Dean endorses Kerry

[dunn]

Dean endorses Kerry

 
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry was back on the campaign trail on Thursday after almost a week on vacation, picking up a key endorsement from a formal rival.

At a rally at George Washington University, Kerry and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean pledged to put their sometimes-bitter primary fight behind them.

"Howard and I understand this election is not about us," Kerry told the cheering crowd.

"It's not about a party. It's about our country. It's about you and your future."

Dean said he would use his campaign organization -- now rechristened "Democracy for America" -- to boost Kerry's campaign.

"In the end, it is Generation Dean voting for John Kerry for president of the United States that is going to send George Bush back to Texas where he belongs," Dean said.

For his part, Kerry promised to continue the "conversation with America" that Dean began.

And he and Dean both hammered at the Bush administration's reputation for credibility, with Kerry vowing to restore "people's trust that what we say, we mean, and that we mean what we say."

Dean used the same theme in his endorsement, telling the audience, "I know who I trust. I trust John Kerry. And that's who I'm voting for and that's who I'm working for."

Dean's outspoken opposition to the invasion of Iraq and his use of the Internet to rally supporters and donors made him the front-runner in polls before the first Democratic contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

But those tactics failed to translate into votes: Back-to-back losses in those contests sent his campaign into a tailspin, and he abandoned his presidential bid in February. (CNN.com Special Report: America Votes 2004)

During the campaign, Dean blasted Kerry as a "Washington insider" who failed to stand up for Democratic principles. But Thursday, he said the two had put the campaign behind them after a meeting earlier this month.

"We're both tough competitors," Dean said. "But there are things in the campaign we talked about, focusing on the things that divide us. Now we're going to talk about the things that we have in common."

[dunn]

and the photo

[Cadienne]

and the photo

Thats scary!

[dunn]

and the photo

Thats scary!

lol

[Nation]

First time Kerry's mentioned someone other than HIMSELF in one of his speeches.

[Siege40]

Outside of showing further Democratic unity this means very little. I hope Dean goes for a Senator or Congressman or something.

Siege40

[Gustaf]

It's good for Kerry, but I doubt that it helps much in any important swing states...might help some in New Hampshre though.

[zachman]

Is this asurprise, no. Is it valuable for Kerry to have Dean enthusiastic, probably. Does this hurt Dean's future, if any, as a maverick, yes.

[© tweed]

Dean and Kerry hate each other, much like McCain and Bush hate each other, but it's nice to see both of them come together on a common goal.

[DarthKosh]

and the photo

Are they dating?  Is that why they are dressing alike.