Putting an energetic young Southerner on his ticket should boost John Kerry's chances in the South, but the region remains a stronghold for President Bush, Florida political leaders said Tuesday. "A presidential race never really plays out on the state where the vice president comes from," said Barney Bishop, a veteran Tallahassee campaign consultant who heads Democrats for Bush this year. "But John Edwards gives Kerry at least a chance to pick up some strength in the South. He's young and popular." Florida's U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who was on Kerry's "short list," thanked him for "the very dignified and...