Senator Senator Bob Graham to Endorse Kerry

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Glen Johnson, Globe Staff, 2/25/2004

Senator Bob Graham of Florida plans to endorse his colleague John F. Kerry for president next week, according to three advisers close to the senators, a move intended to strengthen the Democratic front-runner in a key electoral state, and that is likely to renew speculation about Graham as a possible vice presidential candidate.

Graham, 67, Florida's senior senator and former governor, abandoned his own campaign for the nomination in October amid poor showings in polls and weak fund-raising. His eldest daughter, Gwen Graham Logan, then went to work for Howard Dean, while his wife, Adele, attended a Dean fund-raiser and Graham himself hailed Dean's foreign policy.

Dean dropped out of the race last week, leaving Graham as an attractive supporter for Kerry and his leading rival, Senator John Edwards of North Carolina. Both are trying to show strength in the South, especially in Florida, where a disputed outcome in the 2000 general election is expected to serve as a rallying point for Democrats this fall.

Graham is the former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which should enhance his stature as a surrogate campaigner this fall if, as expected, President Bush runs on a national security theme. Graham and Kerry are expected to appear together in South Florida late next week in advance of the state's March 9 primary.

more: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/02/25/floridas_graham_taps_kerry/

[madfloridian]

1. The Florida Democratic chair as much as endorsed Kerry.....

at the end of January, at a crucial time in the primaries. He pretty much savaged Dean, and he said Kerry could win Florida. It was in the NYT.

I will never forget that Scott Maddox did that, and I won't forget that he refuses to answer the many emails and phone calls about it. He just ignores us as though we were nothing.