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The Real Race Begins

Spanish Translation

--By Elizabeth Winchester

For John Kerry, Super Tuesday certainly lived up to its name. On March 2, contests took place in 10 states, from New York to California. The four-term U.S. senator from Massachusetts won nine of them, emerging as the Democratic nominee for President.

"The message can now be heard all across our country: Change is coming to America," Kerry told his supporters last Tuesday night.

Senator John Edwards of North Carolina was the only remaining candidate who stood a chance of winning the Democratic nomination. But after his disappointing showing last week, Edwards announced that he would stop his campaign. Edwards promised to help Kerry win the election.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG

Some Democrats hope that Edwards will play a different role in the race for the White House. He is one of several people Kerry may consider to run as his Vice President. Some advisers say it's not likely that Kerry will announce his running mate before the Democratic National Convention in July.

At the convention, Democrats will officially nominate Kerry as their Presidential candidate. As of last Friday, 1,557 representatives, called delegates, had pledged to vote for Kerry at the convention. Kerry needs support from at least 2,162 delegates to win the nomination. He is expected to quickly win these votes in the primaries and caucuses that will take place through June 8.

Now that Democrats will focus on Kerry as their candidate, voters will learn even more about his background. After graduating from Yale University, Kerry won several medals for his service in the Vietnam War. He later spoke out against the war. Kerry worked as a lawyer and was the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts before his election to the U.S. Senate in 1984.

When interviewed about their candidate choice on March 2, many voters said they picked Kerry because they believe he can beat President George W. Bush in November. The President called to congratulate Kerry after his big victories. But from here on out, the battle is on!

A RUN FOR THE MONEY

Last Thursday, Bush began running television advertisements in key election states, costing his campaign at least $4.5 million. The ads aim to show that as President, Bush overcame the nation's challenges, such as the economy and the terrorist attacks of 2001. "I know exactly where I want to lead this country," Bush says in one ad. The President's reelection campaign has more than $100 million.

The Democrats have less to spend. Kerry knows he is in for a tough battle. "The President has an enormous lead," Kerry says. "He has extraordinary sums of money. . . . We're going to have to fight hard to raise money and compete." Over the next eight months, we'll see which candidate has the strength to win the White House on November 2.

THINK!
What makes a person a good leader? What qualities do you believe are most important? Explain your answer.

GO
To keep up with election news, go to timeforkids.com/election"

ON THE ISSUES
Voters will choose the candidate whose ideas they find most appealing. Where do President Bush and John Kerry stand on the issues that matter most to voters? Here's a glimpse.

ECONOMY
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
Has lowered taxes in the hope that U.S. taxpayers will spend more on U.S. goods so that business will improve. Points to signs that the economy is already improving

SENATOR JOHN KERRY
Wants to lower taxes, increase the minimum hourly wage that workers are guaranteed and help U.S. manufacturers create jobs for U.S. workers

EDUCATION
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
Signed the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires testing to show that public schools are performing well enough

SENATOR JOHN KERRY
Wants to hire more teachers, reduce class sizes and make changes to No Child Left Behind, including giving schools more money for teachers and materials

ENVIRONMENT
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
Refused to sign an international treaty to reduce global warming and has drawn criticism from environmentalists for his decisions on air pollution and logging

SENATOR JOHN KERRY
Wants to cooperate more with other nations to fight global warming and to cut pollution from cars and industry in U.S. communities

IRAQ
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
Launched the war to oust Saddam Hussein and leads the effort to help Iraq establish a new government

SENATOR JOHN KERRY
Voted for the resolution to attack Iraq, but now says that President Bush launched the war based on misinformation about Iraq's weapons

Next: Yet Again, Violence Hits Iraq