I'm reading results, North Carolina in particular

[jacksonian]

and I'm wondering what Edwards really brought to the ticket. This is not an Edwards bash, he is a learned and fine man with a great future in politics on his own, but I'm really wondering if the political assets he brought where really what Kerry needed the most.

As I look at all these results - turnout, war on terror opinions of people, the Kerry vacillation issue, the fear factor, and general positive faith in Dem social programs - I can't help wondering if Kerry/Clark wasn't indeed a winning ticket. Clark could have kept the defense argument from focusing on Swift Boats, saving us August, and Kerry could have run as a war veteran with a social justice orientation. I think its clear we underestimated the fundy vote, as it turned out the image of the good soldier working for his country might have cracked that base a little.

This is Wednesday morning quarterbacking of course, I thought Edwards was a good choice at the time. There is also a counterargument that Edwards campaigning was essential in winning places like PA and MI that I don't want to dismiss. I mean, what do I know. Thoughts?