Adam Duckworth hopes that in 2004, John Edwards will be the 44th president of the United States.

From start to finish of the North Carolina senator's campaign, Duckworth, a political science sophomore, will try to pass on Edwards' beliefs and cause.

On Friday morning, Duckworth climbed into the 15-passenger van that took him across three states in the last days before the Iowa caucus.

As the van coasted along the highway and through the Wyoming fog, Duckworth received the news he desperately wanted to hear, as the latest polls of the Iowa caucus indicated that Edwards was in a dead heat with three other candidates.

"We are all very excited and ready to get to work," he said over the phone while traveling through Wyoming.

Duckworth is traveling with eight other students from ASU, NAU and one from Fort Collins, Colo., to volunteer for Edwards' campaign.

Beginning his trek on Thursday afternoon, Duckworth knew that he had a grueling 20-hour drive ahead of him.

He justified the trip by saying, "I feel passionate about Edwards' message and I want do whatever I can do to help."

For Duckworth, campaigning started months ago; when those seeking the nomination began expressing their views on everything from the economy to the war in Iraq.

"I read all of the candidate's platforms, and John Edwards just struck me. While other candidates just stated briefly whether they were for or against the war, Edwards came out with a 52-page document stating his position and why. I had to then ask myself, who has the best chance of beating George W. Bush? My answer was Edwards," Duckworth said.

Duckworth and his companions reported to Sioux City, Iowa, along with an estimated 500 others to help Edwards.

When asked what exactly he would be doing, Duckworth replied, "Whatever they want me to do."

A representative from the Edwards campaign in Iowa said, "Adam will be one of the many, many people doing hands-on work to inform people that John Edwards is the right choice in Iowa and for the White House."

Duckworth made phone calls and went door-to-door asking voters on the fence to get out and vote for Edwards.

"We need to push those people who would vote for Edwards, but aren't motivated enough to go the polls," he said.

The efforts of volunteers like Duckworth culminated last night when an expected 100,000 Iowans voted in the caucus. Edwards came in a close second to John Kerry with more than 30 percent of the vote. The Iowa caucus is the first on the long campaign trail for the nomination.

Iowa has always stood as an important first victory for a candidate.

By the time the results came in late last night, Duckworth was already back on the road to Tucson in order to be back in class tomorrow morning.

Duckworth will continue his support for Edwards by preparing for the Feb. 3 primary in Arizona.