John Edwards’ presidential campaign is moving staffers out of Nevada to focus on the other early primary states, a major shift in strategy that could benefit Gov. Bill Richardson.
Edwards, according to the Associated Press, is moving some staffers from Nevada to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. The move comes as he and Richardson are fighting for third place in New Hampshire and Barack Obama is gaining on him for second place in Iowa.
Edwards is consistently in third in national polls.
The most recent Nevada poll, conducted in late June, had Hillary Clinton at 39 percent, Obama at 17 percent, Edwards at 12 percent and Richardson at 7 percent.
The move is certainly about shoring up support in the other early primary states. But it’s also likely about the shifting primary calendar. Nevada is currently ahead of New Hampshire, but that’s likely to change, and South Carolina might also move ahead of the only Western state to hold an early primary.
Richardson, on the other hand, is betting his entire campaign on finishing at least third in Iowa, which he believes will propel him to an impressive showing in New Hampshire, a win in Nevada and wins in other Western states – including California, New Mexico and Arizona – that plan to hold their primary contests on Feb. 5.
Richardson recently moved ahead of Edwards in an Arizona poll, further suggesting that the West isn’t Edwards’ best bet.
Edwards’ strategy appears to be based on impressive showings in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina that will propel him to victory in Southern, Eastern and Midwestern states on Feb. 5. Richardson isn’t putting much time or money into South Carolina.
Both are putting most of their resources into Iowa and New Hampshire as they seek to gain on the better-funded Clinton and Obama campaigns.
Edwards’ move is significant for Richardson, who appears to have helped knock a frontrunner out of the West. On the flip side, Edwards’ increased attention on Iowa and New Hampshire could mean he moves ahead of Richardson and New Hampshire and keeps Obama and Richardson from gaining any more ground in Iowa, which could make any gains by Richardson in the West irrelevant.
Richardson, like the other candidates, is in Iowa this week begging for votes at the state fair and participating in a candidate debate on Sunday morning. You can read about it from the Albuquerque Journal by clicking here.
He began airing new television ads in Iowa on Tuesday. One was first shown during a debate held last month, and the other is taken from a video on the governor’s campaign Web site, but both are new to Iowa voters. Learn more about the ads by clicking here.
John Edwards’ presidential campaign is moving staffers out of 
The most recent Nevada poll, conducted in late June, had Hillary Clinton at 39 percent, Obama at 17 percent, Edwards at 12 percent and Richardson at 7 percent.