Edwards' populism is a risky bet

The broader political challenge in championing a new war on poverty is that middle- and upper-class voters may not see it as relevant to their lives. But Edwards also has initiatives aimed at the economic insecurity higher on the income ladder, such as his plan for universal health insurance. That plan would require people to buy health insurance, demand that employers pay part of the cost, and expand government programs for the poor.

"Most people do think of themselves as middle class -- especially the people who vote -- while the poor are a minority," said Ruy Teixeira, a policy analyst at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank. "Health insurance is a good way of welding together the poor and middle class and doing something for both at the same time."

The cost of Edwards' campaign promises is a tidy sum -- more than $125 billion a year, according to an estimate by the Associated Press. But Edwards says deficit reduction should take a back seat to fighting poverty and expanding health insurance. He has also suggested that he might raise taxes on the affluent to help pay for his programs.

His message of economic populism and strident opposition to the Iraq war may not be well-received everywhere, but it seems to be working in Iowa, where Edwards is leading in many polls.

"Edwards is the perfect Iowa candidate," said William A. Galston, a former advisor to President Clinton. "But if he cannot win Iowa, he is dead."

janet.hook@latimes.com

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Anti-poverty agenda

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Key points in John Edwards' plan to cut poverty in America:

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* Give low-income families

housing vouchers so they can move into better

neighborhoods

* Issue "work bonds" to help low-income workers build

assets

* Create 1 million jobs for the unemployed

* Start a college tuition aid

program

* Develop universal healthcare

Source: Times staff