Kerry keeps marching on

A couple of key American states gave John Kerry a push towards the White House this evening, as Michigan and Washington state both voted strongly for a Kerry candidacy. Giving him his ninth victory in eleven caucuses or primaries. Kerry claimed near 50% of the votes in both states as his fellow candidates suffered more setbacks.

Howard Dean's campaign continued to unravel as he finished a distant second to Kerry tonight, a poll for the must win state of Wisconsin shows he trails Kerry there with only 9% of the expected vote. That primary is scheduled for one week from this Tuesday, between then and now Dean must face the electors of Maine, Virginia and Tennessee, areas it's not expected that he will do well in. Come this Tuesday night the Dean campaign may be all but dead, if it isn't at that point already. Another blow to his bid for office came today as the Labour movement's support for Dean drifted away, a prominent American union withdrew their endorsement this afternoon, taking away supporters and financing when he needs it most.

The other two candidates John Edwards and Wesley Clark did not pick up much support tonight. The news doesn't improve much for next week either, polls from the southern primaries, show that the best they can hope for is a second place finish to Kerry. It may be time for them to start polishing apples for Senator Kerry, and saying a few nice things, so as to position themselves for a spot as the VP on the ticket.

Kerry was so comfortable with his wins tonight his speech was aimed more at George W. Bush and the Republicans than with the Democrats, and with good reason. As the votes for Kerry were being tabulated a poll commissioned by Newsweek showed respondents preferring Kerry to Bush, 50% percent of those questioned selected Kerry as their choice for President, the incumbent holding onto 45% of the survey, 5% couldn't say who they preferred.

For the President the numbers would be kinder against either, Dean, Clark or Edwards, with Bush registering a more decisive victory over any of those three. For Republicans a clear cut victory for Kerry so soon, is not a helpful development. Perceived as the only candidate that can defeat Bush, Kerry will appeal to the undecided voters and soft Republicans. With the groundswell of support building in his own party now, Kerry can concentrate more on the need to offer a serious alternative to the President. Given a free ride for a rather long time now, the Republicans are going to find a united Democratic party.

If Kerry's numbers continue to rise, it may get a little uneasy around the committee to re-elect the President. Look for them to start to counter attack the Kerry image, the gloves are about to come off now.
No longer able to watch the Democrats do the necessary work for them, the Republicans themselves will to have to get to work. With Kerry pulling away from his Democratic rivals, the folks in the War Room need to swing into action soon, before Kerry starts to build a similar lead over the President.