EXIT POLL SNEAK: KERRY, EDWARDS BATTLE FOR WISCONSIN - LIVE ( 38% Kerry, 38% Edwards)

DRUDGE ^ | 2/17/04

[EllaMinnow]

Latest from AP:


John Kerry clashed with John Edwards and his other Democratic rivals Tuesday in the Wisconsin primary, a major Midwest showdown that may be the last gasp for Howard Dean's presidential bid.

Close race or not, Kerry said, "A win is a win."

The Massachusetts senator held a wide lead in pre-election polls, but the surveys did not fully reflect voter sentiments after a statewide debate Sunday and two newspaper endorsements for Edwards.

Exit polls showed that half of the voters made their selection in the last week, most in the last few days - and Edwards led among late-breakers. Taking advantage of Wisconsin's open primary rules, one in 10 voters were Republicans and about 30 percent were independents. Those voters broke for Edwards.

It was the strongest turnout of Republican voters in any Democratic contest this year, boosted by city government elections in Milwaukee and a controversial referendum on casino gambling by an Indian tribe.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040218/D80PBJP00.html

I recommend reading the whole article.

[mwl1]

I don't know, extending this contest just gives the Dems more free airtime. Better it be wrapped up I think.

True, but it also bankrupts each campaign... we want Kerry broke, exhausted, and limping to the nomination.

[Aggie Mama]

You owe me a new keyboard. =0)

[mwl1]

Edwards would be much harder for Bush to beat than Kerry - would force the GOP to spend tremendous resources holding the South. Plus the gravitas and charm and boyish good looks.

[cyncooper]

Thanks. I took your recommendation.

Interesting...

[Diddle E. Squat]

And I know the Clintons are TERRIFIED of any prospect that Edwards would win

Baloney. They are pushing Edwards. They may be thinking an Edwards/Hillary tickets, or just feel that they can exert more control over him than Kerry.

If the Clintons are terrified of Edwards, why was their man Chris Lehane shopping around the Kerry affair rumor to various media outlets over the last month?

[Diddle E. Squat]

Say, anyone know if Carville has been extremely and unfairly critical of Sean Hannity until, oh, say about a week ago?

[Right_in_Virginia]

Plus the gravitas and charm and boyish good looks.

Edwards has "GRAVITAS"??????

[mwl1]

Not really, all he will do is just skip the important votes like he's been doing all along.

You are quite wrong about this. There is no way that Kerry can miss important Senate votes in the fall. If he does, it will be a huge campaign issue -- not the absenteeism so much but the waffling and prevarication on the issues. He cannot, for example, get away with not voting on a constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage. Or making the tax cuts permanent. Even the press won't let him slide on those two votes.

[cyncooper]

Edwards does not have gravitas.

He can't even shine in a dem debate. He did pretty well last Sunday, but that was because Kerry was at his most pompous and gave a long rambling answer regarding his Iraq vote, and Edwards managed a little wit and to point out he stands by his own vote.

I agree with the poster up thread that said Edwards is the lesser of the evils.

I want Kerry out.

The Bush team can handle any of them.

[Diddle E. Squat]

John "Ma Ma, where's my paws" Kerry seems to be wearing his Doonsberry look...

[mwl1]

Rove wants to run against Kerry. The White House does not want to run against Edwards. Trust me. But we do want an extended nomination battle.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Sean said that a Democrat in his line of work (media) has a similar problem to that alleged of Kerry (philandering.) Sean then said that this person had been unfairly bashing him way beyond the pale, and that if he kept it up he just might have to name the guy.

FWIW

[Hattie]

He has a right to stay in and run for President if he wants. Heck, it isn't like he's missing votes in the Senate or anything. The arrogance of it all really torques me.

I have been livid about this for days. Sunday am on Brit Hume Dean stated emphatically he was staying in the race regardless of Wis. At 6am Monday am, Ann Compton of ABC radio stated Dean was pulling out after Wis. Every 30 min all day ABC repeated that, pure lies. Now if you were a Wis Dean voter, what would you do? This is media manipulation of the voters. The media has gone too far.

Now they have ruled he must reveal his records so he is done for sure.

[Right_in_Virginia]

The White House does not want to run against Edwards

Is this based on opinion or facts you can share?

[cyncooper]

Rove wants to run against Kerry. The White House does not want to run against Edwards. Trust me. But we do want an extended nomination battle.

Yeah, I'm sure Rove is sweating at the thought of an Edwards nomination. A man who was destined to lose re-election to the Senate in his own state.

Sorry, but I'll trust my own sensible self.

[mwl1]

It is based on analysts on FOX News and other conservative outlets for months -- persons from all over the political spectrum, ranging from Fred Barnes to Mara Liasson and others. The analysis could be right or wrong. I think it is right. We have a deep playbook against Kerry. Edwards is more of a blank slate which, like Clinton, makes it tougher. There is also the consideration of the electoral map.