Kerry balances ticket
PITTSBURGH — John Kerry went for energy and optimism in adding former rival John Edwards to his presidential ticket Tuesday — but he also settled for inexperience.
Kerry aides said the smooth-talking North Carolina senator, the favored vice presidential candidate of Democrats nationwide, can appeal to Southern and rural voters with a well-honed message: that under President Bush, there are “two Americas,” one for the rich and one for everyone else.
“Together, John Edwards and I are now going to fight to build one America for all Americans,” Kerry said while making the announcement at a rally in downtown Pittsburgh.
Beyond the message, Edwards now becomes a smiling new messenger for a candidate often seen as aloof and even dour, analysts and fellow Democrats noted.
While Bush welcomed Edwards to the race and pledged a spirited contest, other Republicans noted that the former trial lawyer has served only one term in the U.S. Senate — which they called lean experience to be a heartbeat away from global leadership in an age of terrorism.
Bush campaign manager Marc Racicot called Edwards a “committed liberal and spirited messenger for his party,” citing differences over tax cuts and fighting terrorism. The Republican National Committee was not so kind, calling him “a disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal and friend to personal injury trial lawyers.”
Kerry, disclosing the Edwards pick via e-mail sent to supporters after the news had broken on television, touted his running mate’s credentials by citing Senate efforts “to reform our intelligence, to combat bioterrorism, and keep our military strong.”
Kerry, who then dropped into Indianapolis for a brief visit, told a church group that Edwards is “a champion for the middle class, for all Americans’ opportunity.”
Edwards issued only a brief written statement that he was “humbled” by Kerry’s offer, “and thrilled to accept it.”
Calling Kerry “a man of strength, character and courage,” Edwards echoed the campaign theme by saluting “those in the middle class who struggle every day to make ends meet, and the millions of Americans fighting to enter the middle class.”
Kerry made the call despite a less-than-warm personal relationship with Edwards, exacerbated by their primary battle.
Like his Republican foes, Kerry reportedly worried that Edwards lacked the experience to step into the presidency if necessary, but aides said that a series of private meetings with the senator eased the concern. Now, they said, the two politicians respect each other’s abilities and believe they are complementary.
Kerry unveiled his pick earlier than most recent presidential nominees, with nearly three weeks to go until the Democratic convention in Boston. And unlike most photo-opportunity announcements, the candidates were not in public together.
But they will spend the next week in the political and media spotlight, visiting the battleground states of Ohio, Florida, West Virginia and New Mexico before a weekend visit to Edwards’ home state of North Carolina.
Aides said they wanted to give the new team as much time together as possible, and the candidates and their families planned to meet privately Tuesday night at the Pennsylvania farm owned by Kerry’s wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, arrived in the Steel City later, flanked by their new Secret Service detail. As they shook hands along a rope line, as speakers blared Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” — the same song used to end Kerry rallies.
Kerry aides said they believe Edwards’ moderate Southern image will help attract independents and disaffected Republicans.
“I am determined that we reach out across party lines,” Kerry said in Pittsburgh, “that we speak the heart of America, that we speak of hope and of optimism.”