Victories for Kerry, Edwards in Primaries

Feb. 3 -- John Kerry rolled up big victories in delegate-rich Missouri,Arizona, Delaware, New Mexico and North Dakota to solidify hisposition as Democratic presidential front-runner. John Edwardscountered by taking his native South Carolina in a dramaticseven-state contest today.

Edwards and Wesley Clark were a few hundred votes apart inOklahoma, with Kerry close behind in the tightest race of thenight. It was a critical test for Edwards, who hoped to prove hispresidential mettle outside the South, and Clark, who needed a winto stay in the hunt.

Howard Dean earned no wins and perhaps no delegates, hiscandidacy in peril. Joe Lieberman was shut out, too, and droppedout of the race.

"It's a huge night," Kerry told The Associated Press, even asrivals denied him a coveted sweep.

Racking up a string of victories, Kerry dismissed Edwards'singular win. "I compliment John Edwards, but I think you have torun a national campaign, and I think that's what we've showntonight," the four-term Massachusetts senator said. "You can'tcherry-pick the presidency."

An AP analysis showed Kerry winning 65 pledged delegates,Edwards 43, Clark five and Al Sharpton one, with 155 yet to beallocated. Kerry's wins in Missouri and Arizona were the night'sbiggest prizes, with 129 delegates — nearly half of the 269 atstake.

Coveted Delegates

Today's results pushed Kerry close to 200 delegates out of2,162 needed for the nomination, including the superdelegates oflawmakers and party traditionalists. Dean trailed by nearly 70,Edwards by nearly 100.

In nearly every region of the nation, the most diverse group ofDemocrats yet to cast votes this primary season said they had asingular priority: Defeat President Bush this fall.

"I don't care who wins" the Democratic primary, said JudyDonovan of Tucson, Ariz. "I'd get my dog to run. I'm not kidding.I would get Mickey Mouse in there. Anybody but Bush."

In state after state, exit polls showed Kerry dominated amongvoters who want a candidate with experience or who could beat Bush.