Kerry thinking about '08 presidency run

United Nations, Apr 21: Former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said he was seriously thinking about another White House bid in 2008 and will decide before the year is out.

''I will make that decision toward the end of the year, but I'm thinking about it hard,'' Kerry said in response to a question at the Latin Economic Forum at the United Nations.

''If you can get help me find 60,000 votes in Ohio ...,'' he joked, referring to the close race in that state on which his 2004 loss to US President George W Bush hinged.

Kerry, a US senator from Massachusetts, has criticized Bush on a range of issues, particularly the war in Iraq.

Yesterday, he focused on Latin America, saying Bush lost interest in the region after the September. 11 attacks.

''Relations between the United States and Latin America today are at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War,'' Kerry said.

Other Democrats seen as potentially seeking the nomination include US Sen Hillary Clinton, former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner and Kerry's former running mate, John Edwards.

REUTERS