PHILADELPHIA -- Sen. John Kerry opens his day in New Hampshire, but attention focused on his second stop: Philadelphia where he joins up with former President Bill Clinton.
Clinton, who had quadruple heart bypass surgery Sept. 6, is set to join Kerry at a rally. The former president gave a rousing speech on the first night of the Democratic National Convention and the Kerry campaign is hoping that energy can come through in the last week of an election for U.S. president still within the margin of error of most national polls.
Bringing in Clinton, whose stamina is a question so soon after drastic surgery, is believed by analysts to be another Kerry attempt to shore up the black vote. Clinton is very popular with African-Americans, a vote that went 90 percent for Vice President Al Gore four years ago.
Both Kerry and Gore -- in separate appearances Sunday in Florida -- courted African-American voters. Some polling suggests President Bush is doing better among black voters, who cite Kerry's stands on same-sex marriage and similar issues, than in 2000.
Kerry plans stops Monday in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin -- all considered states that go could to either Kerry or Bush on Nov. 2.
