John Kerry was making political waves in Boston today, with a ceremonial entrance to his home city on the eve of his nomination as the Democratic Party's choice for president.

Kerry, who'll be formally nominated on Thursday night, was joined on the short boat ride by crew members from the Navy boat he commanded in Vietnam.

The boat was greeted by throngs of supporters and spectators.

The focus shifts this evening to Kerry's running mate, North Carolina Senator John Edwards.

Edwards will give a prime-time speech as he accepts the party's nomination for Vice-President.

After a ceremonious roll call of delegates from every state, Edwards will be introduced by his wife, Elizabeth. His daughter, Cate, will also speak this evening.

Many observers say Edwards' speech will be the most important in his career, so far. He's expected to focus on the "two Americas," a theme he has championed time and again.

Born to a blue collar South Carolina family, Edwards, 51, grew up to make millions in a 20-year career as a trial lawyer.

His story is often portrayed as a contrast to that of his running mate, Kerry, particularly on the predominant campaign theme of military service.

While Edwards has no military record, Kerry volunteered for combat in Vietnam. President George W. Bush did National Guard duty in the United States.

Democrats hope Edwards will help them to attract votes in the South, which has been a Republican stronghold for presidential contenders in recent decades

In preparation for tonight, the Senator and his campaign aides were seen touring the FleetCentre in Boston last night around midnight to get a feel of the podium.

While Edwards had been nursing a cold in recent days he told reporters he was feeling "fine" and would be ready to go tonight.

And while, Democrats work hard to reach out to both the audience in Boston and to the TV audience at home, the Party is also working hard on the Internet to reach American voters living abroad in Canada.

The Party has launched a website it hopes will help Americans living here to cast what could be deciding ballots.

Trumpeting the site in an interview from Boston on Wednesday, Diana Kerry, John Kerry's sister, told Canada AM she is personally campaigning to energize those few, crucial voters.

"I've been to Toronto once and I hope to be back in Canada again before the middle of September," she said. "That's the cut-off date for applying for absentee ballots."

Diana Kerry says her party's overseas campaign is aimed at drawing voters to Overseasvote2004.com -- by reminding them of the slim margins that decided the last vote for the White House.

"We've learned in 2000, in Florida in particular, that every vote counts, " she said.

"The Republicans themselves are the ones who say it was the absentee ballot from overseas that put George Bush over the top with his majority of 537 votes."