Democrats back Kerry, Edwards says 'hope on way'

4.30pm UPDATE

BOSTON - The Democratic Party nominated John Kerry to challenge President George W Bush for the White House today after running mate John Edwards took centre stage to introduce himself to Americans with the promise that "hope is on the way."

The nomination of Kerry, who will deliver his nationally televised acceptance speech on Thursday, sets up a three-month election battle with Bush that polls show is essentially a dead heat.

Kerry was formally nominated shortly before midnight when the state of Ohio, a key battleground in the November election, cast its votes to put him over the 2,162 delegates needed to lead the party against Republicans.

Edwards, the ticket's new No. 2 and a relative newcomer to national politics, invoked for delegates the values of faith, family and responsibility that he said he learned growing up in a small Southern town and promised that Kerry would strive to lift up all Americans.

He challenged Americans to reject partisanship and embrace "the politics of hope," saying Kerry would be a "decisive, strong" commander-in-chief.

"What John Kerry and I believe is that you should never look down on anybody, we ought to lift people up," Edwards told the Democratic National Convention. "We don't believe in tearing people apart, we believe in bringing them together."

Edwards, who talked often during his failed presidential bid earlier this year about the "two Americas" -- one for the rich and one for the struggling, reprised the theme, but said "it doesn't have to be that way, we can build one America."

The speech by Edwards provided the first-term senator from North Carolina his biggest national stage and a prime-time televised showcase for a candidate that voters know even less about than Kerry.

Edwards, the son of a mill worker who was the first in his family to go to college, said Republicans were "doing all they can to take this campaign for the highest office in the land down the lowest possible road."

"You can reject the tired, old, hateful, negative, politics of the past, and instead you can embrace the politics of hope," Edwards told the cheering convention delegates without ever mentioning Bush by name.

Kerry arrived in Boston earlier on Wednesday, where he joined by his former Navy crewmates as they crossed Boston Harbor on the "Lulu E" -- a water taxi -- to greet supporters at the Charlestown Navy Yard, a few hundred yards from the convention site.

"I just want to say Bruce Springsteen had it right. No retreat. No surrender," Kerry said after concluding a six-day cross-country trip to his hometown of Boston for the nomination and his speech on Thursday.

BUILDING BRIDGES

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein placed Kerry's name into nomination, calling him a leader who "will build those bridges necessary to restore America's credibility abroad."

The convention session on Wednesday focused heavily on Kerry's background as a decorated Vietnam War veteran, which advisers believe will counter Republican efforts to paint him as a traditional liberal who has not supported the military.

Twelve retired generals and admirals endorsed Kerry on Wednesday, and a special video tribute featured the officers talking about Kerry.

Retired Gen. John Shalikashvili, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the convention that Kerry "heeded his country's call to service when it needed him."

Kerry's crewmates "saw up close what he's made of. They saw him reach down and pull one of his men from the river and save his life," Edwards told the convention. "Decisive. Strong. Is this not what we need in a commander in chief?"

Edwards said American soldiers in Iraq and elsewhere deserved a president who understands "on the most personal level what they have gone through, what they have given and what they have given up for their country."

He promised he and Kerry would have "one clear unmistakable message for al Qaeda and the rest of these terrorists. You cannot run. You cannot hide. And we will destroy you."

For many delegates, the speech by Edwards was their first close look at the one-time trial lawyer turned senator. Edwards joined the ticket three weeks ago to bring Kerry a jolt of youthful energy and Southern-style populism.

Democrats had promised their convention in Boston would set an upbeat, positive tone, but many of the speakers have attacked Bush and Republicans with glee even while avoiding much of the red meat negative rhetoric of the Democratic primary campaign.

Republicans said the convention had fallen far short of Democratic predictions.

"In fact, when you get beyond the spin, the attacks this week have been base and vile, and even if they are delivered with a smile, they are still attacks," Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said.

- REUTERS