I rolled my eyes yesterday when I read CBS Marketwatch’s Frank Barnako dismiss U.S. Sen. John Edwards as the keynote speaker at Gnomedex 6.

I was in Seattle for 5.0 last year, and it was an inspiring event, full of podcasters, bloggers, columnists and techies shaking hands and sharing the latest technology buzz.  This year, I’m not so sure it will be.  Politics has raised its ugly and, from the standpoint of campaigning, its irrelevant head. Instead of the “Podfather” Adam Curry and irascible and brilliant programmer Dave Winer doing keynote speeches, this year Chris has lined up former VP candidate John Edwards.

Boy, does Barnako have it wrong.

First, I don’t know about anybody else, but I’ve heard from Curry and Winer enough. I’m not dismissing their importance or value, but these guys (and others like them) have been speaking regularly at the never-ending stream of conferences (BloggerCon, VloggerCon, BlogHer, Mesh, Syndicate, and on, and on, and on) that address social media. I can’t be the only one ready to hear from some fresh voices.

And that’s what Edwards brings: a fresh voice. As I read Barnako’s diatribe, I was already convinced Edwards wouldn’t be campaigning in this talk. Instead, he’d be talking about blogging and podcasting. Not only does he “get it.” He does it. If you’ve never listened to his podcast, you should; it’s instructure. Eschwing the slick polish you might expect from someone who may well seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, Edwards sits at his kitchen table with his wife, Elizabeth. They talk with each other and their listeners about everything from foreign policy to their children’s activities to Elizabeth’s battle with cancer. They also answer questions left by listeners to their blog.

The podcast is unscripted and wholly conversational. While other presidential wannabes are plotting traditional campaign stsrategies, Edwards is building a base by building a community who would vote for him because they feel like they know him. He’s flying under the radar by participating in the conversation. I figured his keynote would talk about how he has embraced social media, along with his future plans.

It turns out I’m wrong about that. Steve Rubel is at Gnomedex and blogging the talk. According to Steve, “He’s not giving a speech. He says he’s here to learn and engage in a conversation. And boy did he.” For example (writes Steve):

What bloggers doing is important for the country, the political process…it will change democracy. Instead of leaders speaking out at people, we will engage in dialogue.

And that’s why it makes perfect sense for Edwards to open Gnomdex.