| Kerry picks edwards as running mate { July 6 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-070604edwards_lat,1,4716458.story?coll=la-home-headlineshttp://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-070604edwards_lat,1,4716458.story?coll=la-home-headlines
NATION Kerry Picks Edwards to Be Running Mate By Matea Gold Times Staff Writer
6:10 AM PDT, July 6, 2004
PITTSBURGH — Democratic presidential hopeful John F. Kerry on Tuesday tapped John Edwards, a fellow senator who was his strongest opponent during the primaries, to join his presidential ticket.
In picking the youthful North Carolina senator, Kerry chose a running mate whose high-wattage personality and down-home rhetorical style won over fervent supporters in the primaries and a loyal following that had been openly advocating his selection since he withdrew from the race in March.
In an e-mail to supporters Tuesday morning, Kerry said he was proud to select Edwards, praising his optimistic approach to politics and his focus on the pressures facing middle-class workers.
"John understands and defends the values of America," Kerry wrote. "He has shown courage and conviction as a champion for middle class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class."
"John reaches across party lines and speaks to the heart of America — hope and optimism," he added.
With his choice, Kerry apparently overcame the irritation he felt with his young colleague when they were competing for the nomination. At one point, Kerry expressed skepticism that the one-term senator was qualified to be president. At another moment, Kerry said he didn't know whether Edwards was even "out of diapers" when he came back from the Vietnam War.
Kerry formally announced his choice during a rally this morning in Pittsburgh's Market Square at 9 a.m. ET. Edwards will join him on the campaign trail this evening or tomorrow.
The putative Democratic nominee closely held the selection process over the last few months and managed to keep his running mate a secret until about 30 minutes before he announced it over e-mail, when NBC first broke the news.
As soon as it leaked out, Republicans were quick to weigh in on his choice, launching a web site called www.kerrypicksedwards.com that featured some of Kerry's more choice comments about his running mate. The Republican National Committee dubbed the North Carolina senator "a disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal."
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