COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards suggested on Friday that Iowa voters understand his strong opposition to the Iraq war and they might have moved on.

“I think Iowa caucus-goers are on the front edge of the curve and I think a lot of the people who were here today could have told you what my position is on Iraq,” Edwards said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press.

Edwards, who spoke after an event on health care, wasn’t asked once about the war.

In part, Edwards said, that could be because of the event’s topic, but he said Iowans might have heard enough about his views on Iraq. Edwards, then a North Carolina senator, voted for the 2002 resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq but has since said his vote was wrong. “That would be some explanation for it,” he said. “They’ve heard me in public – and some of them in front of them. They have heard me talk about this.”

The 2004 vice presidential nominee began a two-day visit to Iowa in which he plans to focus on his health care plan that would provide coverage to all but also raise taxes.

Earlier this week, the Edwards’ campaign announced it would ship 70,000 DVDs explaining his health care plan to Iowa caucus voters.

Edwards said he was eager to fill any vacuum left in Iowa by the departure of former Gov. Tom Vilsack from the race. Earlier this week, Edwards’ campaign announced that 100 Vilsack supporters have indicated they now support Edwards.

“He (Vilsack) was a real force in Iowa and had a lot of support,” Edwards said. “I think now that he’s left the race that everyone will be seeking the support of those who were supporting him.”

During Friday’s session before more than 350 people at a senior center, Edwards spoke for about 20 minutes before taking questions. He was peppered with questions about domestic issues, including his health care plan, Medicare, education and the electoral process.

At one point, Edwards asked, “Isn’t anyone going to ask me about Iraq?”

When no one did, Edwards offered a quick summary, calling for the immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops from the region and a phased redeployment of the rest. He also called for engagement with Iran and Syria.

Asked about problems with the United States’ election system, Edwards said all campaigns should be fully funded with public money, but he did not commit to taking matching public financing if he is the Democratic nominee.