FORD
01-10-2008, 01:07 PM
Kerry endorses Obama in snub to Edwards
http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/POLITICS/01/10/kerry.obama/art.obama.kerry.02.jpg
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (CNN) -- Sen. John Kerry endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, saying the senator from Illinois is a "candidate to bring change to our country."
"Barack Obama isn't just going to break the mold," said Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate four years ago. "Together, we are going to shatter it into a million pieces."
The senator from Massachusetts made the announcement in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Charleston, South Carolina, 16 days ahead of the state's Democratic primary.
Kerry said he was stirred by the way Obama "eloquently reminded us of the fact that our true genius is faith in simple dreams and insistence on small miracles."
The endorsement could be seen as a blow to former Sen. John Edwards, who was Kerry's running mate in the 2004 election.
Edwards also is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination this year.
The endorsement shouldn't come as a surprise to Edwards, who was publicly critical of Kerry's campaign following the election.
Following news of the endorsement, Edwards released a statement saying he respects Kerry's decision.
"When we were running against each other and on the same ticket, John and I agreed on many issues," Edwards said. "I continue to believe that this election is about the future, not the past, and that the country needs a president who will fight aggressively to end the status quo and change the Washington system and to give voice to all of those whose voices are ignored in the corridors of power."
A source suggested Kerry's support for Obama will be a big boost because the senator from Massachusetts "remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party and [has] an e-mail list with millions of addresses."
Obama on Wednesday picked up endorsements from two key unions in Nevada, which holds its caucuses January 19.
Atlanta, Georgia, Mayor Shirley Franklin recently announced her endorsement of Obama, and sources said Thursday that Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota also would back the senator from Illinois.
CNN's Candy Crowley and Mark Preston contributed to this report.
Link (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/10/kerry.obama/index.html)
http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/POLITICS/01/10/kerry.obama/art.obama.kerry.02.jpg
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (CNN) -- Sen. John Kerry endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, saying the senator from Illinois is a "candidate to bring change to our country."
"Barack Obama isn't just going to break the mold," said Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate four years ago. "Together, we are going to shatter it into a million pieces."
The senator from Massachusetts made the announcement in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Charleston, South Carolina, 16 days ahead of the state's Democratic primary.
Kerry said he was stirred by the way Obama "eloquently reminded us of the fact that our true genius is faith in simple dreams and insistence on small miracles."
The endorsement could be seen as a blow to former Sen. John Edwards, who was Kerry's running mate in the 2004 election.
Edwards also is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination this year.
The endorsement shouldn't come as a surprise to Edwards, who was publicly critical of Kerry's campaign following the election.
Following news of the endorsement, Edwards released a statement saying he respects Kerry's decision.
"When we were running against each other and on the same ticket, John and I agreed on many issues," Edwards said. "I continue to believe that this election is about the future, not the past, and that the country needs a president who will fight aggressively to end the status quo and change the Washington system and to give voice to all of those whose voices are ignored in the corridors of power."
A source suggested Kerry's support for Obama will be a big boost because the senator from Massachusetts "remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party and [has] an e-mail list with millions of addresses."
Obama on Wednesday picked up endorsements from two key unions in Nevada, which holds its caucuses January 19.
Atlanta, Georgia, Mayor Shirley Franklin recently announced her endorsement of Obama, and sources said Thursday that Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota also would back the senator from Illinois.
CNN's Candy Crowley and Mark Preston contributed to this report.
Link (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/10/kerry.obama/index.html)