Edwards Shows His Mettle With Flash of Steel

John Edwards' star rose to new heights with the Democratic faithful yesterday, fuelled by a flash of steel and substance in his speech to the Democratic convention.

In softening up the crowds for John Kerry's annointment last night, Mr Edwards also burnished his own credentials, tempering his brand of sunny optimism with new resolve on national security and fleshing out his message of economic populism.

"We will have one clear unmistakeable message for al-Qaida, and the rest of these terrorists. You can not run. You can not hide. We will destroy you," he told the crowd.

The tough talk on al-Qaida introduced a new dimension to a man previously seen as the irrepressible optimist of the Democratic party.

That positive spirit remained strong on Wednesday night, reinforced by the slogan that will be chanted by Democratic supporters from now until the elections: "Hope is on the way." But it was moderated.

The grave tone, the references to the war wounded and weapons systems were designed no doubt to counter Republican carping that the youthful and good-looking Mr Edwards is too much of a lightweight to entrust with America's security.

Senior Democrats said it was inevitable that Mr Edwards would expand his message to national security.

"I think this time what happens in Iraq has such a heavy role that national security has become as important as the economy," said Bill Graham, senator for Florida.

The darkening mood took little of the gloss off the man whose charisma is viewed by Democrats as a powerful force to election victory.

The financial minds of the Democratic national committee yesterday said they hoped to deploy Mr Edwards at 24 fundraising galas before the elections, against 12 for Mr Kerry, and organisers from Missouri to North Carolina clamoured for the youthful running mate to campaign in their state.

Mr Edwards, who appeared to be fighting off illness yesterday, did his best to stoke the flames of the Democratic base.

"The truth is, we can't do this without you," he said, making the round of breakfast delegations. "We need you out there working and organising."

He performed his own task with distinction, with his testimonials of John Kerry's courage whileunder fire in the Vietnam war.

"If you have any question about what he's made of, you need to spend three minutes with the men who served with him then and [who] stand by him today," Mr Edwards said.

Then he returned to his trademark tales of inspiration, bolstered on Wednesday night by the presence in the audience of his mill-working parents, and by his two young children on stage.

But amid his now familiar tale of how Americans - if they only believed - could truly craft a better future, and eliminate racism and poverty, Mr Edwards also took care to present a far more substantive view of the policies of a Kerry administration than any other speaker at the convention.

For the first time, he outlined tax reforms that would help pay for health care and education.

He also took a swipe at the Republicans for puncturing those dreams of hope. Although Mr Edwards never once mentioned President George Bush or the vice-president, Dick Cheney, by name, he accused his opponents of fostering a culture of division and hate.

"We've seen relentless negative attacks against John. So in the weeks ahead, we know what's coming - don't we - more negative attacks," he said to the crowd's approval.

"Between now and November, you, the American people, you can reject the tired, old, hateful, negative, politics of the past. And instead you can embrace the politics of hope, the politics of what's possible, because this is America, where everything is possible."

That was familiar terrain for Mr Edwards, but as of yester day he was also being viewed as a man who could hold his own against the Republicans' chief attacker, Mr Cheney, and who had the discipline to stick to his promises of a more civilised approach to the political fray.

"I am so looking forward to the debates," said Richard Gusler, a lawyer from North Carolina who has known Mr Edwards for 20 years, screaming above the tumult on the convention floor. "John Edwards is a brilliant debater. He is going to cut him to shreds with a nice southern smile."