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Making V.P. Choice That Counts; Political Perspective

Aired July 06, 2004 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A new look for the Kerry campaign as he points his choice for vice president. The impact on John Edwards on the race for the White House.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I'm Suzanne Malveaux at the White House.

Republicans are slamming Edwards on his record, also releasing a new campaign ad today. The White House calling this the beginning of a spirited debate.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A captured American Marine -- has he really been freed? His family in Utah prays and waits to hear from him.

Of arms on the man we're seeing -- apparently these tattoos are just too much for Uncle Sam.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN'S LIVE FROM starts right now.

Well, get used to the slogan Kerry-Edwards -- it's on all the new campaign signs, even the campaign plane has a new logo. Couldn't be more official.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has chosen his running mate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am pleased to announce that with your help the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Kerry made that announcement during a rally in Pittsburgh.

That's where we find our Joe Johns.

Joe, what's Kerry doing at this hour? JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, as you said, Kerry started his day here in Pittsburgh where he made his announcement in Market Square in a sea of waving flags. Then he quickly made his way off to the airport where his plane is now adorned with Edwards' name also. Flew from here to Indianapolis to address a conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. There he had kind words for his new running mate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: Some of you may have already caught up to the announcement that I made earlier this morning in Pittsburgh. I hope all of you have, because I was proud to announce my running mate.

But I want to share with you something about that choice. I've chosen a man who understands and defends the values of America. A man who has shown courage and conviction as a champion for the middle- class, for all Americans opportunity, not just to stay in it, but to get into it and to do better in America. 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.

And if by some chance you haven't heard it, I'm pleased to announce to you that with your help the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: Now, Kerry and Edwards did clash in the primaries; however, they have made up, obviously. Republicans, though, are already using Kerry's words in the primary race to try to portray Edwards as a person who doesn't have very much experience.

Still, the campaign says, on balance, one of the big reasons they thought it was a good idea to bring Edwards in was because of his appeal to the middle-class; also, he brings in some youthful enthusiasm, very popular, of course, in the South.

Kyra -- back to you.

PHILLIPS: Joe, when are we going to see John Kerry and his running mate together? And why didn't we see him at the announcement?

JOHNS: Well, we're told that he wasn't seen here at the announcement because Kerry obviously was trying to keep all of this a secret. They were very careful to do so. As you mentioned at the top of this broadcast, one of the things they did was they made out a bunch of different promotional materials. They have signs. They have a CD-ROM. They have t-shirts all with the Kerry-Edwards name.

Now, they put those together, but also put together materials with the names of some of the other finalists, so as not to give away the big secret. Kerry wanted to save this and tell this out at a proper time when no one else knew. He wanted to do that, we were told, in part because he did not like the way the process was handled four years ago when he, Kerry, had his name put out there as a possible vice presidential running mate with Al Gore. He wanted to do things differently, and apparently he pulled it off pretty much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: CNN's Joe Johns, thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Well, there must be a lot of enthusiastic Americans out there today. A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll found 72 percent of respondents said they would be enthusiastic or satisfied if Kerry picked Edwards. The poll, of course, conducted before the announcement this morning. Edwards was ranked higher than the other four possible candidates tested in that poll.

John Edwards is due to depart Washington this hour and join Senator Kerry on the campaign trail. In the art of presidential politics naming a running mate is greeted with great expectations.

CNN's Candy Crowley looks at the reasons why the Democrats figure Kerry and Edwards will be just the ticket.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It is good old-fashioned ticket balance, a Northeastern Democrat on the liberal side, a Southern Democrat on the moderate side.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The South is not George Bush's back yard. It is my back yard!

CROWLEY: He has Southern charm, a Southern drawl and maybe some Southern pull. But when John Kerry tapped the senator from North Carolina, he was thinking Midwest -- battleground states where jobs have been lost, where Edwards may move voters like he once moved juries as a wildly successful personal injury trial lawyer. You can hear the skill set at work in the powerful story of a father who loses his job when the factory closes.

EDWARDS: His life will change forever when he looks into the eyes of his little girl tonight. His family's life will change forever. And don't tell me that this doesn't happen, because I have seen it with my own eyes.

CROWLEY: In the '04 veepstakes, Edwards had the least political experience, just six years in the Senate. The most public support, he was the favorite in almost every veep poll and the most obvious audition.

