Kerry Endorses Obama, Voters Yawn And Demand To Be Awakened When Gore Endorses

2004 Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John Kerry endorsed Barack Obama today at a campaign stop in South Carolina, noting [video of endorsement can be found here]:

“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.

“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.”

Tom Daschle indicated that Obama would be a stronger candidate for the party to rally around, saying:

“Of all the candidates running, the easiest to rally around is Barack Obama…because of his newness on the scene, he has not created the political opposition and enemies that come with extensive service in politics. He is a clean slate.”

John Edwards, who was Kerry’s running mate in 2004, issued the following statement in response to news of the endorsement:

“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. 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.”

This endorsement will probably have little effect on the minds of voters, but it does potentially give Obama access to Kerry’s donor and volunteer lists from 2004, which may include some untapped sources that the Obama campaign can dip into at this critical time.

Now, we wait for Gore to chime in…

[Photo Credit: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast]