Heinz Kerry Speaks Her Mind as Convention Softens Its Tone

BOSTON —  Teresa Heinz Kerry vouched for her husband and made her own national political debut Tuesday, as Democrats turned from bashing President Bush to putting on the patriotic pep rally they had promised.

Heinz Kerry, whose spontaneity and outspokenness have sparked some controversy, delivered a forceful and passionate conclusion to the day’s program at the Democratic National Convention.

“My right to speak my mind, to have a voice, to be what some have called ‘opinionated’,” she said, creating quote marks with her fingers, “is a right I deeply and profoundly cherish.” The audience of 4,000 delegates interrupted her with whoops and cheers.

“My only hope,” she went on, “is that one day soon, women, who have all earned the right to have their opinions, instead of being labeled opinionated, will be called smart or well-informed, just as men are.”

The helpmate-as-character-witness has become one of the staples of political conventions. However, few such appearances have been as anticipated as Heinz Kerry’s turn in prime time, a reflection of her exotic mien as an African immigrant, billionaire philanthropist, heiress, widow of Republican Sen. John Heinz and wife of Sen. John F. Kerry, the Democrats’ soon-to-be presidential nominee. After an opening night of double-barreled attacks from presidents past, Tuesday’s session was more temperate, if not altogether tame.

Democrats did continue to assail Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. The convention’s keynote speaker, Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama, all but accused Bush of lying.

“When we send our young men and women into harm’s way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they’re going,” Obama said. “And to never -- ever -- go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace and earn the respect of the world.”

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, one of the administration’s most vociferous critics, called the war “misguided,” and said that “instead of making America more secure,” the administration’s politics “have made us less so.”

But the session was more about careful shadings than bold colors, and the only suspense surrounded Heinz Kerry’s speech. Aides to the senator have worried that her independent streak could prove a liability to the campaign.

This week, she kicked up a fuss by telling a conservative newspaper editorial writer to “shove it” -- a scene captured by a TV camera and frequently replayed on the cable networks.

Heinz Kerry made no mention of the flap in her 22-minute speech, though she alluded to her famed candor at the beginning of her remarks. “My name is Teresa Heinz Kerry,” she told the delegates, to cheers that turned to a roar when she spoke her next line. “And by now I hope it will come as no surprise to anyone that I have something to say.”

Delivering a few words in Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian, Heinz Kerry devoted nearly half of her remarks to her personal biography, including her upbringing in Mozambique and college education in apartheid-era South Africa.

“I learned something then, and I believe it still,” Heinz Kerry said, recounting her participation in anti-apartheid demonstrations. “There is a value in taking a stand, whether or not anybody may be noticing it, or whether or not it is a risky thing to do.”

In a testimonial to the presumptive Democratic nominee, Heinz Kerry offered one of numerous references to Kerry’s decorated Vietnam War service.

“John is a fighter,” she said in a soft, lilting accent. “He earned his medals the old-fashioned way: by putting his life on the line for his country.”

“No one will defend this nation more vigorously than he will,” she said. “And he will always, always be first in the line of fire.”

Heinz Kerry, interrupted by applause more than two dozen times, offered a possible preview of her husband’s acceptance speech Thursday night, covering a range of topics including energy independence, healthcare and the economy.

“John believes in a bright future,” she said. “He believes we can, and we will, invent the technologies, new materials and conservation methods of the future.

“He believes that alternative fuels will guarantee that not only will no American boy or girl go to war because of our dependence on foreign oil, but also that our economy will forever become independent of this need.”

She also alluded to the fight against terrorism and provisions of the Patriot Act that expanded police powers, saying, “With John Kerry as president we can, and will, protect our nation’s security without sacrificing our civil liberties.”

Unspoken was the fact that Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, although he has since called for modifications. Indeed, much of the day was spent finessing issues such as the Iraq war, which Kerry and running mate John Edwards also supported.

The effort was reflected in the 37-page Democratic platform, adopted by a voice vote.

“People of goodwill disagree about whether America should have gone to war in Iraq, but this much is clear: this administration badly exaggerated its case, particularly with respect to weapons of mass destruction and the connection between Saddam’s government and Al Qaeda,” the document states. “ ... And this administration went into Iraq without a plan to win the peace.”

Tuesday’s program should have been raw meat for liberals -- a chance for an old lion, Kennedy, to roar; for the liberal hero of the primary season, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, to shout; and for a new liberal hope, Obama, to sparkle.

But at this convention, liberals have been urged by Kerry strategists to restrain themselves for the greater goal of defeating Bush.

One speaker after another denounced Bush’s policies, but didn’t deride Bush the man.

They steered clear of gay marriage and other cultural issues.

They approved a platform that endorsed Americans’ right to own guns, but didn’t mention the death penalty.

The convention “could be more progressive,” sighed Alexander Lee, a Dean delegate from New Hampshire. But speaking as a pragmatist, he added, “It’s pretty clear to me that I don’t want George Bush.”

As events unfolded inside the FleetCenter, a cavernous sports arena converted to a lustrous red-white-and-blue soundstage, Kerry campaigned in Virginia. He again challenged Bush to implement the findings of the 9/11 commission, including creation of a national intelligence czar.

“You can’t treat the commission’s report as something you hope will go away,” Kerry told a crowd of several hundred in sweltering Norfolk. “We cannot let politics get in the way of protecting the American people.”

His running mate, Edwards, arrived in Boston after a private visit to the grave of his son, Wade, who died in a car crash at age 16. The North Carolina senator will address the convention tonight.

“The important thing for me is to talk to the people the same way I did to those people in the living rooms in Iowa,” Edwards told reporters, speaking of his own presidential bid before a flight in Raleigh. “I want them to see who I am and what I believe -- and why I believe John Kerry should be president.”

