Inouye supports
Kerry for presidentThe isle senator says he backed
his friend even before Iowa
Veteran U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye said yesterday he told U.S. Sen. John Kerry two weeks ago that he would support his presidential campaign.
"I have watched him develop into a great leader," Inouye said.
The Massachusetts Democrat won a come-from-behind victory on Monday in the Iowa caucuses and Inouye said he made his decision to support Kerry before polls showed that Kerry was gaining strength.
Inouye, who has represented Hawaii in Washington since 1959, said he is close to Kerry in the Senate.
"I told this fellow two weeks ago 'You will have my help,'" Inouye said of Kerry.
"There is a special kinship, we both served in battle -- he has a Purple Heart and I have a Purple Heart," said Inouye, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of bravery in World War II.
Kerry, who served in Vietnam, was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.
Later he came to oppose the Vietnam war and was a spokesman for Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, the first Hawaii congressional member to support a candidate for president, has endorsed former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.
Rep. Ed Case has endorsed Sen. Joseph Lieberman's run for president.