Newsweek: Edwards back in Iowa

Newsweek covered John Edwards' trip to Iowa this weekend, including the Warren Co. Democrats BBQ. The story will appear in the issue that is released next Friday, but is available online now. The article discusses the early advantage Edwards has, but fails to mention that Edwards has visited the state 10 times since the last election.

One key advantage Edwards is counting on: people know who he is. His retooled stump speech takes ironic jabs at his old campaign persona. ("There is the chance that at least one of you remembers that I'm the son of a millworker," he told the Indianola audience.) His advisers learned in 2004 that the hardest hurdle a candidate faces is simply getting voters to remember his name. That's not a problem in Iowa anymore, they say. "A Warner or Evan Bayh would have to spend $30 million to get where Edwards is," says an aide who asked not to be identified speaking about a still unannounced campaign. Other campaigns point out that a figure as well known as Edwards will have a hard time redefining himself.