Kerry seals Democratic nomination

BOSTON -- Invoking emotional images of hope and optimism for ordinary Americans while using his skills as a former trial lawyer to sell Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry, John Edwards accepted his party's nomination for the vice presidency Wednesday night.\nEach night of the Democratic National Convention has had its electrifying speakers. Monday night, former President Bill Clinton stole the show. Tuesday night, Illinois Senate candidate Barack Obama controlled the crowd. \nWednesday night belonged to Sen. Edwards.\nThe first-term senator from North Carolina was greeted with a roaring crowd and a sea of red "Edwards" signs, frequently interrupted with applause and deafening cheers.\nHis 22-year-old daughter Cate introduced her mother Elizabeth, who described her husband as a man with "the right stuff" and "the single most optimistic person I know."\nEdwards' half-hour acceptance speech was what many political insiders predicted it would have to be. It remained positive and stayed above the fray; it emphasized his humble beginnings and career as a lawyer; it made strong use of his popular "two Americas" theme, which he used during his own presidential bid earlier this year. It was meant to demonstrate that he would be capable of assuming the job of commander in chief if necessary, and it attempted to make a strong, compelling case for the election of Kerry, who Edwards said has firm American values.\n"Where I come from, you don't judge someone's values based on how they use that word in a political ad," Edwards said. "You judge their values based upon what they've spend their life doing."\n"When a man volunteers to serve his country, the man volunteers and puts his life on the line for others -- that's a man who represents real American values," Edwards said referencing Kerry's military service in the Vietnam War after he graduated from Yale.\nEdwards' own campaign theme, the two different Americas, played a prominent part in his speech as well. He said our nation is split when it comes to health care, public schools and the economy, and that this division in a country can cause deeply scarring rifts if not addressed.\n"The truth is, we still live in two different Americas," Edwards said. "One for people who have lived the American Dream and don't have to worry, and another for most Americans who work hard and still struggle to make ends meet."\n"It doesn't have to be that way. We can build one America," Edwards concluded.\nEdwards' speech put a strong focus on equality, economically and socially. He said he had heard discussions about where and in front of what audience, the campaign should talk about race, equality and civil rights. \nHis answer: "Everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere!" \nEdwards also put a focus on national security and the war on terrorism, attempting to diffuse criticism that he is a newcomer to the global scene and too inexperienced in foreign policy.\nHe cited his position on the Senate Intelligence Committee and vowed that a Kerry-Edwards administration would embrace the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission's final report, which was released last week.\n"We will have one clear unmistakable message for al-Qaida and the rest of these terrorists: You cannot run. You cannot hide. And we will destroy you," Edwards said on the matter of terrorism.\nHe echoed Kerry's sentiments that America cannot defeat every enemy in the world alone, and a new president must be needed to bring the world to America as an ally.\nThe rural boy from Robbins, N.C., also paid tribute to his parents, both of whom were in attendance Wednesday night.\n"You taught me that there's dignity and honor in a hard day's work. You taught me that you look out of your neighbors, you never kook down on anybody and you treat everyone with respect," Edwards said, gesturing toward the skybox where his parents were seated.\nEdwards said that as he was growing up he had many opportunities in his life, which he would like to ensure that everyone could have the same chance to try for those opportunities as well.\nBloomington resident and noted Democrat John Mellencamp performed his song "Small Town" at the convention last night as well. Edwards used the song during his bid for the presidency earlier this year.\n-- Contact Opinion Editor Tony Sams at ajsams@indiana.edu.