Tussle in Tennessee

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By TOM HUMPHREY, [e-mail]
February 10, 2004
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/election/article/0,1406,KNS_630_2642589,00.html

NASHVILLE - Late polls indicate John Kerry is poised for a plurality victory in today's Tennessee Democratic presidential primary with Wesley Clark and John Edwards in a dead heat for the runner-up position.

Retired Army Gen. Clark, who has the most at stake in Tennessee today, gave the state his full attention on election eve, making a six-stop tour through West and Middle Tennessee while his wife, Gert, had two events in Knoxville.

U.S. Sen. Kerry of Massachusetts held a rally in Memphis while U.S. Sen. Edwards of North Carolina visited a Middle Tennessee community where a plant closing will put about 1,200 people out of work. Both men also had events in Virginia, which also holds a presidential primary today.

State Election Coordinator Brook Thompson predicts about 550,000 Tennesseans will vote in the election, including about 104,000 who have already cast their ballots in early voting. Rain could diminish turnout in some areas, he said.