"Edwards Campaign Calls Nevada Race a Dead Heat"

The Caucus (NY Times political blog):The Caucus (NY Times political blog):

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Edwards campaign characterized the Nevada race as a three-way dead heat in a conference call with reporters today, pointing to poll numbers and a robust field operation in the state.

Speaking from Nevada, David Bonior, the national campaign manager, said the Edwards campaign contacted 15,000 potential caucus goers last weekend, roughly one-third of the overall expected turnout.

“This campaign is a three way race,” Mr. Bonior said. “And this is a huge sign of strength for John Edwards as we march into Nevada and South Carolina.”

Mr. Edwards has made 17 trips to the state, roughly the same as Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama combined, Mr. Bonior added.

The poll by the Reno Gazette-Journal, released Monday morning, showed Mr. Obama with 32 percent, Mrs. Clinton with 30 percent and Mr. Edwards with 27 percent.

The Edwards campaign has played down Mr. Edwards’s losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, saying that he is prepared to continue campaigning through Super Tuesday and beyond even without winning a single state.

Hoping to show that the campaign is still looking ahead to Super Tuesday states, the campaign is planning a “fly-around” on Thursday and Friday, stopping in California, Oklahoma, Missouri and Georgia, before returning to South Carolina to campaign before the primary on Jan. 26.

Howie P.S.: Ben Smith features four new ads from Edwards here.