Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, the Democratic Party’s 2004 vice presidential candidate, made stops in nine Iowa cities this weekend to help local Democratic candidates.

“We have to make it clear that what’s at stake in these elections is not just the future of America but the future of the world,” Edwards says. “Without our leadership, the world’s chaotic and that’s what we’re seeing today.”

Edwards predicts a backlash on Election Day against Republicans. “I think it’s a reaction to the scandals and the corruption and the war in Iraq,” Edwards says. “People just want to see a new direction.”

Edwards made his comments just before he delivered a speech late Sunday afternoon in Altoona. Edwards was in Independence, Cedar Rapids, Solon, Iowa City, Fairfield and Fort Madison on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon he made other stops in Ottumwa and Oskaloosa.