by Naftali Bendavid
Sen. John Kerry, the Democrats’ 2004 presidential nominee, will endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president this afternoon, according to an Obama campaign official.
The endorsement will occur in Charleston, S.C., where Obama plans to hold a rally. The Jan. 26 South Carolina primary is one of the next big Democratic contests.
Kerry, who still has extensive contacts and networks within the party, announced his own candidacy four years ago on an aircraft carrier off Charleston.Since his Iowa win and second-place finish in New Hampshire, Obama has been seeking big-name endorsements on the theory that he has now proven his viability. Two important unions recently endorsed him in the upcoming Nevada primary, and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin have also annoucned their support.
Sen. Hillary Clinton has also been pursuing major endorsements, and a significant number of senators and House members have endorsed her.