EDWARDS: The man that's going to lead us out of the wilderness, back to hope, back to a belief that in our America everything is possible, and build one America that can work for everybody! Ladies and gentlemen, the next president of the United States, Senator John Kerry!

CROWLEY: Edwards brings not just geographic but stylistic symmetry to the ticket. Kerry, son of a diplomat, the product of private boarding schools, long on seasoning, short on style. Edwards, son of a mill worker, the product of public schools who once made "People" magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue.

Kerry's roots are blueblood. Edwards is a self-made multimillionaire whose roots are blue collar, giving authenticity to his signature issue of two Americas -- one rich, one poor.

EDWARDS: In the America you and I build together, we're going to say no to kids going to bed hungry, no to kids who don't have the clothes to keep them warm and no forever to any American working full- time and living in poverty!

CROWLEY: Kerry can take the simple and make it complex. Edwards takes the complex and makes it simple.

Asked in the primaries if their yes vote on the resolution made them responsible for the Iraq war, Kerry hedged his way through almost two minutes of an answer.

EDWARDS: That's the longest answer I ever heard to a yes or no question.

CROWLEY: Kerry-Edwards, a decision made on the ballot.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: The Bush campaign is not about to let the Democrats steal all the political thunder today.

Joining us now is CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux with GOP strategy for grabbing some headlines of their own -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Well, Kyra, I covered Senator Edwards in his Democratic campaign. And, of course, the one question he hated was, why doesn't he go to the second, the No. 2 slot as opposed to No. 1, because of what many people called his lack of experience?

That is something that Republicans, of course, seized upon, and they did so today with attacks; this, from the Republican National Committee, 28 pages, talking about Edwards saying he is disingenuous and unaccomplished.

Also the Bush-Cheney camp releasing talking points to their supporters. They characterize the ticket as one of the most divisive and out-of-the-mainstream tickets for president. They go on to say about Edwards, Senator Edwards delivers his pessimism with a Southern drawl and a smile.

Well, President Bush and the White House are trying to publicly distance themselves from at least some of these harsher comments that were made today about Edwards. President Bush earlier today saying that he congratulates and welcomes Edwards in the race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I welcome Senator Edwards on the ticket. The vice president called him early this morning to say -- after the announcement was made to say that he welcomes him to the race and as do I. And I look forward to a good, spirited contest.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Vice President Dick Cheney called Edwards earlier today just shortly after 10:00 in the morning. We're told that it was a brief and cordial conversation, that he congratulated Edwards and said he looked forward to their debate. That debate taking place October 5 in Cleveland.

Also, the Bush-Cheney campaign releasing a new ad today on cable stations. Essentially it is named "First Choice." It makes the case -- a reminder, rather, that it was Senator John McCain, the Republican from Arizona, who was Kerry's first choice for the No. 2 slot, that he turned that down, and that McCain ended up campaigning with the president just a couple of weeks ago, giving him a good deal of support, talking about his Iraq policy. Essentially the message here is that McCain is a maverick, he's a moderate, he's one who attracts those swing voters, and he is the one who is going with President Bush -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, live from the White House, thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Well, in case you haven't seen it already, here's the spot that is stirring the political pot. Titled "First Choice," it was released within minutes of leaked word that Kerry had chosen Edwards as his running mate. That title, a not-so-subtle implication that Kerry courted the popular Republican from Arizona, John McCain, as a possible running mate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: He has not wavered. He has not flinched from the hard choices. He was determined and remains determined to make this world a better, safer, freer place. He deserves not only our support but our admiration. And that's why I am honored to introduce to you the president of the United States, George W. Bush.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Republicans not wasting any time there.

Let's get some political perspective now from CNN political analyst Carlos Watson, joining us now from Mountain View, California.

Hello -- Carlos.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Hey, Miles. How are you?

O'BRIEN: Good. The Republicans were quite ready for this, weren't they?

WATSON: They were. I think for the first time in 16 years somebody who was an early favorite for the vice presidential slot actually got it. The last time this happened it was another Massachusetts Democratic nominee choosing. Mike Dukakis chose Lloyd Benson. And again here, John Kerry chose someone who lots of Democrats wanted to see chosen.

O'BRIEN: All right, enthusiasm among Democratic ranks. Put yourself in the Republican ranks here for just a moment. How do you go about attacking this ticket?

