Stuck in the low teens in national polls, lost in the crowd in debates, unable to compete in fundraising, the Edwards campaign has problems which seem insurmountable despite his persistent lead in Iowa. Carl Leubsdorf opines for Real Clear Politics:

His hopes depend almost entirely on keeping his tenuous lead in the Iowa caucuses, where he ran second in 2004. But that strategy is risky and could be disastrous if even a small number of his Iowa supporters decide later this year against voting for a candidate with dubious national prospects.

To be fair, only some of Mr. Edwards' problems are of his own making. Many reflect the changed circumstances of this political landscape compared with four years ago. They include:

•In 2004, Mr. Edwards was the year's most attractive new face, dazzling crowds with his trial lawyer oratorical skills. But he was unimpressive as the party's vice presidential nominee, especially in debating Dick Cheney. Now, Mr. Obama is the hot newcomer, attracting large and excited crowds. And Mrs. Clinton, as the first major female candidate, seems more exciting than Mr. Edwards.

•The Democratic field is much stronger than four years ago. It has two heavyweight contenders in Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama, and even the second tier has major figures. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson dwarfs all in experience, having been a House member, a governor, a Cabinet member and U.N. ambassador. Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut are major Senate players and veterans of more than 30 years in Congress. As a one-term former senator, Mr. Edwards has the least elective experience.

Read it all at the link above. Even "second-tier" Richardson and Biden can show their supporters some slight progress, if not enough to make them genuine contenders. Edwards staked out his support early, and has managed to hold onto most of it through good news and bad, but seems unable to expand it.

Maybe it's because he simply isn't qualified for the job he seeks, and never was. Maybe it's because he persists in using "two Americas" rhetoric while building a house which could be an airplane hangar and billing his campaign for his expensive hairdos, cucumber collagen facials, and Brazilian body waxes. Maybe it's just because America doesn't want a sleazy trial lawyer in the White House.