2004 Democratic National Convention
July 29, 2004
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts formally accepted the Democratic nomination at the Boston convention center Thursday night. NewsHour regulars, columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks and historians Michael Beschloss, Richard Norton Smith and Ellen Fitzpatrick, assess Kerry's speech, giving him generally high marks.


July 28, 2004
North Carolina senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards delivered one of the most anticipated speeches of the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night. The Democratic choice for vice president called on voters to reject the "tired, old, hateful, negative politics" of the Republicans and embrace the candidacy of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. Historians Michael Beschloss, Richard Norton Smith and Ellen Fitzpatrick look at the role of the vice president in the election process.

July 27, 2004
On the second night of the convention, delegates heard from the nominee's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, and two former candidates for the Democratic nomination. Speaking of her own background and her husband's, Teresa Heinz Kerry stressed John Kerry's willingness to put his life on the line for his comrades and his country. Historians discuss the role and impact of first ladies and the persona of Teresa Heinz Kerry.

July 26, 2004
During prime-time speeches to the Democratic faithful on the convention floor Monday night, former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter spoke out against President Bush's economic policies and alleged diplomatic failures.

RealAudio Analysis: Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks assess former President Clinton's speech.

Candidates Spar over Intel Failures, War in Iraq
July 16, 2004
Pres. George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., have made the faulty intelligence on weapons of mass destruction that helped make the case for war in Iraq a major part of recent speeches on the campaign trail. NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and William Safire discuss how the war and other issues such as the debate over gay marriage may affect the race for the White House.

Party Pollsters Track Kerry's Post-Edwards Bounce
July 7, 2004
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and his newly named running mate Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., held their first rally together today in Ohio, which is considered a key battleground state in the 2004 presidential race. Political pollsters Linda Divall, who works for the Bush-Cheney campaign, and Geoff Garin of the Democratic National Committee evaluate Edwards' impact on the race for the White House.

Historians Analyze Kerry's Choice of Edwards for VP
July 7, 2004
On the day Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., And John Edwards, D-N.C., kicked off their campaign in Cleveland, Ohio, NewsHour historians discuss the process of choosing a running mate and what Edwards may bring to the Democratic ticket.

Analysts Evaluate Edwards' Effect on the Presidential Race
July 6, 2004
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts on Tuesday named first-term North Carolina senator and former rival on the campaign trail John Edwards as his running mate. Kerry said the former trial lawyer showed "guts and determination and political skills" in his unsuccessful race for the party's nomination. NewsHour regulars Mark Shields and David Brooks consider what Edwards brings to the Democratic ticket and where the North Carolinian's liabilities may lie.

Edwards Selection Solidifies Democratic Ticket
July 6, 2004
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts today named North Carolina Sen. John Edwards as his vice presidential running mate. Kwame Holman reports on today's announcement. Margaret Warner follows up in a discussion of Edwards' experience with two reporters from North Carolina, Adam Hochberg of National Public Radio and Jim Morrill of the Charlotte Observer.

Candidates Stress Iraq, Job Issue on Campaign Trail
July 2, 2004
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss how the transfer of power in Iraq, Saddam's arraignment and the latest job growth numbers affect the continuing campaign between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Swing Voters
Candidates Court Crucial 'Swing' Vote
In a country where many voters identify with a particular political party, "swing voters" -- those who do not have a strong party affiliation -- often take center stage in an election year.