New polls show the democratic presidential race in Iowa is a dead heat. The latest Reuters poll shows a virtual four-way tie in the race for support in Iowa’s Caucuses. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt and North Carolina Senator John Edwards are each campaigning furiously to try to turn the tide their way. Kerry’s traveling around western Iowa today, in a helicopter, on his last minute campaign blitz. Former Illinois Senator Carol Moseley Braun quit the race today and threw her endorsement to Dean Braun said she wanted to thank everybody for their kindnesses and for allowing her to participate as a candidate for the democratic party’s presidential nomination. Braun called the campaign a “wonderful learning experience” and said it restored her faith in the political process. Gephardt has seven stops on his schedule today, including a union rally tonight in Marshalltown with Teamsters president James P. Hoffa. Edwards climbed aboard a bus after a rally in Des Moines.Edwards told his supporters they have “five days to change this country” and Edwards said there’s “energy and excitement” everywhere he goes. Edwards said the attacks his competitors have unleashed on him are evidence he’s begun to climb in the polls. Edwards said Americans are tired of “this negative politics” and are “looking for a President they can be proud of.” Edwards said “cynics didn’t build America; optimists built America and optimists are going to make the changes” he’s outlined.
