BOSTON -- Democrats, energized by their last first lady, get their first real look Tuesday at the multimillionaire heiress they hope will be their next one as they turn to Sen. John Kerry's outspoken wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.

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News From The Convention:

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Article: Kerry Challenges Bush On Iraq War
Video: Clark | Albright | Cleland | Kerry
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Slideshows: Thursday Speakers | Around FleetCenter | Youth Caucus | Celebrities | Day Four On The Floor
Blog: Richardson Reports: Edwards Silences Critics
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Wednesday Video: Sharpton | Shalikashvili | E. Edwards | J. Edwards
Tuesday Video: Kennedy | Dean | Obama | Heinz Kerry
Monday Video: Gore | Carter | Rodham Clinton | Clinton
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Delegates on Monday night were brought to their feet by former president Bill Clinton, and earlier by his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

Heinz Kerry, widow of a Republican senator who inherited his family's ketchup fortune, speaks on the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Boston, amid buzz about her comments to a Pittsburgh journalist this week.

A television camera caught an exchange between Heinz Kerry and the editorial page editor for the Pittsburgh Times-Review in which Heinz Kerry's told the journalist to "shove it." She says she'd do it again, and Kerry says his wife "spoke her mind appropriately."

Many Democrats say how she does Tuesday night could be critical to the campaign.

One women stressed that Heinz Kerry could have a significant impact on independent and women voters. She's known for her direct, sometimes blunt, words, but many delegates hope she also comes across as an intelligent and caring woman.

In particular, delegates say the heiress must prove to people she is not an aloof aristocrat. Heinz Kerry plans to talk about issues she says are close to her heart: the environment, health care and the economy.

Also on the podium Tuesday night at Boston's FleetCenter will be Sen. Edward Kennedy, a staunch Kerry supporter who will offer the nation a more personal and family view of the party's candidate for president.

The convention will hear from its keynote speaker, Senate candidate Barack Obama of Illinois, considered a rising star in the party.

Kerry is to arrive at the convention Wednesday and was appearing Tuesday in the Navy town of Norfolk, Va., calling for the Sept. 11 commission to continue working past its scheduled end date of Aug. 26 to ensure recommended reforms are put in place.

Ron Reagan To Take Podium

Perhaps the most controversial speaker, Ron Reagan Jr. says he will use his prime-time speech solely to highlight the disease that slowly killed his father.

He'll talk about the stem cell research the Reagan family believes could offer hope for people with Alzheimer's.

The Bush administration has restricted stem cell research.

Reagan's appearance is clearly a political coup for Democrats.

While he has professed some liberal views, his name alone could draw some swing voters to watch the Democratic gathering.

Or, even more importantly, it could convince them that Democrats are reaching out beyond their base.

3 Ex-Kerry Rivals To Speak

Three of Kerry's former rivals will be among the speakers pushing for his election as president on Tuesday night.

U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois will address delegates Tuesday night.

Dean on Monday officially freed up the delegates who were committed to him and asked that they support Kerry.

Monday: Clintons A Hit

Former President Bill Clinton wrapped up the opening night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday with an appeal on behalf of Kerry that brought delegates to their feet.

He accused President George W. Bush of dividing the nation and focused on Kerry's service to the country.

Clinton told delegates that Kerry's opponents will warn that he would be soft on terrorists.

"Strength and wisdom are not opposing values," he said. Kerry has both of those qualities, Clinton added.

Clinton joined other speakers in highlighting Kerry's military service.

The former president pointed out that while he and others, including Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, were able to avoid going to Vietnam, Kerry said, "Send me." He said Kerry volunteered for dangerous service aboard a boat assigned to attract enemy fire.

Sen. Clinton introduced her husband and was greeted with a standing ovation as she took the stage.

"I think I know a great leader when I see one," she said, smiling.

Rodham Clinton said Kerry is a man who would lead the world, rather than alienate it and would create good jobs, rather than losing them. Kerry will solve a health care crisis that she says has gotten worse in the past four years, she said.

The former First Lady spoke of seeing firsthand the horrors of Sept. 11, 2001 and said last week's report from the federal commission that investigated the attacks was a "sober call to action" that can't be ignored.

The crowd erupted in a roar as her husband joined her on stage and embraced her after her speech.

During his remarks to delegates, former President Jimmy Carter delivered a sharp rebuke of the Bush administration, saying the United States can't lead in the world "if our leaders mislead."

Carter said in the past, the nation could be confident that its leaders "would not mislead us" on national security issues, and would not put military men and women in harm's way by launching "wars of choice."

The former president, who has been closely identified with human rights issues, also said the United States can't safeguard its security if it jeopardizes the importance of human rights around the world. Carter said John Kerry would restore judgment that is "sorely lacking today."

Carter won applause when he described Kerry as a naval officer who "showed up when assigned for duty" -- an indirect reference to questions about where Bush spent his military service.

Earlier in the night, former Vice President Al Gore told Democrats that he is looking forward and not backward, but he couldn't help but revisit the disputed 2000 presidential outcome as he spoke to the crowd.

Gore said he had hoped he would be at the convention this year as the incumbent president.

"You win some, you lose some. And then there's that little-known third category," he said jokingly.

Gore described the United States as "a land of opportunity, where every little boy and girl has a chance to grow up and win the popular vote." He called on Democrats to "make sure that this time every vote is counted."

"Let's make sure not only that the Supreme Court does not pick the next president, and that this president is not the one who picks the next Supreme Court," Gore told the enthusiastic group.

Gore described Kerry as a man whose "word is his bond" and someone who has "devoted his life to making America a better place."

Gore was greeted with a huge ovation and won cheers again at the end of his speech, by embracing his wife, Tipper, for a kiss reminiscent of the one at the convention four years ago.