The Big Story: Kerry endorses Obama

From The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, S.C. ?— John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, gave Barack Obama a timely endorsement Thursday, snubbing Hillary Rodham Clinton as well as his own vice presidential running mate.

Kerry came to South Carolina to embrace Obama, two weeks before the state’s primary and with Obama needing a boost after Clinton’s emotional victory over him in New Hampshire.

Quoting a black American hero in endorsing the man who hopes to be the first black president, Kerry told a cheering crowd, “Martin Luther King said that the time is always right to do what is right.” Now is the time, Kerry said, to declare “that Barack Obama can be, will be and should be the next president of the United States.”

The Massachusetts senator said there were other candidates he had worked with and respected but Obama was best able to bring Americans together.

“Who better than Barack Obama to turn a new page in American politics so that Democrat, independent and Republican alike can look to leadership that unites to find the common ground?” Kerry said. “That’s what this is about.”

Richardson ends campaign

Santa Fe—New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, 60, ended his long-shot bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday after poor finishes in the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Speaking in Santa Fe, he praised all of his Democratic rivals but endorsed no one.

He encouraged voters to “take a long and thoughtful look” and elect one of them president.