Editor’s note: Lesbian Week continues!  Read our previous installments by Malinda Lo, Lisa Neff and Kate Kendell.

The Undecided Voter, Part II. Read Part I here.

 By Joan Garry

John Edwards has ended his presidential bid.

This headline news reminded me of our dinnertime conversation earlier this week. Two very different takes on John Edwards from our 7th grader twins. Each comment says alot about our kids and a lot about the presidential race and how it is engaging Americans of all ages.

Kit  is not fond of John Edwards. I’m sure if she heard about the haircut scandal – she cares a lot about hair and this would sway her no doubt – but her rationale is also thoughtful.

She told me over dinner last night, “I like Barack. He says we all have to change America together. He doesn’t think he can do it all by himself.” What does that have to do with John Edwards, I asked? “He says he is going to do everything. I am going to end poverty. I am going to fight for the middle class. I am going to fight big companies. He has a pretty big ego.”

Kit’s brother Ben   marches to a different drum. He has been shopping for a new candidate to support since Mike Gravel dropped out. He liked Gravel a lot. He thought Gravel seemed so happy. Ben thinks people running for president should be happy about it. Interesting point.

So in the last few days, Ben has been focused on John Edwards. His argument in favor of Edwards is simple. His observation: “I know what he stands for. He always talks about it. He wants to end poverty. I like that.”

 Now you should know that Ben is hard wired to care about the less fortunate and is absolutely physically unable to pass a homeless person without offering change. So the message resonates. But Ben’s real point is that Edwards stays on message. “I have no idea what Hillary and Barack really care about doing as president.”

Duly noted.

CNN reported this morning that Edwards spoke with Obama and Clinton and asked them to carry the message about poverty with them as the campaign unfolds and into the White House if elected. I have to remember to tell Ben that.

He will be pleased.

Joan Garry is a former executive drector of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), co-author of www.whosthegrownup.com, and a featured blogger on The Huffington Post.