Edwards

[surfermaw]

Democratic U.S. Sen. John Edwards did both Republicans and Democrats a favor Sunday.

His announcement that he would not seek re-election makes it easier for Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Richard Burr of Winston-Salem. Rep. Burr, whose candidacy has been blessed by the White House and anointed with millions of dollars in early campaign contributions, will find it easier to run for a senatorial vacancy than against an incumbent -- even one obviously bent on running for president.

Sen. Edwards' decision also does a minor favor of sorts for freshman Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C. It means that she will become the state's senior senator after just two years in office.

And Sen. Edwards' announcement also frees his Democratic colleagues -- belatedly but surely -- to enter the race and start raising money. Among those who have expressed an interest are Charlotte businessman and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, the 2002 Democratic nominee for the seat that Jesse Helms once held and which Sen. Dole now occupies; former N.C. House Speaker Dan Blue of Raleigh, who also ran in 2002; and State Treasurer Richard Moore of Raleigh.

None of the three Democrats was likely to run for the Senate seat as long as Sen. Edwards remained silent on whether he might run again -- a situation that had many Democrats grumbling. They feared that Sen. Edwards' refusal to say which office he would seek -- and which he would not -- might cost the Democrats a seat which has turned over every election since Sen. Sam Ervin retired in 1974.


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http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/opinion/6728195.htm

[chimpymustgo]

1. I strongly admire Edwards' courage on this.

This man has some serious guts. He's putting it all out there. What a great candidate.

And Bowles will beat Burr.

[renie408]

2. I agree on both counts

I think it is funny that until Sunday, everybody was in a snit because Edwards had not decided about his Senate seat one way or another. Now they are in a snit because he has decided to focus on the Presidential campaign. Some people just like to be in a snit.

[sandnsea]

3. Gee, ya think?

Nah, couldn't be that. They've simply evolved. Get with it!