"Edwards makes closing case in NH ad" (with video)

AP:

TITLE: "Power"

LENGTH: 30 seconds

AIRING: New Hampshire

SCRIPT: Edwards: "What will our next president do with the enormous power that comes with the office? I will restore America's moral authority in the world, confront people who exploit their power for personal advantage, stand up for people whose voices are ignored just like I've done all my life, be honest about the challenges we face and the choices we have, keep the promises I make, work every day to restore the American Dream. Because I know that the power that comes with the presidency comes from you."

Edwards voice over: "I'm John Edwards, and I approved this message."

KEY IMAGE: Edwards, in suit and tie, speaks as he sits in front of a picture window with a snow covered scene behind him.

ANALYSIS: With this ad Edwards continues his campaign summation, making his populist case that the power he intends to wield belongs to the voters. It's a closing argument that sounds much like Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign refrain: "You've got the power!" Dean's then-campaign manager, Joe Trippi, is a senior adviser to Edwards' campaign.

The ad offers no specific policy proposals but touches fleetingly on the top items of his presidential agenda — moving toward ending the U.S. presence in Iraq, confronting corporations and special interests, and addressing the needs of working Americans and the poor. His line that he will fight "like I've done all my life" is an echo of another one of his stock phrases: "That's a fight I was born for."

Edwards is in a tight three-way race in Iowa with Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. But his campaign is looking to shore up his support in New Hampshire, where he trails his top two rivals, and to take advantage of any momentum he might gain from a strong showing in the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses.

Howie P.S.: Here's the video (00:32). And here's the new 527 ad (video, 00:30) for Edwards now playing Iowa. The NY Times has video (03:06) of "John Edwards's Iowa Closing Argument." Paul Krugman has Edwards' back with "Progressives, To Arms!"