August 19, 2008 Kerry: Obama wise to reject public money Play video

(NECN) - With the Democratic convention just days away, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry says Barack Obama is in a better position that he was four years ago.

That's because he's paying his own way.

Kerry says the restrictions of public financing kept him from quickly responding to attack ads in the 2004 election, and without those financial restrictions, Obama will be free to take the fight back to any negative ads. "Barack this time will be able to control his destiny and his message, and that's a big difference," Kerry said. "He's in a much better position."

Kerry says he has never watched tapes of the 2004 convention, noting that he was only there for two hours. And as he looks ahead - Kerry will speak Wednesday night of the convention - he will not do so as the Vice Presidential nominee.

"I'm not looking for that job," he said. "It's not going to happen."