Posted on 05/17/2004 9:05:06 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
PORTLAND, Ore. -
Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) basked in the praise of former rival Howard Dean (news - web sites) on Monday at a rally intended to boost Kerry's standing with liberals tempted by Ralph Nader (news - web sites). Dean, who ran on a staunchly anti-war platform, praised Kerry's Vietnam War-hero record and said he was confident Kerry would send U.S. troops into battle "only after telling the truth to the American people."
"He served his country with patriotism and valor and stood up for what's right," Dean told about 4,000 cheering supporters. "I want somebody who understands right from wrong."
For his part, Kerry said Dean will be a valuable asset across the country, not just in Oregon.
"Thank you for helping to awaken the Democratic Party, to awaken our country," said Kerry, acknowledging the former Vermont's governor's hand in energizing legions of disaffected voters. "Thank you for putting your country ahead of everything else and joining together in this great effort."
Dean can play an important role for Kerry in swing states like Oregon, where he had strong following and drew big crowds during his own run for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Since dropping out three months ago, Dean has made it clear that he wants his backers to vote for Kerry. Some fear that Dean's supporters might be open to considering Nader, an independent who latest bid for the White House was endorsed last week by the national Reform Party.
Last month, Nader could gather only 741 of the 1,000 signatures needed to qualify for Oregon's presidential ballot. Earlier that day, Dean had urged the state's voters to ignore the consumer advocate's bid and stick with Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee. Nader is pursuing another option to qualify for Oregon's ballot, and is not yet on any state ballot.
Nader claimed 5 percent of the vote in Oregon in 2000, and its seven electoral votes are considered up for grabs this year. Democrat Al Gore (news - web sites) carried the state by just 6,765 votes.
"The only way to send George Bush back to Crawford, Texas, is to vote for John Kerry," Dean has said. "Because unfortunately a vote for Ralph Nader is the same as a vote for George Bush."
While Kerry voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq (news - web sites), he has criticized President Bush (news - web sites)'s prosecution of the war. He also said the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal shows the nation is off course, which drew huge cheers.
"We cannot possibly prevail in Iraq if we give up our values n the process," Kerry said. "Our nation is viewed by people all over the world as much more than the name of a country ... we are viewed as an idea."
En route to Portland, Kerry reminded reporters of his pledge to back Bush's policy in Iraq if the president gets more countries involved, as the Democrat has suggested.
"I want to give the president some room to get things done," Kerry said. "I'm trying not to talk about it in politics."
Kerry also said Dean can be helpful to the campaign "all over the country" and that one of his stepsons had traveled to Vermont to discuss strategy with the former candidate.
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On the Net:
Kerry campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., left, stands under a large American flag with former Democratic presidential primary candidate Howard Dean (news - web sites) and waves to the crowd after arriving at a rally in Portland, Ore., Monday, May 17, 2004, on the eve of the state's primary election.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Kenny Hill, left, looks on as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., reads to elementary school children, Monday, May 17, 2004, at Self Enhancement, Inc., in Portland, Oregon. The facility is for at risk students. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), D-Mass., walks with U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (news, bio, voting record), D-Md., right, while arriving at a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, ending racial segregation in schools, Monday, May 17, 2004, in Topeka, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
To everyone interested in the 2004 presidential election.
First, go to the toy store and buy some Silly Putty.
Next, get a picture of Bill Clinton from 1992-93.
Place the Silly Putty on top of the Clinton photo, lifting the picture onto the Silly Putty.
Now, Stretch the photo so the head becomes longer and narrower.
There you have it...you now have a photo of John Kerry
What's even more amazing is you also have his political views.
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Hah, Dean doing his mirror warm ups!
Yep, hairless Dean, but the smiles the same!!
Interesting that an extremely rare (for the Pacific NW) thunderstorm rolled in right about the time Kerry took the stage. Any Freepers there when it happened? I was 25 miles away mowing and had to skedaddle when the lightning started. I thought I was back in Hoosierland when the temp went from 75 to 60 in about ten minutes and the sky turned black..
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