Kerry: Obama can 'get America moving'

CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, Thursday endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., saying he "can help our country turn the page."

The Massachusetts senator announced his endorsement during an event for Obama in Charleston, S.C.

"I believe that more than anyone else, Barack Obama can help our country turn the page and get America moving by uniting us and ending the division that we have faced," Kerry said in prepared remarks.

Kerry's endorsement of Obama in his campaign to be the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee comes at the expense of former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, Kerry's 2004 rival and eventual running mate.

The other candidates "are terrific public servants and each of them could be president tomorrow and each would fight to take the country in the right direction," Kerry said, but Obama communicates "the best of our hopes and aspirations for America."

"I support Barack Obama for president because he has the judgment to know that Washington must change ... (and) because he will help bring the country together again."