The Boston Globe endorsed John Kerry in his re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate on Monday.

[img_assist|nid=1571|title=U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Boston)|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=114|height=182]"The case for reelecting John F. Kerry to the US Senate would be strong under any circumstances," the Globe writes. "But the deepening recession will put pressure on Washington to retreat from causes that Kerry has made his own. The country needs his voice more than ever to push for expanded healthcare, action on global warming, and generous aid to countries facing the AIDS epidemic."

Kerry, a Boston Democrat, is seeking his fifth term in the U.S. Senate against Harwich Republican and former CIA officer Jeff Beatty.

In the endorsement, the Globe praises Kerry for his foresight on several issues. On healthcare, the Globe writes that Kerry was one of the first to fight for important healthcare priorities.

"Early on, Kerry saw the need to provide healthcare to children of working-poor families that earned too much to qualify for Medicaid," the Globe writes.

The Globe also lauds Kerry for his work on climate change and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as his opposition to off-shore drilling.

"To the ‘drill, baby, drill' crowd," the Globe writes, referring to common refrain at Republican rallies this year, "Kerry has the best answer: The oil and gas under environmentally vulnerable waters like Georges Bank constitute a strategic petroleum reserve that the nation should save for a time of real need."

Polls show Kerry holding a significant lead over Beatty heading into the final two weeks before Election Day. Kerry and Beatty will square off in the first of two debates Monday night at 8 p.m. on NECN.

Ultimately, the Globe says that as the country faces economic trouble, Kerry will be a strong advocate for programs that should not be cut.

"Especially in tough times," the Globe writes, "the state and the country will be better off having Kerry in the Senate."