Article: Election 2004; Dick Gephardt; Champion of working folks in the heartland; Blue-collar strategy works well for him in the Midwest.(NEWS)(SERIES: Election 2004)

Byline: Kevin Diaz; Staff Writer

Bevington, Iowa -- Standing on Bob Bell's farm on the outskirts of town, Dick Gephardt found himself wedged between a pair of teleprompters and a field of golden corn, mingling with large men in seed caps and union jackets.

Gephardt's idea of heaven? Yes, it's Iowa.

Voters here will make or break the Missouri Democrat's presidential hopes come the first-in-the-nation January caucuses, which he won 15 years ago in his first White House bid.

"Iowa voters are very good judges," Gephardt said between campaign stops. "This is a good place to start the process."

No state is more critical to any other ...

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