This is the latest report from the National Journal/NBC reporters embedded with the campaigns of top presidential contenders and in two key states.

If you needed evidence that Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards was not on his usual stumping grounds Thursday, you could find it in the "Beshear/Mongiado" signs lining the highway, the country and classic rock stations dominating the airwaves, and the buzz about next weekend's Civil War days -- complete with battle re-enactments and a ball.

Edwards spoke at a state park overlooking the Mississippi River outside Columbus, Ky., after residents "demanded" during a summer contest on Eventful.com that he visit there. Columbus, population 229, beat second-place Eureka, Calif. in the contest.

More than 1,200 people showed up for the event, many from out of state, and at least nine yellow school buses were among the vehicles parked on the grass coming into the park. Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina, used the opportunity to emphasize his rural upbringing.

"When I went away to college, I thought I was a hick in the big city," he said to laughter. "I thought it because it was true."

Angela Callis said Edwards' emphasis on rural issues was what sold her on him when she met him during the general election in 2004. She drove about 40 miles from northwestern Tennessee to hear him speak at Columbus.

"He understands that out biggest assets [in rural areas] are our children, and they leave rural America as soon as they can," she said.

Several local voters said they would support Edwards simply because he honored his promise to come to Columbus. "If he comes to Columbus, I'm going to vote for him," David Bencini, a fish market owner in Columbus, said before the event. -- Tricia Miller