PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) - Former President Bill Clinton bounced back from open heart surgery to anoint John Kerry as his successor as Democratic Party champion, eight days before the US election.
Clinton joined Kerry in a rally in Philadelphia, in the crucial swing-state of Pennsylvania, in his much awaited first public appearance eight weeks after undergoing a quadruple bypass surgery.
The former president, who appeared much thinner and less bubbly since he last grabbed public attention.
But his characteristic political verve was as keen as ever.
"My fellow Americans, we can do better," said Clinton after castigating the administration of his successor as president, George W. Bush.
"In eight days we`re gonna do better with President John Kerry. Bring him on," Clinton said, provoking furious cheers to a crowd in the city center.
"From time to time I have been called the comeback kid.
"In eight days, John Kerry`s going to make America the comeback country. I know well that no one`s presence can change a single vote. But I hope my reasons can affect a few votes."
Clinton, who gave a retrospective on what Democrats see as an economic and social golden age during his two terms in the White House, is a powerful political asset for Kerry.
He remains wildly popular among core Democrat voters, especially African-Americans, a voting bloc which Kerry has yet to electrify in the same way.
Recent polls have shown Kerry has the support of around eight in 10 African-Americans, less than the 90 percent garnered by Democratic candidate Al Gore four years ago.
10/25/2004 - 17:57 GMT - AFP