Clinton campaigns for Kerry

2004-10-20 21:34

Ohio - Former President Bill Clinton will campaign for senator John Kerry early next week in Philadelphia, a senior Democratic official who is familiar with the former president's plans said on Tuesday.

It was unclear whether Kerry would be there, too.

But Clinton, who is recovering from heart surgery, has agreed to appear for his fellow Democrat, who is locked in a tight race with President George W Bush, the official said.

Kerry's campaign also has outlined for Clinton other ways he can help rally voters and participate in the last two weeks of the presidential campaign, including visits to battleground states.

"There has been some discussion with the former president about things that will be great for him to do," said Kerry's adviser Mike McCurry.

"We're hoping that something will be able to come together."

McCurry, who served as White House press secretary under Clinton, said the campaign hopes to hear back in time to plan events before election day, on November 2.

The plan is subject to approval by Clinton and his doctors.

At a campaign rally on Tuesday night, Kerry said he had spoken to Clinton briefly by telephone and that Clinton had encouraged him as the contest for the White House grows increasingly personal in its final days.

"We were talking about how the other guys are trying to label you and make you into something you're not," Kerry told several thousand supporters at the home field of the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team.

Doctor's instructions for Clinton

Clinton has spent the last six weeks recovering from quadruple bypass surgery, with doctors instructing him to get plenty of rest.

Kerry campaign officials have eagerly awaited word of whether Clinton could get out to personally encourage voters to support the Democratic presidential nominee.

In the 2000 presidential election, vice-president Al Gore sought to distance himself from Clinton who retained high approval ratings despite the White House intern scandal and impeachment proceedings.

Some political analysts say that might have cost Gore the election.

"I think it's possible in the next days former president Clinton may be here, working," Kerry told NBC affiliate WGAL.

McCurry said Kerry was only "expressing a hope".

- AP