ACHO ORABUCHI

Dallas, Texas

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

Captivatingly, the date was Tuesday, July 6, 2004. The time was 8:00 a.m. central time zone. The place was Market Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of the battleground states in this election. The event was the formal announcement of the vice presidential running mate for Senator John Kerry. Estimably, the cheered pronouncement that was greeted with hoisted Kerry-Edwards signs received no respite from there on.

Well, ahead of his party’s National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts on July 26-29, 2004 and the conclusion of the “Veep Stakes”, which had dominated the airwaves and print media days preceding the announcement, Senator John Kerry, the presumptive USA Democratic presidential candidate, picked Senator John Edwards of North Carolina as his running mate. The announcement, which came 20 days to the Democratic National Convention and 119 days to the general elections on November 2, 2004, ended days of suspense and speculations of who would it be and set the tarmac for the take off of the ticket—Kerry-Edwards ticket, tagged “A New Team For A New America” working to make America “Stronger at home and respected in the world”.

Senator Edwards was chosen out of three short-listed choices; among them were Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri and Gov. Tom Vilsack, governor of Iowa. Ironically, Kerry chose Edwards, who not only was a finalist for veep four years ago for Al Gore, but also was his rival during the presidential primaries a few months ago, to complement the ticket. In making the announcement, Kerry said, “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.”

Trying to assure the nation of Edwards’ wealth of experience, which has become an issue, Kerry testified, “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.”

In a continued effort to bolster Edwards’ image among the electorate, Kerry-Edwards Campaign stated, “John Edwards speaks to the heart of America – hope and optimism. He is a lifelong champion for America’s families who has shown courage and conviction standing up for America’s values. In the Senate, he has a record of reaching across party lines and working to reform our intelligence services, combat bioterrorism, and keep our military strong. Together, we will campaign tirelessly across the country – fighting to build an America that is stronger at home and respected in the world.”

Making their first joint appearance a day after the announcement, Edwards said, “John Kerry and I share the same values and vision for America…We both believe our country’s best days are ahead of us, and that there’s nothing America can’t do, as a country and as a people, if we just put our minds to it.”

Senator John Edwards, a first-term senator, who was born in Seneca in 1953, South Carolina and raised in Robbins, North Carolina, is married to Elizabeth with four children, but lost the oldest son, Wade, in an auto crash in 1996, has a charming personality. Senator Edwards, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a multimillionaire trial lawyer, appeals to the middleclass voters. Some people see Edwards as someone who made millions by representing families and children in negligence cases. Others see him as an advocate for families and children.

In defending Kerry’s choice, Mary Beth Cahill, Campaign Manager, said, “Today is a defining moment in our campaign. By choosing John Edwards as his running mate, John Kerry showed that his campaign is about optimism, values, and building a stronger America.” Many Democrats on hearing the news of Edwards’ selection echoed the same sentiment.

Though Edwards’ selection as Kerry’s running mate was widely accepted by the Democrats, yet other people often wondered what he brings to the ticket. Edwards, who is an excellent campaigner, is also charming and appealing to the middleclass and women voters. He would enhance the fundraising activities of the ticket. While adding southern flavor to the ticket, his presence enlivens the plurality of the support for the duo. Some pundits said that Edwards might help Kerry win some states in the South and Midwest. That remains to be seen. However, some Southern and Midwestern states are likely to be competitive with the addition of Edwards to the ticket.

However, no sooner had the pronouncement of the running mate been made than the Republicans unleashed a barrage of criticism on Edwards. According to Mary Beth Cahill, Kerry’s Campaign Manager, “This morning, the Bush-Cheney campaign launched an ad attacking John Kerry's decision. This ad was produced before they even knew who had been selected. George Bush and Dick Cheney are showing once again that they are consumed by negativity and unable to defend their record.” Republicans see Edwards as inexperienced in leadership, foreign affairs, national security, etc. The Republicans feel that Edwards is no match to Vice President Dick Cheney in experience in those areas.

