First, a disclaimer, I love Krugman's writing. Even when I disagree with him, the man does have a way with words. But, here, I think he's hit the nail on the head. Because of the his Senate record and the '04 campaign, I was reluctant to trust Edwards. But I did finally and alas too late. One of the reasons I did was exactly the effect Krugman describes. For this reason, I truly respect all the candidates who spent their time and money to get important ideas into public view. In today's media market, it's one of the few ways to do it. And, even then, many--like Edwards--are marginalized by the media. As Bill Clinton says of the media, "Shame on you."

Krugman has been lobby for Edwards in his NYTimes column for a while now. I found his argument problematic in that one doesn't know if the shifts on global warming and health care among Democratic candidates were causal or correlative.

Interesting opinion piece that lacks sources but is not completely ideological.

Whoa, we almost had an issues campaign. Edwards had issues, the Republicans have issues. Triangulation has saved us again. First we triangulate Edwards, and now we triangulate the Republican. No need for substance here.

Edwards was the only candidate to use the word "poverty" in his stump speech. I hope Krugman is correct in his prediction that his ideas will continue to live on in the debate.

Krugman is excellent at pulling out the real value of various moves made by politicians. Edwards may not have gotten Edwards nominated but he has put a stamp on the process.

However sanguine Prof. Krugman's assessment of the "Edward's Effect" may seem, it appears likely, at present, given some of the proposals offered by Obama and Clinton, and their attachment to lobbyists in Washington and across the nation, Edwards' hard-hitting anti-corporate and health care platform measures will affect the Dem ticket only if he is able to wield sufficient influence at the Dem Convention, is included on the Dem ticket as a truly active V.P., or is appointed to a major role in the a new Dem administration. Otherwise, he will be set aside to pursue his own fortunes.