Democrats readied a grand celebration this evening for new presidential nominee Mr John Kerry, who will deliver a crucial acceptance speech designed to introduce him to voters and spark some bounce in the polls.
The prime-time, televised address by Mr Kerry, who was formally nominated for the White House last night, will give the Massachusetts senator his biggest national audience until he takes on President George W. Bush in debate in late September.
The speech will frame many of the issues Mr Kerry and running mate Mr John Edwards will stress in their November election battle with Mr Bush, including the war in Iraq, health care, the economy and the war on terror.
It also will give Mr Kerry plenty of opportunity to acquaint voters with his life story and military history, a major goal of the four-day Democratic National Convention that has featured a string of events with Mr Kerry's friends, fellow veterans and the party's brightest stars.
Mr Kerry visited the Fleet Center convention site this morning to check the stage and surroundings. He appeared relaxed as he bantered with reporters, cocking a finger behind his ear and pretending he could not hear questions.
"Members of the Fourth Estate, I've called you here to tell you that your reign is over," Kerry said during a live microphone check.
"It's a great hall," he said. "Can we do it now? I'm really looking forward to it. I feel terrific."
Mr Kerry's speech will conclude the convention and kick off a three-month general election battle with Mr Bush, who ceded the spotlight to Democrats all week while vacationing at his ranch.
Conventions are often the first time the general public tunes into a presidential race, and polls show many Americans are still unfamiliar with Mr Kerry, a four-term senator, decorated Vietnam War veteran and former prosecutor.
Mr Kerry's daughters, Alexandra and Vanessa, will address the convention before their father, along with former Army Green Beret Mr Jim Rassman, whose life was saved by Mr Kerry during a Vietnam War firefight.
Several of Kerry's former Navy crewmates, who joined him on a trip across Boston Harbor via water taxi yesterday as he arrived in town, also will speak.