Opinion: Edwards revises his gameplan

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As the web video battle rages in the top echelons of the Democratic presidential race --- late last week, the independently produced ‘I Got a Crush ... on Obama’ was the hot item; now its Hillary Clinton’s Sopranos-inspired spoof grabbing attention --- John Edwards apparently is engaged with a more basic concern: How to keep his name in the mix.

Today’s Politico smartly lies out the recalibrations going on in the Edwards camp, from honing his message to making sure he doesn’t neglect New Hampshire.

The story reports that in a speech Thursday in New York, Edwards plans to build on his 2004 campaign theme of ‘two Americas’ (separated by class and ethnic differences) with a more focused attempt to lay out his vision for creating ‘one America of opportunity.’

Also, his campaign --- which has been concentrating on building support in Iowa --- now intends to more aggressively compete in New Hampshire. Both he and his wife, Elizabeth, have vowed to spend more time there.

Elizabeth Edwards’ efforts could prove especially effective. The dramatic revelation earlier this year that she is again battling cancer catapulted her into the national consciousness. And, as detailed in a recent New York Times story, she has become a major plus for her husband on the campaign trail.

-- Don Frederick