Granite State gives Edwards bounce

NASHUA -- Lunchtime at Roland's Diner had not been as crowded this political season as it was yesterday, with so many cameramen and campaign workers jostling one another and patrons, who were fighting for a glimpse of a reinvigorated John Edwards.

The North Carolina senator finished second in the Iowa caucuses three days ago, trouncing expectations that he would bring up the rear of the pack. Around New Hampshire, the media contingent trailing him was bigger than ever, and many voters interviewed said that, like Iowa Democrats, they were giving Edwards a second look.

Anne Peschier of Merrimack, a senior citizen who works a "modest job" to get health care benefits, said that Edwards's performance in Iowa forced her to reassess her support for former Vermont governor Howard Dean.

"We were truly impressed and surprised. Who knew he would do so well?" she said.

"He reminds me of Clinton during his first campaign," said Nashua retiree Marci Lambert, referring to Bill Clinton's successful presidential run in 1992. "Whatever it is, he's got it."

Pauline Roberge, 68, of Nashua, said it was the charm of Edwards: "You know what I love about him? He looks you in the eyes."

Louise Ricker, head waitress at the Nashua diner, said it was the most crowded political event held there this primary season.

With three-dozen voters crammed inside the small diner with his large traveling party, Edwards continued the style of campaigning that he said was the key to his winning votes in Iowa -- refraining from attack politics and "focusing on [voters] instead of other politicians."

A Boston Globe/WBZ tracking poll released yesterday indicated Edwards was in fourth place with 11 percent support in the Granite State. But with a primary looming Feb. 3 in South Carolina, where he was born, Edwards appears to be in good position to wage a competitive fight for the nomination.

Edwards continued sounding his theme of "two Americas," in which he paints the nation as starkly divided along an economic fault line in which a small elite possess political influence and economic advantage while the rest of the country struggles.

He reminded voters at every stop about his positive tack, a quality that clearly appealed to Iowans in the days before the caucuses Monday. He did point out that some of his Democratic opponents lacked his geographic advantage, saying his Southern roots would earn him votes.

Later in the afternoon, Edwards visited National Aperture Inc., a Salem-based maker of tiny mechanical components for the medical device and aerospace industries. He told employees he would fund improvements in math and science programs in public schools to help American students compete with the rapidly expanding tech work forces in China and India.

Steve Coonrod, 23, an independent voter, was not totally swayed. He voted for Bush in 2000 and is leaning that way again. But he did give Edwards some credit.

"I can read through people like crazy . . . and he sounded very sincere," said Coonrod. But on Edwards's bashing of Bush's economic stewardship, he said, "I don't really buy that at all."

Raja Mishra can be reached at rmishra@globe.com.