HONOLULU -- Defeated vice presidential candidates in America usually don't rate much attention, but Democratic Sen. John Edwards signaled, perhaps inadvertently, what lies immediately ahead in U.S. politics when he said Wednesday: "This fight has just begun."
In brief but feisty remarks before his running mate, Sen. John Kerry, delivered his speech conceding the election to President George W. Bush, Edwards struck a combative tone that differed from the ritual platitudes appealing for unity that came from both Sen. John Kerry and President George W. Bush.
For one stark fact stands out despite the solid victory of Bush in the electoral college, the popular vote and the Republican increase in its hold on the Congress: America is as divided as it has not been since the turbulent Vietnam era 40 years ago. That split will affect most decisions in domestic politics and foreign policy, including that toward Asia, for the next four years.