What is John Edwards Up To?

It seems odd.

I did not watch the US presidential debates last night—different time zone on this side of the world, and all. But it looks as though, instead of what one might expect, all guns turning on Obama as the new frontrunner, Edwards spent the debate going after Clinton—to the point even of not responding when Obama attacked him.

To my mind, there can be only one explanation. Edwards has concluded that he cannot win, that Obama already has the nomination wrapped up, and he wants another shot at the VP slot on the ticket.

I think he’s right, too. Hillary is not going to pick herself up from this. There will be no comeback. She was too far ahead. Now that the inevitability is gone, the fall is going to be too precipitous. It’s the inevitability of the tragic form—there can be no sudden redemption at the end. And, as a tragic hero, she will be forever held guilty of hubris, whether she was or not.

Actually, though, if I were Obama, I would not go with Edwards. The rap on Obama is youth and inexperience. Edwards is not a strong counterbalance in that regard. Obama needs his LBJ. Someone seasoned, especially, on foreign policy. Joe Biden, for example.