Democratic candidate John Edwards

Ames, Iowa: Democratic presidential hopeful, the former senator John Edwards, arrives at a town hall meeting at Ames high school on Sunday December 16 2007 Photograph: Kevin Sanders/AP

Washington, DC: Women greet John Edwards as he arrives to speak to the Service Employees International Union in September 2007 Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP

Dubuque, Iowa: John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth wait to be introduced while making a campaign appearance with actor Kevin Bacon at Loras college Photograph: Jeremy Portje/AP

Hampton, New Hampshire: John Edwards speaks at a meeting at a supporter's residence in October 2007 as part of two days of campaigning in the state Photograph: Robert Spencer/Getty

Iowa City, Iowa: Actor Tim Robbins stands with John Edwards in the hallway of the Iowa City public library Photograph: David Lienemann/AP

Des Moines, Iowa: A supporter of John Edwards waits for the candidate to speak at a November 2007 rally before the Jefferson Jackson dinner, an Iowa caucus tradition Photograph: Yana Paskova/Getty

Grinnell, Iowa: Musicians Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne perform while campaigning for John Edwards at Grinnell college in November 2007 Photograph: David Lienemann/Getty

Des Moines, Iowa: Supporters of John Edwards listen as he speaks at a December 2007 rally at the Polk County Convention Complex to kick off a bus tour of Iowa Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty

Johnston, Iowa: John Edwards laughs and Hillary Rodham Clinton smiles during the Des Moines Register Democratic presidential debate Photograph: Charlie Neibergall/AP

Des Moines, Iowa: John Edwards waves to bystanders while walking in the Des Moines Iowa Labour Day parade on September 3 2007 Photograph: David Lienemann/Getty

Burbank, California: John Edwards joins striking Hollywood writers on the picket line outside CBS Studios on the 12th day of the dispute between the Writers Guild of America and producers Photograph: David McNew/Getty

Youngstown, Ohio: John Edwards meets with residents of Beatitude House, a shelter for homeless women and children, while campaigning on his July 2007 Poverty Tour, which took in eight states over three days Photograph: Jeff Swensen/Getty

Durham, New Hampshire: John Edwards answers questions from students and an online audience at the inaugural MySpace/MTV presidential candidate dialogue at the University of New Hampshire on September 27 2007 Photograph: Frank Micelotta/Getty

Des Moines. Iowa: John Edwards at the Iowa state fair on August 16 2007 Photograph: Charles Ommanney/Getty

Des Moines, Iowa: John Edwards waves as his bus leaves the Polk County Convention Complex following a December 2007 rally to kick off an eight-day bus tour of the state Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty