Dean backs Kerry for White House

Mr Dean urged his supporters to join Mr Kerry's campaign

Democrat presidential hopeful John Kerry has picked up the endorsement of a former outspoken rival, Howard Dean.

The party's big guns - including former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter - are also coming together for a high-profile fundraiser for Mr Kerry.

President George W Bush is also on the campaign trail - heading to the Kerry heartland of New England to push his plans for retraining the unemployed.

The visit coincided with a new advert criticising Mr Kerry's economic policy.

Democrat desire

Mr Dean, a one-time frontrunner for his party's nomination to challenge George W Bush, sent an e-mail to his supporters saying the time for focusing on differences was past and urged them to back Mr Kerry.

"I will do everything I can to help John Kerry win, and I hope you will join me in this endeavour," Mr Dean said.

Mr Kerry accepted Mr Dean's endorsement at a rally at George Washington University in the US capital where the men - both in shirt sleeves - addressed a cheering crowd.

Later on Thursday the party's leading lights are to come together for what correspondents say is a rare gathering and a sign of the Democrats' wish to overcome rivalries to take back the White House.

The two former presidents, former Vice-President Al Gore, presumptive nominee Mr Kerry and many of his former rivals will appear together at a dinner expected to raise up to $11m for the election campaign.

Jobs challenge

President Bush will be at a fundraiser of his own in Boston - the hometown of his likely opponent, Mr Kerry.

He is also scheduled to appear in New Hampshire where aides said he would promote his plans to help laid-off workers.

The Associated Press news agency said New Hampshire has lost 18,000 manufacturing jobs in the last two years or 17.8% of the total in what is the greatest percentage decline for any state in the country.

With jobs and the economy set to be a key campaign area for both main candidates, the Bush campaign launched a new attack ad on Thursday.

In it, the announcer says: "John Kerry's economic record? Troubling."

The 30-second TV commercial goes on to accuses Mr Kerry of voting in the Senate to increase taxes on Social Security benefits, opposing small businesses tax credits and supporting a gasoline tax increase. It also says he would raise taxes by $900bn, a charge denied by the Kerry campaign.