Pressure will mount for more withdrawals [View All]

[rodbarnett]

Extended primary process could pose problems for Democrats

WASHINGTON - Democratic party officials devised this year’s compressed primary schedule to avoid a protracted, money-draining nomination fight.

With John Kerry coasting toward the nomination with two big victories in the South on Tuesday, party leaders and top Democratic strategists suggested the process is working pretty much as intended. But they’re also anxious that the primary season not go on too much longer.

They’d generally like to see the field narrow significantly after Tuesday’s primaries in Virginia and Tennessee, so the real contest — the one against President Bush — can begin. Kerry scored a lopsided victory in Virginia and sought a back-to-back victory in Tennessee as well in an effort to vanquish the two Southerners in the race.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4235452/