WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, 3:40 a.m. - A person’s style of dress is a mode of communication.  Dress is an outlet by which a person says something about themselves.  Dress makes a statement.

Presidential hopeful John Edwards made his statement in the final days of the Iowa campaign.  His casual dress was in stark contrast to the formal wear donned by other Democratic frontrunners Hillary Rodham Clinton LAW ’73 and Barack Obama. 

Edwards wore a black blazer and white collared shirt to a rally featuring singer-songwriter John Mellencamp in West Des Moines on January 2.  He complemented the formality with the laborer’s signature article of clothing: jeans. 

Edwards self-identifies himself as a champion for the middle class.  He regularly emphasizes his position as an advocate for the working man.  He wants to be regarded as “one of the guys,” and he is dressing the part.

Chris Young