WATSON: You hit them on three things. One, you've already heard, which is experience. And you say particularly following 9/11, experience is super important, particularly in terms of national security and foreign policy.

Two, you attach them to the trial lawyers, and you say that he's been in support of arguably one of the least popular groups and is a member of one of the least popular groups in America.

And then last but not least you say that he's a little bit of a contradiction, that he claims he's a son of a mill worker, but he's really worth $36 million.

And so, despite the talk of economic populism, he's really one of the wealthy guys who he criticizes.

O'BRIEN: So, that limousine liberal label is apt to come up.

WATSON: You're going to hear it more than once.

O'BRIEN: All right, let's talk about someone who wasn't chosen, although some members of the media, I guess, thought he was going to get the nod. Let's take a look at the "New York Post" today. Out with the "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline, "Kerry's choice: Dems pick Gephardt as the V.P. candidate."

The Murdoch publication out with an apology. Let's read it very quickly for you, just so we can balance the scales here journalistically: "The 'New York Post' incorrectly reported on the front page today" blah blah blah. "The paper's editor-in-chief said he made the decision after 'The Post' received information it believed to be correct. We unreservedly apologize to our readers for the mistake." All the rest of that preamble, I guess.

Carlos, I don't want to get into a journalism colloquy with you, but I wanted to talk to you about Gephardt as a choice. Why didn't Kerry choose Gephardt in the sense that post-9/11, a lot of people thought a real steady hand like Gephardt would be a good choice?

WATSON: I think two reasons. I think the most significant is that despite the respect that a lot of people and affection that a lot of people have for Dick Gephardt, I think there was a sense that he was a little shop-worn, that he had run before in 1988 unsuccessfully, that he had run again in 2004 and had placed not first, not second, not third, but fourth in Iowa. I think there was a sense that he may not actually bring any additional popularity to the ticket.

And I think there was a sense that Edwards could give you a little bit of a bounce, maybe in Ohio, maybe in Iowa, in Wisconsin, and maybe even outside of the Midwest. And so, ultimately I think that was the most important thing.

O'BRIEN: When you talk to the real diehard, hard-core Democrats, what was their dream ticket?

WATSON: Well, I think, make no mistake about it, it was not Kerry-Edwards and not Kerry-McCain, but it was Kerry-Clinton. For a long time Hillary Clinton has been one of the most popular figures in the party. And I think for many of the most hard-core, if you will, Hillary Clinton still would be the choice.

Although it was interesting in that one of the recent polls back in June, when people were asked, Democrats included, who would be their favorite choice, Hillary Clinton was the choice of about a quarter of the voters, whereas John Edwards was still No. 1 with about 34 percent of those Democrats saying that he would be their top choice for V.P.

So, Hillary Clinton for the diehard, but still overall among Democrats, John Edwards was the homecoming king, if you will.

WATSON: So, what you're telling me is these campaigns pay attention to the polls a little bit, huh, Carlos Watson?

WATSON: Well, you know, it's pretty close here. But remember -- and I'm going to say this again just so that when it happens you remember -- I'm not convinced that this is going to be a campaign that will be super close. I'm convinced that this is a campaign that will have lots of swings in the polls. So, you and I will be talking about the polls a lot. But when November 2 comes, I don't think this is going to be a one-point or two-point contest. I think it will be bigger than that.

O'BRIEN: And who is going to win?

WATSON: Ha, ha, ha. Stay tuned. We've only got four months to go.

O'BRIEN: As long as you put yourself on record, Carlos, we'll go for the gold. All right, 2:12 p.m., July, what is it, 7th? You said it. We've got it on tape.

WATSON: You heard it here.

O'BRIEN: Thank you very much, Carlos Watson.

WATSON: Good to see you.

O'BRIEN: Much more ahead on the Kerry-Edwards ticket in an expanded version of "INSIDE POLITICS" beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

And John Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, will join Larry King Thursday night for an hour of presidential political talk. That begins at 9:00 Eastern Thursday right here on CNN.

PHILLIPS: Well, did Kerry get his first choice for a running mate? Just ahead, "CROSSFIRE'S" Robert Novak has some interesting tidbits from the campaign.

And putting aside some royal differences to remember Princess Diana.

