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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Kerry looking for California win in November
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Hoping for a touchdown: John Kerry throws a football before boarding his plane Saturday, in Oakland, California.
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| ON CNN TV | 
Stay with CNN-USA for a special look at "Super Tuesday" on "Paula Zahn Now" at 8 p.m. ET Monday -- and live reports and updates all night on the 10-state primary battle to come. Then on Tuesday, watch for Wolf Blitzer's interview with Vice President Dick Cheney at 5 p.m ET.
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CNN's Carlos Watson on the pressure John Edwards may face.
CNN's Deanna Morawski on the run-up to "Super Tuesday."
CNN's Bruce Morton on John Kerry's record.
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| UPCOMING PRIMARIES |
• "Super Tuesday," March 2: Primaries in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia; caucuses in Minnesota • Tuesday, March 9: Primaries in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas 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.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN': With a primary victory in sight in California, John Kerry is fast-forwarding to November and the potential for a Republican governor and a president with deep pockets to put up a spirited fight against the Democratic nominee in the nation's most populous, diverse, and progressive state.
The Boston Globe: In California, Kerry isn't taking a November win for granted
CAMPAIGN PAINS: When President Bush's political strategists planned his reelection campaign, they hoped to woo voters with an impressive list of achievements in domestic policy: a resurgent economy, tax cuts, an education plan and a prescription drug benefit for senior citizens. It hasn't worked out that way. To Republicans' distress, Bush has run into trouble on all those fronts.
The Los Angeles Times: Domestic troubles challenge Bush campaign
GLOVES OFF: John Edwards, shelving his courtly manner two days before the critical Super Tuesday contests, challenged front-runner John Kerry on his trade and fiscal policies during the Democratic debate yesterday -- part of the underdog's late effort to close opinion poll gaps that predict his across-the-board defeat in 10 states tomorrow.
The Boston Globe: Edwards swings hard at Kerry in debate
GEORGIA ON HIS MIND: As the only contest in the South among the 10 primaries and caucuses on Tuesday, the vote in Georgia carries an urgency for the presidential hopes of John Edwards. Edwards hopes to attract support from independents and Republicans, who are allowed to vote in Georgia's Democratic primary. Such backing propelled him to his second-place finish in Wisconsin's February 17 primary.
The Los Angeles Times: Southern discomfort may be his shot
DOUBTFUL DUO: For many weeks now, Democratic activists and party leaders have talked openly about the attractiveness of such a ticket, and by his performance this year, Edwards has certainly earned himself a spot high up on Kerry's short list of possible running mates. But Democrats watching Sunday's debate may wonder whether the chemistry between the two men would allow that, even if practical political considerations and pressures inside the party argue for it.
The Washington Post: Debate raises doubts for Kerry-Edwards run
RINGS A BILL: He definitely rings a bell somehow, that fresh-faced politician up there on the stage. Perhaps it is the accent, which gets a bit thicker late in the day or when a crowd comes alive. Maybe it is the time spent lingering when the speech is over, hugs for everyone who wants them. The bell-ringer is John Edwards, and the chimes of memory he is striking are of another southern Democrat who pursued the presidency with some of the same populist themes and ebullient energy: Bill Clinton.
The Washington Post: In Edwards, an echo of Clinton
DEBATE MODE: After a frustrating year in which his high-tone campaign won him precisely one Democratic primary, John Edwards took what perhaps was the biggest gamble of his candidacy at the New York debate yesterday. For 60 lively minutes, he strained to highlight differences with John Kerry, growing so exercised that he even sent a mug of soda spilling across the table. For Mr. Edwards, the imperative to retool his campaign at this late date - and against the backdrop of what turned out to be a classically contentious New York political event - could not have been more evident.
The New York Times: Voters see a more belligerent Edwards
KERRY AND ISRAEL: John Kerry told dozens of Jewish leaders in New York on Sunday that he would continue the Bush administration policy of vetoing any United Nations Security Council resolutions seen as one-sided against Israel. Kerry noted that if elected he would be the first president with a Jewish heritage and a Jewish relative.
The New York Times: In meeting, Kerry emphasizes his strong support of Israel
TAKEN FOR GRANTED: Leading up to the New Hampshire primary, the Boston television stations showed one political commercial after another. The air shuttle between Washington and Boston was crammed daily with campaign workers and political reporters. The Democratic candidates were the talk of almost every bar and coffee shop in New England. But now, with a primary in Massachusetts and three adjacent New England states on Tuesday, there is almost no sign of a campaign: no candidates, no television or radio advertisements, no neighborhoods filled with yard signs, no political buzz whatsoever.
The New York Times: Kerry faces little competition on home turf
SHOOTING BLANKS: Democrats have lunged toward the middle on gun control, avoiding edgy proposals like gun registration and gun-owner licensing and sticking with stands that almost match, at least rhetorically, those of President Bush.
The Associated Press: Candidates playing it safe on gun issues
COMING SOON: The first advertising of Bush's re-election campaign begins Thursday, and the multimillion-dollar buy, the cable stations chosen for the spots and the type of ad provide a window on his spring strategy: appeal to the conservative base. The campaign also looks to make inroads with Hispanics, the nation's fastest growing minority group.
The Associated Press: Bush's ads target conservatives, Hispanics
GAY MARRIAGE COVERAGE: Hundreds of news accounts have provided an upbeat portrayal of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom as a pioneer and the San Francisco weddings as a happy occasion, even as partisan rhetoric hardened last week over President Bush's endorsement of a constitutional amendment to ban such marriages. While those opposed to gay marriage and Newsom's maneuver are certainly quoted, the media spotlight has shone most brightly on the mayor.
The Washington Post: When left is right and right is wrong
Compiled by Heather Riley
