Democrats: Kerry will restore hope
Candidate's wife says he will fight for America
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VIDEO |
 Day 2: Rising stars, old hands and a would-be first lady.
 Teresa Heinz Kerry: America needs to show a face of hope.
 Barack Obama delivers an impassioned keynote address.
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| MAKING THEIR CASE |  Day Three: Wednesday
• Theme: "A Stronger, More Secure America"
• 4 p.m. ET: Session opens
• 7-9 p.m. ET: Speakers include Elijah Cummings, John Edwards' daughter Cate, Bob Graham, Dennis Kucinich, Ed Rendell
• 9 p.m. ET: Speakers include Bill Richardson, Jennifer Granholm
• 10 p.m. ET: Elizabeth Edwards introduces her husband, John Edwards, for his keynote address
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BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Hope and an equal chance at the American dream are at stake in this year's presidential election, speaker after speaker said Tuesday while praising Sen. John Kerry during the second night of the Democratic National Convention.
Teresa Heinz Kerry called her husband a "fighter" who would ensure the nation's security, protect the environment and help create jobs.
"The Americans John and I have met in the course of this campaign all want America to provide hopeful leadership again," she said, adding that they also wanted the country returned to its moral bearings.
"A moral nation that rejects thoughtless and greedy choices in favor of thoughtful and generous actions; a moral nation that leads through the power of its ideas and the power of its example," she said.
She said Kerry would lead the nation by "showing the face, not of our fears, but of our hopes." (Teresa Heinz Kerry promotes 'women's voices')
But she said her husband was not afraid to fight for his country.
"John is a fighter. He earned his medals the old-fashioned way, by putting his life on the line for his country," Heinz Kerry said of the Vietnam veteran she married.
Earlier in the evening, Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts revved up delegates, while a newcomer, Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama, wowed the crowd with a keynote speech that is likely to establish his place on the national political scene.
Obama: America will 'reclaim its promise'
Obama, who is running for the U.S. Senate, said America would be able to "reclaim its promise" with Sen. John Edwards as vice president and Kerry as president.
"Instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he'll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home. John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health care coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields."
Obama, the son of a black immigrant father and a white mother from Kansas, is considered one of the party's rising stars.
He described himself as part of the "larger American story" that began when the Declaration of Independence stated that every man is created equal. (Women, minorities faithful to Democrats)
Obama also said Kerry would never send young men and women into harm's way "without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace and earn the respect of the world."
"We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this," Obama said.
"Just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure." (Obama looks to own past in convention speech)
Kennedy: Kerry offers hope, not fear
Kennedy, calling the November election the most important of his long public career, exhorted "patriots of this new century" to prevent "four more years of dreams denied and promises unfilled and progress rolled back."
"In the depths of the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt inspired the nation when he said, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,'" Kennedy said. "Today, we say the only thing we have to fear is four more years of George Bush." (Kennedy: Kerry a leader worthy of our country)
Kennedy compared President George W. Bush to King George III of England, who lost the colonies in the American Revolution.
"Our struggle is not with some monarch named George who inherited the crown. Although it often seems that way," Kennedy said.
He kept up the theme, painting the Republicans as royalty enjoying privileges, and saying Democrats were willing to fight for freedom and prosperity for everyone.
The country needs Kerry to be president, Kennedy said.
"John Kerry offers hope, not fear. The hope of real victory against terrorism and true security at home. Of good health care for all Americans. Of Social Security that is always there for the elderly. Of schools that open golden doors of opportunity for all our children. Of an economy that works for everyone.
President's son
The hope of new cures for diseases is also at stake in the election, according to Ron Reagan, whose father, former President Ronald Reagan, died last month after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease. (Reagan calls for increased stem cell research)
The younger Reagan said his appearance wasn't for partisan reasons but to call for expanding embryonic stem cell research.
"We can choose between the future and the past, between reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology," Reagan said.
"Whatever else you do come November 2nd, I urge you, please, cast a vote for embryonic stem cell research."
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
