Last night John Edwards gave a half-hour speech at Indiana University, part of the Indiana Memorial Union Board's speaker series. It was his first public appearance since August, for some reason — maybe he's been tired? Those presidential primaries sure can be exhausting.

Anyway, Edwards didn't leave his audience in suspense. He cut straight to the chase, telling everyone exactly what they'd gone there to hear…

Former Sen. John Edwards said Sen. John McCain had a weight around his neck in the final days of the presidential campaign.

That weight, he said, was President Bush.

Interesting thing about John McCain: he pals around with this pretty younger woman. Blonde. Weird, that almost sounds like something familiar.

Edwards also said the election outcomes showed that the American people are ready for something new in politics.

“The result of last Tuesday was not an accident,” he said. He later added, “Americans want change, and they wanted something different.”

I don't have a specific example right now, but for instance, I know a lot of people are tired of that political trope in which a politician does something sleazy and covers it up.

One of Edwards’ strongest messages was the need for America to be a world leader again. He sharply criticized the Bush foreign policy of the last eight years.

“America cannot bully its way to making the world a safer place,” he said.

Edwards said Obama will make the United States respected once again on foreign shores.

Good point. The world has lost a lot of respect for America because of all the stupid, duplicitious things we've done, and that's going to hinder our ability to help those in need.

I swear this reminds me of something. I just can't think what.