The rat pack to the rescue. Wait till you see how these rodents are sniffing out danger to keep humans safe.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: 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 for those struggling to reach the middle-class. A man who has shown guts and determination and political skill in his own race for the presidency of the United States. A man whose life has prepared him for leadership and whose character brings him to exercise it. I am pleased to announce that with your help the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Kerry fills in the blanks, picking a Southern senator as his running mate. John Edwards is quick on his feet and has lots of charisma, but he has a short political resume.

Here to talk about the pros and the cons, CNN's Bob Novak, the co-host, of course, of "CROSSFIRE."

Bob, good to see you.

ROBERT NOVAK, CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": Good to see you, Kyra.

Let's talk about the character and the Southern appeal. It stands out, doesn't it?

NOVAK: Very little Southern appeal. I don't believe that the people who are around John Kerry are realistic. I think they believe there is an outside, a very outside chance that he might carry North Carolina. But he has no particular appeal in the South.

He's been described in some places as a Southern moderate. In fact, his voting record is just about identical to John Kerry's, which is a very liberal record. So, I don't think that he has anything like the appeal, for example, that Lyndon Johnson had in the South in 1960 when he won the election for John F. Kennedy.

PHILLIPS: You know, when I was thinking Southern appeal I was thinking more of the way he comes across and how charming he is and his accent. And, I mean, that's -- I see what you're saying now by Southern appeal, so I misunderstood where we were going there. And I apologize.

You know him, right? You have talked to him a number of times. I mean, tell us about his character and how he interacts personally with people on the political front and also on the voter front.

NOVAK: Well, he's a very charming person, which is a word that's not used with John Kerry very much. So, in that sense he balances the ticket somewhat.

But, of course, you know, vice presidents don't really win elections, and they don't lose elections. What he does is, I think, he helps to energize the Democratic base, if it needed any energizing. It's been a little bit dull lately with Senator Kerry.

And with Senator Edwards' speech in the primary, which my colleague, James Carville, said was the best stump speech he ever heard, it was a speech about two Americas, it was really to the left of Senator Kerry. But it really stirred up Democrats. And I think that's what -- I think that's what he's really on the ticket for.

The other question was, if you didn't get John McCain, who was really the ideal -- that was a real ticket balancer if they could ever get him to get on the ticket. If you didn't get John McCain, who were you going to get? And there was really no alternative to John Edwards who really provided anything.

PHILLIPS: Is it true that Gephardt was really Kerry's first choice?

NOVAK: A lot of people say that. He likes Dick Gephardt, but they're kind of two of a kind. They have both been around Congress a long time. Dick Gephardt has a very distinguished record in the House of Representatives as a leader. Even people who don't agree with him are very fond of him, think he's a man of extremely high intellect and principle, but a little bit been-around-the-track a little too much.

And I think one of the reasons that, however, it took so long to pick John Edwards was that labor really did want -- or substantial parts of labor really did want Dick Gephardt. But it wasn't enough to put what essentially are two Washington insiders on the ticket. John Edwards is not considered a Washington insider. He's only been here five and a half years.

PHILLIPS: Well, Bob, going back to the primary season when the relationship between Edwards and Kerry wasn't so smooth, how did they put their differences aside and get to this point?

NOVAK: Well, they are professional politicians -- at least John Kerry is. And one of his people told me today that all of that ended the minute he got the nomination. He began to look at him in a different way.

As we have reported on CNN, the Republican National Committee has put out about 35 pages of nasty things that they've said about each other. And I read that, and very harsh statements also off the record. But that's politics, Kyra. There was no nastier -- no two Democrats nastier to each other than Jack Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson in the first campaign I covered in 1960, and they put it aside. I don't think Kerry and Edwards have come close to the level of nastiness that Kennedy and Johnson had. So, it's a little easier for them to do it.

One thing I would like to add, though, is the most interesting and odd candidate was Tom Vilsack, the governor of Iowa, who I'm told was the one that Kerry was really most personally fond of. A lot of people think a governor on the ticket is helpful, but that he had two strikes against him. One is no foreign policy experience. He was a mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, which is not really a foreign country, although it may sound like it. And the other thing was that Vilsack is a Catholic, and people say it doesn't make any difference. But having two Catholics on the ticket, Kerry and Vilsack, might be a little much.

PHILLIPS: And to quote your famous words there, "That's politics." Bob Novak, thanks so much -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Vice President Cheney still on the Republican ticket, of course. Is he a lightning rod for trouble? Or is he a campaign stabilizer? Or maybe something else? We'll look at all of that straight ahead.

