07 July 2004	Wednesday	18 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

PITTSBURGH, July 6: Democratic White House hopeful John Kerry on Tuesday chose former political rival North Carolina Sen John Edwards, a man with "guts and determination and political skills," as his vice presidential running mate.

"I am pleased to announce, that with your help, the next vice president of the United States will be Senator John Edwards of North Carolina," Mr Kerry told a rally in downtown Pittsburgh as a huge banner unfurled behind him that read, "Kerry-Edwards. A stronger America."

Mr Kerry called Edwards, a first-term senator and millionaire trial lawyer, "a champion for middle class Americans." Although he won only one state during the Democratic primaries, Mr Edwards received praise for his strong populist campaign.

Mr Edwards, who said in a statement he was "humbled by the offer - and thrilled to accept it," was not at the rally with Mr Kerry but will join him in Pittsburgh later on Tuesday. The two candidates will campaign together in the crucial battleground state of Ohio on Wednesday.

The choice of Mr Edwards, 51, once picked by People magazine as one of America's sexiest politicians, brings a dash of fresh-faced charismatic appeal to a ticket headed by Mr Kerry, who has been criticized for his leaden campaign style. And as a Southerner, the Kerry campaign hoped, Mr Edwards could appeal to voters in an area of the country where the Massachusetts senator was running behind President George W.Bush.

"I have chosen a man who understands and defends the values of America, a man who has shown courage and conviction ... a man who has shown guts, determination and political skills in his own race for the presidency," Mr Kerry said.

Mr Bush immediately welcomed Edwards to the campaign, saying: "The vice president (Dick Cheney) called him early this morning... to say that he welcomed him to the race, as do I. I look forward to a good, spirited contest."

CLOSELY HELD SELECTION PROCESS: Campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill said Mr Kerry had considered about 25 prospective running mates. Capping an ultra-secretive selection process that was limited to just a few close aides and included clandestine meetings with potential candidates, Mr Kerry called Mr Edwards in Washington at 7:30am to ask him to join the ticket before telephoning the losers.

The two men will be formally anointed later this month at the Democratic convention in Boston as the party's challengers to Republicans Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in the November 2 election.

"I can't tell you how proud I am to have John Edwards on my team, or how eager I am for the day this fall when he stands up for our vision and goes toe-to-toe with Dick Cheney," Mr Kerry said.

During his primary campaign against Mr Kerry and other Democrats, Mr Edwards stressed proposals aimed at helping working class Americans and made repeated references to the "two Americas" - one for the wealthy and one for those struggling to get by.

But Republicans pounced on the one-term senator's relative inexperience and lack of national security credentials with the United States at war against terrorism. Despite the secretive selection process, a few names, including those of Mr Edwards, Missouri Rep Richard Gephardt, Florida Sen Bob Graham and Iowa Gov Tom Vilsack had percolated to the top. -Reuters