| US presidential candidates are ready for anything Senator John Kerry has a real chance of becoming a candidate from the Democratic Party in the presidential election. On Tuesday, like a week ago in Iowa, he won the Democratic primary in the US state of New Hampshire. 39% of Democratic supporters voted for him.
Second in the state was recent Democratic favorite Howard Dean (26%). Third is retired General Wesley Clark (just over 12% of the vote). Right behind him is the energetic and photogenic Senator John Edwards (12%). Only fifth was Joe Lieberman, who is well acquainted with election technologies (four years ago he participated in the presidential race together with Albert Gore) (9% of the vote). The outsiders are still the same - Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton (less than 1%).
However, it is not a fact that Kerry’s leadership in the Democratic Party is already guaranteed. According to statistics, only twice in the last 32 years has the party's presidential candidate been the one who won consecutive primary elections in the first two states. In 1976 - Jimmy Carter (he later became president), and in 2000 - Albert Gore (he then lost to George W. Bush).
Victory in New Hampshire opens up new prospects for John Kerry. He gained confidence and received media attention. Democrats are beginning to rally around - they need a candidate who could crush the Republican Bush. And according to the latest opinion polls, Kerry could win the presidential election if it were held these days. As a result, Republicans are beginning to criticize Kerry. “We are ready,” John Kerry responds to attacks, “I’m just starting the fight.”
But a graduate of the prestigious Yale University, a long-time senator of a respected state (Massachusetts), faces tests from the South. Here chances appear for Dean (he is a big liberal, an opponent of the war in Iraq, a supporter of marriage for sexual minorities) and Edwards, a native of South Carolina. “Never, never, never underestimate what a steadfast soldier can accomplish while fighting for his country. And I’m fighting for it,” General Clark remains optimistic.
Much will be decided for Democratic candidates next Tuesday, when primaries will be held simultaneously in 7 states. Among them are the southern strongholds of Missouri, Arizona and South Carolina. Candidates are polishing their strategy. Something to think about for Howard Dean. After his defeat in Iowa (only third place), he declared in one of his speeches: “We will go to Washington and take back the White House!”, ending the phrase with a shrill, shrill “Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss]” The scream shocked everyone and became popular in comedians' programs. And already in New Hampshire, Dean moved from third place to second. Andrey ZLOBIN |
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