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Now that Sen. John Kerry has selected Sen. John Edwards to be his running mate, the campaign for the White House has shifted into high gear. Since the announcement, the debate of the day has become who would be the better vice president, Edwards or current Vice President Dick Cheney?

But will Cheney even remain in the election? Suspicion has begun to arise that he may remove himself from the Republican ticket. Health concerns certainly still linger, as Cheney has suffered four heart attacks since 1978. Furthermore, he might see himself as a hindrance on President George W. Bush’s reelection efforts.

There is little chance that Bush would ever force Cheney out the door. Few have had the same influence that Cheney has had on Bush. Bush has relied on Cheney’s loyalty, experiences and wisdom throughout his first term, a term that has witnessed the most devastating terrorist attack in American history and unprecedented international issues. Cheney’s vast knowledge of foreign policy and defense has proved invaluable.

But if Cheney becomes convinced that the party would be better served with a new name on the ballot, it would be very conceivable that the 63-year-old official would back down. If Republicans could convince former Arizona Sen. John McCain or Secretary of State Colin Powell to become Cheney’s successor, it would certainly be an exciting change that would invigorate moderates and even swing some left-wing votes the incumbent’s way. And in this tumultuous election, there would be no greater coup for Bush than to convince Kerry’s first choice for vice president to become his own running mate.

But all speculation aside, Cheney is still the Republican candidate for the vice presidency. And if he stays in the race, he remains a man who is a dignified public servant and who is immensely skilled.

Cheney has severed prominently under four presidents, including acting as chief of staff for Gerald Ford and as secretary of defense for George Bush. He was also elected to six terms as the Congressman for his home state of Wyoming, using his time in office to serve not only his constituents, but also the rest of the nation with distinction and honesty.

His decades of dedication to this country and his impeccable knowledge of the workings of government make him a man who is eminently more qualified than his opponent Edwards.

Bush made a very accurate response when asked what the difference between Cheney and Edwards was. “Dick Cheney can be president.”

What Edwards admittedly has in charisma he lacks in experience. His career in politics began just six years ago when he ran for the Senate in North Carolina. As his own running mate Kerry criticized a few short months ago, “In the Senate four years, that is the full extent of public life. No international experience, no military experience.”

Another of Edwards’ weaknesses may also be his most devastating. This election will likely boil down to a debate over foreign policy. And while Edwards’ populist speeches about “Two Americas” may have captivated his base, he is largely untested and untrusted on matters of international relations. This will not sit well with undecided voters concerned about terrorism and Iraq.

The pairing of Kerry and Edwards has made for one of the most liberal Democratic tickets in history. Kerry is currently considered the most liberal member of the Senate. Edwards is close behind, being the fourth most liberal. According to the Americans for Democratic Action, a left-wing group that analyzes annual voting records, Kerry has amassed a lifetime liberal rating of 92 percent. Edwards was calculated at 81 percent. The same data shows that their teaming is even more liberal than the Walter Mondale-Geraldine Ferraro ticket of 1984. No matter how right-leaning voters may feel the Bush-Cheney ticket is, they are clearly not as partisan as the Kerry-Edwards team is.

This race should not be focused on which man will better serve as the president of the Senate. Rather, it should center around which team can best guide the nation during these interesting times. Edwards’ inexperience makes him a liability in this realm. He can neither rely on an impressive political career nor is he particularly moderate.

The bottom line in this race is that the only running this former personal injury attorney is used to is from his days of chasing after ambulances.

Pfohl is a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in history.