Transcript: Kerry and Edwards Remarks in Cleveland

Senators John Kerry and John Edwards made their first joint campaign appearance together on Tuesday in Cleveland. A transcript follows.

SPEAKERS: U.S. SENATOR JOHN F. KERRY (MA) DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

U.S. SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS (NC) DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

KERRY: It is really wonderful to be here. It's wonderful to be introduced by a new partner in this great, great journey that we are all sharing together. And I think you will agree with me that Elizabeth Edwards is going to be an absolutely spectacular second lady of the United States.

It's great to be here in Strawbridge Plaza. Not long ago this was a parking lot -- some people may remember that -- on the lakefront. It didn't look so great. Today, it looks absolutely amazing and I will adopt the words of one of your own, Drew Carey: Cleveland rocks.

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Now, I'll tell you, in 1879, great things happened in Cleveland. You may not know it, but in 1879 the public square of Cleveland was lit by electric streetlights: the first city in America to get that kind of electricity.

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And today you are the first city in America to get a different kind of electricity called John Edwards.

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KERRY: I want to introduce special people to both John, Elizabeth, Teresa and myself who are here with us. I want you all to welcome them.

First of all, we have John's daughter who just graduated from college this year and is setting out on her own career. And we're delighted she's taken time to be with us. Cate. We want to thank Cate Edwards for being here, being part of this great effort.

Thank you.

And Cate's little sister and little brother that we got to know real well last night. We had a great evening last night. I have to tell you. I have to share it with you.

They came over to dinner. I think it took about five minutes before little Jack and Emma Claire were in the pool swimming around and having fun. Jack does a mean cannonball, ladies and gentlemen.

And I'll tell you something else, just to give you a sense of priorities at that age of life. We learned that yesterday morning Elizabeth was down in North Carolina and John was in Washington. And John was with the kids.

And after I telephoned, Emma Claire was pretty excited and John got on the phone to call Elizabeth. Elizabeth gets on the phone and says, "Mommy, Mommy, John Kerry picked Daddy." Big deal. And Jack wants to get on the phone so Jack gets on the phone right away. And Jack says, "Mommy, Mommy, I can swim with my head out of the water."

(LAUGHTER)

So Jack's got his priorities wired, ladies and gentlemen.

Jack is being propped up right now in the loving arms of my stepson, Andre Heinz. And I want you to welcome him here. He's a great fellow.

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And standing beside one person over from an extraordinary man -- I'll say a word about him in a minute -- is my daughter, Alexandra Kerry. And I want you to welcome her.

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