``I think culturally we're going through a huge change,'' Heinz Kerry said. ``I look at it in a human context because I have friends in those situations, and it's terrible. All we owe people is dignity, respect and civil rights. I think the country will evolve.''

She added that her husband would vote against such an amendment if it were introduced in the Senate, and that while he supports same-sex civil unions, Kerry believes defining marriage should be a question left to the states.

``I think with time, and without a lot of politicization of this, we'll get there,'' said Heinz Kerry. ``I think our country is basically a tolerant country.''

Heinz Kerry was in the Bay Area as part of a three-day swing through the Golden State, where voters will cast ballots in the presidential primary Tuesday. A Field Poll released Tuesday showed her husband with a commanding lead in California over his closest rival, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina. Her calendar also included a stop in Delano in the Central Valley, to meet with United Farm Workers and their families, and she is expected to campaign in Los Angeles today.

At a mid-morning rally at Pier 22 1/2 on San Francisco's waterfront, Heinz Kerry was cheered by more than 50 firefighters and union officials who had gathered in support of her husband. The California Professional Firefighters Association announced its endorsement of Kerry, noting that its international counterpart had been one of the first to back the Massachusetts senator.

Heinz Kerry praised their work and urged them to fight against ``the grave cynicism in which things are cloaked,'' which she said threatens to undermine efforts to set the country right.

``In helping one another, we help everyone,'' she told the raucous crowd. ``Let's lift this boat together.''

Some political pundits have suggested that Heinz Kerry might prove to be a liability in her husband's campaign because of her direct, unscripted manner. But Bay Area crowds were charmed by the physician's daughter who was raised in Africa and attended language school in Geneva before coming to the United States 40 years ago.

At an afternoon luncheon sponsored by Women for Kerry, more than 400 people crowded into the Julia Morgan Room at the Merchants Exchange building in San Francisco's Financial District to hear her. Heinz Kerry seemed overwhelmed by the enthusiastic standing ovation she received.

``I'm not used to this,'' she said, shaking her head as she approached the microphone. ``I'm shy.''

During her 20-minute speech, Heinz Kerry reiterated her earlier themes and criticized the Bush administration.

``We're living under a divide-and-conquer government,'' she said. ``I believe we can still take our country to heights where we have never been.''

She also talked about her life. Heinz Kerry spoke of growing up under dictatorship in Mozambique, of marching in rallies against racial segregation in South Africa and of her late husband, John Heinz, the Republican senator from Pennsylvania and Heinz-food heir who died in a 1991 plane crash. And she spoke of Kerry, her husband of eight years, describing him as a man who is ``cool under fire'' and a marvel with children.

``He is a magical person with children,'' she said. ``For those who talk about him as aloof, children know better. He is a great human being. He would die for this country.''

She touted some of her husband's campaign initiatives, including an education program that would provide students with a four-year college education in exchange for two years of public service. And, she said, her husband is not afraid of the world or the complexities of dealing with foreign powers.

``He likes diplomacy,'' she said.

Heinz Kerry said she is prepared for a grueling campaign if her husband ultimately wins the Democratic nomination.

``My pledge is to keep my head above water and let the dirt land where it is.''