Is Kerry a Democrat? Does he say so?

I have been wondering (since I don't see the stump speeches on TV), but does Kerry ever identify himself or his policies as belonging to the Democratic party?  If not (which is my impression), is this deliberate, and is it time to change?

I get the sense that campaigns (at least Democratic campaigns) do not emphasize party identification.  I guess they hope to win South Dakota if people mistakenly think they are Republicans, or something.  Or maybe they think there is still an automatic equation:  Democrat = high-taxing, free-spending, weak-kneed commie pinko liberal.  I don't think that in this cycle, and after Clinton, either is true anymore.

And I particularly think that if Kerry is surging, making people more favorably disposed to Democrats (this seems to be a pattern in the polls), that he ought to describe his plans as being consistent with (big-D) Democratic values.  Everyone knows Republicans are against taxes and for wars -- it's a chance to define what Democrats are for.

Finally, if he is surging, and party identification is following in this cycle, he might add a point or two to the Democrats in some close Congressional races.  If he's going to be President, the more Democrats in Congress, the better.

And let me know if I'm wrong that he doesn't talk about Democrats or if there is some really good reason not to do this: I'd genuinely be interested.