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I’ve believed for quite some time (much to the amusement of the staff around here) that John Edwards and Barack Obama would make a natural pairing on a presidential ticket because of the similarities in their messages.

The belief is heavily informed by the fact that when I was in Iowa, I saw Edwards frequently praise Obama on the stump, sometimes apropos of nothing at all. The reason I bring this up now is because Edwards did it again at the Iowa Brown and Black Forum over the weekend:

“The cause of ending poverty in America is a cause that’s very central to what I want to do as president, and central to my life. … And there is at least one other candidate on this stage who has also spoken, strongly and eloquently, about doing something about poverty in America, and it’s Senator Obama.”

Candidates are not in the business of lavishing completely unnecessary praise on their opponents, especially not opponents beating them in the polls. It’s doubly weird for Edwards to make this statement because poverty is his signature issue. In saying that Obama has spoken “strongly and eloquently” about it, Edwards dilutes his brand.

And Edwards’ last line just fuels my speculation. Speaking of Obama, he said:

“I think our voices together are more powerful than our voices alone.”

I think I have a legit case. Now if I could only get someone to take me seriously around here…