Is this SOTU fallout?

We get one tiny insignificant carrot in the President's speech and suddenly there's some sort of politicky-type event like two days later.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2008

***MEDIA ADVISORY**

SENATOR EDWARDS TO RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS TO DELIVER MAJOR ADDRESS ON POVERTY

Edwards will call on Americans to stand up and confront the moral challenge of ending poverty in America

New Orleans, Louisiana – On Wednesday, January 30, 2008, Senator John Edwards will return to New Orleans to deliver a major policy address on poverty, the great moral issue of our time. In recent days and weeks, national discussion of important issues like ending poverty has given way to sniping and personal attacks between the two frontrunner candidates. Ending poverty and fighting for the middle class is the cause of John Edwards' life -- and he will urge the nation to refocus on this important issue.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 2008

12:00 PM CT
Edwards to deliver major policy address on poverty and then volunteer on the Habitat for Humanity project at the Musicians' Village
Musicians' Village
4000 North Roman Street (Intersection of Roman and Bartholomew)
New Orleans, Louisiana

If you ask me, though, the timing couldn't be worse. New Orleanians will be busy Wednesday with Carnival parades and basketball games. On the other hand, New Orleanians aren't exactly the target audience for this bit of stagecraft in the first place in which case it makes perfect sense.