From WNYKRC in New York, this is NPR's On the Media.

I'm Bob Garfield.

And I'm Brooke Gladstone.

The metaphor of the week was last piece in the puzzle, and the piece in question was Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, newly anointed contender for vice president on the Democratic

ticket.

Edwards was dubbed Southern Comfort by the Chicago Tribune

and a swing state boost in New York's Newsday. Edwards is the yeast to help carry rise, said the

Cleveland Plain Dealer, which claims to be a family newspaper. And in Tuesday's edition of ABC's

online newsletter, the Note, this headline,

Happy Birthday, Mr. President, John Kerry just got you a smooth-talking, handsome, charismatic,

rich Southern trial lawyer to run against. Let's be frank, noted the note. We, the media,

love John Edwards, and we love John Kerry even more than before for picking him.

And Emma Clare and Jack are really, really cute.

Sunny, vigorous, boyish enthusiasm as a campaigner, so he's going to get a friendly initial

reception. He's already getting it.

John Kerry's announcement this week was the gift that kept on giving.

First on Tuesday when he divulged his choice in an email to supporters and then to the world in

Pennsylvania.

With your help, the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John

Edwards from North Carolina.

Later that day, the first photo op.

...for the first time since the Democratic presidential ticket was formalized yesterday.

...