OK, what if Edwards held a press conference and said something to the effect of...
"If I am the nominee I will select Howard Dean to be my running mate to be Vice President. My good friend Howard Dean does not need to accept this offer now and he did not know that I was planning to extend this opportunity to him."
Edwards could get Dean voters. Dean wouldn't have to accept until the convention if Edwards made it thereby not pissing off party officials.
Thoughts?