John Kerry's selection of John Edwards as his vice presidential candidate makes perfect sense.

Edwards fills the gaps in the ticket that Kerry leaves open, and brings more balance to the overall campaign. Edwards is personable, where Kerry leaves something to be desired in interpersonal communication.

Since Edwards represents the American South, Kerry the Northerner, made a smart and strategic choice. The appeal of the duo can potentially reach far, and they represent a presidential ticket on which people can cast their vote as much for the vice-presidential candidate as for Kerry.

The mud-slinging over whether or Edwards has enough experience is nearly irrelevant, since President Bush, as governor, got elected despite his indirect relationship with Washington. Edwards, comparatively, has had four years of direct contact with the inner-workings of the capital's political scene.

Part of former President Clinton's appeal was that he was a new face in D.C. politics - this is something that Edwards also brings to the table.

In his way, Edwards can be seen as the antithesis of Vice President Dick Cheney, in that he's young, new and vibrant. Cheney, by comparison seems slow, calculating and almost robotic as vice president. This obviously factored into the overall strategy of Kerry's campaign. It represents the campaign's need to provide something different that maybe Bush and Cheney cannot offer.

Some might have seen Edwards as a lock for the vice-presidential spot, but this is disputable, given the amount of names thrown around before the decision. Either way, Edwards was a strong and almost obvious choice for Kerry.

There's some doubt that, if needed, Edwards might not be able to do justice to the presidency. The truth is no one knows how he might do, but because of the merits he brings to the presidential ticket, Edwards was the obvious choice.