Kerry makes his call!

The New York Post not withstanding, the Democrats will send a Kerry/ Edwards ticket on to Boston for the convention later this month. John Kerry the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States, decided to tap the southern vote for his Vice Presidential candidate. Selecting North Carolina’s John Edwards to be the second in command should things go the Democrats way in November.

Proving that the Democrats can keep secrets, Kerry didn’t let slip his choice until Tuesday morning, so covert was his decision that Edwards wasn’t even in Pittsburgh to share the stage and acknowledge his new challenge. In fact if the spin is to be believed, Edwards did not get formal notification til early Tuesday morning in the form of a fifteen minute phone call. Kerry then announced his decision at the rally in Pittsburgh, the crowd rushed for the new signs and Teresa smiled, such is a photo op in the Democratic campaign these days.

The actual decision is being hailed as a victory for the Democratic machine, which wanted Edwards and his southern populist ways, to mesh with Kerry’s Northern establishment persona. Both are considered to be the friend of the common man, though considering the bank rolls that both bring with them, it’s hard to see either one as hanging out at the local Wal Mart checking out the rolled back prices.

However, if success is measured by how your opponent reacts to your decision, than this was probably a very astute move by the Kerry team. After the niceties of a few congratulatory phone calls were done, the Republicans came out with their own interpretation of the Democrats big announcement. The Republicans couldn’t wait to declare Edwards to be: a “politically inexperienced phoney, one who is disingenuous and an unaccomplished Liberal”. You could almost see the spittle flying as that final word was pronounced, LIB-ER-AL!!!

In an era of mean spirited and frequently churlish behaviour by the right wing, you sense they are licking their lips at the chance to paint the Democratic ticket as nothing but a tax and spend coalition, preparing to pick the pockets of Americans from coast to coast and lead the nation to ruin.

In fact first out of the blocks into attack mode was the American business community which suggested that a Kerry/Edwards ticket was a recipe for higher taxes, and restrictive trade policies. They are against Kerry not for his relative inexperience as a politician, but for his extensive experience as a trial lawyer, who frequently took big business to court and won. The largest business lobby group the Chamber of Commerce, has come out solidly against the Edwards addition and plan on taking an active roll in the campaign.

The worrisome thought for the Republicans may be the ability of Edwards to deliver the wavering Southern vote, in polling done in the primaries it was found that Edwards did better among Republicans than did Kerry and he may be able to deliver not only his state but that of his neighbours as well. Something the Democrats did not receive in 2000.

His constant message about the polarization of America under George Bush also hit a note with the voter during the primary season, his ability to get out his attack on Bush and the Two America’s syndrome, one for the rich and the other for the rest of the people found a receptive audience in the primaries. With Edwards able to deliver a powerful message, Kerry may find a wider audience for his ideas as the real campaign begins after the conventions are done.

There really wasn’t any other choice for Kerry despite his secretive handling of the decision and the launch by e mail to his supporters. Edwards found his voice in the primaries and represents the future of the Democratic party, the other mentioned options Dick Gephardt and Bob Graham are more to the past. The much rumoured Hillary Clinton candidacy was never going to fly, more time and distance is needed before that flag is run up the pole if it ever is.

The only drawback to Edwards selection may be his rather limited experience in government, being a first time senator Kerry mocked him on the campaign trail as being too anxious to be President, citing a lack of foreign affairs knowledge and his lack of military experience as being detrimental to his quest. Those quotes may come back to haunt Kerry, but as a war drags on in Iraq with seemingly no end in sight, Kerry’s military bona fides may more than make up for any shortcomings on Edwards end. In fact in recent speeches it has been Edwards who has been touting Kerry's military experience against that of the current President's, should the Republicans choose to use that card, Edwards has already shown he has a plan to handle it.

The decision adds some life to the Kerry campaign which had been slowing down the last few weeks, as Kerry kept a low, almost non existent profile, while Bush handled one international disappointment after another. The peek a boo campaign couldn’t have gone on much longer, and now with Edwards to share the load Kerry will be able to regain some of his momentum from the early nomination win.

While its still early. the election at the moment seems to be the Democrats to lose. Kerry didn’t hurt his chances to seize victory by selecting Edwards, indeed he may have boosted the odds of changeover at the White House come January.