Can John Edwards Cross Over?
Was it just me this morning who thought that John Edwards seemed a little underwhelming as he announced his candidacy for President?
You’ve got to believe that the timing of Edwards‘ announcement had been planned for weeks (if not months) by his handlers in hopes of capitalizing on the slow news cycle. They had even gone so far as to arrange an “exclusive” with NBC’s Today show to kick-off the day. They did all of this only to find their candidate’s shining moment squashed by the death of one of the most unassuming people to ever occupy the office that the former North Carolina Senator and failed Vice Presidential candidate hopes to win.
It was almost comical (and a little sad) as the Today Show opened and host Matt Lauer teased the audience with a few quick glimpses of Edwards standing uncomfortably in the New Orleans pre-dawn waiting for his turn. A turn that wouldn’t come until stories about Ford’s funeral arrangements and an interview from the grave aired. By the time Lauer got to Edwards, most people had grabbed there “to go” cup and headed out the door for their daily commute
Who would have thunk it? Mr. Charisma, John Edwards, being upstaged by a dead guy. If the subsequent events of Edwards‘ announcement day are any indication (”surely someone’s got a question?” the candidate uttered to fill the dead air left by a less than enthusiastic crowd of reporters assigned to cover Edwards‘ announcement press conference held after the Today show event) he may have to enlist his pseudo-namesake of dead people channeling fame, John Edward, to communicate with the deceased and ensure that some other moderately famous statesman is not scheduled for registration in the great beyond at the same time Edwards‘ plans to make an important announcement.
If I had been one of Edwards‘ advisors, I would have counseled to either pick another day or at least consider a more singular campaign-style kick-off event. Edwards needs the early momentum and unless he gets it soon, John Edward will likely be channeling John Edwards‘ campaign.
