Kerry suspends campaign for Reagan

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has suspended campaigning till the end of the week as a mark of respect to former President Ronald Reagan, who died on Sunday.

The cancelled events include two gala fundraisers that would have seen the participation of several rock stars and Hollywood icons like Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor and John Mellencamp Jr, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Bette Midler, said reports.

"President Reagan's death is a time to put politics aside. When a former president passes away, it's the end of an important chapter in history and it deserves respect,"  Kerry's  communications director Stephanie Cutter was quoted as saying.

Despite differences over economics and foreign affairs,  Kerry--who was elected senator in 1984, when Reagan was elected for his second term--- told reporters the former president "always disagreed with a smile, without partisanship."

Before the announcement, addressing students at Bedford High School at the University of Toledo on Sunday, Kerry said, "because of the way he led, he taught us that there was a difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship."