In Virginia, Kerry Seeks Victory in Edwards's Backyard

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Written off in this state just a month ago, Senator John Kerry holds the upper hand in Virginia's Democratic primary on Tuesday. His aides say a victory would undercut Senator John Edwards's Southern base and President Bush's strength among military voters.

Mr. Kerry has clearly benefited here from the fading candidacy of Howard Dean, once considered unbeatable in the more liberal northern suburbs, and from the aggressive campaign of Gen. Wesley K. Clark, which has cut into Mr. Edwards's support in the more conservative south side, analysts and Democratic officials said.

Mr. Kerry's strong status in the state — indicated by recent polls that show him leading Mr. Edwards by nine points or more — was bolstered Sunday when Gov. Mark Warner endorsed him outside the governor's mansion in Richmond. Mr. Warner, Virginia's first Democratic governor in 12 years, ran well in both urban and rural areas in 2001, and his support could sway undecided voters toward Mr. Kerry, of Massachusetts.

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Virginia is important to Mr. Kerry because it is in Mr. Edwards's backyard and because it has a high number of veterans, military retirees and active-duty soldiers, heavily concentrated in the Williamsburg-Hampton Roads area. A victory on Tuesday will show not only that Mr. Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, can win in the South, but also that a Democrat can compete with President Bush for the military vote, the senator's aides contend. "Traditionally you think of those military voters as being Republican," said Rick O'Dell, co-chairman of Veterans for Kerry. "Apparently they are not. What's different this time is we have a candidate that appeals to them."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/09/politics/campaign/09VIRG.html?ex=1076907600&en=7de05afe56f5a531&ei=5062

[arewethereyet]

1. As usual, New Yawkers have it all wrong

Virginia is good at sensing which way the wind is blowing and seeks to attain McAulife's early decision as early as possible. The party works effectively in the Commonwealth.

Its a pretty story though.

And they should make no connection to Kerry's primary numbers and what he might do in the GE, he had no chance here without Robert E Lee as veep.

Sorry, but facts is facts. Been here all my life and active in politics most of it. I know what we can expect.