John Kerry Endorses Barack Obama

Democrats' 2004 Nominee Says Illinois Senator Can Help America "Turn The Page"

(CBS/AP)  Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the White House Thursday in a timely slap at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as well as his own vice presidential running mate.

Quoting a black American hero in endorsing the man who hopes to be the first black president, Kerry declared, "Martin Luther King Jr. said the time is always right to do what is right. And I'm here in South Carolina because this is the right time to share with you, to make sure that we know that I have the confidence ... and that Barack Obama can be, will be and should be the next president of the United States."

"This is a well-timed endorsement for Obama," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "After an upset loss in New Hampshire, it helps to reinforce his effort and demonstrate his ability to still attract a measure of institutional support. While not all Democrats remember Kerry's 2004 campaign and defeat fondly, it never hurts to get the endorsement of your party's previous nominee."

Kerry delivered his endorsement in South Carolina at a time, two weeks before that state's primary, when Clinton is riding a wave of enthusiasm following her victory over Obama in the New Hampshire primary.

Kerry said there were other candidates in the race whom he also had worked with and respected.

"But I believe more than anyone else, Barack Obama can help our country turn the page and get America moving by uniting and ending the division we have faced," Kerry said.

Kerry took a swipe at Obama critics who say the Illinois senator lacks the experience to be president.

"We are electing judgment and character, not years on this earth," said Kerry, who added that Obama, an opponent of the Iraq war, was "right about the war in Iraq from the beginning."

Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the third contender in the Democratic presidential race, was Kerry's vice presidential running mate in 2004. Despite their political alliance, the two men were not close personally and differed behind the scenes on campaign strategy in a race that President Bush won.

Edwards responded to word of the endorsement with a diplomatic statement: "Our country and our party are stronger because of John's service, and I respect his decision. When we were running against each other and on the same ticket, John and I agreed on many issues."

Kerry was Obama's political benefactor once before, selecting the relatively unknown Illinois senatorial candidate to deliver the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. It was Obama's first turn in the national spotlight and helped launch him on a remarkable ascent that has made him one of two leading contenders for the party's presidential nomination only four years later.

The Massachusetts senator lost the South Carolina Democratic primary in 2004 to Edwards.

Kerry and Edwards had their differences during the 2004 campaign over strategy and spending, and Edwards has said he would have been more aggressive in challenging the unsubstantiated allegations of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth questioning Kerry's military record.

Kerry's endorsement also was a jab at Clinton, the New York Democrat who won the New Hampshire primary after a loss to Obama in the Iowa caucuses.

Kerry had withheld his endorsement, hoping to have an impact on the race and avoid the fate of fellow Democrat Al Gore, the 2000 nominee who endorsed Howard Dean in 2004 shortly before the former Vermont governor's campaign imploded. Gore has made no endorsement so far this year.

While Kerry has been close to Clinton's husband, the former president, he was incensed in 2006 when she chided him after Kerry suggested that people who don't go to school "get stuck in Iraq." Aides said Kerry meant to jab at Bush and say "get us stuck in Iraq," and that he didn't appreciate Clinton piling onto the criticism he was already getting for the remark.

The Republican National Committee pounced on the endorsement to brand Kerry and Obama "liberal soul mates."

Kerry himself had considered running for president in 2008, but that plan fizzled with the botched remark. For many Democrats, his words revived bitter memories of his missteps in 2004, when he lost to Bush.

As for Obama, Kerry gave the young Illinois state senator his first turn in the national spotlight when he chose him to deliver the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Later that year, Obama won election as a U.S. senator.

Since announcing a year ago he would not make the run, Kerry has prodded Democrats to take a stronger anti-war stance, pushing for troop withdrawal deadlines. In another area, he has backed environmental causes, writing a book with his wife on the issue.

Kerry should be able to provide some organizational and fundraising muscle to Obama.

Since losing the 2004 race, Kerry has kept a national network of supporters intact. He has an e-mail network of 3 million supporters, according to aides. He also has traveled extensively raising millions of dollars for Democratic candidates nationwide.

