Here's some interesting Iowa entrance poll data for you: http://www.blueoregon.com/...
Obama Edwards Clinton
Liberal 40/36 16/25 24/25 (very/somewhat)
Moderate 33 22 31
Conservative 21 44 22
Considering that Edwards is generally regarded in these parts as the most progressive of the three candidates, how do you explain these numbers? What is it that the voters are missing that those of us who pore over the policy proposals are getting?
My take on part of it is that Edwards is particularly hurt among the very liberal due to his Iraq war vote--they perceive Obama as more pure (despite his lackluster opposition to the war in the senate). I also think that the more liberal voters are more likely to respond to some of Obama's themes evoking the civil rights movement--they want to be part of history in electing the first black president.
However, I don't really understand the appeal of Edwards to self-described conservatives. I wouldn't expect the message of seizing power from powerful interests (lobbyists, corporations, entrenched power in general) to be one that would resonate with them. Are these numbers due to perceptions of electability--did the conservatives vote for Edwards because they thought a southern white man was more likely to be electable?
As usual, I wish voters would focus more on policy...