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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
D.C. win
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Though absent from the capital city, Dean pummeled his his opponents in the Washington presidential primary.
Story Tools
VIDEO
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CNN's Candy Crowley reports on the battle for third place in Iowa.
CNN's Jeanne Meserve on Joe Lieberman and Wesley Clark in New Hampshire.
CNN's Judy Woodruff on candidates' health care positions.
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| UPCOMING PRIMARIES |
• Monday, January 19: Iowa caucuses • Tuesday, January 27: New Hampshire primary • Tuesday, February 3: Arizona, Delaware, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina primaries; New Mexico Democratic caucus; Virginia Republican caucus When is your primary? For more key dates in the 2004 election season, see our special America Votes 2004 Election Calendar |
SPECIAL REPORT
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
• THE "FIRST" PRIMARY: With 96 percent of precincts reporting last night, Dean had a solid lead over Al Sharpton, the only Democratic candidate who campaigned heavily in the D.C. Democratic presidential primary. Carol Moseley Braun and Dennis Kucinich were running a distant third and fourth.
The Washington Post: Dean defeats Sharpton in D.C. protest primary
• UNDECIDED IOWA: Crowd size doesn't necessarily translate into support in Iowa. With many voters undecided, some shop around at various campaign events. And polls were showing a lot of fluidity in support for candidates.
The Des Moines Register: Many still weigh caucus picks
• BACK TO THE WAR: Just days before the Iowa caucuses, the war has again proven its potency in the political realm as Dean has shifted tactics and gone on the offensive with a new statewide television advertisement that criticizes by name John Kerry, John Edwards, and Richard Gephardt for their votes in favor of the resolution authorizing military action.
The Quad-City Times: Dean accents anti-Iraq war stance as caucuses near
• SECRET WEAPON: In Iowa, Gephardt appears to have a decided advantage over his rival with organized labor in this state, where union members traditionally account for 30 percent of Democratic caucus-goers. Teamsters and steelworkers are among the thousands of foot soldiers in a blue-collar army going all out for the Missouri congressman. Gephardt has an added weapon: The Alliance for Economic Justice, a band of 17 of the unions that have endorsed him, has flown in about 450 organizers to turn out their union members to caucus for Gephardt.
Boston Globe: In Iowa, Gephardt's labor foothold firm
• FINALLY PAYING OFF?: Edwards is forcing opponents who had once paid little mind to his candidacy to factor him into their calculations. He is threatening to siphon away support from candidates like Gephardt, who appears to be in a fight for first place with Dean. Edwards is drawing attention as he contrasts his sunny campaign appeal with what he describes as the sniping of his rivals.
The New York Times: Hitting his stride, Edwards is on heels of front-runners
• CLARK'S IOWA CAMPAIGN: Iowa backers of Wesley Clark said Tuesday they will air a radio ad asking whether Iowans plan to nominate a candidate who "can't actually beat George Bush."
The Des Moines Register: Radio ads encourage caucus votes for Clark
• SOUTH CAROLINA DEMS READY: After months of raising funds and working to build the party, South Carolina Democrats have enough — or nearly enough — money to put on the February 3 presidential primary. Democrats have struggled for months to put down rumors they would have to cancel the primary for lack of money and volunteers to operate the precincts.
Columbia State: Democrats confident as primary approaches
• VERMONT RECORD: Based on the record that aren't sealed and interviews with Vermont officials, the Boston Globe concludes that as governor, Howard Dean preached fiscal austerity and placed a high priority on a balanced budget while avoiding divisive social issues.
The Boston Globe: Gov. Dean aimed to avoid conflict
• ILLINOIS NUMBERS: Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows that while nearly half of Illinois voters say they don't want to see President Bush re-elected, they have their doubts about Dean and give the Republican incumbent a narrow edge in a potential fall matchup.
The Chicago Tribune: Bush leading Dean in Illinois
Compiled by Mark H. Rodeffer
