Clinton Makes Final Campaign Push for Kerry

As Sen. John F. Kerry campaigns across crucial states in Florida and the Midwest, he will rely on the Democratic Party’s top headliner, Bill Clinton, to close the deal with voters in Nevada, New Mexico and Arkansas.

The former president began a series of get-out-the-vote rallies Friday afternoon in Las Vegas.

“Eight years ago ... I was right here at this very spot, and Nevada voted to elect me. And I want you to elect John Kerry,” Clinton told a cheering crowd of 4,000 outside the Clark County Government Center. “I know John Kerry. He will make a good president.”

Clinton will continue with a meeting this morning with senior citizens in Las Vegas, followed by an evening rally in Santa Fe, N.M. On Sunday, the former president will be in Albuquerque and in Little Rock, Ark., where he once served as governor.

Clinton’s multiple appearances -- following his rally with Kerry on Monday in Philadelphia -- mark a double resurrection for the former president.

Clinton had been off the campaign trail since heart bypass surgery in September, and he had not been welcome on the circuit during the 2000 election, when his vice president, Al Gore, was running for the presidency.

Gore advisors rejected requests by local candidates to have Clinton visit the battleground states of Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania because Gore worried about a backlash from voters who condemned Clinton for his affair with Monica S. Lewinsky.

Democrats were ebullient Friday about Clinton’s return to campaigning.

“We think this visit might be just what it takes to make Nevada a blue state,” said Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.). “If there are any undecideds out there ... he will be able to persuade them to come out and vote for Kerry.”

Clinton is a popular figure in Nevada. He carried the state both times he ran for the presidency, breaking Nevada’s record of solidly voting Republican since 1968.

Clinton’s appearance in Arkansas will be accompanied by 60-second radio ads that began Friday, describing Kerry’s “positive plans” for America.

Times staff writer Nick Anderson and Associated Press contributed to this report.