Edwards manager Bonior supports NH and Iowa over home state Michigan

Visiting New Hampshire yesterday, John Edwards's national campaign manager David Bonior said he believed that Iowa and New Hampshire should keep their traditional first-in-the-nation roles in in the presidential primary process even though his home state of Michigan is among the states threatening both states for clout.

"I do believe there is a role for a larger state in this process whether that be Florida or wherever," Bonior said in an interview. "But this campaign is focused on the four early states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina because that is where the issues matter most."

The comments are among the ever Bonior has said publicly about the primary calendar. He represented Michigan in Congress for 26 years.

Iowa and New Hampshire have been fighting to keep their 35 year tradition of going first. Michigan is now moving ahead with plans to hold a contest ahead of the tentative dates for both states.

He also said that he was "very happy" with the way the campaign is going in New Hampshire.

"This is going to be a tremendous race here in New Hampshire," he said.