Ok, let me just nip this in the bud right here and now

[FlyingSquirrel]

Certain people are already starting an ugly rumor that Obama "rebuffed" the Edwards campaign in the last few weeks. They base this on a Newsweek article. I'm sure you can find the thread(s) on your own...

I obviously don't have any inside information, but let me just (if I may) use common sense here:

(1) Even if the Edwards campaign did send out some feelers (and this has not been verified as fact), I'm sure that John Edwards did NOT flat-out ask Obama for the VP slot in exchange for his support. John's not stupid. If you'll remember, in 2004 when John dropped out he did not endorse any of the remaining candidates. He did, however, work tirelessly for Kerry's campaign. In the end he was chosen by Kerry - but the decision was Kerry's, and was not made under any duress nor did John make it a condition of his support beforehand.

(2) If you were running for President, and had not yet secured the nomination, would you allow someone who was running against you to pressure you into a premature agreement to be your running mate if you won the nomination? No, you'd want to keep your options open and you'd want to make that decision yourself, in your own good time, and take as many factors into consideration as possible.

Hope this helps.

FS