TIME FOR EDWARDS TO BUST OUT. So John Edwards picked up two key union endorsements (steelworkers, mine workers) over Labor Day weekend, and good for him. He's worked hard to appeal to the union base of the party, and his domestic themes are the strongest, most pro-labor of any candidate in the field except Dennis Kucinich. He'll need to squeeze every last dollar and field organizing hour from these endorsements, and try to line up others. Edwards, IMHO, enters a crucial period between now and Halloween. He somehow needs to shake things up. He should take some chances -- perhaps a junket to Afghanistan to remind Americans about our abandoned efforts there and that whats-his-name who masterminded the September 11 attacks, or he might pair up now with a vice presidential running mate to earn some free media. There's not room in the Democratic primary for two Hillary-alternative candidates, and if Edwards wants to steal that mantle from the far better funded Barack Obama, now's the time for him bust some moves. --Tom Schaller
