By Jon-Christopher Bua, Sky News political analyst

Who could watch the John Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama in Grand Rapids, Michigan tonight without thinking that they may be looking at the next President and Vice-President of the United States?

The visual alone was stunning.

Two vibrant and GQ handsome members of the same generation appearing on the stage glowing in that "Presidential Convention" sort of way.

Many wondered why Edwards waited so long. Tonight the reason may be clear.

John Edwards shares the same values as Barack Obama and answers the question of how he can appeal to "white working class voters".

John Edwards' much sought-after endorsement this evening has, more than anything, cut the candidacy of Hillary Clinton off at the knees.

With their choice of location Michigan, a state that Clinton claims as hers even though Obama did not appear on the ballot, this pair sought to heal the breach in the Democratic Party together.

It seems to me that Obama's inevitability as well as his gentle handling of Clinton's downward spiral has worked in Obama's favour in attracting the Edwards endorsement.

This live endorsement may be a good opportunity for voters to see Obama and Edwards on the stage together in Grand Rapids. Who knows, a Vice-Presidential pick may be in the offing.

With Edwards'enormous appeal to working class voters, it is possible Obama may be testing the waters in his quest to capture the white working class voter that has eluded him so far in his battle against Hillary Clinton.

If Obama selects John Edwards he unites the Democratic Party and silences those who call for an Obama-Clinton ticket.

Obama and Edwards share the “magic of change” unlike Clinton who brings with her much of the past.

These two committed and energetic “fighters for change” look like two other winners that no-one expected as a team sixteen years ago: Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

At the time Bill Clinton was applauded for the courage of his choice - Al Gore, a former competitor, another “Son of the South” and a strong equal.

In addition to 19 pledged delegates, Edwards brings with him working class strengths, experience, economic expertise and excitement plus the appeal of a traditional white male candidate together with a “champion of change”, Barack Obama.

An Obama-Edwards ticket may be just the winning combination for Democratic victory in November.

Comments

[Daniel -Hayes West London 15 Jun 2008 17:42:50]

I would like to congratulate Jon-Christopher Bua for his very timely and balanced comments on the USA election. It has been interesting to read other writers and commentators while at the same time watch tele. broadcasts and be surprised of the disparity between the former and the later. Of particular interest has been the continuing attention paid to Hillary against Obama while she was still in contention of being a nominee. Only Jon-Christopher Bua paid Obama attention, and it is no surprise how he has been vindicated. I eagerly wait to read his judgment on the campaign between Obama and McCain. Thank you Jon-Christopher Bua, DANIEL

[Mike United Kingdom 7 Jun 2008 22:29:08]

Dress it up as you may. I know the hearts of the ‘die hard conservatives’. Regardless of their disguised eloquence, it boils down to the same thing. Distrust of anything or anyone that bucks the status quo. Maybe Obama will make mistakes, but will his mistakes, as inevitable as they may be, be anything close to Bush's???

I don’t like Clinton for vice president. I felt she presented as self centred and short sighted by not conceding earlier. Anyone who can risk her party’s fortunes so flippantly and by extension the country’s; should not be trusted…

Unfortunately, I really doubt that America is ready for a black president. Broaching the added challenge of putting a woman as his running mate is equivalent to gifting the presidency to McCain…

[Differ Dube Leeds Uk 27 May 2008 11:19:14]

Looking at the presidential post l think its about time the American people vote for the right man with the right potential. Obama is the man who can bring a different taste of governance in America. His age, intelligance and out spoken will lead him to winning finsh line.

[19 May 2008 21:25:23]

time the american women backed a woman for president even the muslim countries are farsighted enough to recognise that women have what it takes to be a good leader they are more able albeit less aggressive.Time for the men to iron their own shirts and give ths serious stuff tothose best able to come up with the goods,

[Saghir Ahmad 19 May 2008 13:09:24]

Obama-Edwards combination is a good ticket to the White House.

[Betty Italy 18 May 2008 22:33:50]

Way to go, a past looser and somebody who rubs shoulders with moslem leaders for president and vice, way to go america, let's just hope the powers that be in the democratic party wake up and nominate a person with a brain in her head. Betty Italy

[jay london 17 May 2008 16:46:58]

i am a army sergant and a veteran of the iraqi war,trust obama will be the next president and all you right wing fox news lovers will be put to shame come novemeber,enjoy the fw months left of g.w.bush

[zambia/africa 16 May 2008 13:35:32]

iam sure edward and obama will make good presidents and vice president its what the whole world needs .bravo jhon edwards and barack obama.

[Michael Hardman, South Africa 16 May 2008 07:10:16]

In the early nineties FW De Klerk sat down with Nelson Mandela (Supposedly a Terrorist) and thrashed out a deal for the whole of South Africa.Please, please tell me why Bush cannot sort out the same stratergy with the Palistinians, Iranians and for any other Country for that matter.

[staffordshire 16 May 2008 00:06:30]

I like senator Edwards. I feel that he is a spiritual person and, god knows the world is in desperate need of spirituality and, I am not referring to religeon altho he is probably religeous. I think that an Obams Edwards ticket would work out well.

