Great news from John Edwards today: If Kerry and Edwards are elected, there will be no military draft.

During a question-and-answer session, the mother of a 23-year-old who recently graduated from West Virginia University asked Edwards whether the draft would be reinstated. "There will be no draft when John Kerry is president," Edwards said, a statement that drew a standing ovation.

Despite Rumsfeld's statements Bush wouldn't start a draft either, recent actions of the Pentagon cast doubt on that claim. For example, the miltitary's use of the "stop-loss" program has been alleged by many to be a back-door draft. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) thinks a reinstatement of the draft is warranted.

Ralph Nader warns a draft is coming....unless he's President, of course. Bills have been introduced in Congress to reinstate the draft...although they have little chance of success. Democratic Underground reports the draft may come disguised in a budget proposal.

But don't take a chance. The safest route to avoiding involuntary induction into active military service is a vote for Kerry-Edwards.