Edwards bows out

A tip of the hat to John Edwards, who ended his campaign today where he began it, and pushed the agenda for this nominating contest in an important direction it would not otherwise have gone without his presence.




Edwards' decision makes several things about this election historic, barring the unforeseen:

• For the first time, a major party will nominate a candidate who is not a white male.
  
• For the first time since 1960 (given the likelihood that John McCain will be the Republican nominee after last night's primary in Florida), a sitting US Senator will be the next president.