Matt, I won't call you cynical, because I recognize that of course Edwards wants to run again for president, and is currently trying to lay the groundwork, network, etc. and should be thinking strategically about politics. Nor, to be frank, am I very likely to support Edwards should he run.

But really, why criticize a man for NOT running for president 2 years out from the primaries? Why criticize him for talking about the work he's doing now, or for taking on a progressive cause, or for getting passionately involved in something we should all applaud, if not actively participate in ourselves?

And if you do want to critique his appearance on strictly strategic political terms, consider that what everyone here has been saying about the generic congressional ballots is that the Republicans are now thoroughly disliked, voters are ready to change, and we must give them good reasons to.

Why, then, criticize Edwards for putting some passion out where people can see it, of Democrats working hard on issues that mean something? What would it have served for him to sound like another Democrat taking advantage of the sway of opinion to attack Bush?

I don't want a cautious candidate for president either. But you need to make one hell of a better argument than you have done, to say that talking about poverty in the US is example of "Beltway-itis."  Last time I checked, this harsh reality is not a very comfortable subject inside the beltway.

John McCain is not pro-choice!