I think Edwards is going to be the key to November...

[vi5]

...in one form or another. I think if he is the nominee that we could have a pretty serious shot in November. I'm not saying a slam dunk and I'm not even an Edwards supporter. But I could easily be persuaded to see the southern angle and the (perceived)youthful charm thing really pulling him ahead and making him a formidable threat to bush*.

And if not the nominee, I think whoever the nominee is would be very wise to pick him as a VP. Pretty much any of the other potential contendors (Dean, Clark, Kerry) would be perfectly complimented by Edwards on the ticket and would have each of their perceived weak points offset by him.

I'm sure people will disagree, but talking with people around me it seems like this guy could be a tremendous asset, whichever route we as democrats choose to take.

[CWebster]

1. There are things about Edwards

that are a bit inexperienced and a little green, it's true, but his commentary on the poor in this country was impressive, while Kerry listed "welfare reform" as one of the accomplishments when asked about the "values" question.

It's the small things that gives you insight into character, and I thought Edwards concern for the poor was a testament to why Kucinich might call him a friend.

[bearfartinthewoods]

10. that comes through better with Edwards than with Kerry because

Kerry has never been anything but rich. he's an ok guy and all but his life has been nothing at all like mine and in some things, you really do have to walk a mile in the other person's shoes before you understand. no one has to teach or coach Edwards to understand what it's like to work for a living, day in and day out, every day of your life. he's seen it first hand and personal and it shows in his philosophy.

[meegbear]

2. Listening to NPR this morning ....

they were at the PNAC convention. Every conservative type was there, defining themselves as conservative before repug. When they asked about who they'll vote for, they said *.

They were asked about which of the Democratic candidates would be the biggest challenge to *. Some said Kerry/Clark for their military background, but a majority said Edwards. As one said, he is the everyman Democrat who can relate to the common man.

[Ridley Park 704]

3. Yeah, Edwards can go far

He needs to get somewhere on the ticket, picking up some southern states because I fear not all Gore states will repeat. (Not all Bush 1992 states repeated in 1996.)

What if Democrats lose PA? They'll need states from Edwards' backyard, and I think he can help bring them in.

When he speaks it never sounds like he's trying to mislead. In short, he's no used car salesman. Get this guy on the ticket.

[tryanhas]

8. Very few people care about who your VP is!

Look and Cheney and Gore!

Putting Edwards at the number 2 wouldn't help any of the other candidates, and it's not going to help in the south either.

Southerners don't care if your VP is from the south...

[mmonk]

4. the only problem with Edwards

is the country will never have the debate (I feel is necessary in a democracy) on the events leading up to the Iraq war.

[Anaxamander]

5. He's getting a lot of word of mouth,

at least around my office. The people I work seem to regard all the candidates with suspicion, calling Bush a liar, Dean crazy, Kerry wooden, Clark a Republican, Lieberman a super duper Republican, Sharpton a con man and Kucinich a non-factor. But they see Edwards as a southern JFK. He could take this ball and run with it right into the WH.

[Demo Gog]

6. I agree.

Back in 2001, when it was still believed that Gore would run again, I had already jumped ship - for John Edwards. I just knew he was going places. I don't believe we can afford to wait - he's got incredible talent and SHOULD be on the ticket this year (my preference is at the top).

[waterman]

7. I like him and I trust him. He has good direct eye contact and

doesn't seem shifty. He seems to have thought out the issues and has a clear idea where he stands. He seems confident, but not overly so.

[tryanhas]

9. The top of the ticket is the only place he would be effective

Look, so many people, Carville, Brooks, and Mark Shields included have talked about how talented he is as a campaigner, and Carville said that he is the best that he HAS EVER SEEN on the stump and interacting with the audience. Shilds said that he is even better than Clinton was.

Even Republicans like Novak who I hate, have also talked about how talented Edwards is.

If you put him on the bottom of the ticket, when he attends an event with whoever is at the top of the ticket, he is going to MAKE THEM LOOK BAD everytime just for the fact that he is magnetic in a room. He is so much better than all of the other candidates when it comes to speaking and connecting with people.

It would be an injustice to make him someone's trophy, when he is clearly the best candidate. When you get praise like that, "BETTER THAN CLINTON" and "BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN" from people who have been around for a while, or when Carville mentions your name on Crossfire like he did the other day and then just goes off into this dazed look staring off into space and smirking just thinking about YOUR POTENTIAL totally oblivious as to what the other guys are saying, you know that you have a special candidate there!

Edwards must be on the top of the ticket. If not, he CAN'T be on the ticket anywhere, because whichever candidate is on the top will look bad campaigning next to him...