Democrats Mr John Kerry and Mr John Edwards campaigned together for the first time yesterday and declared themselves advocates for ordinary Americans squeezed by President Bush's economic policies.
In front of a huge banner proclaiming: "Kerry and Edwards: A New Team for a New America," the Democratic presidential nominee-elect told thousands of supporters he and his newly declared running mate were America's "dream team."
"We've got better vision, better ideas, real plans, we've got a better sense of what's happening to America and we've got better hair," Mr Kerry said, a reference to the well-coiffed Democratic team.
Mr Edwards, a former rival for the nomination, reprised the "two Americas" theme of his primary campaign, blaming the White House for "the middle-class squeeze" and calling for "one America that works for everybody".
Mr Kerry and Mr Edwards are betting the November 2nd election will turn largely on bread-and-butter issues despite an improving economy overall and the prominence given to national security by the daily news from Iraq.
During his first public appearance with Mr Edwards, Mr Kerry threw his arm around the shoulders of his new running mate and three times told reporters the freshman senator from North Carolina was "ready to help lead America".
In a carefully choreographed event with their wives and children almost 24 hours after Kerry announced his selection, the Massachusetts senator sought to rebut Republican criticism of Mr Edwards's relative political inexperience, especially on national security.
Mr Bush, campaigning in Mr Edwards's home state, criticised the vice presidential candidate, questioning whether he was up to the top job.
In Dayton, Ohio, Mr Kerry responded that Mr Edwards had "more experience than George Bush and better judgment than he does when he became president of the United States."
Mr Bush was in his second term as governor of Texas when he won the White House.
"He [Bush] was right that Dick Cheney was ready to take over on day one - and he did, and he has been ever since," Mr Kerry said.