Kerry, Edwards Claim Surges in Close Race (Wash Post)

[chimpymustgo]

Kerry, Edwards Claim Surges in Close Race

By Jim VandeHei and Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, January 16, 2004; Page A01


DES MOINES, Jan. 15 -- Sens. John F. Kerry (Mass.) and John Edwards (N.C.) trumpeted their surging popularity Thursday as four candidates stormed into the final weekend of pre-caucus campaigning with potential to win here and reshape the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.


With the race for Iowa extremely close just days before Monday's caucuses, Kerry piloted his campaign helicopter into Sioux City to whip up his growing legion of supporters. "Do you like the surge?" Kerry hollered at the Sanford Community Center. "Are you ready to make more and more surge a surprise on Monday?" Kerry, once considered a long shot here, has pulled nearly even with the front-runners, former Vermont governor Howard Dean and Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.), according to public and private polls.

Edwards, riding his own wave of momentum after his endorsement Sunday by the Des Moines Register, told supporters at an upscale hotel here that he is the candidate who can defeat President Bush in every region of the country, especially the South, which Republicans swept in 2000. "The South is my back yard, and I will beat George Bush in my back yard," he said. "You give me a shot at George Bush, I'm going to give you the White House!"

Two polls -- one for KCCI-TV of Des Moines, the other by Zogby International, MSNBC and Reuters -- showed the four candidate bunched within 5 percentage points of one another Thursday. Edwards and Kerry are also seeing larger crowds flocking to their events.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21184-2004Jan15.html

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[BayCityProgressive]

2. I would love a Kerry/Edwards ticket

I wouldn't mind Edwards at the top of the ticket either but I think he would be attacked on experience a lot. Unfortunately elections in this country are more of a popularity contest and Edwards is more charismatic and attractive than Bush so that may be enough to counter his experience gap. sad but true.

[bigwillq]

3. Glad Kerry and Edwards have made it close

Can't wait till Monday.

[Zomby Woof]

4. Edwards is my number 2

And I like Kerry, so this is good news all around. :-)