Edwards's 'Burning Sense'

[JI7]

<"I'd be happy to consider Senator Kerry as my running mate," Edwards would often say, politely but curtly, when reporters asked whether he would consider the second spot on the ticket.

But since Kerry announced nearly three weeks ago that the North Carolina freshman senator was his choice for the No. 2 spot, Edwards has campaigned with as much gusto for Kerry as he did for himself when he was seeking the top job.

"The truth is, there is no one better prepared to keep the American people safe than this man," Edwards repeatedly told audiences during his first days on the ticket. "If you have any question about what John Kerry's made of, about his leadership ability, about his strength and his courage, just spend three minutes -- three minutes -- with the men who served with him 30 years ago, who still stand by his side."

Glenn Bergenfield, a law school buddy of Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, said he believed his friend was sincere when he insisted during the primaries that he was not seeking the vice presidency.

"There's a certain point when you know -- and this happens in lawsuits, as well -- that sometimes you're not going to get it your way exactly," said Bergenfield, who said Edwards also has always had "a burning sense to be of use. So, I think he said, 'Okay, I didn't win. How can I help here?' " >

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10072-2004Jul23.html