[gunownerdan]

Barack Obama is just another ignorant gun-banning extremist. He even supports the right for dangerous criminals to sue their victims if they choose to defend themselves from being attacked!
Obama and Hitlery are not capable of obeying their oaths of office.

[mudrose-2009]

The Clinton''''s bolstered John Kerry when he was running for president.
I guess he doesn''''t care...

Posted by jh6379

Nobody on the lefty side of the aisle has any loyalty. No moral values. Not from the Clintoids and now not from the Kerry''s. Hahahaha.

[xlib]

Wow, kerry endorses obama. Hmmm! Don''t know if that''s a good thing for him or not.
About all this "unity" stuff, what that means is the end of a two party system. What that means is that those who have a different poltical point of view must concede to the so called "winner" or conquering poltical party. I want an explanation on this "transformational" change obama can bring about.
Not everyone can or will agree with the winner of the election and that;s the way it''s supposed to be. Some of obama''s stands I do not agree with, as in raising taxes. No matter how it''s spun, the one''s hurt in the huge tax increase the left wants will hurt us, middle class.
If he want''s unity is he going to work towards making English the national language? That sure would unify us.

[mudrose-2009]

"No moral values. Not from the Clintoids and now not from the Kerry''''''''s. Hahahaha."
Posted by mudrose

Mudrose = toe tappin'''' waste of human excrement...you and your party represent the loss of morals to a T.
Posted by jh6379

Like I always say, the dimnowits can''t hold a conversation without referring to alimentary canals, colons or fecus and bathrooms. Hahahaha.

[hawksprings]

Hillary''s a divider, not a uniter.

[mudrose-2009]

Yes, unlike the "loyalty" shown among neo-conservatives which equals sheeple...lemmings. Even when their president is acting illegally.

"retro" telecom immunity? Why? Telecoms already HAD immunity if the President''''s requests were illegal.

So ask yourself why RETRO immunity for telecoms?

Shutup.
Posted by joshdestardi

The Dimnowits want to demonize the telecoms. It''s their job. They like to demonize anybody but themselves. So I say to you Shat ap!

[dgermenis]

One weirdo endorsing another weirdo.

Um... unless my memory is off, I believe the Clintons supported Clark through the primaries and only flipped to Kerry when he got the nod. They had to support him once his nomination came through; to support the other party''s nominee would of been political suicide.

[far_point200]

Not to worry Billary..... Kerry will flip-flop and support someone else in a few weeks.

Maybe it will be you!

[michellet35]

"John Kerry To Endorse Barack Obama".
Hey everyone, look! It''s the Kiss of Death!! HA HA

[belker1-2009]

Way to go Kerry! Just what Obama needs a loser''s endorsement!


After the nomination process if over, you can try to get Obama to join your Losers Group in the US Senate. President wannabees who lost. Meet for your daily whine.

Of course, the game is not over for Obama. Even in 16 years he would only be 63. He can use those years to build a record of accomplishments that will sweep him into the Whitehouse. If I were OBama, I would not joint the whiners. I would become a leader making things happen in the Senate.

I agree with Andrew Young. Obama in 2016 or 2020!

[shortestfuse]

I''m sure this gives John Edwards the warm fuzzies.

[x-legion-x]

ohhh noooooooooooooooooooooooo
I actually had a small glimmer of hope for Obama. This is NOT good news :( Well, Obama it was a good ride while it lasted I suppose.

Maybe Kerry will do a flip-flop (he''s prone to those you know). Something like "I supported Obama before I voted against him".

Not good at all....this news.

[flalady41]

Great, one more reason for me NOT to vote for Obama, not that I needed one. This does nothing but help the other candidates!

[shortestfuse]

Of course, the game is not over for Obama. Even in 16 years he would only be 63. He can use those years to build a record of accomplishments that will sweep him into the Whitehouse.

Posted by belker1

Now THAT''S a reason for congressional term limits if there ever was one!

