Bush, Kerry roll out campaigns

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The newly installed Democratic presidential team of John Kerry and John Edwards defended their ticket from President Bush's charge that his challenger has no "signature achievements" as they drew thousands of supporters Friday, the first official day of the general election campaign.

Kerry and Edwards embarked on a two-week coast-to-coast trip just eight hours after standing in a downpour of balloons and confetti at the end of their nominating convention.

They were barely on their way before being challenged by the president.

"Here we go again," Edwards said, lamenting Bush's criticism to a chorus of boos from the crowd in Harrisburg.

"They're trying to take this campaign for the highest office in the land down the lowest possible road," Edwards continued. "You can reject this tired old hateful negative politics of the past and instead embrace the politics of hope."

Edwards led the crowd in his convention speech refrain that "Hope is on the way."

In an interview, Kerry dismissed Bush's criticism with a laugh as "the response to a positive campaign." He said he was behind a long list of legislation during his Senate career, including funding for more community police, improvements to health care and support for fisheries programs.

"They don't have a record to run on, so all they can do is attack," Kerry said.

Kerry's caravan of 10 buses and at least 11 other support vehicles rolled through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Friday. He didn't stop in safely Democratic Connecticut, but pulled over at Wendy's, a fast food restaurant, in New York's GOP-leaning Hudson Valley for an anniversary tradition.

John and Elizabeth Edwards ate at a Wendy's on their wedding night 27 years ago when they were recent law school grads too broke for a fancy meal. Although they have become millionaires several times over, they say they observe the tradition each year.

Kerry's morning rally was surprisingly small for the hometown nominee, with no more than 500 people only half-filling a harbor-side park. With a long day ahead and little sleep the night before, the candidate opened by sleepily saying, "I'm longing to have my head hit a pillow."

The afternoon rally in Scranton was a more impressive draw, with several thousand cheering supporters filling at least three city blocks, hanging out of office buildings and garages. And at a twilight rally in Harrisburg, thousands filled the state Capitol steps and spilled back as far as one could see into the park and streets.

Meanwhile, the Federal Election Commission on Friday approved the release of $74.7 million in federal funds that Kerry and Edwards will use from now until Election Day. The agency notified the Treasury Department, which will wire the cash to the campaign, the commission said.

Because Kerry accepted public funding for the general election, he is barred from spending any other cash since becoming his party's nominee.