Former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Friday declined to make an endorsement in the Democratic presidential battle, but said Barack Obama could unite the party and win in November.

The Bangles sang it, didn't they?

As the Holidays sped by, the idea of a Chapel Hill rally for John Edwards seemed less and less interesting. I was tired, sore, and felt overwhelmed with work and family situations.

Then I looked at my wife.

This woman, whose memories are filled with National Convention broadcasts and political discussions with her hard-core Democratic father, was once again a child. As the days approached, her excitement could be measured on the Richter scale. There was no way I could deny her this satisfcation, nor would I. For this woman, political involvement is a family legacy.

After an hour's drive of interesting discussions with my wife and a friend, we arrived at Southern Village, a Chapel Hill development whose story is best left for another time. Before us was a facsimile of a small town, or what planners believed a small town should be. On the center commons stood the scaffolded stage where, in a few hours, we would hear from Senator Edwards.