They're the soul men...

...according to the Seattle P-I's Joel Connelly, who's reporting from Iowa this week.

He writes about the personal touch that's been integral to the approach of Kerry, Edwards and Gephardt on the campaign trail, as they draw from life experiences to forge a bond with Iowa voters.

"In a cynical age," Joel writes, "it's easy to dismiss such appeals."

"Still, with Gephardt in the hospital waiting room -- and Kerry coming to oppose the war he was fighting and Wade Edwards' death motivating his father -- one believes there is genuine passion behind the packaging."

Is there a name missing from that rundown? Don't worry, Joel doesn't leave Dean out (though Dean might wish that he did).

"The soul in Howard Dean's campaign, by contrast, is provided by supporters and not the candidate."