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Aired July 6, 2004 - 14:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A new look for the Kerry campaign as he points his choice for vice president. The impact on John Edwards on the race for the White House.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I'm Suzanne Malveaux at the White House.

Republicans are slamming Edwards on his record, also releasing a new campaign ad today. The White House calling this the beginning of a spirited debate.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A captured American Marine -- has he really been freed? His family in Utah prays and waits to hear from him.

Of arms on the man we're seeing -- apparently these tattoos are just too much for Uncle Sam.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN'S LIVE FROM starts right now.

Well, get used to the slogan Kerry-Edwards -- it's on all the new campaign signs, even the campaign plane has a new logo. Couldn't be more official.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has chosen his running mate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am pleased to announce that with your help the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Kerry made that announcement during a rally in Pittsburgh.

That's where we find our Joe Johns.

Joe, what's Kerry doing at this hour? JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, as you said, Kerry started his day here in Pittsburgh where he made his announcement in Market Square in a sea of waving flags. Then he quickly made his way off to the airport where his plane is now adorned with Edwards' name also. Flew from here to Indianapolis to address a conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. There he had kind words for his new running mate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: Some of you may have already caught up to the announcement that I made earlier this morning in Pittsburgh. I hope all of you have, because I was proud to announce my running mate.

But I want to share with you something about that choice. I've chosen a man who understands and defends the values of America. A man who has shown courage and conviction as a champion for the middle- class, for all Americans opportunity, not just to stay in it, but to get into it and to do better in America. 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.

And if by some chance you haven't heard it, I'm pleased to announce to you that with your help the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: Now, Kerry and Edwards did clash in the primaries; however, they have made up, obviously. Republicans, though, are already using Kerry's words in the primary race to try to portray Edwards as a person who doesn't have very much experience.

Still, the campaign says, on balance, one of the big reasons they thought it was a good idea to bring Edwards in was because of his appeal to the middle-class; also, he brings in some youthful enthusiasm, very popular, of course, in the South.

Kyra -- back to you.

PHILLIPS: Joe, when are we going to see John Kerry and his running mate together? And why didn't we see him at the announcement?

JOHNS: Well, we're told that he wasn't seen here at the announcement because Kerry obviously was trying to keep all of this a secret. They were very careful to do so. As you mentioned at the top of this broadcast, one of the things they did was they made out a bunch of different promotional materials. They have signs. They have a CD-ROM. They have t-shirts all with the Kerry-Edwards name.

Now, they put those together, but also put together materials with the names of some of the other finalists, so as not to give away the big secret. Kerry wanted to save this and tell this out at a proper time when no one else knew. He wanted to do that, we were told, in part because he did not like the way the process was handled four years ago when he, Kerry, had his name put out there as a possible vice presidential running mate with Al Gore. He wanted to do things differently, and apparently he pulled it off pretty much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: CNN's Joe Johns, thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Well, there must be a lot of enthusiastic Americans out there today. A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll found 72 percent of respondents said they would be enthusiastic or satisfied if Kerry picked Edwards. The poll, of course, conducted before the announcement this morning. Edwards was ranked higher than the other four possible candidates tested in that poll.

John Edwards is due to depart Washington this hour and join Senator Kerry on the campaign trail. In the art of presidential politics naming a running mate is greeted with great expectations.

CNN's Candy Crowley looks at the reasons why the Democrats figure Kerry and Edwards will be just the ticket.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It is good old-fashioned ticket balance, a Northeastern Democrat on the liberal side, a Southern Democrat on the moderate side.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The South is not George Bush's back yard. It is my back yard!

CROWLEY: He has Southern charm, a Southern drawl and maybe some Southern pull. But when John Kerry tapped the senator from North Carolina, he was thinking Midwest -- battleground states where jobs have been lost, where Edwards may move voters like he once moved juries as a wildly successful personal injury trial lawyer. You can hear the skill set at work in the powerful story of a father who loses his job when the factory closes.

EDWARDS: His life will change forever when he looks into the eyes of his little girl tonight. His family's life will change forever. And don't tell me that this doesn't happen, because I have seen it with my own eyes.

CROWLEY: In the '04 veepstakes, Edwards had the least political experience, just six years in the Senate. The most public support, he was the favorite in almost every veep poll and the most obvious audition.