The selection of a running mate was undoubtedly the first major decision Kerry had made in a national political stage. It was, indeed, a big decision that served as a window through which one could see Kerry. Senator Kerry was thoughtful, prudent, pragmatic, and serious about winning the election for the Democrats. When Edwards reclined his ambition to become president in March 2004, he commended Kerry and said that John Kerry has the right stuff to be president of the United States.

Kerry’s decision was a demonstration of confidence in himself and his plans. He needed someone who would be able to wage the debate on many fronts and on several issues and he tapped Edwards who is more charming.

However, no matter the accolade from the Democrats or criticism from the Republicans of John Edwards, this election will not be decided on the basis of a running mate. The election would be decided based on events, the temperament of the electorate, and some burning issues. With the globalization phenomenon sweeping the world, no issue is more global in nature than the scourge of HIV/AIDS. The issue knows no boundaries. Where do the presidential candidates stand on the global fight against AIDS?

President George W. Bush has appointed Randy Tobias as a Global AIDS Coordinator with ambassadorial portfolio to oversee his global fight against AIDS initiatives. It is pertinent to note that Ambassador Tobias was in Nigeria a few weeks ago visiting facilities that care for HIV/AIDS patients. Speaking about AIDS a year ago, George Bush said, “…I will go to Africa to meet with leaders of African countries and with some of the heroic men and women who are caring for the sick and are saving lives. They deserve our praise. They deserve our help, without delay. And they will have our help. When I visit Africa I will reaffirm our nation's commitment to helping Africans fight this disease. America makes this commitment for a clear reason, directly rooted at our founding: we believe in the value and dignity of every human life. We're putting that belief into practice.” According to President Bush, “…We'll work quickly to get help to the people who need it most by purchasing low-cost, anti-retroviral medications and other drugs that are needed to save lives. We will set up a broad and efficient network to deliver drugs to the farthest reaches of Africa, even by motorcycle or bicycle. We will train doctors and nurses and other health care professionals so they can treat HIV/AIDS patients. Our efforts will ensure that clinics and laboratories will be built or renovated and then equipped. Child care workers will be hired and trained to care for AIDS orphans, and people living with AIDS will get home-based care to ease their suffering.”

Similarly, Kerry Campaign has information indicating that Kerry is equally committed in combating the pandemic of global AIDS. The campaign avers, “As the author of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS bill ever to pass the Senate and a proven fighter to expand funding for US bilateral and global AIDS programs, John Kerry understands that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has implications for the life and death of millions of men, women and children across the globe as well as for global security. HIV/AIDS tears apart the fabric of families, communities, and nations, leaving in its wake orphaned and infected children, broken families, schools without teachers, and communities without leaders. Countries that have struggled for decades to improve are faced with weakened economies, debilitated military forces, and a deteriorating capacity to govern effectively and cope with rising health care costs.”

“John Kerry will initiative [initiate] a comprehensive strategy to combat global AIDS that will include specific goals, multi-sectoral approaches, and strategies for treatment and prevention, with particular emphasis on women, young people, and children including those orphaned by AIDS. It will maximize U.S. capabilities in the areas of technical assistance and training and research, including vaccine research. It will reduce programmatic duplication, increase coordination among U.S. government agencies, and decrease the amount of time it takes to get U.S. assistance to those on the front lines of the epidemic. The Kerry strategy will focus not only on countries in the throes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic but new countries where the epidemic is ramping up – countries such as India, China, and Russia,” the Campaign added.

Well, the stage is preliminarily set for Bush-Cheney and Kerry-Edwards political tussle. While the Kerry-Edwards will be officially ratified and introduced to the nation at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts on July 26-29, 2004, Bush-Cheney will use the Republican National Convention in New York, New York on August 30 – September 2, 2004 to reintroduce his team to America.

Bush boldly woos African-American votes