[img_assist|nid=427|title=U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Boston) campaigning in Framingham last month|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|url=undefined|align=left|width=397|height=319]

QUINCY - Coming off an appearance at presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's Boston fundraiser Monday night, U.S. Sen. John Kerry swung through Quincy Tuesday for a campaign stop of his own.

Kerry (D-Boston) is seeking his fifth U.S. Senate term against a primary challenge from Gloucester attorney Ed O'Reilly and a general election challenge from Republican Jeff Beatty.

The Quincy stop was the latest "Kerry On Your Corner" campaign event. It started at The Fours restaurant in downtown Quincy where Kerry spoke to approximately 25 supporters in the restaurant's basement dining room. He was joined by U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Quincy), state Sen. Michael Morrissey (D-Quincy), Quincy Mayor Tom Koch and Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan.

In introducing Kerry, Delahunt touched on their similar background as former prosecutors. "I was so proud when he went on the U.S. Senate," Delahunt said of Kerry. "He has been a voice that people listen to in this country."

Delahunt also compared Kerry to U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Hyannis Port) in terms of their impact on the debate in Washington. Delahunt said Kerry's losing the presidential race in 2004 was like Kennedy losing the presidential primary in 1980.

"It probably was of more significant benefit to the country that Teddy Kennedy lost in 1980," he said. "I think about the battles that he has fought and won and the exact same history is being written by John Kerry. It is remarkable the level of respect he demands in Washington, D.C."

Kerry opened his remarks by picking up right where Delahunt left off, mentioning that he spoke with Kennedy on the telephone Monday. Kennedy was "powerfully upbeat," Kerry said, and wanted to talk about health care, the Senate and the Obama campaign.

The senator then touched upon the recent HBO series on John Adams, whose hometown was nearby. After watching the series, Kerry said he reread David McCullough's biography and was overwhelmed by the "seriousness of purpose" Adams possessed during the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Kerry went to say that the same "seriousness of purpose" is why he is running for another term in the Senate.

"There isn't a single American today who isn't struggling," Kerry said, referring to the rising cost of gas, health care, home heating oil, mortgages and student loans, and the Bush administration hasn't responded.

"These guys are so out of touch," he said, "it's beyond belief." Later, Kerry called the President Bush's (R) administration and U.S. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the presumptive Republican nominee "dangerous."

Kerry said he hopes to return to the Senate next year because he believes, if the Democrats pick up more seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate and Obama is elected president, it will be "the first moment of progressive legislating in this country since Lyndon B. Johnson"