(AFP) – Dec 18, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — John Edwards, a former senator and ex-running mate to Democrat John Kerry in 2004, is widely viewed as an underdog with a fighting chance in the political race for the White House.

The third-place presidential hopeful, who often fails to grab the spotlight drawn by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, is campaigning furiously in the key electoral state of Iowa, where he needs to garner significant support in order to keep his campaign hopes alive.

Described as "relentless" and a person who "hates to lose," Newsweek magazine predicted the former trial lawyer could surprise the pundits and win in Iowa by "wrapping up smaller, far-flung precincts" even if he loses out on the state's bigger cities.

Edwards, whose wife Elizabeth has joined him on the campaign trail even as she battles cancer, has largely stayed clear of the barb-trading between Clinton and Obama.

Instead he has focused on reaching out to voters by embarking on an eight-day bus tour deep into the four corners of the largely agricultural and rural state, earning the endorsement of Iowa's first lady Mari Culver, the wife of Governor Chet Culver.

"John has spent his career standing up for children and families in their hour of need," she said in a statement.

"I admire his commitment to speaking out for those who have no voice and look forward to working with him to make sure children here in Iowa and across the country are safe and secure and have the opportunity to realize their dreams."

That kind of support can go a long way in a small state like Iowa, which has three million residents and largely sets the tone for the presidential primaries with its first nominating caucus of the campaign, set for January 3.

Four years ago, Kerry earned the endorsement of the Iowa governor's wife, at that time Christine Vilsack, before winning the Iowa caucus and subsequently the Democratic nomination.

Culver's vote of confidence, however, clashed with the tongue-lashing Edwards received in the Des Moines Register newspaper, which accused Edwards of being too severe and showing less of the positive presence he had before.

"We too seldom saw the 'positive, optimistic' campaign we found appealing in 2004. His harsh anti-corporate rhetoric would make it difficult to work with the business community to forge change," the newspaper said.

Edwards, a wealthy lawyer who is the son of a textile worker, emphasized throughout his campaign the "two Americas" theme, describing the clash between the haves and have-nots; the corporate giants versus the individual.

"One of the reasons that we've lost jobs, we're having trouble creating jobs, we're having trouble growing and strengthening the middle class is because corporate power and greed have literally taken over the government," he said in a debate Thursday.

"If you want a fighter ... you are looking at somebody -- I'm 54 years old -- who has spent his entire life engaged in this fight and winning this fight that we must win to be able to do the things that we want to do for this country."

That kind of pizzazz has driven Edwards higher in the campaign polls. According to an average of polls compiled by RealClearPolitics.com, Edwards has 23 percent of likely voters' support in Iowa, compared to 26.3 for Clinton and 29.8 for Obama.

Making the rounds of political talk shows over the weekend, Edwards emphasized the next step in the campaign, stressing that he would be the candidate most able to stand up to any Republican foe.

"I'm the strongest candidate in the general election," Edwards told ABC news on Sunday.

Even former president Bill Clinton, whose wife Hillary has seen her lead over her Democratic rival slip in recent weeks, acknowledged on Friday that Edwards is a formidable contender.

"Edwards is really good," Clinton told PBS television. "You are underestimating his chances. Edwards might win in Iowa."

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