| The Democratic National Convention in Boston is in its final day, with delegates looking forward to the speech by Senator John Kerry accepting the party nomination for president. Political observers are calling the address the most important of his political career.
Delegates began pouring back into the convention center in Boston as security was tightened for the final day.
With helicopters hovering even more frequently, and stepped up searches of personal belongings, the heightened security was aimed at preventing any disruptions leading up to the speech by Senator John Kerry accepting the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.
In yet another reminder of his military background, Mr. Kerry will be introduced to the convention by former Senator Max Cleland, who served in Vietnam and lost both legs and an arm in the conflict.
Earlier in the week, Mr. Cleland appeared with others who had been with Mr. Kerry when he served on small military boats during the war in Southeast Asia.
"It is said that this convention and maybe even the speech John is going to deliver Thursday night will help define him, that the campaign will help define him," he said. "In a very special way John Kerry has already defined himself many years ago."
Numerous other speakers will precede Mr. Kerry, including the head of the country's largest labor confederation, and the president of the biggest organization representing African Americans.
There will also be speeches by state governors and current and former members of Congress.
Senator Jean Carnahan is a former member of the U.S. Senate from the state of Missouri who predicts John Kerry and John Edwards, should they win in November, will do everything they can to help the disadvantaged in America.
"Fighting for the hurting and the helpless of this nation. Those who have no voice," [he said.] "That is the kind of experience I want in Washington. Experience that comes from helping real people with real problems."
There is intense speculation about Mr. Kerry's speech, which is scheduled to last about an hour, in the wake of electrifying addresses by other Democrats on Wednesday.
With criticisms that he has only recently begun to effectively "define" his deeper views on major issues, he is expected to provide some insights about his positions on everything from the economy to the war on terror and the situation in Iraq. Staff aides say the speech will reflect Mr. Kerry's campaign theme: "Stronger at home, respected in the world."
The end of the Democratic convention will put Mr. Kerry back on the campaign trail immediately, against President Bush, who will be re-nominated by Republicans at their convention at the end of August. | 
