In this election cycle, Kerry decided to
- Concentrate on Iowa when his entire campaign was geared to NH.
- Court John McCain publicly in the press
- Choose John Edwards as his VP.
The first one is the decision that gave me puase about underestimating Kerry. I mean this guy was smart enough to redirect his entire operation when people like Kaus were having withdrawal contests for him. OTOH, the move smacked of desperation and inside access to the governor's office through the wife. So it wasn't dispositive for me.
The second decision--to court McCain--was completely ridiculous and the error has now manifested itself in a Bush ad. It could get worse if Bush dumps Cheney.
The third decision--to select Edwards--is curiously the decision that tells us the least about Kerry (or his campaign) because it appears that he succumbed to Dem. party sentiment.
Kerry has done very little in this campaign to distinguish himself. Now, many including Kaus, think this is a good thing. That he can win under the radar. I am not of this group. If Kerry is perceived to be a weathervane, he will lose.
The VP decision was a clear chance to demonstrate to Americans what Kerry was all about. On that level, this selection is a complete failure.
I am not against Edwards. I like him. However, for the campaign that Kerry is running, he needed to use this special moment to define himself. Instead, he has kept swing voters guessing.
So, don't stop celebrating. At least, it's not Gephardt or Lieberman. But remember that Kerry is slowly but surely squandering away chances to define himself through the media haze.
At his own peril and at the peril of the Democratic party.