Kerry picks Edwards as running mate

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry announced yesterday that his former rival John Edwards, a charismatic senator with a strong support base in the South, will be his running mate.

“Teresa and I could not be more excited that John and Elizabeth Edwards will be our partners in our journey to make America stronger at home and respected in the world,” Kerry said in a statement. “John understands and defends the values of America.He has shown courage and conviction as a champion for middle-class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class.In the Senate, he worked to reform our intelligence, to combat bio-terrorism and keep our military strong,” Kerry added.Edwards, 51, who gave Kerry the toughest run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, reportedly cut short his vacation in Florida on Thursday to fly to Washington and meet with Kerry.Polls showed that the North Carolina senator, a former trial lawyer whose eloquence and folksy appeal won raves on the campaign trail, was the clear favourite among voters to be Kerry’s running mate.He could also strengthen the Democrats in the South, complementing Kerry’s strength in the North as a US senator for the northeastern state of Massachusetts.NBC television reported on its website that Kerry had actively considered around 25 candidates.Among the front-runners were onetime Democratic presidential hopeful and former Democratic House minority leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri and Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack.Others, such as Florida Senator Bob Graham and former NATO commander Wesley Clark, were also mentioned as possible candidates ahead of the nominating convention to be held in Boston July 26-29.Conspicuously absent from the short list was maverick Republican Senator John McCain, who reportedly turned down repeated entreaties by his friend and fellow Vietnam War veteran Kerry to join a cross-party ticket.- Nampa-AFP”John understands and defends the values of America.He has shown courage and conviction as a champion for middle-class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class.In the Senate, he worked to reform our intelligence, to combat bio-terrorism and keep our military strong,” Kerry added.Edwards, 51, who gave Kerry the toughest run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, reportedly cut short his vacation in Florida on Thursday to fly to Washington and meet with Kerry.Polls showed that the North Carolina senator, a former trial lawyer whose eloquence and folksy appeal won raves on the campaign trail, was the clear favourite among voters to be Kerry’s running mate.He could also strengthen the Democrats in the South, complementing Kerry’s strength in the North as a US senator for the northeastern state of Massachusetts.NBC television reported on its website that Kerry had actively considered around 25 candidates.Among the front-runners were onetime Democratic presidential hopeful and former Democratic House minority leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri and Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack.Others, such as Florida Senator Bob Graham and former NATO commander Wesley Clark, were also mentioned as possible candidates ahead of the nominating convention to be held in Boston July 26-29.Conspicuously absent from the short list was maverick Republican Senator John McCain, who reportedly turned down repeated entreaties by his friend and fellow Vietnam War veteran Kerry to join a cross-party ticket.- Nampa-AFP