WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., returned to Capitol Hill Thursday to strategize with party members in advance of the November election.
According to Democratic leadership aides, Kerry's visit is aimed at coordinating support and strategy between the presumptive party presidential nominee and the congressional Democrats.
Kerry is scheduled to meet with both the Senate and House Democratic caucuses in separate meetings.
The meetings follow other efforts by the Kerry camp to court support in Congress and Washington more generally, including meetings with lobbyists in a bid to raise cash to fight off President Bush's massive war chest, which stood at $104 million at the end of January.
Kerry's campaign is also developing teams in the House and Senate to counter attacks by Republicans and promote a coherent party-wide agenda on key issues.
In addition, Roll Call reported Wednesday Democratic operative James Johnson has begun meeting privately with party leaders in Congress to get their advice on whom Kerry should pick to join his ticket as the vice presidential nominee.
