CHARLESTON, S.C. --- John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, gave Barack Obama a timely endorsement Thursday, snubbing Hillary Rodham Clinton and his own vice presidential running mate.
Mr. Kerry came to South Carolina to embrace Mr. Obama, two weeks before the state's primary and with Mr. Obama needing a boost after Mrs. Clinton's emotional victory in New Hampshire.
Quoting a black American hero in endorsing the man who hopes to be the first black president, Mr. Kerry told a cheering crowd, "Martin Luther King said that the time is always right to do what is right." Now is the time, Mr. Kerry said, to declare "that Barack Obama can be, will be and should be the next president of the United States."
The senator from Massachusetts said that there are other candidates he has worked with and respects but that Mr. Obama is 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?" Mr. Kerry said.
Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the third contender in the Democratic presidential race, was Mr. Kerry's vice presidential running mate in 2004. Despite their political alliance, the two men were not close personally and differed behind the scenes on campaign strategy in a race that President Bush won.
Mr. Edwards responded to word of the endorsement with a diplomatic statement: "Our country and our party are stronger because of John's service, and I respect his decision. When we were running against each other and on the same ticket, John and I agreed on many issues."
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