The Associated Press reports that Obama's shortlist includes another name: Edwards. And that's Chet, not John. Edwards, a powerful nine-term Congressman from Corpus Christi, is a favorite of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has on multiple occasions touted his "extraordinary credentials" and expressed publicly her hope that he is the veep nominee. His district includes President Bush's hometown of Crawford.
Edwards brings a particularly strong command of military and veterans issues, derived in part from his service as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. In 2007, he authored the largest increase in veterans' funding in the 77-year history of the VA. In 2008 alone, he's received the American Legion Distinguished Public Service Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Congressional Award, and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Congressional Award.
House aides on both sides of the aisle tell me that Edwards is immensely popular with colleagues and would be invaluable in helping to shepard Obama's big initiatives through Congress.
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