But the selection of Edwards was hardly a foregone conclusion. Determined to keep his decision a secret, Kerry waited until Monday night to tell his own top aides about his choice. (And in an instantly famous gaffe reminiscent of the 1948 headline wrongly announcing President Truman’s defeat, The New York Post’s front page proclaimed Tuesday that Kerry had selected veep contender Rep. Richard Gephardt as his running mate; “KERRY’S CHOICE,” ran the headline, “Dem picks Gephardt as VP Candidate.”)

After a secret meeting with Kerry last Thursday, the senator from North Carolina was photographed campaigning on the beaches of his home state Sunday, and had slipped into Boston by Monday. In a statement released Tuesday, Edwards said he was “humbled by his offer and thrilled to accept it.” But how does the rest of the country respond? Here are a few reactions to the end of the veepstakes:

“I welcome Sen. Edwards on the ticket. The vice president called him earlier this morning, after the announcement was made, to say he welcomed him into the race, as do I. I look forward to a good, spirited contest.”

-President George W. Bush

“John Kerry was against John Edwards before he was for him. But now he’s his running mate. Who is John Edwards? A disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal and friend to personal injury trial lawyers.''

-The Republican National Committee in an e-mailed statement to the media

“The leadership and experience of a Kerry-Edwards administration offers our best hope-in fact our only hope-of renewing the United States’ prestige, as well as its commitment to the pro-worker, pro- family ideals that made our country great.”

-Jim Hoffa, Teamsters’ General President

“Earlier this morning I received a very compassionate and understanding call from Sen. John Kerry … It is important and necessary for us to have John Kerry and John Edwards be the next president and vice president.”

-Iowa Gov.Tom Vilsack, one of those considered by Kerry as a potential running mate

“I think Sen. Edwards is an excellent selection … He’s demonstrated as a candidate how intelligent and effective he can be. He has a strong message about bringing America together. He will be an effective vice-presidential partner with President Kerry.”

-Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, who was also passed over for the job

“I congratulate John Kerry this morning on his selection of John Edwards as his running mate. This is a ticket that can excite, motivate and most importantly defeat George Bush and Dick Cheney in November.”

-Rep. Richard Gephardt, a top contender for the spot, whom the New York Post erroneously reported had gotten Kerry’s approval

“He deserves the vice presidential nod because of his hard work and his strong appeal to working families. He’ll bring tremendous excitement and energy to the ticket.”

-New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who had also been considered a contender

“The vice president said that he looked forward to their debate, and a spirited campaign that he hopes will reflect credit on the process.”

-Kevin Kellems, Vice President Dick Cheney’s spokesperson

“Democrats and independent-minded Americans have reason to be electrified about the Kerry-Edwards team.”

-New York Sen.Hillary Clinton

“It’s not surprising Kerry would flip flop on the “inexperienced’ John Edwards, his second choice for vice president.”

-New York state GOP Chairman Alexander Treadwell

“Clearly, Edwards isn’t the choice of business.”

-Brian Pears, head equity trader at Victory Capital Management in Cleveland, on the fact that stocks took a sharp dip Tuesday morning

“We unreservedly apologize to our readers for the mistake.”

-New York Post editor in chief Col Allan, in a statement that he made the decision to go with the Gephardt story based on information that turned out to be inaccurate

“Congratulations on your front page. Have a nice day.”

-The New York Daily News, in a letter to the Post that was sent with a case of champagne and inscribed with a smiley face