The second day of the Democrats’ gathering was devoted far more to symbolism than substance, including an appearance by Ron Reagan, son of the late former president.

“A few of you may be surprised to see someone with my last name showing up,” said Reagan, an independent who has been caustic in criticizing Bush.

Insisting he came as a political noncombatant, Reagan delivered an oration on the benefits of embryonic stem-cell research, which scientists say holds promise for curing a range of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, which struck the late president.

The process, however, involves the use of human embryos, sparking opposition from antiabortion, Catholic and other religious groups. President Bush has limited federal funding of the research.

“How can we affirm life if we abandon those whose own lives are so desperately at risk?” Reagan asked. “We can choose between the future and the past, between reason and ignorance, between true compassion and mere ideology.”

Kennedy, the patriarch of another storied political family, welcomed delegates to his home state in a speech that reveled in Massachusetts’ rich history and in his role in bringing Boston its first national political convention. Among those cheering was Maria Shriver, his niece and the wife of California’s governor.

Kennedy called the election more urgent than any he had witnessed, and suggested there had never been “a contrast so sharp or consequences so profound” as those facing voters in November.

The showcase speech Tuesday night was the keynote address of Obama, a rising star in the party who is considered a shoo-in to win a U.S. Senate seat in November -- taking one away from Republicans.

He offered a richly anecdotal speech, stocked with the stories of people he had met on the campaign trail, that sought to balance old-fashioned Democratic ideals with the political practicality that Clinton showed.

“People don’t expect government to solve all their problems,” said Obama, who drew a resounding reception.

“But they sense deep in their bones that with just a slight change of priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot in life and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all.”

He repeatedly referred to Kerry’s decorated Vietnam service. “Just as Lt. Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate to use our military might to keep America safe and secure.”

Times staff writers Michael Finnegan, Matea Gold, Maria L. La Ganga and Eric Slater contributed to this report.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Teresa Heinz Kerry

Born: Oct. 5, 1938, in Mozambique

Education: Bachelor of arts degree in Romance languages and literature at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa; Interpreters School of the University of Geneva

Spouse: Married John F. Kerry in 1995; first husband, Sen. John Heinz III, died in a plane crash in 1991

Family: Three sons from first marriage, Andre, John and Christopher; two stepdaughters, Alexandra and Vanessa

Career: Interpreter, United Nations; head of the Howard Heinz Endowments and the Heinz Family Philanthropies

Los Angeles Times

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Today’s speakers

The speakers scheduled on today’s program are listed in alphabetical order. The program begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. PDT. For an updated schedule of speaking times, go to latimes.com.

STEVE BROZAK

Ret. Lt. Col., USMC, candidate for U.S. representative from New Jersey

ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

U.S. representative from

Maryland

CATE EDWARDS

Daughter of John Edwards

ELIZABETH EDWARDS

Wife of John Edwards

JOHN EDWARDS

Democratic vice presidential nominee

BOB GRAHAM

U.S. senator from Florida, 2004 presidential candidate

JENNIFER GRANHOLM

Governor of Michigan

DENNIS J. KUCINICH

U.S. representative from Ohio, 2004 presidential candidate

GREGORY W. MEEKS

U.S. representative from

New York

MARTIN O’MALLEY

Mayor of Baltimore

HARRY REID

U.S. senator from Nevada

ED RENDELL

Governor of Pennsylvania

BILL RICHARDSON

Governor of New Mexico

AL SHARPTON

2004 presidential candidate

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Today’s television

ABC: 7-8 p.m.

CBS: 7-8 p.m.

CNBC: 4-5 p.m.

CNN: Noon-10 p.m.

Comedy Central: 11 a.m.-

11:30 p.m.

C-SPAN: Noon-8:30 p.m.

Fox News: Noon-8 p.m.

MSNBC: 3-11 p.m.

NBC: 7-8 p.m.

PBS: 5-8 p.m.

Univision: 6:30-7 p.m.,

11:30 p.m.-midnight

History repeats itself

Former President Clinton’s charge that Republicans seek a “divided America” echoed former New York Gov. Mario M. Cuomo’s criticism at the 1984 convention. “Their policies divide the nation -- into the lucky and the left out, into the royalty and the rabble,” Cuomo said. “The Republicans are willing to treat that division as victory.”

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“I was hoping for a reception like this. I was just kind of hoping it was going to be on Thursday night instead of on a Tuesday night.”

--HOWARD DEAN

To delegates, referring to the night John F. Kerry will accept the nomination

It’s the economy -- of words

Former President Clinton knows how to hold an audience: captive. Monday night, however, he delivered his shortest-ever convention speech. Clinton’s podium times:

1988: 32 minutes

2000: 42 minutes

1992: 53 minutes

2004: 27 minutes

1996: 66 minutes

SOURCE: Times research

Deep pockets

Big events cost big money, and the Democratic festivities in Boston come with a $64.4-million price tag. This year’s bill for the host committee includes $3.4 million spent on construction and set assembly, $750,000 for parking and $2.1 million worth of parties.

SOURCE: Campaign Finance Institute

It’s not a tea party

This week, caterers inside Boston’s FleetCenter will serve:

8,500 candy bars

75,000 cups of coffee

3,000 cases of beer

3 tons of deli meat

725 gallons of New England clam chowder

SOURCE: Delaware North Cos.

Who pays the bills?

Private contributions account for more than half of the Democratic convention’s funding this year. That’s a major change from 1980, when just 4% of the money came from private donors. (The remainder was and is covered by local, state and federal spending.) Some of the biggest gifts to the 2004 event came from Bank of America, IBM, Raytheon and Gillette Co.

SOURCE: Campaign Finance Institute