Before you say "how dare you calculate political fortunes based on personal tragedy?" Wait...that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying:
We can, as observers of "horse race" politics and the nuts-and-bolts of how Progressives get elected begin to calculate what the reaction will be to the Edwards family announcement.
I'm saying: "let's calculate political fortunes based on a candidate's reaction to personal tragedy." It may be morbid and icky, but it's necessary...
My heart goes out to the Edwards family, of course. For all the good that does them. My good wishes won't help them one way or the other, that's in the hands of their oncologist.
What I can have some measure of control over and affect is the outcome of the 08 elections. As a citizen, that is my perogative.
This announcement is a huge win for the Edwards campaign:
- It humanizes a candidate that suffered from that "Breck Girl" tag.
- It masculinizes (word?) a candidate that the MSM has been complicit in immasculating.
- Everyone in the country wants to give John and his wife a big hug. Myself included.
When we wipe the tears away, let's realize that this could have been handled in all sorts of ways. Perhaps more discretely, perhaps more awkwardly. As it is, it was handled with exceptional grace and poise. What could be more humanizing than seeing such a horrible situation handled so well?
The Edwards campaign hits a whole 'nuther level today. Just saying.