Edwards campaign tries to benefit from Dean's woes

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is trying to take advantage of two unexpected political developments: Howard Dean's misfortunes and a surge in campaign contributions triggered by his own strong showing in Iowa.

It's enabled the North Carolina senator to look beyond his Southern base and pay for advertising in some states with delegate contests after Feb. 3, allowing him to compete more effectively against front-runner John Kerry, Edwards' strategists said.

While Dean is facing a serious financial crunch, Edwards' campaign said Thursday it had taken in $1 million in new contributions since Edwards' surprise second-place finish in Iowa's Jan. 19 caucuses.

Of that, $700,000 was raised over the Internet.