The yellow ribbon decals are everywhere on cars and trucks. Now Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democrat vice presidential candidate John Edwards, is wearing one she was given in Lewiston.

Kerry-Edwards volunteer Sheila Desgrosseilliers of Auburn was chosen to introduce Edwards at Lewiston-Auburn College on Wednesday. After Edwards made her way to the center of the room, shaking hands along the way, Desgrosseilliers gave her the yellow ribbon pin on behalf of her son and others serving in Iraq. “I don’t agree with the war, but I support my son and all others in the military,” Desgrosseilliers said. She asked if Kerry-Edwards are elected, they bring her son and the others home, safely and soon.

Edwards, who is a lawyer and mother, responded by hugging Desgrosseilliers and put the pin on her jacket, growing her collection.

She also wears a Kerry-Edwards pin, a mustard seed necklace a woman gave her in memory of the woman’s son who was killed in Iraq, and a children’s pin she was given that represents afterschool programs.

“I’m not much of a jewerly wearer,” Edwards said later, adding she sometimes forgets to wear one of the pieces. “But I’m going to try not to forget this yellow one. I want to make sure I wear it.”

Who’s counting?

Mrs. Edwards was another big political name to campaign in Lewiston recently as Maine’s 2nd Congressional District has become a player in the presidential election, as reported this week by CNN. Others who have visited since Sept. 10 include First Lady Laura Bush, John Edwards, Kerry’s stepson Chris Heinz, and first daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush.

Ads heavy in Maine

According to an Associated Press story, Michigan, Oregon and Maine are still seeing heavy levels of advertising by both the Bush and Kerry campaigns, but those states appear to be leaning toward Kerry.

The race is now most focused on 10 states: Florida, Ohio, Iowa, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Minnesota. As the race enters the homestretch, both campaigns adjust where their advertising money goes according to which the polls show as battle grounds.

When ads by liberal and conservative third-party groups in those 14 states are excluded, Democrats have an edge over Republicans on the air in the top prizes of the Nov. 2 election – vote-rich Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania – as well as in four Midwest states, New Mexico and Maine, according to an AP analysis of airtime bought this week.

But that may change. Bush’s campaign often increases advertising every few days ,depending on polls. And the Republican National Committee is preparing to launch millions of dollars worth of commercials in the most hotly contested states, independently from the president’s campaign.

Singing with King

When singer-song writer Carole King stumped for John Kerry in Lewiston last Sunday, fans not only had the chance to meet her, they also sang with her.

As King walked into the Lewiston campaign headquarters, she was wearing a hooded black sweater and jeans. King told the group a song she wrote years ago is now her campaign song for Kerry. She asked the group to sing, “You’ve Got a Friend” with her. They did.

On Saturday former Maine Gov. Angus King stumped and sang for Kerry with Carole King in Portland and Waterville. “Getting to sing with Carole King is like getting to play catch with Tom Brady,” the other King said. — By Staff Writers Christopher Williams and Bonnie Washuk

The Associated Press contributed to this report .