“Let’s see if I have this right. Kerry needed to pick Edwards because he’s “uplifting” and Kerry is not. Edwards’ positions are problems, but he’s a decent man? How about what’s right for the country. No, Andrew, Kerry failed the first test of leadership by simply abdicating it. What Bush did in 2000 was select a man who would add to his ticket and credibility, but stay in the background while Bush took his shot at convincing us he should be president; whereas what Kerry has done is choose someone who will be front-and-center carrying his water for him.
And if, as Saletan says, Edwards is being chosen because he can do what Kerry can’t, sell himself, then how on earth is Kerry going to be able to sell his policy positions to a hostile Congress or, heaven forbid, US positions to friend and foe abroad? This pick screams that Kerry knows he’s toast. And once the public figures out that John Edwards makes great speeches but has nothing else, Kerry’s unique position as the man no one outside of the strictest partisans wants to elect, will be self-evident. The betting here has to be that this won’t get figured out until the second week of November. Pathetic and self-absorbed choice, completely ignoring what is best for the country (a sober, experienced and competent Gephardt), and placing this country’s national security a distant second in the list of priorities. Frankly, I think this makes the Bush/Cheney point about them being best qualified to fight this war quite well. It’s not so much that they don’t think anyone else is qualified, just that the Democrats aren’t. Today Kerry proved it.
It comes down to this: As good a story-teller as Edwards may be, is that reason enough to put him into a position where he’s one accident away from the Oval Office? In a way, Kerry has actually selected a clone of himself in that form is more important than function.
The Democrats delude themselves if they think this will help Kerry pick-up states in the South. Edwards can’t reelected in his own state. Kerry has never frightened me in the way Al Gore did. As much as I want to see Bush reelected, I thought I could live with Kerry – until now. This choice is not just bad strategically and tactically, but psychologically insightful. John Kerry does not believe he is good enough to win this race. What more needs to be said?” – more feedback on the Letters Page.
The Dish 