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Democrats gear up for Super Tuesday
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by Rachel Strauch-Nelson
Friday, February 27, 2004
Democrats gear up for Super Tuesday
by Rachel Strauch-Nelson, News Reporter
Democratic candidates are gearing up for Super Tuesday, the single largest contest of the presidential primary race March 2. The contest puts 10 states and 1,151 delegates up for grabs.
Tuesday’s election contains more than half the delegates needed for the convention ticket, coming from states including California, New York and Georgia, among others.
Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) will come into the race with a commanding lead, riding on his recent victories of Utah, Hawaii and Idaho. The Massachusetts senator has won 18 of 20 states so far.
“The attitude has not changed,” Don Eggert, chair the University of Wisconsin organization Students for Kerry, said. “We’re hopeful for Tuesday.”
Head of Students for Edwards Jonathon Mandell recognizes the challenge ahead. “We know it’s going to be tough,” Mandell said of Super Tuesday. “We know Kerry has a big lead, but we expect to do well.” After finishing a close second in Wisconsin, Edwards has been Kerry’s biggest challenger. Edwards finished within six percent of Kerry in the Badger state. “Wisconsin gave [Edwards] energy and a chance to go to Super Tuesday with some degree of credibility,” Charles Franklin, University of Wisconsin Madison political science professor, said, adding Wisconsin votes cemented the primary as a two-person race.
After securing 18 percent of the votes in Wisconsin, Howard Dean dropped out of the race a day after the state’s primary. Dennis Kucinich and Rev. Al Sharpton remain in the race, but trail behind Edwards and Kerry in delegates.
“Being a strong second isn’t going to be good enough anymore,” Franklin said. “Now Edwards has to prove he’s not just the alternative, but that he can actually beat Kerry.”
The Edwards campaign plans to emphasize the job market for Tuesday’s primaries, according to Mandell.
“Senator Edwards doesn’t support NAFTA and Kerry does,” he said, adding many Americans have lost manufacturing jobs due to the free trade agreement.
Franklin agreed this is a main issue separating the two candidates.
“Kerry has a strong record of being for free trade, and Edwards will hammer away at that,” Franklin said.
Eggert remains confident of Kerry’s labor and trade stances, noting Kerry has 19 years of experience on the foreign relations committee under his belt.
“Kerry has demonstrated his support for labor in the long haul,” he said
Neither campaign predicts the race will be over after Super Tuesday. Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi will all hold their primaries the following week.
“These are all southern states that Edwards should do well in, but he’s going to have to set that up with some convincing wins on Super Tuesday,” Franklin said.
For now, frontrunner Kerry and his supporters are maintaining a careful optimism, Eggert said.
“We’re not taking anything for granted. We’re going to work hard for every vote.”