[micma-2009]

Wow! O''reilly attacks Obama staffer and Fox smears Obama in this video! Check it out!



http://foxattacks.com/blog/24004-bill-o-reilly-attacks-obama-staffer?play=1

[prinzowhales]

John Kerry, the man who betrayed the Democratic voters in 2004 by not challenging the theft of the Ohio vote by his Skull & Bones brother in this Order of Death, George Bush is endorsing Obama...this shows us exactly what kind of ''change'' Obama is all about... John Kerry was an even bigger War Pig over Iraq than Bush! Obama will not rule out a war of aggression against Iran...He has called for the invasion of Pakistan...One of his top foreign policy advisors would have us at war in the Sudan last year!

Obama is a War Pig in sheep''s clothing! The Democratic Party betrayed the voters in 2004...in the 2006 elections they betrayed the peace vote...now, in 2009, if this closet War Pig is elected, will Democrates turn and say, ''Et tu, Barrack?''

[micma-2009]

Wow! Fox attacks and smears Obama in this video!! Check out their fair and balanced coverage.



http://foxattacks.com/blog/573-fox-attacks-obama?play=1

[hillaryin08]

Its funny how this guy was good enough to be the leader of the liberal world before and scoffed at now by the same libs that tried to put him into power.

[micma-2009]

Wow! Fox really attacks Obama in this video! Check it out!


http://foxattacks.com/blog/573-fox-attacks-obama?play=1

[rowdytexan2]

Hmmm...geezus...makes you wonder about the old saw, choose your friends wisely, and pick your enemies very very carefully!

I guess any little support he can get is a boost. Strange that not many winners are supporting him, except maybe Oprah.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by hillaryin08 at 10:34 AM : Jan 10, 2008

I think you forget that Satan would''ve been a better candidate than Bush.

[micma-2009]

Wow! Fox really slams Obama in this video! Check it out!






http://foxattacks.com/blog/573-fox-attacks-obama?play=1

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by skykk at 10:40 AM : Jan 10, 2008

Drank lots of the Neocon Noni Juice, did ya?

Every time HIllary steps, some Neocon is out there hollering communism because they don''t want to have to run against her.

They''ve been out there shouting socialism and communism everytime somebody wants to do something good for our citizens. That old chant just keeps on going every time someone promotes something that will not allow them to operate on total profit.

Get real!

[advanceus]

I would rather take my chances on my own than to have Kerry in my pocket!!

[stephanienym]

I''m so disappointed in Kerry. I think after 4 years it''s time to take my Kerry/Edwards sticker off my car, or maybe I''ll just cut Kerry out!

Go John Edwards...the only honest person in the pack.

[berniepeders]

All of your rhetoric about this candidate or that candidate amount to NOTHING. It''s the G-damned electoral college that elects the President, and the electoral college is nothing but a political machine controlled by politicians and political party big-shots. The general population of the country has NOTHING to do with electing a President. Have a NICE day.

[berniepeders]

Go John Edwards...the only honest person in the pack.

Posted by stephanienym at 10:57 AM : Jan 10, 2008

Stephanie-
Are you SERIOUS? There is no such thing as an honest politician. The political process involves deal-making, deceit, lies, etc. Honesty went out the window decades ago. Have a nice day.

[rayuk-2009]

No wonder Kerry lost in 2004. Obama is the only Democrat that can''t win in 2008. Edwards or Hillary if you have any judgment at all. Kerry is a born loser. Looks like we are trying to lose in 2008.

rayuk, Obama has the highest support from independents and is much more likely to win in the general election that Clinton. There are a lot of Obama supporters that will not vote for Clinton. Younger people are just not that excited about her.

[shutupnvote]

Look the old guard jumping in the shove the next best thing down our throats
And how about the ABC report where before the housing drop Senator Obama got a 300K price reduction on a home 30 some odd percent just imagine if this had been Senator Clinton the MSM Wapo editors would be screaming the reopen Whitewater. While Bush ran against the Press who really were co conspirators to push Iraq lie of WMD, Senator Clinton absolutely has every right to claim the mantle of running against the MSM. Folks let me help you you seem to fall for this born again ***, I really really was bad when I was young doing drugs selling em etc, well that says something about not everything certainly but someone%u2019s character drugs are illegal selling em really a bad thing and it says boundaries may be a judgment problem so at least LOOK but you knew that.



Obama maintains his relationship with Rezko was "above board and legal" but has admitted bad judgment, calling his decision to involve Rezko "a bone-headed mistake."
Rezko''s behind-the-scenes connection in the Obama house deal became public as Rezko revealed personal financial details as he sought to post bail.
While Rezko''s wife paid the full asking price for the land, Obama paid $300,000 under the asking price for the house. The house sold for $1,650,000 and the price Rezko''s wife paid for the land was $625,000.

[antoniof123]

Barack Obama has won the presidential endorsement of Sen. John Kerry, the Democrats'' 2004 nominee who lost to President Bush, CBS News has learned.

Dear Barack,

John Kerry lost in 2004 remember his endorsement means what; NOTHING.

[buckshot381]

"Obama is LINKED to an Accused Political Fixer in Chicago...."

Posted by metroduck75 at 11:08 AM : Jan 10, 2008

Do You happen to have a web link that I can look at on this please?

[achtung-]

Hooray! Now Obama will lose the nomination for sure! Konehead Kerry chooses him over Clinton!

[shortestfuse]

The Rezko skeleton has been out of Obama''s closet for some time now. But Rezko is currently on trial for some of his crooked antics (fraud), so some of the dirt flying off of him is rightfully landing on Obama. Their is clear history of some sweet real estate ''deals'' that Rezko gave Obama, but so far the MSM has been giving Obama a pass on this.

[shortestfuse]

Here''s one story about the Rezko/Obama stuff:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4111483&page=1

A Google News search on ''Rezko'' will give you lots of info.

[shortestfuse]

And I love the final part of the story about Obama''s corruption. It''s the standard ''I got caught so I will donate the dirty money to charity to make everything right'' line that some seem so fond of spewing.

[bobnjersey]

[Their is clear history of some sweet real estate ''''deals'''' that Rezko gave Obama, but so far the MSM has been giving Obama a pass on this.]
[Posted by shortestfuse at 11:21 AM : Jan 10, 2008]

maybe we should get a special prosecutor to investigate ... say ... for 8 years ... and $50 million.

if they don''t find anything there ... we''ll just let the prosecutor keep digging ... until they find ''something''.

[ibzjem]

All of your rhetoric about this candidate or that candidate amount to NOTHING. It''''s the G-damned electoral college that elects the President, and the electoral college is nothing but a political machine controlled by politicians and political party big-shots. The general population of the country has NOTHING to do with electing a President. Have a NICE day.

Posted by berniepeders at 10:58 AM : Jan 10, 2008
---
Berniepeders I''ve always thought the exact same way. Ideally the electoral college will follow the majority vote in each state, but it doesn''t necessarily happen that way. Don''t forget the MASSIVE lobby that this the political machine entertains. No doubt not one candidate is lobby-ist free. Edwards is the only one speaking out against this mob.

[gangesdak]

Face it. Obama comes from Chicago where dead people vote. Andd he is projecting himself as fresh as dew drops!

[quetzal666]

I dont think its a good idea to accept Kerry''s endorsement,

this is the guy who lost to the SHRUB!!!!!

[buddhabman]

Quote from Brian Ross article The Rezko Connection -

"In the wake of the Rezko indictment, Obama says he has given $44,000 of the Rezko-connected money to charity.

There is no mention of Obama in the Rezko indictment. Federal authorities say the investigation is focused on Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, identified in court filings as Public Figure A."

This is classic Chicago politics. Nothing to see here, keep it moving. No connections to deals of influence.

People must remember that Barrack Obama is not particularly wealthy. It is just recently that he has come to a level of comfort with the sales of his best selling books. In fact his wife just said that they were still paying off their student loans until the success of the books. So getting a lower price on a 1.9 mil house is not that uncommon, I am sure that 1.6 was probably a nice little profit for the seller regardless. I am not apologizing for Obama, he obviously needs to screen everyone he comes in contact with, but this is not an issue. Hillary sure can''t bring this up and neither should Rudy G.

Nice try Repugs, This smear won''t stick.

Obama 08

[tyjohn47]

Actually it is interesting to watch this Dem nomination process. Despite all the poll foul-ups on Tuesday, Obama got pretty much the percentage of votes he was supposed to get in New Hampshire.

Hillary snagged votes away from the other candidates, Edwards in particular. I also suspect the women, particularly middle-aged and older, in New Hampshire took a view of something like "This is OUR turn (meaning women) not theirs" after Obama''s win in Iowa.

This sets up as an interesting choice of whose turn it really is and whose time it really is. Is it time for a woman to be Prez or is it time for an ethnic minority to be??

All the while, the Dem candidate with the best message (Edwards) has been effectively kicked to the curb, even by his running mate (Kerry).

Stay tuned ladies and gentlemen...it''s going to be an interesting winter.

BTW, if Kerry had taken Edwards'' advice four years ago and fought the Swift Boat accusations loudly and immediately, he would be president today, we would have a strong currency, less debt and wouldn''t have our brave military personnel dying in an effort to referee a civil war in Iraq.

[jw2008]

Bill Clinton''s personal failings (lying to a grand jury about his extra-marital affair with Monica Lewinsky) created the political environment that gave us George Bush. After the impeachment, Al Gore had too much personal baggage from the Clinton legacy to defeat George Bush. Hillary Clinton''s presidency would be a vindication of Bill Clinton. America, nor the Democratic party, should award the Clintons this opportunity to play out their psycho-drama on the presidential stage. The Oval Office is about more than the petty personal wars these two want to wage on their political enemies.

[buddhabman]

I am voting for Obama, but regardless of who wins the Dem nomination. Barring any really nasty stuff, I think all fences will be mended and the Dems will be opening up a Humungo can of whup-*** on the Repugs come November. I just think Obama is the right person and the new generation to get it done. Obama will be able to attract the same level of talent Hillary will, + Bill will be available to any Democratic nominee.

[bacaangel]

Endoresements do not really matter, our voting system does. I cannot believe the so-called Intelligentsia of the media are so bewildered and so baffled as to the wide discrepancy between the exit polls and the polling and the so-called actual vote in the Obama total for New Hampshire''sTuesday night primary. In the very first two vote tallys done by paper ballots put in boxes, the exit polls were not wrong, and Obama won those voting places by a large margin. The reason for the later discrepancies are due to MACHINE TAMPERING. The Powers that Be were not ready to give Obama the victory. It happened with Gore, it happened with Kerry and it will happen with Huckabee. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE IOWA CAUCUSES BECAUSE PEOPLE STAND UP IN THE LIGHT OF DAY AND ARE COUNTED. The Powers that Be cannot control that. And, until we address this secret weapon of the Powers that Be, the people cannot vote their true choice into office, that would be like putting the power into the People''s hands -- imagine that!

[shortestfuse]

Hillary Clinton''''s presidency would be a vindication of Bill Clinton. America, nor the Democratic party, should award the Clintons this opportunity to play out their psycho-drama on the presidential stage. The Oval Office is about more than the petty personal wars these two want to wage on their political enemies.

Posted by JW2008

SHHHhhhh! The Democrats think that the oval office is their entitlement. You don''t want to disturb their delusions.

[nolalou]

gunownerdan said "Barack Obama is just another ignorant gun-banning extremist. He even supports the right for dangerous criminals to sue their victims if they choose to defend themselves from being attacked!"

There you go again! Barack Obama is for enforcing the gun laws on the books! He voted against a proposed law prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. Voting yes on this bill would have banned lawsuits to be brought against individuals who knowingly transfer a firearm that will be used to commit a violent or drug-trafficking crime, in addition it would not allow lawsuits against a gun maker if the gun caused death or injury due to a defect!

He is NOT a gun banning extremist, you are a gun toting NUT JOB!

[marcodele]

Isn''t it funny how all the neocons think Democrats are running on a "Ban Guns and Raise Taxes" platform?

I wonder if Bill O''Reilly and Rush Limbaugh told them to drink the purple punch... well, the answer to that one is obvious.

No wonder Bush got elected. He got the dumb vote.

[gunownerdan]

Hitlery and Obama look like two people you would expect to see in some cheap porn movie like "black kocks & white ***" or something like that.
Speaking of white ***, Hillary sure did marry one didn''t she?
Good old "Slick Willie".
LOL!!