[jerome webber, ramat gan, israel 15 May 2008 16:40:10]

to Trish, thank you for your kind comments - a life time of being a cynic has paid off at last!. If you wish to improve your blogs you can do so by simply combining a few elements:- write down the main points you wish to get across, try and be as factual possible - do a bit of research on your subject , use a touch of humour, some cynicism , avoid rude language
never insult or get angry with the moderator, give praise where its due - even to those you disagree with & above all else never let a lie or factual distortion go unchallenged.
Although I personaly prefer john McCain for president in these difficult times I definately think that as far as the democrats are concerned Hilary Clinton is the " best man for the Job " ( no insult to women meant )and she would make a good president , combining common sense , genuine inteligence, business accumen, a womans caring touch & the true grit toughness we need from the next boss in washington.
neither obama or edwards can match her on this, mores the pity!

[Sophia from Dublin 15 May 2008 15:05:33]

They look good and right together. Hope that they will do good and right too. Best wishes and best of luck to them.

[Trish 15 May 2008 14:51:29]

Jerome Webber

I just love your blogs, you and I are on the same page, except you say it so much better than me - thank you I agree with your every word.

[Dave 15 May 2008 13:22:17]

The time of the old guard is past, new beginnings with bold and challenging opprtunities for America is at the door. Are the American people brave enough?

[jerome webber, ramat gan, israel 15 May 2008 12:23:02]

no suprise that edwards has joined obama now that its almost certain that obama will be the democrat candidate. what is the dowry that edwards can bring to obama? firstly he can advise him on $1000+ suits, $100 haircuts, good old boy southern customs ( except slavery! ) the best places for mint julips & southern fried chicken & a first edition copy of the " Ambulance chasing lawers" guide to legal chicanery ( which he probably wrote ).
as for policy & substance both are far left elitists who see themselves as knowing whats best for the "plebes" i.e. their less well off fellow americans. their election is a disaster waiting to happen & if the american public is , as I suspect, in a " lemming " mode then we are in for a very bumpy ride. so buy gold coins , flashlight batteries, clean out your bomb shelter, buy a wilderness survival guide & stock up on cans of long life food or as an alternative you can pray that McCain is elected. I put it to you this way - it was providence that george bush was elected instead of al gore - if gore had won back then when ben ladens cohorts struck on sept.11th - the white house would still be discussing the matter & issuing statements via the u.n. condeming al queida for increasing the risk of global warming & exceding carbon emmission quotas by using airplanes as weapons instead of alternative enviromentaly renewable transport methods such as camels or donkeys. regretably after 9/11 bush and his teams polices went downhill & has brought about todays situation where the far left loonies are likely to control the u.s. govt. & thus the rest of us will be in dire peril for at least 4 years.

[Catherine 15 May 2008 11:55:44]

I believe that John Edwards has gone with the winning team! Just the idea and promise of "change" after the very long years of the Bush administration, and the war and the aggressive profile of the Bush government is what the American people want.
These two men are the future. Mrs.Clinton is the past..
I hope that John Edwards is asked ( and I'm sure that has happened already)to be on the ballot along side the name Obama...What a team!!!

[Khalid 15 May 2008 11:41:59]

Sir
I could not dis-agree with the analogy of this duo any more than words allow, suffice to say one didn't or could'nt last the course, thereafter taking early retirement.
By contrast Hilary [Valerie] Clinton has an appeal that touches the many a soul and it is a fact that the many a super delegates are being rarther shortsighted in their wisdom as voter apathy is purely and simply being based upon the colour of ones skin, as being sanctioned herein.
Naturally, no one is perfect, however, the best choice for America is within the hands of Mother nature, without whom none of us would have been here in the first place.
It realy goes back to the old saying, all that glitters is not gold, oh boy oh boy, I hope America doesnt make another mistake [Mark Ronson].
Question: Hilary wants to give every one the best of free healthcare, what do you bring to the operating table?

[John B Sheffield 15 May 2008 11:38:34]

Senator Barack Obama and John Edwards looked right and sounded much The Future of America and the Change that The Country is now looking for and wanting.

It does not surprise me the few! that will knock Edwards, IF he had endorsed HRC he would have been seen as The savour of the campaign.

No one can fault the Obama Campaign, the strategy has been right from day one, we have witnessed politics being energized and the introduction back to politics of so many young people, who are the future of our country. HRC at the end of the day got her campaign off to such a good start but it will be looked back as a comedy of errors with strategy and we are now witnessing the final act, trying to keep a race that is lost going and not doing what os right for The Party and Country.

[Sharon RSA 15 May 2008 09:45:42]

Obama and Edwards sounds right. They are both young and have the energy to change what the American people are crying for. I hope that John Edwards is avaible for the vice president position. Americans must stop being narrow minded and vote for the person who will do the job.

[Trish 15 May 2008 09:16:18]

Edwards is a looser he could never stand alone so I guess I was not surprised at his choice kind of like "could never be first best so lets jump on the gravy train so I can get a look in". Could never stand a "hunt with the foxes run with the hound type" - rise above it all Hillary there is always hope