EDWARDS: The man that's going to lead us out of the wilderness, back to hope, back to a belief that in our America everything is possible, and build one America that can work for everybody! Ladies and gentlemen, the next president of the United States, Senator John Kerry!

CROWLEY: Edwards brings not just geographic but stylistic symmetry to the ticket. Kerry, son of a diplomat, the product of private boarding schools, long on seasoning, short on style. Edwards, son of a mill worker, the product of public schools who once made "People" magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue.

Kerry's roots are blueblood. Edwards is a self-made multimillionaire whose roots are blue collar, giving authenticity to his signature issue of two Americas -- one rich, one poor.

EDWARDS: In the America you and I build together, we're going to say no to kids going to bed hungry, no to kids who don't have the clothes to keep them warm and no forever to any American working full- time and living in poverty!

CROWLEY: Kerry can take the simple and make it complex. Edwards takes the complex and makes it simple.

Asked in the primaries if their yes vote on the resolution made them responsible for the Iraq war, Kerry hedged his way through almost two minutes of an answer.

EDWARDS: That's the longest answer I ever heard to a yes or no question.

CROWLEY: Kerry-Edwards, a decision made on the ballot.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: The Bush campaign is not about to let the Democrats steal all the political thunder today.

Joining us now is CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux with GOP strategy for grabbing some headlines of their own -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Well, Kyra, I covered Senator Edwards in his Democratic campaign. And, of course, the one question he hated was, why doesn't he go to the second, the No. 2 slot as opposed to No. 1, because of what many people called his lack of experience?

That is something that Republicans, of course, seized upon, and they did so today with attacks; this, from the Republican National Committee, 28 pages, talking about Edwards saying he is disingenuous and unaccomplished.

Also the Bush-Cheney camp releasing talking points to their supporters. They characterize the ticket as one of the most divisive and out-of-the-mainstream tickets for president. They go on to say about Edwards, Senator Edwards delivers his pessimism with a Southern drawl and a smile.

Well, President Bush and the White House are trying to publicly distance themselves from at least some of these harsher comments that were made today about Edwards. President Bush earlier today saying that he congratulates and welcomes Edwards in the race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I welcome Senator Edwards on the ticket. The vice president called him early this morning to say -- after the announcement was made to say that he welcomes him to the race and as do I. And I look forward to a good, spirited contest.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Vice President Dick Cheney called Edwards earlier today just shortly after 10:00 in the morning. We're told that it was a brief and cordial conversation, that he congratulated Edwards and said he looked forward to their debate. That debate taking place October 5 in Cleveland.

Also, the Bush-Cheney campaign releasing a new ad today on cable stations. Essentially it is named "First Choice." It makes the case -- a reminder, rather, that it was Senator John McCain, the Republican from Arizona, who was Kerry's first choice for the No. 2 slot, that he turned that down, and that McCain ended up campaigning with the president just a couple of weeks ago, giving him a good deal of support, talking about his Iraq policy. Essentially the message here is that McCain is a maverick, he's a moderate, he's one who attracts those swing voters, and he is the one who is going with President Bush -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, live from the White House, thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Well, in case you haven't seen it already, here's the spot that is stirring the political pot. Titled "First Choice," it was released within minutes of leaked word that Kerry had chosen Edwards as his running mate. That title, a not-so-subtle implication that Kerry courted the popular Republican from Arizona, John McCain, as a possible running mate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: He has not wavered. He has not flinched from the hard choices. He was determined and remains determined to make this world a better, safer, freer place. He deserves not only our support but our admiration. And that's why I am honored to introduce to you the president of the United States, George W. Bush.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Republicans not wasting any time there.

Let's get some political perspective now from CNN political analyst Carlos Watson, joining us now from Mountain View, California.

Hello -- Carlos.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Hey, Miles. How are you?

O'BRIEN: Good. The Republicans were quite ready for this, weren't they?

WATSON: They were. I think for the first time in 16 years somebody who was an early favorite for the vice presidential slot actually got it. The last time this happened it was another Massachusetts Democratic nominee choosing. Mike Dukakis chose Lloyd Benson. And again here, John Kerry chose someone who lots of Democrats wanted to see chosen.

O'BRIEN: All right, enthusiasm among Democratic ranks. Put yourself in the Republican ranks here for just a moment. How do you go about attacking this ticket?

