Excuse me, overplayed? I just can't let that comment pass.
In a nation with millions of homeless, and tens of millions of people working themselves literally to death for wages that can not support them or their families, the problem does not tend to be that people talk about poverty "too much." In fact, we talk about poverty as something that exists in Africa or India, but are extremely resistant to addressing what it would take for the richest nation on earth to make sure that its own citizens had their minimal needs met.
I'm no Edwards booster, trust me. But if I think he's doing one thing right, it is that he's addressing this problem with the kind of priority it deserves, but never gets because virtually all politicans focus on more "strategic" topics that are less uncomfortable for those of us who are not the working homeless.
Consider that it is possible that Edwards was more passionate and prepared on this topic because this is what he is working on these days. I would guess that when he is a declared candidate, he'll be more prepared to talk about the full range of issues a candidate must address.
John McCain is not pro-choice!