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
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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