Senator Edwards was chosen as the running mate of Democratic Presidential nominee, Senator John Kerry on July 6. While the selection and vetting process had been shrouded in secrecy, the potent question that now remains to be answered is just what does John Edwards bring to the ticket? Consider the odds that Senator Kerry was working with. He had long established a lead over President Bush in domestic issues but just did not break free into a clear lead in national polls, despite a barrage of negative publicity for the latter. Further, polls continued to show that as a candidate, Senator Kerry was being preferred by the majority of registered Democratic voters, not for his candidature or policies, but because he is ‘the’ lone considered alternate to President Bush. Then again Senator Kerry was having trouble communicating his policies and vision to a waiting and reenergized Democratic base. Often lampooned for the use of complex terminology and multitude of policy references, Kerry often missed the basic of points; that he needed to engage people in a debate on the incumbent President’s policies while delineating and clarifying his own.
To this election blend of policies, statements and Presidential hopefuls enters a Senator with a total of 5 ½ years in public office but who more importantly managed to connect with the people as witnessed in his strong showings during the primaries. Known to be an engaging speaker with a sunny demeanour, Edwards is definitely expected to define Senator Kerry to the voters in a manner which has yet not been achieved by the candidate himself. A trial attorney by profession, who made his personal fortune through medical malpractice suits, John Edwards is a first time Senator from N. Carolina. Describing him as a political lightweight however would not be entirely correct as he has repeatedly demonstrated that he can deliver. When he won his Senate seat in 1998, Edwards had done so by successfully defeating a three time Republican incumbent. In the Senate, his political training has come under the guidance of Senator Ted Kennedy who is now also a senior advisor to Senator Kerry. John Edwards meteoric rise can also be affirmed in the fact that he was even considered as the Vice Presidential candidate in 2000 by the then Democratic nominee, Al Gore.
Interestingly while the Democrats are banking on Edwards’ ability to appeal to blue collar America, the Republicans are attacking Edwards for his lack of foreign policy experience. While this is a reflection of just how relevant foreign policy has become in this year’s election it also shows the different tacks being employed by both parties in engaging and portraying Edwards. Ironically a lot of Edwards’ past foreign policy statements have reflected upon the current concerns of the present Bush administration. Most importantly he had recognised terrorism as the key threat to the United States, four months before the 9/11 attacks.
For Kerry, Edwards would certainly be an asset in Southern states as he would bridge the gap between the liberal North and conservative south. Second, his stump campaigning in the Midwest would be beneficial as polls there have showed that he was able to better connect with the voters than John Kerry. Third, there can be no potential for potential policy miscues between Edwards and Kerry as both have not differed on voting records, in the Senate, except on three counts. Fourth, Edwards is also expected to provide the balance to the ticket by hedging the difference in personality, experience and youth. Fifth, fears that Edwards might overshadow the candidate have so far proved to be unfounded. Lastly, the selection of Edwards was probably made on the grounds of not what he could bring to the ticket but what the other final contenders could not. For instance Congressman Dick Gephardt of Missouri, a favourite of trade unions, could not have added as much to the ticket especially since Kerry has been endorsed by all major trade unions. Senator Bob Graham would have been helpful with Florida votes, especially since he had served in the state House and Senate and also as Florida’s Governor in the past, but probably not beyond. Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa would have helped in his state but would have, beyond Iowa, added to the air of ambiguity which already prevails around Kerry’s nomination and candidature.
Even if the polls have not shown a substantial boost after the selection of Edwards, John Kerry has reasons to be satisfied. He probably knows that in tapping Edwards he is tapping into mainland America.
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