Kerry Hits the Oregon Trail With Dean

Sen. John F. Kerry sought to rally Oregon Democrats on Monday evening through a joint appearance with his former rival Howard Dean, offering a passionate defense of the right to question the nation’s course in Iraq and praising Dean for energizing the Democratic Party.

Speaking to a crowd of about 4,000 people in a downtown plaza, Kerry drew the most enthusiastic response when he criticized President Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq.

“If somebody challenges you, and says, ‘Why are you asking these questions?’ ... you look up at that flag and you point to it and you say to them, ‘That’s the symbol of a country that’s free,’ ” said Kerry, adopting the defiant rhetoric that propelled Dean’s candidacy early in the race.

“That flag does not belong to the Republican Party,” the Massachusetts senator added.

“It doesn’t belong to President Bush.... It belongs to all Americans.”

Kerry’s visit -- his first campaign trip to Oregon -- came on the eve of the state’s presidential primary. Since he already has secured enough delegates to win the party nomination, his stop functioned more as a kickoff for his general election campaign in Oregon, one of several swing states.

The senator’s appearance with Dean was a nod to the liberal-leaning Oregon Democrats, many of whom were passionate about the former Vermont governor and his antiwar stance. The crowd that turned out Monday for Kerry was reminiscent of the huge numbers Dean drew at the height of his presidential bid, and appeared to include many former “Deaniacs.”

Although the Democratic Party coalesced quickly around Kerry as he emerged as the presumptive nominee, he still faces two challengers on the left.

Ohio Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich -- Kerry’s only actively campaigning Democratic rival -- has virtually camped out in Oregon for weeks, stressing his opposition to the war in Iraq and desire to put a leftist dent in the party’s platform.

Kerry also wants to diminish the potential effect of Ralph Nader, if the independent candidate is able to get on the November ballot in Oregon and other states.

As he flew to Portland from an event in Topeka, Kan., on Monday, the Massachusetts senator insisted he was not worried about losing antiwar voters to Kucinich in today’s primary. But he acknowledged that he was setting out to build a strong presence in Oregon.

The senator said he would return frequently here in coming months, beginning with a fundraiser in Portland next week.

Kerry said he had heard from supporters in the state.

“We’ve been getting a lot of ‘We need to see you, we need to see you out here’ -- a sense of being a little separate from the campaign,” he said.

On Monday evening, thousands of people gathered in a four-square-block area around Pioneer Courthouse Square to listen to Kerry and Dean beneath storm clouds that briefly dropped fat raindrops.

The crowd let out a huge roar when the men -- wearing matching light-blue shirts and dark-gray slacks -- stepped on stage together, smiling and waving. People leaned out of windows from the surrounding buildings, waving “Kerry ‘04” signs.

Though Kerry spoke about several domestic issues, his credentials as a Vietnam War veteran were stressed.

Jim Rassmann, a former Green Beret who lives in Florence, Ore., told the crowd his story: Under enemy fire in 1969, Kerry pulled him out of the Bay Hap River, saving his life.

“John Kerry has an extraordinary record as a national leader on defense issues and served this country with great honor and valor in Vietnam,” Dean said as he introduced the Massachusetts senator. “I can’t wait for a commander in chief who’s actually served someplace abroad.”

For his part, Kerry thanked Dean “for helping to awaken the Democratic Party, and awaken our country.”

There was no evidence of the antagonism that existed between the men when they were competing to be the Democratic nominee earlier this year.

Kerry told reporters Monday that the former governor had been very helpful since he dropped out of the race, calling occasionally with advice.

“He’s got a lot of friends,” Kerry said. “I think he energizes a lot of folks.”