Phyllis Schlafly  A presidential nominee's choice of a running
mate is supposed to balance the ticket. Sen. John Edwards,
D-N.C., doesn't balance presumptive Democratic presidential
nominee John Kerry's ticket ideologically, because they have the
same ultra-liberal voting record, or geographically, because
Edwards can't even carry his own state. That's why he chose not
to run for re-election to the Senate.   Edwards' balance for the
Democratic ticket is to provide the fundamental quality that
Kerry lacks. Edwards is said to be a compelling speaker who
knows how to sway emotions, while Kerry just isn't likeable.
The last time the Democrats picked a nominee because of his
extraordinary speaking ability was William Jennings Bryan in
1896. The tactic didn't succeed then, and it won't succeed this
year after the voters look at the history of Edwards'
histrionics.  Edwards honed his oratorical skills by
manipulating juries with a combination of junk science and
demagoguery. He led them to believe that obstetrician