Edwards the Beautiful

I'm not a big fan of John Edwards. He was trounced in the 2004 VP debate, while managing to quite shockingly use the opponents personal family life to try(and fail) to score political points (remember the reference to Cheney's daughter). He could not hold his home state.

Still, however, he has spent the last two plus years preparing for the presidential election. His "two Americas" narrative about the gap between the rich and poor in the country is interesting and politically potent. We saw this strategy work well in both Ohio and Pennsylvania in this last election. He also understands how to mix it up with the most powerful Republican candidate in the field. His terming of the Iraq surge as the ""McCain doctrine" is politically astute.

A good article about Edwards

Barack

Obama-mania needs to stop. If the last 6 years have taught us anything it is that winning elections is not the only metric for determining a good presidential candidate. He also has to be able to govern. Obama's extensive experience in public office aside, he has no proven track record, no significant legislation, and no significant policy idea put forth. He has spent his time in the Senate campaigning for president. Obama represents what is worst about American politics -- all image, no substance. There is nothing "fresh" about that.

-- RA