(CNN) - Stumping for Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. John Kerry faces a unique challenge when it comes to taking on the presumptive Republican nominee.
That's because Sen. John McCain has said that Kerry, in 2004, "asked if I would consider being his running mate." McCain told reporters earlier this month that at the time of the conversation, he made clear to Kerry the answer was no.
Kerry has said McCain's representatives contacted him about the possibility, and both men say there was never an actual offer.
McCain went on to campaign aggressively for President Bush in 2004.
Still, the complexity adds an unusual wrinkle for times like Sunday, when Kerry takes on McCain.
"Hillary Clinton has every right in the world to continue to fight, but the important thing is to be fighting against John McCain," Kerry told ABC's "This Week," discussing some calls for Sen. Clinton to drop out of the race.
"It is very important for both people to keep the eye on the real target - John McCain and the Republican disaster of the last seven and a half years," he added.
As the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, Kerry is one of Obama's most prominent campaign surrogates.
–CNN's Josh Levs
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
I think McCain is more of a Democrat than Hillary and Obama.
Kerry is such a loser, I am so glad the Republicans talked me out of voting for him. He would have taken McCain as his VP after all the money the democratic party spent on him...outrageous!
It is so dishearting to see that Jim Carville is still on CNN Late Edition today. He is such a symbol of Clinton spining and nasty political machine and is disgusting! Where is outrage???
Hillary Lies
McBush has nothing to worry. Sour-puss Hillary lovers are going to flock to him because their "inevitable" queen got upstaged by an honest talent. Perhaps the Democratic party needs to split? Clinton apologists can go form the Clintoon party. The rest of us Dems will rebuild with the next generation.
This is why Obama needs HRC voters. McCain (except on the war) has crossover appeal. Too bad Obama does not want us.
The Hillary democrats will protest the unfair tactics employed by the DNC backed Obama campaign.
No vote for Obama in Nov.
We believe in fair play- not the swiftboating of your best candidate (Clinton) to boost the lesser but more charismatic candidate (Obama).
This is an election, not American Idol
Bush disaster of the last seven years, ok, that timing works. But I believe that the Democrats have had control of congress for at least one of those seven years and then some. Does that still make a completely Republican disaster?
Kerry is not the only one with that problem. Dean has one as well!!!
Howard Dean, on what we should look for in a president:
"The real issue is this, who would you rather have in charge of the defense of the United States of America, a group of people who never served a day overseas in their life, or a guy who served his country honorably and has three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star on the battlefields of Vietnam?"
Dean was, of course, talking about John Kerry when he made this statement in 2004. McCain, as it turns out, is a far more decorated soldier than Kerry, thus making Dean's point even more starkly.
There was no Republican Disaster.. But there will be, an American Disaster. If Borack Obama is in any position, to worsen what is already happening in Iraq... Basra as Blown Up, because they're hoping he is Elected.. They are already trying to change the Balance of Power, over there...Look closer to home...
Go John.....
I was for him before I was against him.
McCain=Bush's 3rd term.
I have a lot of respect for sen. Kerry, a war veteran. He brings to Obama's Camppain more war experience than McCain. While Sen Clinton was a leader of people in Vietnam, McCain's claim to fame in Viet was one of a prisoner. IF you are looking for leadership, the experience as a leader in a war is far better than that of a victim of the war.
Obama's camp is full of leaders with a lot of integrity. Those following McCain and Hillary are all crooks in some way or another.
As Clinton Talks Housing Crisis, Campaign Manager Serves on Board of Bankrupt Lender, Margaret “Maggie” Williams, sits on the board of one of the nation’s once-largest and now-bankrupt sub-prime mortgage lenders. This is a GREAT example of how Hillary will fix the mortage crisis and our economy.
Speaking of "disaster", Kerry should know.
I am glad he is a Obama supporter.
John Kerry is surfacing now.. All liberals will rise now and CNN will host the party... It shows how liberal CNN is.
John McCain told you already this war could go on for 100 years and he means it! McCain is too old to worry or even attempt to correct the corruption made under the Bush Administration, McCain doesn't care about America! McCain has a very bad attitude........
"Kerry is one of Obama's most prominent campaign surrogates."
I will not want Kerry as a campaign surrogate he was such a weak candidate in 2004, he had so many chances to defeat GWB but he did not, and he conceded to quickly.., Losers will always hang out with losers!
Say NO to a 3rd term for the Bush disaster!
Kerry get out of politics ,you are a looser.
Who cares about what a sore loser like Kerry has to say?
Kerry is directly responsible for that Republican disaster by conceding a stolen election and never challenging the illegitimate vote in Ohio. That push toward disaster continues now. By supporting a Democratic nominee who McCain will beat by a landslide, Kerry directly invites at least four more years of a Republican disaster. Both Johns are part of this ongoing disaster.
In typical Kerry fashion, he's flip-flopping again
Kerry your a train wreck, I can't believe I voted for your in 2004. I don't like Bush but I really do think it was better than you. Your state voted for Hillary, you support Obama, it will hurt you come your next election, you don't betray your people, they remember and if they don't someone will remind them!
Sen. Kerry needs to sit down. I am tired of Obama and his mobsters going around picking on people. I will not vote for a democrat in November if Hillary isn't on the ticket.
McCain or Hillary Clinton in November