A few people have captured what I was trying to say more generally--and probably didn't very well--in reaction to Edwards' presidential announcement speech. To hear a Democrat talk openly about poverty and universal healthcare feels miles away from where we were in 2004. I think that the latter should be a requirement for any Democrat to get support.

Frankly, our healthcare system right now is about as secure as Mel Gibson with a 5th of bourbon on a Kibbutz. Incremental reform just ain't gonna do it anymore.

Edwards was also honest about the fact that his priorities mean that paying off the Dubya Debt, as it should be called, will not happen immediately (and generally I am a balanced budget hawk, taking what used to be known as the "fiscally conservative" position...I in fact would favor a Balanced Budget Amendment, if the legislation were right, to prevent future presidents from raiding surpluses as Bush did to hand over our treasury to his fellow corporate vassals. But right now, people need help, and the budget is too Bushed to be balanced immediately).

At the very least, this should all make things more interesting, as it changes the terms of the debate.

Check out what Bob, AJ at AMERICAblog and Steve have to say on this subject.