Democrats to focus on Kerry branding exercise

After a night of star turns headed by former president Mr Bill Clinton at the Democrats convention in Boston, the focus will …

After a night of star turns headed by former president Mr Bill Clinton at the Democrats convention in Boston, the focus will now switch to presidential hopeful Mr John Kerry.

Democrats will highlight Mr Kerry's past and military service - considered an area in which he has an advantage over President George W Bush - with speeches by wife Ms Teresa Heinz Kerry and stepson Mr Chris Heinz.

Last night Mr Kerry's former navy crew mate Mr David Alston lauded the Massachusetts senator's leadership while launching a daring swift-boat in Vietnam.

"In the toughest of situations, Lieutenant Kerry showed judgment, loyalty and courage," Alston said. "He never lost his cool."

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The speech was part of the Mr Kerry's image-building exercise pitching a morally upright, decorated war hero against Mr Bush's feckless youth and draft-dodging record.

Tonight will also see party icon Mr Edward Kennedy, Mr Kerry's fellow senator from Massachusetts and brother of former president John F Kennedy, pay tribute to Mr Kerry's skills.

More than 4,000 delegates will nominate Mr Kerry tomorrow to challenge President Bush in a November battle for the White House that polls show is essentially a dead heat.

Although many voters still do not know much about Mr Kerry, according to the polls, Democrats are hoping the convention will introduce him to undecided voters who often start to pay attention to the White House race during the conventions.

Yesterday's opening night, highlighted by a rousing reception for Mr Clinton, featured a series of speakers praising Mr Kerry and condemning Mr Bush's leadership.

Mr Clinton said Mr Kerry and his running mate, North Carolina Senator John Edwards, would make the US "safer, smarter and stronger".