WATSON: You hit them on three things. One, you've already heard, which is experience. And you say particularly following 9/11, experience is super important, particularly in terms of national security and foreign policy.

Two, you attach them to the trial lawyers, and you say that he's been in support of arguably one of the least popular groups and is a member of one of the least popular groups in America.

And then last but not least you say that he's a little bit of a contradiction, that he claims he's a son of a mill worker, but he's really worth $36 million.

And so, despite the talk of economic populism, he's really one of the wealthy guys who he criticizes.

O'BRIEN: So, that limousine liberal label is apt to come up.

WATSON: You're going to hear it more than once.

O'BRIEN: All right, let's talk about someone who wasn't chosen, although some members of the media, I guess, thought he was going to get the nod. Let's take a look at the "New York Post" today. Out with the "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline, "Kerry's choice: Dems pick Gephardt as the V.P. candidate."

The Murdoch publication out with an apology. Let's read it very quickly for you, just so we can balance the scales here journalistically: "The 'New York Post' incorrectly reported on the front page today" blah blah blah. "The paper's editor-in-chief said he made the decision after 'The Post' received information it believed to be correct. We unreservedly apologize to our readers for the mistake." All the rest of that preamble, I guess.

Carlos, I don't want to get into a journalism colloquy with you, but I wanted to talk to you about Gephardt as a choice. Why didn't Kerry choose Gephardt in the sense that post-9/11, a lot of people thought a real steady hand like Gephardt would be a good choice?

WATSON: I think two reasons. I think the most significant is that despite the respect that a lot of people and affection that a lot of people have for Dick Gephardt, I think there was a sense that he was a little shop-worn, that he had run before in 1988 unsuccessfully, that he had run again in 2004 and had placed not first, not second, not third, but fourth in Iowa. I think there was a sense that he may not actually bring any additional popularity to the ticket.

And I think there was a sense that Edwards could give you a little bit of a bounce, maybe in Ohio, maybe in Iowa, in Wisconsin, and maybe even outside of the Midwest. And so, ultimately I think that was the most important thing.

O'BRIEN: When you talk to the real diehard, hard-core Democrats, what was their dream ticket?

WATSON: Well, I think, make no mistake about it, it was not Kerry-Edwards and not Kerry-McCain, but it was Kerry-Clinton. For a long time Hillary Clinton has been one of the most popular figures in the party. And I think for many of the most hard-core, if you will, Hillary Clinton still would be the choice.

Although it was interesting in that one of the recent polls back in June, when people were asked, Democrats included, who would be their favorite choice, Hillary Clinton was the choice of about a quarter of the voters, whereas John Edwards was still No. 1 with about 34 percent of those Democrats saying that he would be their top choice for V.P.

So, Hillary Clinton for the diehard, but still overall among Democrats, John Edwards was the homecoming king, if you will.

WATSON: So, what you're telling me is these campaigns pay attention to the polls a little bit, huh, Carlos Watson?

WATSON: Well, you know, it's pretty close here. But remember -- and I'm going to say this again just so that when it happens you remember -- I'm not convinced that this is going to be a campaign that will be super close. I'm convinced that this is a campaign that will have lots of swings in the polls. So, you and I will be talking about the polls a lot. But when November 2 comes, I don't think this is going to be a one-point or two-point contest. I think it will be bigger than that.

O'BRIEN: And who is going to win?

WATSON: Ha, ha, ha. Stay tuned. We've only got four months to go.

O'BRIEN: As long as you put yourself on record, Carlos, we'll go for the gold. All right, 2:12 p.m., July, what is it, 7th? You said it. We've got it on tape.

WATSON: You heard it here.

O'BRIEN: Thank you very much, Carlos Watson.

WATSON: Good to see you.

O'BRIEN: Much more ahead on the Kerry-Edwards ticket in an expanded version of "INSIDE POLITICS" beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

And John Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, will join Larry King Thursday night for an hour of presidential political talk. That begins at 9:00 Eastern Thursday right here on CNN.

PHILLIPS: Well, did Kerry get his first choice for a running mate? Just ahead, "CROSSFIRE'S" Robert Novak has some interesting tidbits from the campaign.

And putting aside some royal differences to remember Princess Diana.

