Clark and Edwards Vie for Third — Big Test in South Is Next - NYT

[question everything]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/28/politics/campaign/28ELEC.html?hp

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts won the Democratic presidential primary here Tuesday, dealing Howard Dean his second overwhelming defeat in nine days in a state where his campaign had once been confident of victory.

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Dr. Dean', taking a page from presidential candidates from Eugene McCarthy to Bill Clinton, tried to portray his second-place showing as a win, noting that it had come just eight days after his third-place finish in Iowa. He, too, said he was confident that he could compete with Mr. Kerry, though his aides said they were looking to California and New York — states that hold their votes on March 2 — as a place where he would do well.

(snip)

The results emerged as a particular disappointment for General Clark, who with Mr. Lieberman had skipped Iowa to focus all his attention on this state. General Clark in particular had campaigned heavily here, taking advantage of the absence of his rivals - and an environment where he had the stage almost to himself - in an attempt to try to come in second place.

General Clark, whose eyes brimmed with tears, said: ""Never, never, never underestimate what a determined soldier can accomplish when he's fighting for this country. And I'm fighting for this country."

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A survey of New Hampshire voters leaving the polls found that while there was overwhelming opposition to the war in Iraq, that was not a driving issue for New Hampshire voters.