Former rivals came together Tuesday when Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry announced Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., as his 2004 running mate.

The widely anticipated proclamation was first sent to members of the Massachusetts senator’s election e-mail list just before a Pittsburgh rally publicly declared the Edwards pick.

“In just a few minutes, I will announce that Sen. John Edwards will join me as my running mate on the Democratic ticket as a candidate for vice president of the United States,” Kerry said in the e-mail. “Teresa and I could not be more excited that John and Elizabeth Edwards will be our partners in our journey to make America stronger at home and respected in the world.”

Political pundits have praised Kerry’s choice.

“I’m thrilled; [Edwards] is a wonderful choice,” said Gordon Fischer, Iowa Democratic Party chairman.

Fischer said Kerry had many good choices for running mate, including Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, but Edwards will help the campaign the most. Edwards has great appeal for many Democrats, he said, and is a great campaigner.

“He’s got almost rock-star-like charisma,” he said.

Josh Reicks, ISU College Republicans president, said he thought Kerry’s choice was a smart decision.

“I thought it was a no-brainer,” Reicks said. “I think Edwards is a good contrast for Dick Cheney.”

Edwards’ wide appeal both within his own party and outside of it provides a divergence from Cheney, who isn’t necessarily loved throughout his own party, Reicks said.

Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science, said Edwards balances the ticket and brings to the table some things Kerry doesn’t have. Edwards is a dynamic speaker, a quality many have said Kerry lacks, and has wide appeal to voters in swing states, Schmidt said.

“Edwards’ main value is going to be in the swing states … to rally the Democratic base,” said Robert Lowry, associate professor in political science.

Lowry said Edwards’ ‘two Americas’ message in the primaries has touched a lot of people and got a lot of people fired up. The Kerry campaign has adopted some of those messages, but hasn’t gone as far as Edwards did, he said.

In the hours after Kerry’s announcement, many political figures and committees were eager to issue statements both praising and deploring the choice, including one from the Republican National Committee criticizing Edwards’ experience as an elected official and former trial lawyer.

“John Kerry was against John Edwards before he was for him. But now he’s his running mate,” said a statement from the RNC Tuesday. “Who is John Edwards? A disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal and friend to personal injury trial lawyers.”

Both the length of Edwards’ career in politics and the fact that he was a former trial lawyer have been the focus of Republican attacks. However, Schmidt said he considers those to be irrelevant points.

Schmidt said Edwards’ former occupation might have an impact on many people, since the reputation of lawyers is not very high in many voters’ minds, but it is not a deciding factor. He also said Edwards’ short career in politics is a possible asset.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former President Ronald Reagan had a reputation for not being politicians, which benefited them, he said.

Lowry said Edwards’ lack of experience won’t matter, especially since he has spent the same amount of time in office as George W. Bush did before he was elected president.

No matter what qualifications Edwards may or may not have, external factors will heavily influence this election, Schmidt, Reicks and Lowry all said. If such events as the Iraq occupation, the war on terrorism, or gasoline prices go awry, then the election could lean toward Kerry. If all these factors go well, then it will ultimately lead to Bush’s re-election.