Still a race?

"Not so fast, John Kerry," said Sen. John Edwards. “We're going to have an election here in Wisconsin this Tuesday and we've got a whole group of primaries coming up, and I for one intend to fight with everything I've got for every one of those votes.”

While Kerry is the front runner, none of the candidates sought to knock him out of his position. Instead, they focused on Bush bashing. They especially tried to open up a credibility gap for President Bush.

"Certainly the integrity and character of the president of the United States is at issue -- no question," Edwards said.

"I do not think we were told the truth about why we went to war in Iraq and I think that's a huge problem," Howard Dean bashed

"The president lied to the American people," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

The only real hit came from Edwards against his two strongest rivals Dean and Kerry on free trade. Edwards has spent nearly a week in Wisconsin pushing the issue of manufacturing layoffs in the state.

"Senator Kerry is entitled, as is Governor Dean, to support free trade, as they always have," Edwards said. "The voters of Wisconsin deserve to know this is something I will take very personally. I will stand up and fight every way I know how to protect these jobs."

The ‘not so fast’ as to why both Edwards and Dean are still in the race is the looming question… Kerry The Gold Digger’s affair that is yet to break. The question is whether it will break in time for the Primary season. Will it have an affect on Democrats, who clearly don’t mind sexual misconduct in the White House Oval Office? Was there a cigar involved? What is next?

This despite the fact that Kerry is at 47 percent, Dean is at 23 percent and Edwards is third with 20 percent in the latest Wisconsin polls. However, sentiment could still change with the breaking of the affair story.

Of course these numbers may change, because Dean has the problem of the Al Gore aide who just mutinied (his national chairman Steve Grossman). He had previously stated that he would wait until after the Wisconsin election on Tuesday:

"If Howard Dean does not win the Wisconsin primary, I will reach out to John Kerry unless he reaches out to me first," The Dean Campaign chairman Steve Grossman is reported to have said.

However, he abandoned ship for Kerry’s money and paycheck today.

I guess it is still worth the other two hanging around to see what happens.

Maybe Kerry should ask his friend Ted Kennedy what to do.

Terry McAuliff may want to start calling Hillary or be stuck with a charismatic Sen. John Edwards, whom his own party says is not ready. Or McAuliff may want to re-read the Des Moines Register’s article about Edwards that says, “He’s ready.”   (2/16/2004)

• "I was against NAFTA," said John Edwards. "Governor Dean and Senator Kerry were for it. There are differences."

• "It's not too late because this primary process is going well into March," said John Edwards. "I want voters to know what the differences are between us."   (2/17/2004)

Kerry barely wins Wisconsin
Edwards hot, Dean not

It was another win for John Kerry in the Wisconsin Primary… but just barely. Rival John Edwards was hot on Kerry’s heels throughout and momentum was in Edward’s corner. Howard Dean, coming in third place, did not secure enough Wisconsin votes to remain in the race according to those who would comment. Returning to Vermont, the former governor has said he is going to think things over. Dean also called both Edwards and Kerry to discuss his next move. If Dean endorses Edwards it could mean trouble ahead for Kerry… if Dean endorses Kerry, it could mean the end of the Edwards surge and hopes of unseating the leader.  (2/17/2004)

Dean’s hopes dashed in Wisconsin
Edwards crowding Kerry

According to DRUDGE, the late afternoon exit polls in Wisconsin show that even voters in that highly liberal, independent-minded state just do not support Howard Dean as their party’s presidential candidate… at a disappointing 15 percent of the vote thus far, Howard Dean is not their candidate of choice. Big question, of course, is: will Dean stay in the race after today?

But the other developing story, according to DRUDGE, is that of John Edwards’ surprising strength and crowding of leader John Kerry -- exit polling shows Edwards at 31 percent to Kerry’s 42 percent. (2/17/2004)

Edwards’ new ad

Edwards continued to try and make a splash in Wisconsin’s primary right up till the end. He even put up a new ad in the last three days of the race. The following is the script of "Believe":

"I believe in the politics of what's possible, and for me that's what this election is about. See, I think that this is about something much bigger than these petty snipings that are going on. It's about a new, positive, uplifting vision for America - that's what we are about as Democrats. It's what we should always be about.

"We're the party that believes in bringing people together, not tearing them apart. Together, you and I are going to change America, because you believe in the same thing." (2/17/2004)

• "The voters of Wisconsin sent a clear message," Edwards said. "The message was this: Objects in your mirror may be closer than they appear."  (2/18/2004)

Edwards main page