Posted on 07/07/2004 12:08:04 PM PDT by Jenya
Kerry pick will fill charisma gap: VP pick Edwards hits trail running
WASHINGTON - Sens. John F. Kerry [related, bio] and John Edwards [related, bio] hit the campaign trail as running mates today as the Bush campaign tries to shatter the debut by casting them as ultra-liberal and too inexperienced for the White House.
Minutes after Kerry unveiled Edwards as his vice presidential nominee, Republicans pounced on the North Carolina senator as untested on vital national security and a slick trial lawyer who got rich suing companies and doctors in personal injury lawsuits.
They branded the Democratic ticket as radically left of most of America - particularly business.
``He's public enemy No. 1,'' said Tripp Baird, director of Senate relations for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. ``Anyone to the left of Ted Kennedy can't be good for business.''
A Republican National Committee press release taunted Edwards as ``A disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal and friend to personal injury lawyers.''
Bay State Gov. Mitt Romney [related, bio] was among the first Republicans to swipe at Kerry's choice, foreshadowing a bruising race to come.
``I think John Kerry [related, bio] is more liberal than the people at large and I think John Edwards fits that mold,'' Romney told reporters at the State House in Boston.
But an upbeat Kerry brushed off the Republican threat.
``I have chosen a man who understands and defends the values of America, a man with courage and conviction . . .a man who has shown guts, determination and political skill in the race for the presidency,'' said Kerry.
Kerry strategists hope Edwards' youthful appeal and vibrant speaking style will be a powerful counter to Vice President Dick Cheney, whose plodding style has been a GOP handicap.
Democrats were optimistic Edwards, 51, would breathe new life into Kerry, who has often been criticized for his flatlining campaign style.
``It's a ticket of strength, it's a ticket of hope, it's a ticket of opportunity,'' said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy [related, bio] (D-Mass.), one of Edwards' prime backers and mentors. ``It's a ticket for victory and I couldn't be happier.''
Kerry and Edwards, who dined together last night at the Heinz family farm/estate outside Pittsburgh, will campaign jointly for the first time in Ohio, a key battleground state, as a new TV ad begins airing that touts the pair as a ``new team for a new America.''
As the Kerry-Edwards team prepared to hit the road, the Bush campaign unleashed a blistering critique just minutes after Edwards was named.
``Sen. Edwards delivers his pessimism with a Southern drawl and a smile, but his message of a divided America rings hollow with voters that know our country is united,'' said Bush spokesman Steve Schmidt.
Republicans released a flurry of emails pointedly recalling Kerry's criticisms of Edwards during their Democratic primary fight questioning his lack of experience.
Hoping to deflate Kerry's veepstakes bounce in the polls, Bush also unveiled a new TV ad entitled ``First Choice'' featuring a glowing testimonial from McCain, the maverick Arizona senator who rejected Kerry's overtures to bolt the GOP and join his ticket.
Democrats fired back with a new Web ad featuring McCain's past comments blasting Bush's tax cuts and spending plans. They also noted McCain penned a cover blurb for Edwards' book praising the senator's ``great skill, determination and genuine compassion.''
Herman Munster and Eddie Haskell....
Popeye and Alvin (the Chipmunk)--Flush the Johns!
Edwards offers nothing but platitudes and is a "vibrant speaker."
Cheney offers knowledge and wisdom that reflect his decades of public service and business experience and is "plodding."
I will take function over form 7 days a week and twice on Saturday.
Another way of putting it is that Edwards offers surface facade; Cheney offers depth. Give me depth! Flush the Johns!
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