Immediately following the 2004 campaign, the then-dean of the UNC-Chapel Hill Law School, Gene Nichol — showing his keen discernment for which he is renowned across academe — created a “Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity” in the law school for the express purpose of hiring John Edwards, obviously to keep him relevant for the 2008 campaign.

Dear John took advantage of the opportunity, and the gambit worked; predictably, he abandoned UNC as soon as campaignin’ season was upon him. There he proceeded to self-destruct in what many consider the worst political scandal in the decade.

So who’s leading the old “Edward Center” now? Why … Gene Nichol! Gosh, what a coincidence, huh? Small world, I guess!