By Travis Gettys
Enquirer contributor

Northern Kentucky Democrats applauded the choice of Sen. John Edwards as Sen. John Kerry's running mate, saying he will provide a jolt of energy to the race.

KERRY-EDWARDS

• Cleveland, Dayton first stops for Kerry-Edwards • Ky. Democrats pleased with addition to ticket • Edwards brings pluses, risks to Kerry campaign • Analysis: Edwards adds zing • Men, women on the street ponder pick

"I've been hoping for months that Kerry would select him," said Covington attorney Bob Sanders. "There's an energy about him that just lights up a room."

Kathy Groob, state Senate candidate in Kentucky's 23rd District, said she's impressed by Edwards, who became a successful attorney after being the first person in his family to attend college.

"When you look at his background, it closely mirrors the people of Kentucky," Groob said. "It makes me feel good about him."

Edwards hails from North Carolina, a Southern tobacco state, and that should help pick up votes in Kentucky, said Nathan Smith, Kenton County Democratic chairman.

"He definitely understands the tobacco issue," Smith said. "Bush flip-flops on the tobacco buyout from day to day."

But simply adding a Southerner to the ticket is probably not enough to help Kerry win Republican-leaning Kentucky, said Brian Richmond, a GOP consultant from Lakeside Park.

"Bush dominated the South in 2000," Richmond said. "His values are more in line with those in the South than Kerry's."

Even if Edwards can't help Kerry win in Kentucky, he can help the Massachusetts senator pick up Southern states such as North Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana, said Eric Gentry, president of Cornerstone Strategies, a Democratic consulting and fund-raising firm.

"Without that choice, I don't think those states would've been winnable," Gentry said.

Gentry expects Republicans to attack Edwards for having only six years of experience in government, but he added that the vice presidential challenger has handled foreign policy and national affairs as a senator.

"You take his experience and stack that up against President Bush before he became president, (and) it's a toss-up," Gentry said.

Sanders said he's looking forward to seeing Edwards put his charisma on display in debates with Vice President Dick Cheney, who is older and more taciturn than his opponent.

"For once in his life, Cheney will be like the lamb led to the slaughter," Sanders said.