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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
A two-man race?
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Exit polling indicated that Edwards drew support from independents and late-deciding voters in Wisconsin.
Story Tools
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CNN-USA has extensive live coverage all night of the impact of Howard Dean's withdrawal from the presidential race, John Kerry's win in Wisconsin and John Edwards' surprising second-place showing there. Follow developments as they happen with reports and analysis all evening.
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VIDEO
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CNN's Bill Hemmer talks with John Edwards.
Sen. John Kerry says Wisconsin voters have moved his campaign forward.
CNN's Candy Crowley on Howard Dean's dilemma.
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SPECIAL REPORT
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
• EDWARDS SURGES: Boosted by independents, Republican crossovers and late-deciding voters, John Edwards surged to an unexpectedly close second-place finish behind John Kerry in Wisconsin's presidential primary Tuesday, setting up a two-man race for the Democratic nomination heading into a massive cluster of primaries March 2.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kerry wins state; Edwards surprises
• BACK TO VERMONT: After a third place finish in Wisconsin, Dean has no campaign events scheduled, and many of his aides say they expect an announcement by Thursday that he will abandon his White House bid and instead create a political action group working to oust President Bush and fill Congress and state legislatures with Democrats.
The New York Times: Third-Placed Dean vows to fight on
• LOOKING FOR DRAMA: Even before Sen. John Edwards' close second-place finish in Tuesday's Wisconsin primary, California Democrats were preparing for a significant contest, and some political drama, when they go to the polls on March 2.
The San Francisco Chronicle: State's Dems still hope for a bit of suspense
• NOT OVER YET: Just when the Democratic establishment was ready to declare an end to the race for the party's presidential nomination, Wisconsin voters signaled their desire to keep it going a little longer.
The Washington Post: Democrats on course for more competition
• IN OHIO, A FIRST STRIKE: President Bush's reelection campaign moved deeper into its general-election playbook yesterday and launched a preemptive defense of his economic record in Ohio ahead of a visit by his likely opponent, John Kerry. The decision reflects the Bush campaign's growing concern about Ohio, a state he won by 4 percentage points in 2000 but is among the hardest hit by job losses.
The Washington Post: In Ohio, a first strike
EDWARDS BEAMS: Though he has won just one out of 17 presidential nominating contests, John Edwards beamed Tuesday as he claimed a giant step forward for a campaign many may have underestimated.
The Los Angeles Times: Second sits fine with Edwards this time
• POPULIST TUNE: As Edwards stumped across Wisconsin over the last seven days, he focused on free trade, the economy, and Bush's job record. Exit polls last night indicated the strategy paid off, with Edwards running well among all classes of voters in a state where three-fourths of residents blame free trade for their economic woes.
The Boston Globe: Southerner hits chord with populist message
• MILITARY SHADOW: With the controversy over his military service still simmering, President Bush came to one of the Army's premier training bases Tuesday to declare that he will never relent until the terrorist threat to America is removed.
The Chicago Tribune: Political storm about Guard duty hovers over visit
• THE SECRET SERVICE PRIMARY: The United States government has not yet bestowed that stamp of ultimate authenticity upon John Kerry, although both his and the Edwards campaigns have put in their requests. When the protective detail comes, the seas part, the car goes armored, and agents guard the home.
The Washington Post: John Kerry, keeping one step behind his pack
Compiled by Heather Riley
