More on Kerry/Edwards

Yesterday in my big ramble, I suggested that Edwards would help Kerry win Ohio, which is all he really needs to do. Looks like others agree that Edwards will boost the Democrats chances in the Buckeye State:

Senior Republicans grudgingly concede that Edwards will attract larger and more-enthusiastic crowds in Ohio, Michigan and other key states than anyone else Kerry could have chosen. And the energetic Edwards will provide a stark contrast during the Oct. 5 debate with Vice President Dick Cheney in Cleveland.
(snip)

Edwards' Southern heritage also could take away votes from Bush in southeastern Ohio.

(snip)

Edwards also could help Kerry win the Buckeye State by keeping the vote margin down in central Ohio, southwestern Ohio and other areas expected to go for Bush — and by boosting turnout in Democratic parts of the state, said John Green, director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron.

"In a close election, that can make a difference," he said.

But what do the American peoplele think?

In a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Tuesday, nearly two-thirds of Americans said Kerry's choice of Edwards reflected favorably on his ability to make important presidential decisions.

Seems with a night of rest, the general consensus is Edwards shows Kerry is self-confident enough to run with a man of charisma and charm.

More quotes:
E. J. Dionne Jr. of the Washington Post:

The key to Edwards's twin appeal -- to upscale voters and to those trying to climb the ladder or helping their kids do it -- was explained many years ago by the great American sociologist Seymour Martin Lipset. Lipset argued that the two core American values were "equality" and "achievement." Americans want a level playing field and don't like people who put on airs. But they also admire strivers. Edwards can give his "two Americas" and "dad in the mill" speech as someone who used the education system to rise up and get rich. That's the American story.

and from Cragg Hines of the Houston Chronicle:

Amazingly, given the current administration's failure to create a civil tone in Washington, as it pledged in the 2000 campaign, the first adjective in the Republicans' anti-Edwards brief was "disingenuous." That's rich. Almost halfway through the piece, the RNC elucidates, calling Edwards' populist message "just another gimmick." As a measure of proof, they cite his failure to follow weekly NASCAR races.

What the Republicans ignore, as is their fraught privilege, is Edwards' appealing life story, as the son of absolutely zero privilege who has succeeded in life. No silver spoons there. As Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., said in applauding Kerry's selection of Edwards: "His story is the American story." For better or worse, it's actually more the American dream than the average American story.

An NBC News snap poll last night puts Kerry/Edwards ahead of Bush Cheney 49/41. Nader and Conejo, despite not being on any state ballots at this time, garner 4%, which makes the margin even bigger for the Democrats. As I said yesterday as well, it's all about momentum. Everyone expected a bounce, the key is to maintain it. This will be the true test of a Kerry/Edwards ticket.