It is largely assumed that, in lieu of his own appearance at the top of the ticket, John Edwards favors Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. Obama's and Edwards' messages are largely the same, though their approaches differ, and Edwards' dislike for Clinton has been obvious for months.

But last night, Edwards and Clinton had a symbiotic relationship, as both sought to attack what they characterized as inconsistencies in Obama's record and rhetoric. Edwards took his usual shots at Clinton for being a Washington insider, though they were far from the sharpest he's used, instead paying more attention to Obama.

As if the joint Obama targeting weren't enough to pique interest, Edwards and Clinton actually sat down together in Edwards' green room after the debate, CNN reports. Sources told the network that little more than light chatter was involved, and that such meetings have occurred previously between Edwards and Obama.

Still, Edwards and Clinton have not had a collegial relationship during the campaign, and a chance meeting with light chit-chat seems unlikely. Could the two have begun a conversation that could lead to bigger things -- perhaps a deal of some sort -- down the road?

We've always thought the idea of a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket would not fly with either camp; the two seem to genuinely dislike each other. And it has been largely assumed that Edwards, thanks to his performance as a running mate in 2004, would be out of the running for the same position in 2008. He's not on anyone's shortlist yet, but ... what if? In a race that very well may be decided by the few dozen delegates Edwards commands at a national convention, a very prominent position in the next administration could be offered by the winning candidate.

How prominent? Maybe that's what Clinton and Edwards were discussing.