Kerry doesn't back down

JOHN KERRY was 26 years old when he came home as a war hero from Vietnam, testified before the Senate, and electrified the country by asking the famous question, "How can you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?"

I met John that day, and I've admired him ever since, especially his dedication to public service. He's a veteran of many legislative battles in Congress. He has the ability to see what's right and the courage to see every battle through. President Kennedy could call him a profile in courage, and so do I.

Kerry is not afraid of the tough fights. In fact, he goes after them. He's determined. He's committed, and he doesn't back down. He has the strength of character we need in the president of the United States in these difficult years for our country and the world.

A few years ago, I watched first hand as John took on an especially difficult battle that most elected officials wouldn't touch. He teamed with his friend and fellow veteran in the Senate, John McCain, to lead our country through a series of long overdue and strongly resisted steps of reconciliation with Vietnam. Finding the truth about our Vietnam veterans who have been classified as POWs or MIAs was a painful, arduous, and complex mission, but John Kerry and John McCain made it happen, because they knew our country had to do it. Their achievement helped finally end the war they had fought in a generation ago.

Kerry is the toughest fighter I know. He's the epitome of my father's advice to all of us in our family -- when the going gets tough, the tough get going. That's what the people of Iowa are seeing now in the final days before the caucuses on Monday. He's a tireless worker whose passion and energy grow with every hand he shakes, every concern he hears, every wrong he finds to right.

John inspires me with his profound appreciation for the struggles of working families and his dedication to improving their lives He has the qualities of intelligence, integrity, caring, judgment, and political ability essential to lead America in a dangerous world, including the experience in foreign policy to rebuild our broken relationships with our friends and allies.

America needs those qualities in our president now more than ever. With Kerry in the White House, we won't have to wait any longer.

Edward M. Kennedy is the senior US senator from Massachusetts.