Much has been made of John Edwards's style - the optimism, the charm, the listening skills - but the North Carolina senator's addition to the Democratic presidential ticket also adds new force to the party's message: that the economic recovery leaves much to be desired for many Americans.

The message war of the campaign is now firmly launched on two tracks, security issues - including the war on terrorism and Iraq - and the economy. Iraq and the 9/11 investigation dominated headlines this spring, and are both issues that play into presumed Democratic nominee John Kerry's Senate and Vietnam War experience.

For Senator Edwards, Iraq was never a big part of his stump speech when he ran for the nomination; he was the man of "two Americas," the wealthy former trial lawyer who still managed to project affinity for the little guy rather than the affluent elite that he had long ago joined. Republicans call his message class warfare (and zing him personally as "a disingenuous liberal"). But the Democrats are banking on a message that the economic recovery is flawed - that job creation still hasn't made up for the jobs lost since George Bush became president and that the middle class is feeling squeezed and anxious.

Right out of the block Wednesday morning, the Bush-Cheney campaign came back with a series of headlines touting economic good news, including analysts predicting that the economy is on track for its fastest growth in 20 years. The campaign also cited a five-month high in consumer confidence and expectations for increasing hiring by business executives.

The Kerry-Edwards campaign is blanketing the airwaves in key states - now including North Carolina - with ads that tout the theme of strength, both in the economy and in national security. On the economy, the Democrats promise good-paying jobs, affordable health care, and energy independence. To some Republicans, the first-term senator from North Carolina was a logical choice to bolster this pitch. "Edwards is the only candidate who truly has a message: 'The government is not on your side,' " says a senior Republican Senate aide. "It is a populist message with a dash of New Democrat."

The trick for the Kerry-Edwards team will be to sell an essentially negative theme - that the working person is getting a bad shake - with an upbeat tone. That's where Edwards's skill as a persuader comes in. With a high-watt smile and a youthful demeanor that belies his 51 years, Edwards is being counted on to convince voters that he and Kerry represent a positive vision for the nation.

Edwards "helps to make this race about the future," said Kerry senior adviser Tad Devine at a Monitor breakfast Wednesday.

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