Obama Absorbs Edwards but has to Digest "Two Americas"

The exquisite timing could not have been more propitious. Just when the political ether following West Virginia was becoming increasingly toxic for Barack because he seemed to be losing any hope of getting white, high school educated, working class voters to trust him and there seemed no obvious way to turn that around, John Edward's swooped onto the stage. 

How timely, how perfect, how wonderful that Edward's, the long running champion of poor and working class Americans chose to endorse the Barack Obama candidacy. The seeming vacuum could now be filled. Whatever the quid pro quo, it appears well worth the cost because two objectives come closer to realization. The threat posed by Hillary Clinton to seriously prolong this primary is gone. She still may prolong it but she no longer has to be taken seriously. Barack can and has turned his attention to Bush/McCain. Then, Edward's and the campaign have between now and November to win over to Barack the trust of that working class group.

With every gift comes a cost. Barack, from the beginning, has been aiming to transcend differences. He would become the unifying candidate. He would want to have us focus on what we have in common. "One America, yes we can" has been his rallying cry. How can that be reconciled with John Edwards  "Two Americas" rich and poor? That view is, seemingly, the very antithesis of what Barack has been aiming for.

Perhaps they don't have to conflict if they are treated as stages in an unfolding process. Whereas, we may be "Two Americas" today, in the fullness of time under an Obama administration that would change.