Edwards hits the ground running.

Touting the slogan “Tomorrow Begins Today,” Edwards, 53, a former senator from North Carolina, pledged a grass-roots campaign that begins with domestic issues, such as eliminating poverty and strengthening the middle class — hence Thursday morning’s campaign announcement in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.

Edwards said that he is working on a true universal health care plan, not just access to health care or affordable health care. It’s part of taking care of the nation’s people and America proving itself once again as a model for the rest of the world, he said.

“We need to be patriotic for something other than just war,” he said.

“I don’t want us to stand by and wait for the next election and the next president to solve these problems — although we have some hopes for that — but we want to start taking responsibility now, and doi ng things now,” he said.

I love Edwards "can do attitude", but he needs to be cautious. Already I have seen interviewers trying to trip him up and get him pigeonholed early in this campaign. If they are successful in identifying Edwards with a simple two sentence sound bite that will give his future opponents tons of opportunity to paint themselves in broader brush strokes and make Edwards appear to be two dimensional.

While I applaud the straight talk that is coming from the Edwards camp, they need to be aware that there is a reason that many Presidential hopefuls delay announcing their candidacy.

He needs to stay positive and continue his anti-war posturing. That will definitely resonate with the American population.