Vote 2008 Report: Edwards Makes It Official

John Edwards makes it official courtesy of the Today show. In a Thursday morning interview with Matt Lauer, Edwards announced his '08 bid for the big chair. Many are calling Edwards the man to watch in 2008. The primary season seems to be stacked in his favor. The first three Democratic contests are clearly in his reach if the early polls are to be believed. He is leading in Iowa, and you may recall he did unexpectedly well there in 2004 - came in second.

Then the primary turns to New Hampshire where Edwards is no stranger. He is polling quite well there as he has pursued the tried and true method of presidential campaigning in the granite state - door to door, kitchen to kitchen, living room to living room. Meanwhile, the big guns - Clinton and Obama - have taken a more rock star approach - relying on their names, and in Obama's case, early TV spots.

After New Hampshire, the campaign goes through Nevada - a heavy labor state. Edwards has perhaps the best relationship with labor than any other potential 2008 Democrat. Edwards may be hoping that what happens in Vegas spreads out all over the nation. He will need the momentum of these three contests to carry him through come Super Tuesday. A large number of primaries benefit the big guns, but I'm sure by then, Edwards is hoping he's one of the big guns in the race.

With Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama considered to be the early favorites, there has to be a more traditional white male that gathers some steam. With the early exits of Mark Warner, Evan Bayh, and Russ Feingold, Edwards is hoping to be that guy.

With his message of hope for the economically disenfranchised in this country, he might just gather enough African-American votes necessary to halt an Obama surge. Time will tell, but one has to admit that this race is already getting interesting.

One other note: As with all other announced candidates, Edwards' campaign website has been added to the right sidebar under Democratic Candidates. He joins Vilsack, Gravel, and Kucinich. As you may notice, no one has been added to the Republican candidates section. Only one Republican has announced - Congressman Duncan Hunter. I find it an extremely poor sign that his announcement was over a month ago and he has yet to launch a presidential website. Get with the program, Duncan. This is the big leagues, not some campaign for city council.