Reply #7: From the Salt lake Tribune [View All]

[LiviaOlivia]

Kerry gets Utah's nod
By Dan Harrie and Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune
http://www2.sltrib.com/politics/Main/Story.asp?VOL=02252004&NUM=142211


While they appear safely tucked in the hip pocket of President Bush for November's election, Republican-ruled Utah and Idaho had a Democratic moment Tuesday -- with early primary election results convincingly favoring John Kerry as the minority party's nominee.

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With 103 of 111 Utah polling locations tallied, Kerry was far ahead of other Democratic contenders, with 55 percent of the vote. North Carolina Sen. John Edwards followed, with nearly 30 percent.

Tens of thousands of Utahns braved the cold -- and in some cases long lines -- to cast primary ballots and make a statement for two-party government in a state that has not voted for a Democratic president in two generations.

Democrats printed 50,000 ballots and had to run off more in some areas. While no final turnout tally was available, it was clear late Tuesday that more than 27,000 voters participated, eclipsing 1992, the last time only the Democrats held a presidential primary in Utah.

<snip>

In the southern Utah town of Beaver, resident Marge Raddon asked if she could vote a second time for Kerry, but was denied the chance. "I want to get rid of Bush -- even if I go to jail," she joked.
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Tribune reporters Mark Havnes and Mike Cronin contributed to this report.