While Dick Cheney formally accepted his party's re-nomination for vice president last night, he also used the national stage to attack John Kerry's 20-year record in the Senate.

Cheney's praise of Kerry's war record, which drew mild applause from the audience, did little to offset his unsparing criticisms of the Democratic presidential nominee. The crowd booed on cue as Cheney cited key stances of Kerry's political career - including his commitment to the United Nations and his opposition to the 1991 Gulf War - as examples of the Senator's wrongheaded foreign policy.

Sen. Zell Miller, a Democrat from Georgia, supplemented Cheney's condemnation with criticism of his own.

In his fiery keynote address, Miller cited Kerry's voting record and his opposition to funding the research and development of military equipment, such as Apache helicopters and B-1 bombers.

"This is the man who wants to be the Commander in Chief of our U.S. Armed Forces?" Miller asked mockingly. "U.S. forces armed with what? Spitballs?"

But Miller did not save the criticism for Kerry - he also dug into the failings of the Party both he and Kerry share.

"I can remember when Democrats believed that it was the duty of America to fight for freedom over tyranny," Miller said, as he recalled the role of America in the fall and liberation of Nazi Germany and communist South Korea.

Because they are motivated by partisan politics instead of national security, "today's Democratic leaders see America as an occupier, not a liberator," Miller said.

Taking a swipe at Kerry's running mate John Edwards, who served as a personal injury lawyer before running for office, Cheney said, "Under this President's leadership, we will reform medical liability so the system serves patients and good doctors, not personal injury lawyers."

The Vice President disarmed the crowd with self-deprecating pokes at his public image. "People tell me that Senator Edwards got picked for his good looks, his sex appeal, his charm and his great hair. I said - how do you think I got the job?" he said.

When addressing Bush's record as president, Cheney kept with the unifying theme of the convention and focused on the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the war on terror. But rather than focus almost solely on foreign policy, as many of his Republican colleagues have done this week, Cheney also claimed progress on the fronts of education, healthcare and the economy.

Incorporating Wednesday's theme "A Land of Opportunity," Cheney framed his personal story as the American dream fulfilled, describing the modest means of his grandparents and characterizing his success as unlikely.

Wednesday night's program also included speeches from Michael Reagan, the eldest son of late Former President Ronald Reagan, and brief remarks from Lynne Cheney, who introduced her husband.

And though Cheney and Miller preferred discussion about Kerry's integrity and reputation and the war on Iraq and terror, they both opened their speeches with echoes of Tuesday night's main themes - family and compassion.

Introduced Tuesday by her father-in-law, President George H.W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush ended her address with an appeal to support President Bush's leadership so "our children will grow up in a world where today's terror alerts have also become a thing of the past."

She reminded the audience that the war was waged to protect the children of the country.

Thanking the families of those who have gone to war, she said she and President Bush "know it will mean a more peaceful future for our children and grandchildren."

She conceded that President Bush was not enthusiastic about sending troops to Iraq.

"My husband didn't want to go to war, but he knew the safety and security of America and the world depended on it," Bush said.

In line with the motif of preserving the country's posterity, Bush, along with many of Tuesday night's other speakers such as Secretary of Education Rod Paige, reminded the audience of her passion for defending education.

"We are determined to provide a quality education for every child in America," she said.

Paige echoed Bush's sentiments in his speech.

"No nation -- whatever the size of its armed forces or economy - can sustain greatness unless it educates all, not just some, of its citizens," he said.

Paige also mentioned Bush's policies that he said have raised test scores, closed the achievement gap and increased Pell grants for one million students.

Not everyone was convinced of Bush's commitment to education.

Una Hardester, a high school student from Connecticut who participated in the United for Peace and Justice March on Sunday, was disappointed with Bush's failed promise to increase Pell grant funding.