Tue, May 06, 2008 - 10:19 AM

With North Carolinians busy choosing between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama this morning, John McCain dropped into Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem to deliver a speech on how he would select judicial nominees.

"For decades now, some federal judges have taken it upon themselves to pronounce and rule on matters that were never intended to be heard in courts or decided by judges. With a presumption that would have amazed the framers of our Constitution, and legal reasoning that would have mystified them, federal judges today issue rulings and opinions on policy questions that should be decided democratically. Assured of lifetime tenures, these judges show little regard for the authority of the president, the Congress, and the states. They display even less interest in the will of the people. And the only remedy available to any of us is to find, nominate, and confirm better judges," he said.

--Sean Mussenden

In what People magazine online is touting as the first joint interview with John and Elizabeth Edwards since he left the presidential race in January, the Edwardses said Monday they aren't endorsing Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. But they're hardly harsh critics.

Elizabeth Edwards said she likes Hillary Clinton's health care plan -- but not "the lobbyist money." John Edwards doesn't like her old-style politics.

Barack Obama won praise from Elizabeth Edwards for motivating young people -- but not for his health care plan or his health care advertising, which she said is misleading. John Edwards said he believes Obama would bring about real change and do things differently in Washington -- but said he would like to see more substance from the Illinois senator.

Bottom line: Looks like Edwards is keeping his options open. They say they've got their own causes: fighting poverty (his) and fighting for universal health care (hers). Could he also be hoping for another vice presidential offer?

-- Marsha Mercer