PITTSBURGH.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AFP) ??” Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry announced that his former rival John Edwards, a charismatic senator with a stout support base in the southward will be his running mate.

"I am pleased to announce that, with your help, the nearest vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina," Kerry 60 told supporters here Tuesday, praising Edwards's "gut and determination and political skill."

He said Edwards shares his commitment to "restoring elderly and rebuilding new alliances that make America stronger"

Turning to Iraq, he said: "John Edwards and I would not ever think about sending young Americans, son and daughters, into harm's way anywhere in the world without telling the American folks the truth."

Kerry added that the brace will form "a team that will lead this political division in a new and stronger direction."

Edwards, 51 who gave Kerry the