The rat pack to the rescue. Wait till you see how these rodents are sniffing out danger to keep humans safe.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: 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 for those struggling to reach the middle-class. A man who has shown guts and determination and political skill in his own race for the presidency of the United States. A man whose life has prepared him for leadership and whose character brings him to exercise it. I am pleased to announce that with your help the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Kerry fills in the blanks, picking a Southern senator as his running mate. John Edwards is quick on his feet and has lots of charisma, but he has a short political resume.

Here to talk about the pros and the cons, CNN's Bob Novak, the co-host, of course, of "CROSSFIRE."

Bob, good to see you.

ROBERT NOVAK, CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": Good to see you, Kyra.

Let's talk about the character and the Southern appeal. It stands out, doesn't it?

NOVAK: Very little Southern appeal. I don't believe that the people who are around John Kerry are realistic. I think they believe there is an outside, a very outside chance that he might carry North Carolina. But he has no particular appeal in the South.

He's been described in some places as a Southern moderate. In fact, his voting record is just about identical to John Kerry's, which is a very liberal record. So, I don't think that he has anything like the appeal, for example, that Lyndon Johnson had in the South in 1960 when he won the election for John F. Kennedy.

PHILLIPS: You know, when I was thinking Southern appeal I was thinking more of the way he comes across and how charming he is and his accent. And, I mean, that's -- I see what you're saying now by Southern appeal, so I misunderstood where we were going there. And I apologize.

You know him, right? You have talked to him a number of times. I mean, tell us about his character and how he interacts personally with people on the political front and also on the voter front.

NOVAK: Well, he's a very charming person, which is a word that's not used with John Kerry very much. So, in that sense he balances the ticket somewhat.

But, of course, you know, vice presidents don't really win elections, and they don't lose elections. What he does is, I think, he helps to energize the Democratic base, if it needed any energizing. It's been a little bit dull lately with Senator Kerry.

And with Senator Edwards' speech in the primary, which my colleague, James Carville, said was the best stump speech he ever heard, it was a speech about two Americas, it was really to the left of Senator Kerry. But it really stirred up Democrats. And I think that's what -- I think that's what he's really on the ticket for.

The other question was, if you didn't get John McCain, who was really the ideal -- that was a real ticket balancer if they could ever get him to get on the ticket. If you didn't get John McCain, who were you going to get? And there was really no alternative to John Edwards who really provided anything.

PHILLIPS: Is it true that Gephardt was really Kerry's first choice?

NOVAK: A lot of people say that. He likes Dick Gephardt, but they're kind of two of a kind. They have both been around Congress a long time. Dick Gephardt has a very distinguished record in the House of Representatives as a leader. Even people who don't agree with him are very fond of him, think he's a man of extremely high intellect and principle, but a little bit been-around-the-track a little too much.

And I think one of the reasons that, however, it took so long to pick John Edwards was that labor really did want -- or substantial parts of labor really did want Dick Gephardt. But it wasn't enough to put what essentially are two Washington insiders on the ticket. John Edwards is not considered a Washington insider. He's only been here five and a half years.

PHILLIPS: Well, Bob, going back to the primary season when the relationship between Edwards and Kerry wasn't so smooth, how did they put their differences aside and get to this point?

NOVAK: Well, they are professional politicians -- at least John Kerry is. And one of his people told me today that all of that ended the minute he got the nomination. He began to look at him in a different way.

As we have reported on CNN, the Republican National Committee has put out about 35 pages of nasty things that they've said about each other. And I read that, and very harsh statements also off the record. But that's politics, Kyra. There was no nastier -- no two Democrats nastier to each other than Jack Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson in the first campaign I covered in 1960, and they put it aside. I don't think Kerry and Edwards have come close to the level of nastiness that Kennedy and Johnson had. So, it's a little easier for them to do it.

One thing I would like to add, though, is the most interesting and odd candidate was Tom Vilsack, the governor of Iowa, who I'm told was the one that Kerry was really most personally fond of. A lot of people think a governor on the ticket is helpful, but that he had two strikes against him. One is no foreign policy experience. He was a mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, which is not really a foreign country, although it may sound like it. And the other thing was that Vilsack is a Catholic, and people say it doesn't make any difference. But having two Catholics on the ticket, Kerry and Vilsack, might be a little much.

PHILLIPS: And to quote your famous words there, "That's politics." Bob Novak, thanks so much -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Vice President Cheney still on the Republican ticket, of course. Is he a lightning rod for trouble? Or is he a campaign stabilizer? Or maybe something else? We'll look at all of that straight ahead.

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