OS ANGELES - After riding a 10-day wave of publicity for breaking a religious barrier, vice presidential candidate Joseph I. Lieberman last night said the Democratic ticket is ideally suited to tackle the next frontier, ''the differences that are still between us.''
A day after assuring black Democrats that he supports affirmative action, Lieberman, the first Jew on a major-party national ticket, told a nationwide television audience that he and presidential nominee Al Gore are committed to improving conditions for all Americans. It was intended as an answer to Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush's charge that the Democrats have failed to use prosperity for a greater social purpose.
While only indirectly referring to his Jewish faith, Lieberman wove a direct link between the story of how his wife's parents escaped the Holocaust and ''the remaining walls of discrimination in this nation based on race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation.''
''And that's why I continue to say, when it comes to affirmative action, mend it, but please, don't end it,'' he said, borrowing a phrase from President Clinton to underscore his commitment.
''In my life, I have tried to see this world through the eyes of those who suffered discrimination,'' Lieberman said. Introducing himself to millions of voters for the first time, the Connecticut senator portrayed himself as a man who rose from humble beginnings, the son of a bakery truck driver, the grandson of a woman who emigrated from Europe to escape harassment ''because of the way she worshiped God.''
Smiling broadly, pumping his fist in the air for emphasis, Lieberman was by turns passionate and workmanlike in delivering his Democratic manifesto. He also displayed a wit well-known in Washington but perhaps surprising to many in the national audience. ''There's an old saying that behind every successful man, there's a surprised mother-in-law,'' he quipped, describing his selection as Gore's running mate.
Then, in a gibe at Republicans for portraying themselves as a diverse party during their convention, he said, ''Let's be honest. We may be near Hollywood, but not since Tom Hanks won an Oscar has there been that much acting in Philadelphia ... I am glad the GOP changed their rhetoric, but I wish they would also change their policies.''
Throughout his speech, Lieberman spoke respectfully of his GOP colleagues but frequently invoked the refrain that ''I'm sad to say'' that Bush's policies aren't working. ''I'm sad to say that in Texas, the quality of the air and water is some of the worst in America,'' Lieberman said, employing the same kind of strategy that Bush's father used in 1988 in attacking Massachusetts, the home state of Democratic nominee Michael S. Dukakis.
Invoking a metaphor that has drenched this convention for days, Lieberman said John F. Kennedy's call for a ''New Frontier'' remains as fresh as it was 40 years ago.
''The next frontier isn't just in front of us, but inside of us, to overcome the differences that are still between us, to break down the barriers that remain, and to help every American claim the limitless possibilities of our own lives,'' Lieberman said.
Left unspoken - but implied - was another parallel to Kennedy's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles 40 years ago. Kennedy, who at the time was seeking to become the first Catholic president, used his speech to assure voters that he was his own man and wouldn't take direction from the Vatican. Lieberman has been outspoken in declaring that his faith is central to his philosophy, revealing that he prayed with Gore when the vice president asked him to be his running mate. Lieberman also opened his speech in Nashville with Gore last week by quoting from the Old Testament.
Last night, Lieberman spoke of the way ''every faith teaches us'' to see the nation through the eyes of others, and he told how his grandmother was greeted ''Good Sabbath'' by Christian neighbors. Lieberman sprinkled mentions of God, faith, and the Holocaust through his speech but did not mention Judaism more directly.
Lieberman, 58, provided an instant spark to the ticket when Gore picked him on Aug. 7. Gore seemed energized, and much of the media reaction was positive, including cover stories in Time and Newsweek that described Lieberman as a moral leader with solid experience.
As the first Democratic senator to publicly condemn President Clinton's affair with former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky, Lieberman may have helped Gore distance himself from Clinton. Earlier yesterday, as Gore greeted Lieberman at Burbank Airport, the vice president said, ''Let others argue the case for the old guard. We're the new guard, and we're going to bring positive change to the United States of America.''
Gore, who served 16 years in Congress and is in his eighth year as vice president, did not specify who he believes represents the ''old guard.'' Indeed, his comment came after a parade of liberal leaders, who might be considered the Democratic Party's old guard, addressed the convention on Tuesday night. They included Senator Edward M. Kennedy, former senator Bill Bradley, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Making the case for change is one of Gore's biggest challenges. Despite the economic prosperity during the Clinton-Gore administration, polls show that most voters want change. Tonight, Gore plans to try to separate himself from Clinton even further by outlining what he called ''some specific hard choices I believe we have to make in order to ensure that we have a bright future.''
As is traditional for a vice presidential candidate, Lieberman used his speech both to attack the Republicans and praise his running mate.
''I think it's a good thing that our opponent talks about education,'' Lieberman said. ''But I'm sad to say their plan does not provide the resources our schools need to meet those high standards. I've read their plan. To me, it seems like their idea of school modernization means buying a calendar for every building.''
After that, Lieberman lavished praise on Gore. ''I know his record and I know his heart,'' the senator said. ''I know him as a public servant and I know what it is like to sit with him around the dining room table. We have discussed - even debated - policy issues. And we have shared private moments of prayer.''
Nearly overshadowed by Lieberman was the formality of nomninating Gore to be the party's presidential candidate. Gore's Harvard roommate, the actor Tommy Lee Jones, led off, recounting some of their undergraduate escapades. Gore's daughter, Karenna Gore Schiff, spoke glowingly of her father as she seconded his nomination.
''Dad is a man of faith in the most gutsy, practical sense. He wants to see goodness prevail,'' Gore Schiff said. ''I'm not asking you to support Al Gore because he is my father, or even because he's been a great dad for his kids. What really matters is what he will do for all our kids.''
In a ''surprise'' appearance that was actually carefully planned, Gore then strode onto the stage and embraced his daughter, and waved to the throng of delegates in the sea of blue ''Gore'' placards, before departing. The convention then finished the formality of the roll call and nominated the vice president to be president.
Some believe Gore's acceptance speech tonight could make or break his campaign. The vice president is often caricatured as either a plodding, programmed speaker, or a podium-pounding shouter.
Gore, speaking to reporters on Air Force Two, said he is ''very relaxed'' about his speech - and was still working on it. ''I've been rewriting and editing and tweaking,'' Gore said. He said the speech would ''give a clear idea of what my agenda is for the country ... the ideas and proposals I'm making are rooted in the experiences I've had in fighting for people over the last 24 years.''
While Lieberman has been hailed as an exciting and supportive partner to Gore, he also brings some risk to the ticket. It remains to be seen if some voters will object to his religious faith once it's time to cast their vote.
Lieberman's wife, Hadassah, introduced her husband last night.
''Wow!'' she said, opening her speech. ''It's hard to believe that it was only one week ago that Tipper [Gore] and I were in my hometown of Gardner, Mass., to celebrate the newest adventure in our lives.''
Mrs. Lieberman described her husband as a man who is a ''regular Joe ... and more. His connection to the larger community has molded a vision that is anything but ordinary. When Al Gore chose my husband as his running mate, this country got a man whose mission in life is inspired by the people he serves and the community he loves.''
Then, as Senator Lieberman took to the podium and surveyed the crowd, he seemed as enthusiastic as the moment he was picked for the spot last week.
Said Lieberman: ''Is America a great country or what?''
Susan Milligan of the Globe Staff, traveling with Gore, contributed to this report.
