Three States That the Democratic Race Forgot

[Freddie Stubbs]

By RICK LYMAN

Published: February 20, 2004

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 18 — A kind of Bermuda Triangle has opened right in the heart of the presidential primary season, a warp into which entire states disappear.

Next Tuesday, three states — Utah, Idaho and Hawaii — will become the 18th, 19th and 20th to cast votes in the race for the Democratic nomination. But none of the candidates so much as mentioned those contests after the Wisconsin primary this week. The television pundits also seem to have forgotten them.

No candidate has run a television or radio advertisement in any of the states, although Alex Santiago, Hawaii Democratic chairman, says he has been buoyed by sightings of yard signs and bumper stickers, leading him to hope that his state's Democrats remain engaged in the race.

None of the candidates have visited any of the three states in recent months, and not one has a visit firmly scheduled. In fact, two canceled visits in the last few days.

more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/20/politics/campaign/20STAT.html

[JI7]

1. Utah and Idaho

in those states couldn't they just call all the democrats in under an hour to ask for votes ?

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Utah actually has some Democrats

1/3 of the house congressional delegation is Democratic.

[JI7]

3. Teresa,Cisceros, and Senator Inouye campaigning for Kerry

ok, so he isn't going himself, but he is sending others to campaign for him in those states.

"John Kerry Fighting for Every Vote in Hawaii, Idaho, and Utah


February 19, 2004

For Immediate Release
Washington, DC –

Fresh from wins in 16 of the first 18 primary and caucus contests, John Kerry is not taking a single vote for granted in the week leading up to the February 24th races in Hawaii, Idaho and Utah.

With active campaigns and offices in all three states and an energized grassroots organization on the ground in each state, John Kerry is competing in every state – committed to offering the American public a real choice for a better America.
Teresa Heinz Kerry, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, singer-songwriter Carole King and other campaign surrogates plan to crisscross the country to meet with voters in these states and talk about John Kerry’s vision for the future.

Idaho
Buoyed by a pre-caucus weekend visit by Teresa Heinz Kerry, Idaho supporters are continuing the nationwide momentum of the Kerry campaign to the state. State Director Dawna Rasmussen has been on the ground for months, leading an enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers in reaching out to Idaho voters and organizing GOTV efforts for the upcoming week. On Wednesday veteran and former Idaho Governor John Evans will announce the creation of the Idaho Veterans Brigade. Each Idaho veteran has committed to campaigning for Kerry, phone banking, canvassing, hosting house parties and bringing ten friends to the caucus.

Idaho native Carole King, who was an early supporter of Kerry’s candidacy, will perform a free concert on Friday evening at the Blues Bouquet in Boise. On Saturday, she plans to host “Cocktails with Carole” in Boise following the Frank Church Annual Banquet – Idaho’s Jefferson Jackson dinner.

Utah
Led by the unbridled support of Salt Lake City Councilman Joe Hatch, Utahns for Kerry are organizing student phone banks, bringing in the Veterans Brigade to make vet-to-vet calls and jumpstarting an aggressive GOTV canvassing program for the six days leading up to the primary. This weekend, Utah supporters will embark on a Senior Center Tour to share John Kerry’s plan for more affordable and accessible prescription drugs and health coverage.

Support is strong for Kerry in the state. Earlier this week the top two Democrats in the Utah Legislature, Senate Minority Leader Michael Dmitrich and House Minority Leader Brent Goodfellow, endorsed, Kerry saying: “We are honored to join our colleagues in supporting Senator John Kerry. John’s outstanding record, unwavering commitment to public service, and accomplished leadership experience make him uniquely qualified to lead America on the right track.”

On the night of the Wisconsin Primary, Congressman Earl Blumenauer led a group of Utahns in celebrating John Kerry’s victory and Kerry supporter former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros will address the crowd at the Utah Jefferson Jackson dinner on Monday night, the eve of the Utah vote.

Hawaii
State Co-Chairs Richard Port, a former State Party Chair, and Jane Sugimura, a leading Hawaii Democratic Activist, are heading up an active team reaching out to voters throughout the islands. Senator Inouye has pledged his support to John Kerry and has been hitting the campaign trail reaching out to Hawaii voters prior to Tuesday’s contest. The Aloha State is showing strong support for John Kerry.
"

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0219a.html