RALEIGH, N.C. — Sen. John Kerry has selected Sen. John Edwards as his running mate for the coming presidential election. The people who know Edwards best say they are excited, but not surprised he got the job.

"I'm so proud of him. I'm so proud of the achievement," said David Kirby, Edwards' law school classmate, neighbor, and former law partner.

Kirby said Edwards and Kerry together understand the needs of working people. He believes Kerry picked Edwards for all the right reasons.

"In John Edwards, you have someone who is incredibly bright, incredibly gifted, who has an absolute heart of gold. I know he will dedicate himself to help everybody," Kirby said.

Gus Gusler, another longtime friend of Edwards, watched Tuesday's announcement with pride. It was confirmation for Gusler, who earlier in the day, got word from an Edwards' staffer.

"I was ecstatic. It's everything you hope for, but until it really happens, you just don't know," he said.

Gusler will now head to the Democratic National Convention as a delegate and with confidence about the Democratic ticket.

"I think it's a great match because of their different backgrounds, where they came from," Gusler said. "The two together covers the gamut of American life. Johnnie is truly the American dream."

Kerry and Edwards is expected to make a joint appearance in Raleigh at the end of the week.