John Edwards announces candidacy via YouTube

I liked John Edwards a lot more than Kerry in the last Presidential cycle. I thought that his focus on the poor was really unusual for a Presidential candidate. He's announced he's running again and this time, he's really focusing on the net (or as our current President calls it, "the internets". Remember, he uses "the Google" a lot.) He's invited several prominent bloggers, including Robert Scoble (a tech blogger) to travel with him - on their own dime (Scoble's on his company's dime, he has revealed). And, he posted his announcement on YouTube.

What I really like about the announcement is that he once again focuses not only on what needs to change (universal health care, Iraq, etc.) but on what we need to do. If we want the world (or even our little part of it) to change, then we need to step up and participate and help change it. And not just by voting (although, that would be a great start). To me, it's similar to JFK's Peace Corp message. It makes sense and I think/hope it will interest younger folks (who are also likely part of his target audience as he focuses on the web).

Scoble says that as far as he knows, there are no limits to his access or what he writes. You have to figure that these guys are going to be scrutinized and videotaped all the time anyways - look at Mr. Macaca in Virginia. They always have to watch what they say and do, cause someone's going to be there with a cell phone camera to catch any slipup. Why not bring the influential bloggers into the fold right from the start? I think it's a really smart move and can't wait till he shows up on campus to talk. I'll be front and center (with my cell phone camera)!