Met John Edwards last night at the annual Drum Major Institute for Public Policy fundraiser in midtown. Along with just about everyone else in the room, I told him I hoped Kerry picked him as his running mate. I know Kerry is looking at his buddy Dick Gephardt and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, but Edwards has the goods to run hard in the long pull between Labor Day and November. He's telegenic, works a crowd like few others, and connects with people. No accident that Edwards topped a poll of Democrats as their choice for No. 2. I'd put Edwards on a plane traveling the country from the day he's chosen till the last polls close on Election Day. He projects the kind of optimism the ticket needs, he's got the southern sound, and I think he'd be great in the role for one simple reason - it's what he's been doing for the last couple of months.
Speaking of DMI, where I'm lucky to serve on the board, the organization had a big night. The progressive think tank honored Edwards and Linda Chavez-Thompson, Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO, whose personal story (migrant farm work to national leadership) was stirring. And DMI president Freddy Ferrer unveiled a new microsite aimed at informing this year's election cycle - themiddleclass.org - filled with policy resources and reports on the great American middle. How big is it? More than 90% of Americans identity themselves as middle class. (Thanks to Brian Walsh for the digital snap, above).
