Kerry picks former rival Edwards as running mate

DEMOCRAT John Kerry kicked his presidential campaign into full gear yesterday when he selected former rival, the charismatic Southerner John Edwards, to be his running mate.

Mr Kerry described the former trial lawyer and one-term senator as a man who showed "guts and determination and political skill" in his unsuccessful race for the party's presidential nomination.

As Mr Kerry announced his decision at a rally in Pittsburgh, a huge crowd of supporters burst into applause, waving handmade signs that mixed with professionally printed "Kerry-Edwards" placards.

"I trust that met with your approval," Mr Kerry said, a smile crossing his face. A banner unfurled behind him with the latest campaign message: "Kerry-Edwards. A stronger America."

As he wrapped up his remarks - a vintage Kerry stump speech laced with a few descriptions of Edwards - Chuck Berry's Johnny B Goode played, a reference to the first name the running mates share.

By selecting Mr Edwards, 51, Mr Kerry went with the smooth-talking Southern populist over more seasoned politicians in hopes of injecting vigour and small-town appeal to the Democratic presidential ticket. Mr Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, calculated that he didn't need to add foreign policy heft to the ticket.

Called aloof by his critics, reserved by his supporters, Mr Kerry hopes Mr Edwards will add pizazz to the Democratic team.

Mr Edwards is rich, but his up-from-the-bootstraps biography made a compelling story during his primary campaign.

US President George Bush's allies at the Republican National Committee immediately labelled Mr Edwards a "disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal" trial lawyer - even as Vice President Dick Cheney called to congratulate him.

Spokeswoman Nicolle Devenish said Mr Cheney had congratulated Mr Edwards and told his rival that he looked forward to the vice presidential debate and "a spirited campaign."

Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and Senator Bob Graham of Florida were also on the vice-presidential shortlist.

Mr Kerry called all three men, and perhaps one more, shortly before the rally, an aide said. He also telephoned 2000 Democratic nominee Al Gore, who in turn talked to Mr Edwards.

Mr Edwards was the most popular of the leading contenders for the job, according to an AP-Ipsos poll of registered voters taken last month. Party leaders had been urging Mr Kerry to shed his initial resistance to the North Carolina senator, who was elected in 1998.

In his 15-minute call to the senator, Mr Kerry said: "Teresa and I would like to ask you and Elizabeth to join us on our ticket to take back our country."

During the Democratic nomination fight, Mr Kerry had groused to associates that Mr Edwards had no right seeking the presidency after less than a single term in the Senate. But aides said the Massachusetts senator steadily warmed to Mr Edwards, first in the primary campaign, where he stood against Kerry until the end without going negative and then when he campaigned on Mr Kerry's behalf.

Obsessed with secrecy, Mr Kerry kept his decision to himself until the last possible minute, giving Mr Edwards no time to get to Pittsburgh in time.

The Democratic ticket met up in Pittsburgh, where the candidates and their families had dinner together at Mr Kerry's estate. They fly to Ohio, a major battleground state, today for their first joint appearance.

Their multistate tour will take them to Mr Edwards's home state of North Carolina, a Republican bastion that Mr Kerry hopes to put in play with his selection.