Does Edwards need a new stump speech?

I love his 2 Americas speech, but it's getting old. He needs new material.

:-)

Peter

Come on, give this guy a second text!!! Put his talents to good use and let him fire it up a bit more.

Yes, parts of the Two Americas speech are getting old - although for those who are still hearing it for the first time, it's probably as fantastic as ever.

I liked the bit he added, pre-veep selection, defending Kerry - where he said that he'd lost track of how many deferrments Cheney had received, etc. - struck the attitude of "who do they think they are to criticize John Kerry." Edwards' attitude of kitchen table indignation, of "you know what I'm talking about" - that's I what I love about Edwards' speeches.

His newer portion of the message, about neglected servicemen, is pretty good - still empathetic.

There is a problem with some new material: "We will destroy you" - not the right material for Edwards.

He needs to stick with things where he can say "you know what I'm talking about, you know what I mean" as he slowly points and gazes out a the audience. The "we will destroy you" stuff just doesn't work. Leave this portion of the message to Wesley Clark and Max Clelland - let Edwards do what he does best - be one of us and empathize with every day people, get angry about corporate shennanigans, about things where anyone would say "that's not right."

Also - after the convention I was left thinking that Edwards should have stepped out from behind the podium during the speech - where he could make his usual gestures that allow him to become a part of his audienceto - bring us along with him. The podium, except during a debate, reduces his effectiveness as a speaker, so why should he ever stay there?