WP: Democrats on Course for More Competition

[kskiska]

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 17 -- Just when the Democratic establishment was ready to declare an end to the race for the party's presidential nomination, Wisconsin voters Tuesday signaled their desire to keep it going a little longer.

By giving a strong boost to John Edwards, who was in a closer than expected race with John F. Kerry, according to exit polls and early returns, the Wisconsin electorate put the Democrats on course for more competition rather than an overnight coronation of the Massachusetts senator, which some in the party had planned.

(snip)

Grunwald was not alone in arguing that the Democrats' primary battle has been good for the party and bad for President Bush and the Republicans. They fear that the sooner the race ends, the more difficult it will be for Democrats to remain prominent in the news with an anti-Bush message.

"A less visible race would be a little bit of a break for Bush and the Republicans," said Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster and former adviser to retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark. "Kerry would have to find a different way to keep himself front and center for a significantly longer period."

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A49356-2004Feb17?language=printer

[0007]

1. Not saying it's gonna happen, but the possibility is there

for Kerry to go belly up and blow it! This race is far from over.
I like like Dean and then Edwards, but I will support Kerry with my heart and soul.

[David__77]

2. I want the "primary season" to continue as long as possible.

We must not coronate anyone. We need this discussion for the good of the nation. Even if I were a Kerry voter, which I am not, I would think the same thing.