99 counties. But Edwards has quietly canvassed Iowa, too. By the end of this week, Edwards will have visited 90 of Iowa’s 99 counties and by the end of December his campaign believes Edwards will have made stops in each county. In public appearances like last week’s debate in Des Moines, Edwards has been casting himself as the alternative to Howard Dean, a candidate who has tapped into Democrats’ anger over the war and George Bush. Edwards says “people are tired of listening to politicians yell at each other.” Edwards says in order to win, democrats must pick a candidate who offers something more than just “anger and criticism.” Edwards says democrats have to offer a “positive, optimistic, uplifting vision.” Edwards, who hands out a 60-page policy booklet at his events, says the American people want to know what the candidates are going to do, if elected. .
