Edwards may benefit the most from Vilsack's departure

If Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama over-hype themselves too early, look for John Edwards to make his move.  As the Des Moines Register wrote this morning, many of Tom Vilsack's Iowa supporters are likely to switch over to the Edwards camp.  That would be a huge boost for Edwards in a state that in 2004 basically determined the nomination:

"If any candidate inherits something from Tom Vilsack's departure fromthe Democratic presidential campaign, it's John Edwards."

What he gets: Pressure.

The former Iowa governor's campaignhinged on winning his home state's caucuses, the start of a fiercelycompetitive nominating gauntlet. Vilsack's decision Friday to quit therace shifts much of the burden of expectations in the caucuses toEdwards, the front-runner in early Iowa polls.

"Edwards has asmuch or more riding on the Iowa's outcome as any of the others,"University of Iowa political science professor Peverill Squire said.

And this is all true.  Edwards has been campaigning there ever since 2003.  He has visited all 99 counties, and knows the terrain better than any current presidential candidate in either party.  They love him in that state so much that no matter who Edwards faces in the general election, he would likely win the state of Iowa.

All politics is local.  John Edwards knows that getting the support of state lawmakers in Iowa would give him a huge advantage.  He is now using that strategy in New Hampshire.  Yesterday, a New Hampshire state senator held a fundraiser for Edwards in his living room:

"Honestly, if you don't bring up Iraq, I'll bring it up," the formerNorth Carolina senator told about 150 people gathered in a statesenator's living room and kitchen.

While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are certainly drawing the largest crowds, Edwards is finding ways to get closer to voters in the early primary states.

This is no longer a two-person race.  With the departure of Vilsack, Edwards is now also a front-runner.