[jonathan lall]

Time for an outsider's look.

Even though picking the primaries' runner-up is tradition, I'm sure Kerry was seriously thinking about other running mates (like Hillary Clinton or Dick Gephardt maybe?). A relatively young, slightly more conservative, southern running mate? I'd say things are looking good for the Kerry Campaign, good choice. I'm not particularly impressed by Kerry's past or his ideas, but perhaps my Canadian citzenship and lack of knowledge of Americana has to do with that. Bi-partisanship is icky to me; heck, IMO the Republicans haven't put forth a remotely credible candidate since Bush 41. That in mind, I would have liked to see Edwards win outright in the primaries, as he impressed me in debate, but winning was of course an unlikely prospect, mostly because of his lack of experience/grey hair etc. I don't think very many people are going to see a two-senator ticket as weak, so this campaign has earned a huge boost; Kerry appeals to hard line Democrats who will then be sure to go to the polls, and Edwards is going to steal swing voters decisively. If I were American, I'd actually take Kerry's campaign a bit more seriously now.