John Edwards unleashed

Recently, a fried of mine and I -- like a lot of Kerry supporters -- wondered just what in hell the K campaign has done with John Edwards.

Well, it seems reports of his demise are premature.

According to Jeff Dubner, he's an under the radar phenomenon, giving it to Cheney but good in small towns throughout the swing states.

Dubner links to this story by Craig Crawford of the Congressional Quarterly, who seems to actually be covering Edwards's campaign stops.

Of course, it is tough to find Edwards unless you are willing to stay in something other than a top-tier hotel. Even the biggest chains feature only their knock-off brands in the towns where he goes. Sometimes you have to settle for a Motel 6. But Edwards is going after the swing voters where they live. His recent Pennsylvania stops covered a suburban swath where nearly 20 percent of the state’s likely voters reside.

Earlier in September, I caught up with Edwards in Chillicothe, Ohio. About an hour’s drive south of Columbus, this town of 20,000 residents produced nearly 5,000 for an Edwards rally. TV news crews from all around central and southern Ohio covered it; people were passing out in the crush of humanity and heat. And, for those Democrats who think Edwards is too passive, he dished out loads of red meat, hurling barb after barb at his vice presidential opponent.

“Edwards Slams Cheney in Chillicothe Stop,” The Columbus Dispatch headlined the next day.

[...]

The big chance that Edwards has to show his new fiery style will come at this year’s one vice presidential debate, Oct. 5 in Cleveland. He could benefit from the current media myth that he is all vanilla on the stump. Pundits and reporters are likely to be surprised by how tough he is on Cheney.

You get the feeling that Edwards really despises the incumbent vice president . It does not seem like an act. If opinion polls showing Cheney’s high unfavorability ratings are accurate, many Americans agree with Edwards. He is doing his best to leverage the vice president’s unpopularity against the GOP ticket.

I'm feeling all tingly. One-quarter of the town comes out for a VP campaign rally. Cool.