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Kerry picks Edwards as veep

ADEZE OJUKWU and ACHO ORABUCHI with agency reports.

Reporting from New Jersey and Dallas, USA

United States (USA) Democratic presidential candidate, Senator John Kerry, today formally declared Senator John Edwards as his vice presidential nominee. This announcement brings to an end several months of speculations concerning the ‘veep’ stakes

Making this declaration, Tuesday morning in a nationwide broadcast, Senator Kerry promised that the party would claim the White House on November 2, 2004.

‘This morning I have talked with a number of talented and decent Americans who have been both courageous and patriotic enough to allow them to be considered for Vice President of the United States. Each of those individuals would make a great Vice President and indeed, in their own right, could lead our country. But I can only choose one as a running mate and this morning I have done so.’

Kerry, amidst a tumultuous ovation, reiterated his optimism to win the White House with the support of his running mate and the electorate. Flanked by the Democratic party stalwarts, Senator Kerry, announced his choice at about 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, at a big morning rally in Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh.

He continued amidst cheers from party supporters: ‘we'll be fighting to make America stronger at home and more respected in the world. We'll be fighting for good paying jobs that let American families actually get ahead- an America where the middle class is doing better, not being squeezed. We'll be fighting to make healthcare a right for all our people. We'll be fighting to make this nation energy independent. We'll be fighting to build a strong military and lead strong alliances; so young Americans are never put in harm's way because we insisted on going it alone. And we're going to win this fight by standing together, not as two Americas, but as one America.’

On the choice of Senator Edwards, a first timer in the US congress, the Democratic presidential hopeful declared. ‘I have chosen a man who understands and defends the values of America, a man who has shown courage and conviction as a champion for middle class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class-a man who has shown guts, determination and political skill in his own race for the Presidency -- a man whose life has prepared him for leadership and whose character brings him to exercise it. I am pleased to announce that the next Vice President of the United States will be John Edwards of North Carolina.’

‘I've seen John Edwards think, argue, advocate, legislate and lead for six years now. I know his skill. I know his passion. I know his strength. I know his conscience. I know his faith. He has honored the lessons of home and family learned in North Carolina, and brings those values to this struggle to shape a better future for America. He is ready for this job,’ said Kerry confidently.’

According to him, there's also a great bonus to having John on this ticket-and that's a strong, brave woman, Elizabeth Edwards. Teresa and I and our family will be proud to stand with the Edwards family in this campaign-with their daughter Cate, who just graduated from college, and with their little ones Emma Claire and Jack.

On the current economic situation in the country, Kerry said, ‘as so many of you know, throughout the campaign, John talked about the great divide in this country-the "Two Americas"-that exists between those who are doing well and those who are struggling to make it from day to day. That concern is at the center of this campaign. It is what it is all about. It has been part of my fight for 35 years. And I am so proud that together we're going to build one America.’

Senator Kerry, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a leader in fighting bioterrorism, disclosed that he shares an unshakable commitment to maintaining a military second to none, and to restoring old and building new alliances with his new running mate.

According to political pundits, the highly politicized vice presidential selection has given Kerry the much-deeded national attention he so needs to unseat President George Bush in the November elections.

Edwards, Gephardt and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack were identified by campaign aides as finalists, and Kerry spent the Independence Day holiday in Volsack's home state. But Edwards interrupted his Walt Disney World vacation last week to meet with Kerry, according to USA TODAY reports.

‘The Massachusetts senator said as late as Monday he had not settled on a running mate, but that didn't stop the rampant speculation in Democratic circles. Party leaders said they were told to expect a decision Tuesday.’

"I've made no decision at this point in time, and I'm going to continue to keep it a private and personal process until I announce it publicly," the senator told WTAE, an ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, on Monday.

Senior Democrats had earlier last week, identified the top three contenders for the position as Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri and Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa. Mr. Kerry's aides also disclosed that placards had been printed with at least three versions of the Democratic ticket: Kerry-Edwards, Kerry-Gephardt and Kerry-Vilsack.

Despite last-minute speculations, Edwards was obviously the favorite of many Democratic activists because of ‘his youthful good looks, a self-assured manner and a message that focused on President Bush's "two Americas" — one for the wealthy and another for everybody else.’

However, ‘others expressed concern that Senator Edwards, whose only political credential is a single term in the Senate, lacks the experience in international affairs, particularly in wartime, to be a credible candidate to assume the presidency in the case of death, resignation or removal.’

It will be recalled that the 51 year-old Edwards seldom criticized Kerry or any of the other Democrats while running a generally positive campaign last November. ‘The two had few major policy disagreements and publicly supported the decision to go to war in Iraq, for example, and both voted against the $87 billion package for Iraq and Afghanistan.’

Kerry finished first and Edwards second in the Iowa caucuses in January, surprising front-runner Howard Dean and driving regional favorite Gephardt out of the race.

Mr. Kerry is scheduled to fly to Indianapolis to address a convention of the A.M.E. Church. He will then return to his wife's farmhouse in Fox Chapel, Pa., in the critical electoral turf of Allegheny County, to await the arrival of his new No. 2 for an overnight visit.

At some point Tuesday afternoon Mr. Kerry and his running mate are to appear for a wave to the cameras, which would provide, in time for the evening news, the first post-selection images of the two men together.

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