Bud Kennedy: Chet Edwards would serve as VP, but are they asking?

Over Dublin Dr Pepper, two Granbury civic clubs celebrated America’s independence Thursday alongside a potential vice president of the United States.

Maybe it was the pure-cane sugar buzz. But excitement stirred around congressman Chet Edwards of Waco, now more than a rumor on the list of possible running mates for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

"Everybody was asking, 'Do you think. . . .’ " Mayor David Southern said by phone after the luncheon. "I had to ask."

Edwards, a centrist Democrat who represents voters south of Fort Worth, has been answering the question since last week, when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested him.

He told Southern the idea "came out of the blue."

But Edwards is no longer playing completely coy.

"Would I serve if asked? Yes," he said, returning a phone call from the airport. "But I can’t imagine many Americans who would not consider it a privilege."

Last week, he said he hadn’t heard from Obama. Now, Edwards says that any comment should come from that campaign.

"I have not been asked," he said, "and only one person has the right do that."

In other interviews, Edwards has called his chances a "long shot" and said it would take a "lightning strike." But he said Thursday that if asked, he’ll campaign for veterans’ services, military might and the issues that have won elections in his district around President Bush’s ranch in conservative Central Texas.

Edwards, 56, endorsed Obama in February.

"I believe he can be a transformational leader that can change Washington," Edwards said Thursday. "I have seen a lot of political leaders over the years. But he has a God-given talent to inspire people."

Until this year, Edwards and Obama had never met. At a meeting with several congressmen, Edwards asked Obama how he would want to be remembered after leaving the White House.

Edwards paraphrased Obama’s reply: "I would want them to say that I was a person of integrity, a good father and husband, and that I passed a healthcare plan for all Americans."

"I was impressed with the values," Edwards said.

As a national candidate, Edwards has one big drawback:

He’s a Texan.

Former Arlington congressman Martin Frost said that doesn’t matter.

"It’s the fact that he’s a moderate Democrat," Frost said by phone from Washington. "And it’s not a bad idea to have somebody from the South."

That description also fits Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine. But Frost said that Edwards has the advantage of being the longtime congressman from Fort Hood and chairman of the House subcommittee over veterans’ benefits.

"Chet has made a career out of knowing the military and veterans’ concerns," Frost said. ". . . It seems to be a good fit."

I asked Edwards about the prominent military leader on the Republican Party side.

"I have tremendous respect for John McCain’s military service to our country," he said. "But the real question is who can lead this country forward in a positive direction."

At Texas Christian University, political science professor Jim Riddlesperger has researched presidential campaigns throughout his 26-year teaching career.

"Edwards is a middle-of-the-road Democrat who’s taken on tough campaigns," Riddlesperger said. "He’s on the radar because he’s been a solid success in Texas."

But it’s also rare for national candidates to come out of the U.S. House, Riddlesperger said.

"And it’s hard to imagine how Edwards or anybody else could win Texas," he said.

Edwards disagreed.

"It will be an uphill fight," he said, quoting Texas polls that show Obama within 5 points of McCain.

"But Sen. Obama spotted Hillary Clinton a 36-year head start in Texas and wound up winning.  . . . That shows the power of his leadership once people get to know him better."

America might get to know Edwards better.