An entire year of campaigning and Kerry has finally gotten the crucial endorsement that has eluded him:

WASHINGTON - Al Sharpton (news - web sites), the New York activist who flashed quick wit and rhetorical jabs on the campaign trail but failed to spark a large following, on Monday endorsed John Kerry (news - web sites) for president but promised to continue his own urban agenda campaign.

The mixed message — endorsing a former rival but not exiting the stage — came after a face-to-face meeting with Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

The whole idea of a face-to-face with Sharpton makes me squeamish. The Kucinich endorsement will be next week and the all to important Rosie O'Donnell endorsement is coming soon.