Kerry passes delegates barrier and declares anti-Bush campaign open

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2004

CHARLESTON, United States (AFP) — Senator John Kerry claimed the Democratic Party's presidential nomination and declared the opening of main political hostilities against the Republican President George W. Bush.

But as victory in a state primary election in Illinois took Kerry past the 2,162 delegates needed to win the formal nomination, Bush was already busy stepping up his offensive for the November 2 election.

The Bush campaign launched a new advert challenging Vietnam war hero Kerry's support for US troops, while the president defied the Massachusetts senator to produce a claimed list of foreign leaders who want the Democrat to win the election.

"We say thank you to Illinois for putting us over the top in the delegate count, and for helping us to achieve...