These Were Great Speeches

I've been openly critical of Edwards' voting record in the Senate and have written about my skepticism at length on this site. But I also think that he's preaching an incredibly important message.

On foreign policy, Obama is still head and shoulders better. This is evident from both the answers he gives in longer question and answer sessions (watch the New Hampshire Telegraph 1-Hour Policy Interview) and from his early willingness to stand against the Iraq War. But still, the passionate way Edwards speaks about fighting against the very real issues of corporate abuse and poverty in this country really goes well with the similar message Obama makes about the need for wholesale fundamental changes. In fact, if someone asked me what the two most fundamental problems in the U.S. were, I'd answer our foreign policy approach and corporate abuse (as it relates to class, the environment, and health care).

On that note, an Obama-Edwards ticket could be interesting. Obama makes the same arguments in terms of corporate power and class difference, but they have come to symbolize Edwards' campaign much more. Much the way the ability to inspire bipartisan change and to provide a different foreign policy has come to symbolize Obama's. And one thing that's important to remember is that when candidates come to symbolize a certain message in their campaigns (are you listening Hillary? The triangulating means you stand for nothing!) like Obama and Edwards have, they are far more obliged to act on those promises than otherwise. For example, when George the I (the Herbert Walker one) told the country to read his lips in regards to taxes, he left a clear standard he could be evaluated on. When Obama tells the country that he will have dialog even with our worst enemies, he leaves a clear standard for us to judge him on. And he is forced to act or else risk losing all credibility in the next election. That's why even though Edwards doesn't have the track record that Obama does, I still think he could make for a good running mate. Because he has a message that is consistent. Anyways, enough of my ranting. The videos of the speeches are posted below: