elle
01-11-2008, 01:32 PM
BARACK Obama received the endorsement yesterday of John Kerry, the Democrats' 2004 presidential candidate, a much-needed boost as he seeks to regroup after defeat in New Hampshire by Hillary Clinton.
Senator Kerry, who lost to US President George W. Bush after a stumbling campaign, is not the most loved figure in the Democratic party. He has, though, an email list of three million supporters, a critical resource for Senator Obama as he and Senator Clinton scramble to raise money for what will be a prolonged nomination battle.
Senator Kerry's endorsement was a snub to former North Carolina senator John Edwards, his vice-presidential running mate in 2004, who is also running for president but is a distant third in national polls to senators Clinton and Obama.
Senator Kerry's endorsement came as Bill Richardson, the Hispanic New Mexico Governor, announced he was dropping out after coming fourth in Iowa and New Hampshire.
A source close to Mr Richardson said he was expected to endorse Senator Clinton.
That could be a critical boost as she and Senator Obama fight for the Hispanic vote before the Nevada caucuses next week.
Democrat chiefs brought forward the caucus day to give Hispanics more say in the nomination process than they have had before. The state is one-fifth Hispanic, most living in cities such as Las Vegas and Reno.
Senator Kerry told a rally in Charleston, South Carolina - which holds its Democratic primary on January 26 - that Senator Obama "can be, will be and should be the next president of the United States. More than anyone else, Barack Obama can help our country turn the page and get America moving."
Countering Senator Clinton's claim that her rival was inexperienced, Senator Kerry added: "We are electing judgment and character, not years on this earth."
Senator Kerry's move was a slight to both Senator Clinton and Mr Edwards, his 2004 running mate.
Mr Edwards has vowed to remain in the race despite finishing second in Iowa and third in New Hampshire. Senator Kerry and Mr Edwards have barely spoken since their failed campaign.
Mr Edwards said: "Our country and our party are stronger because of John's service and I respect his decision."
The high-profile endorsement came as Senator Obama scrambled to prove he has not lost the momentum he enjoyed after his big win in Iowa.
Senator Kerry had been holding back, hoping to have an impact on the race, unlike Al Gore, who endorsed Howard Dean in 2004 - just before his campaign collapsed.
It was Senator Kerry who gave Senator Obama his first turn in the national spotlight when he was a largely unknown first-term senator by choosing him to deliver the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic nomination.
The address was electrifying and launched Senator Obama on the path to his presidential bid.
The state-by-state process to pick candidates for the November election to succeed Mr Bush has moved out of the snowy backdrops of New Hampshire and Iowa and on to states across the country.
On Wednesday, Senator Obama won the support of Nevada's Culinary Workers Union, the state's biggest trade organisation.
Its 60,000 members mainly service hotels and casinos in Las Vegas.
He also received the endorsement of Shirley Franklin, the African-American Mayor of Atlanta. Georgia's primary is onFebruary 5 - "Super Tuesday" - when more than 20 states vote.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23040311-2703,00.html
Senator Kerry, who lost to US President George W. Bush after a stumbling campaign, is not the most loved figure in the Democratic party. He has, though, an email list of three million supporters, a critical resource for Senator Obama as he and Senator Clinton scramble to raise money for what will be a prolonged nomination battle.
Senator Kerry's endorsement was a snub to former North Carolina senator John Edwards, his vice-presidential running mate in 2004, who is also running for president but is a distant third in national polls to senators Clinton and Obama.
Senator Kerry's endorsement came as Bill Richardson, the Hispanic New Mexico Governor, announced he was dropping out after coming fourth in Iowa and New Hampshire.
A source close to Mr Richardson said he was expected to endorse Senator Clinton.
That could be a critical boost as she and Senator Obama fight for the Hispanic vote before the Nevada caucuses next week.
Democrat chiefs brought forward the caucus day to give Hispanics more say in the nomination process than they have had before. The state is one-fifth Hispanic, most living in cities such as Las Vegas and Reno.
Senator Kerry told a rally in Charleston, South Carolina - which holds its Democratic primary on January 26 - that Senator Obama "can be, will be and should be the next president of the United States. More than anyone else, Barack Obama can help our country turn the page and get America moving."
Countering Senator Clinton's claim that her rival was inexperienced, Senator Kerry added: "We are electing judgment and character, not years on this earth."
Senator Kerry's move was a slight to both Senator Clinton and Mr Edwards, his 2004 running mate.
Mr Edwards has vowed to remain in the race despite finishing second in Iowa and third in New Hampshire. Senator Kerry and Mr Edwards have barely spoken since their failed campaign.
Mr Edwards said: "Our country and our party are stronger because of John's service and I respect his decision."
The high-profile endorsement came as Senator Obama scrambled to prove he has not lost the momentum he enjoyed after his big win in Iowa.
Senator Kerry had been holding back, hoping to have an impact on the race, unlike Al Gore, who endorsed Howard Dean in 2004 - just before his campaign collapsed.
It was Senator Kerry who gave Senator Obama his first turn in the national spotlight when he was a largely unknown first-term senator by choosing him to deliver the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic nomination.
The address was electrifying and launched Senator Obama on the path to his presidential bid.
The state-by-state process to pick candidates for the November election to succeed Mr Bush has moved out of the snowy backdrops of New Hampshire and Iowa and on to states across the country.
On Wednesday, Senator Obama won the support of Nevada's Culinary Workers Union, the state's biggest trade organisation.
Its 60,000 members mainly service hotels and casinos in Las Vegas.
He also received the endorsement of Shirley Franklin, the African-American Mayor of Atlanta. Georgia's primary is onFebruary 5 - "Super Tuesday" - when more than 20 states vote.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23040311-2703,00.html