A simple observation on why Obama and Edwards have always been a good fit.

[Skidmore]

I heartily welcome Edwards' endorsement of Obama. Even back before the caucus in Iowa, I thought Obama and Edwards would be a good ticket. From watching them both campaign in Iowa, I always believed they were saying very similar things about America, the most important being the message of uniting America. Obama has consistently talked about states being not red or blue but the United States of America and, as such, underscores the importance of restoring and upholding the Constitution. He has tried very hard to look beyond racial and cultural differences. Edwards' stated goal is also that of "One America." I heard these strains in their messages repeatedly last summer. Hillary has not been a good match for either of them, and has consistently found new ways to throw up walls and created fissures in the message of the Democratic Party. She has created serious divisions within the party and there is no reason to think she would govern using anything but the same old politics of division that has been in place for the past 30 years. Edwards' endorsement of Obama yesterday underscores my belief that we will be on the right path as a nation when we have a unified agenda of social and civil change and a return to upholding the Constitution. It was an affirmation of the principles embraced by Democrats.

[democrank]

1. Edwards` message of unity was a blessed relief

from the divisive crap I`ve been hearing. His message was very, very uplifting.

[leftofcool]

2. Too bad Edwards isn't well liked

I like him but he couldn't win anything.

[Skidmore]

3. That's an amazing example of throwing rocks while in a glass house.

[Catch22Dem]

6. He's actually very well liked

And has a strong and broad following. That doesn't necessarily translate into votes for him, but you better believe that Hillary's "hard working whites" have taken notice.

[knixphan]

11. just what I was thinking.

[Tatiana]

4. It's a powerful symbol: the transition of Two Americas to "One America"

This is what Edwards campaigned on. This idea is what catapulted Obama into the limelight during his address at the 04 Democratic Convention.

Not red states or blue states, but the UNITED States of America.

[karynnj]

8. Obama's message at the 2004 campaign was his own and was consistent

with things that Kerry himself was saying, which is how it should be. The keynote speech always is something the nominee agrees with. It had little to do with the economic 'two Americas' theme Edwards had. That message was why edwards himself was put on the ticket - and his speech at the convention was a variation on his primary speech.

Kerry, not Edwards, had the message of getting everyone together, here and internationally in 2004- and in fact, in his endorsement of obama stressed that it was Obama who of the 3 could best do that. Remember that Edwards spoke of NOT wanting the other side at the table - that he and obama were for change, but he though change required confrontation, not conciliation.

It's good that Edwards is starting the move to everyone getting behind the nominee - but it is wrong to say that Obama's themes were based on Edward's ideas - they were obama's and they are rooted in things you can see in his first book. The idea is not revolutionary, Obama was not the first to have it and he won't be the last.

As to vp, Edwards himself was honest enough to not see himself in that role. The fact that he proudly described to the NYT how he wouldn't use Kerry's 'help is on the way' slogan shows an inability to see that he was wrong there. He owed Kerry at least that much once he signed on as vp. Do you think he would follow obama's lead? Kerry was older, senior and more experienced than he was - even after he pulled out of the race, he spoke of Obama not having the experience needed - though Edwards himself had no more real experience. (just as people have said the bad things HRC has said could be used - so can the Edwards things.)

[Tatiana]

10. You misinterpret my post.

I'm saying they ALL believe in the same thing, which is a UNITED States of America, a theme of unity and well-being for all.

I make no assertion who had the idea first. I'm just happy they believe in and support the same ideas. Nowhere did I say that Obama's themes were based on Edward's ideas. I don't know where you got that from. Nor was it my intention to denigrate Kerry. I greatly respect and admire the man, and he should have won in 2004.

If anything "help is on the way" might be a more resounding theme in the current environment.

[karynnj]

12. Sorry - I read it as doing so

likely paranoia (on my part) due to the weird increase in Kerry bashing night on DU. I do think the unity and the "help" ideas do resonate - and these themes likely go back to the beginning of the Republic.

I think it is great that Edwards is speaking unity - both in the Democratic party and in the country as a whole. My point was that at least in 2008, he ran more on the need for confrontation to get change than on working to have enough of both sides behind you so you can push change. That shift on he part is great. Obama will need all the surrogates he can get.

[marions ghost]

5. yes

they are moving in the same direction ...Hillary needs to join the team or become an Independent.

[DemVet]

7. One good thing about an Obama/Edwards ticket is...

...Hillary will get another POTUS run in 2012.

[Tesha]

9. You clearly won't be here (at DU) much longer.

And I, for one, am very glad of that.

Tesha