Once a Bitter Rival, Dean Praises Kerry

[DrFunkenstein]

WASHINGTON - Just a few weeks ago, Howard Dean was a bitter critic of John Kerry, his rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. But on Sunday, and in the name of party unity, Dean turned the tables and praised the Massachusetts senator as someone who will "make a far better president" than George W. Bush.

Dean said Kerry won "fair and square" and that it was now time for the party to pull together as a team with one goal: evicting Bush from the White House.

Kerry, Dean said, has the leadership and experience to help make the country safer, something the former Vermont governor contends Bush has not done. "John Kerry, when he becomes president on January 20th, I have no doubt will defend us against terrorism, having served abroad in a war," Dean said.

Dean and Kerry met for nearly an hour last week, and aides said he will endorse Kerry soon, though no date was set. Afterward, Dean issued a statement in which he pledged to work closely with Kerry, the all-but-certain Democratic presidential nominee, to "make sure we beat George Bush in November and turn our country around."

"I don't get to be the captain of the team. That's not what the voters said," Dean said. "John Kerry gets to be the captain of the team. And the question is, do you want to be on the team and work for change or do you not? And I do want to be on the team, and I'm going to work for change."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&e=11&u=/ap/dean

[caledesi]

1. Howard Dean, you rock! nt

[chocolateeater]

2. If you have CNBC,

you can watch it on Meet The Press at 10:00PM EST. Caution: Condeleeza Rice is on first.

3. Some wonder what Dean is doing for Kerry...

lets put that debate to rest, shall we?

Dean leads, even in defeat. If Dean isn't respected and utilized during the coming months, then obviously some one has made a critical error in judgement.

[mzmolly]

4. Indeed...

"If Dean isn't respected and utilized during the coming months, then obviously some one has made a critical error in judgement."

And...welcome! :hi:

[madfloridian]

5. Could you put a pic where Kerry's not poking him in the eye?

:evilgrin:

[flaminbats]

6. You mean Kerry doesn't want his finger pulled??

:hurts:

[DrFunkenstein]

7. It Was A Nod For PeteNYC, Pictured To The Right

With the beard. Gotta support our fellow DUers!

[meti57b]

8. Howard Dean ... a true American patriot!! Thank you ....

for supporting the frontrunner, Kerry.

[DyedNTheWoolDemocrat]

9. Huh? From where I've been sitting Kerry has always been the frontrunner