He has been a national political figure since ever since -- as a Yale-educated, decorated combat veteran -- he was one of the organizers of Vietnam Veterans Against the War in 1971. ''How do you ask a man to be the last to die for a mistake?'' he asked in his memorable Congressional testimony. He ran for Congress in 1972, but lost (in a district carried by George McGovern!). Following the defeat, he went to law school, worked as a prosecutor, and was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1982 (as Mike Dukakis' runningmate -- see pin at left). In 1984, he won a competitive race for US Senator -- and fended off a tough re-election challenge from libertarian Governor Bill Weld (R) in 1996. Generally a solid liberal, Kerry also supports free trade. On military issues, Kerry supported bombing Bosnia in 1999 and the War on Terrorism. He opposed the constitutional amendment to prohibit flag burning.

Working with John McCain, he successfully worked to normalize relations with Vietnam in the 1990s. He has supported some education reforms opposed by the teacher unions (like ending tenure and allowing lateral entry into teaching). He also supported some direct federal grants for faith-based charities. Kerry favored Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China and led the floor fight against the amendment that would have required US review of China's human rights practices. He also sponsored a bill to commit $100 million yearly to a fund to fight the spread of AIDS in Africa. National Journal analyzed Kerry's 2000-2004 voting record and deemed him to be the single most liberal meber of the US Senate (based on his voting record).

In 1995, he married Teresa Heinz (widow of GOP Senator John Heinz of Pennsylvania), who inherited his ketchup business fortune of more than $600 million. That now makes Kerry the richest member of Congress with $675 million (note: he repeatedly says he will not spend it on this campaign -- "It's my wife's money, not mine" -- and, legally, he's correct in that he cannot unless it was a "joint asset" before he launched the campaign).

Kerry flirted with making a run for President against Al Gore in 2000 -- and several key Massachusetts politicos endorsed Gore early to send Kerry a message that it wasn't his year to run. Still, Kerry made the short list of Gore VP runningmates in 2000.