GOP Finds Little to Like in Kerry’s Man

Republicans on Tuesday pounced on Sen. John Edwards, calling the expected Democratic vice presidential nominee too inexperienced to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, too liberal in his political philosophy and too closely identified with his former profession as a trial lawyer.

President Bush’s reelection campaign was prepared to take a swipe at whomever Sen. John F. Kerry chose as a running mate, with a new television commercial declaring, in essence, that Kerry’s pick was no John McCain.

The Bush ad -- released about an hour before the Massachusetts senator named the North Carolinian his running mate -- shows McCain onstage with Bush at recent campaign events, embracing the president and praising him as a warrior against terrorism.

The 60-second ad was titled “First Choice,” a mocking reference to Kerry’s earlier consideration of a bipartisan ticket with himself and the Republican senator from Arizona.

McCain says of Bush in the ad: “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.”

The ad is expected to run on national cable channels. It does not directly mention Kerry, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, or Edwards.

McCain, a political maverick who struck a chord with many independent voters during his unsuccessful race against Bush for the 2000 Republican presidential nomination, set aside his differences with the president in June to campaign with him in Nevada and Washington state.

The McCain card was one of many the Republicans played as it sought to shape perceptions of the new Democratic ticket. Several Republicans brought up the job that made Edwards a multimillionaire before he was elected to the Senate in 1998.

“He’s a charming guy who was a suing lawyer,” Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi told CNN. “That’s S-U-I-N-G lawyer.”

Sen. Christopher S. Bond of Missouri told the Fox News Channel that Edwards “locks up the personal injury lawyer vote.”

Others dwelled on Edwards’ Senate record, calling him a friend of higher taxes and an opponent of restricting abortions.

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) described him as “out of step with many of the values that voters throughout the country share.”

“People are going to say ... he’s a smooth talker and he’s got a Southern accent,” Allen said, “but he votes the same as a Massachusetts liberal.”

Republicans e-mailed to reporters and others critical quotes about Edwards that were made by Kerry when the two were squaring off in the Democratic primaries. Republicans also noted that the National Journal, a nonpartisan magazine that covers politics and government, recently rated Edwards the fourth most liberal senator. Kerry was rated most liberal. “This is the most out-of-the-mainstream ticket the Democrats have ever fielded,” said Steve Schmidt, a Bush campaign spokesman. He said that even Kerry had questioned whether Edwards was experienced enough for the presidency.

Social conservatives said the choice of Edwards would alienate voters opposed to abortion. Edwards and Kerry support abortion rights.

“With John Edwards, Kerry has selected a running mate whose position is as extreme as his own,” said Carol Tobias, political director of the National Right to Life Committee.

Business groups criticized Edwards as an opponent of legislation limiting jury awards in civil lawsuits. U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas J. Donohue was quoted in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal as saying that selecting Edwards could cause his group to get involved in the race on Bush’s behalf. A spokeswoman for Donohue declined comment Tuesday.

Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney did not echo the criticisms. Cheney called Edwards to congratulate him on his selection, and Bush gave a measured reaction from the Oval Office.

“I welcome Sen. Edwards on the ticket,” Bush told reporters. “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.”

McCain expressed amusement that he was featured in the Bush ad and a new Internet video produced by the Democratic National Committee, which included critical comments that he had made about the president’s policies.

“It shows I’m a uniter, not a divider,” McCain joked, appropriating a Bush slogan.

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Primary barbs

During the Democratic primaries, Sen. John Edwards was Sen. John F. Kerry’s closest rival for the party’s presidential nomination, and the two traded barbs in campaign appearances, debates and interviews. The GOP highlighted some of their comments Tuesday after Kerry chose Edwards as his running mate:

Kerry on Edwards: “In the Senate four years, and that is the full extent of public life -- no international experience, no military experience....When I came back from Vietnam in 1969, I don’t know if John Edwards was out of diapers then. Well, I’m sure he was out of diapers.”

Kerry on Edwards: “John Edwards, I notice, voted to give life to George Bush’s tax cut because he voted for the first round of that tax cut. I did not. I always thought it was a pig in the poke.”

Edwards, on Kerry’s answer to a debate question about the Iraq war: “That is the longest answer I have ever heard to a yes-or-no question.”

Edwards on Kerry: “I have not heard him talk about poverty. I doubt if it would be a priority.”

Source: Republican National Committee