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An Overview of the 2004 Presidential Race The

An Overview of the 2004 Presidential Race The

Election FOCUS

JANUARY 14, 2004 U.S. Department of State ISSUE 1 • NO 1

Inside This Issue: An Overview of the • Overview of 2004 2004 Presidential Race Race ...... page 1 The 2004 race for the begins with the caucuses on • The 2004 Presidential Election: An interview January 19, and then, a little more than a week later the primary with Charles Cook ...... page 1 on January 27. These initial election events are considered to be the official start to the campaign season, and their outcomes will set the tone for the primaries and • Campaign Highlight: caucuses that follow, state by state, until early June. On March 2, “,” Biographies of the 10 states—, , , , , , 10 Candidates ...... page 8 , , and —will hold primary elections or • Campaign Calendar: caucuses. Many believe that the eventual Democratic nominee will be known Schedule of Primaries soon after this date. President Bush, running unopposed for the Republican and Caucuses ...... page 10 nomination, is certain to be his party’s candidate. This year there are nine Democratic contenders—former Senator , former NATO , former Vermont Governor , Senator (North FAST FACTS: Carolina), Congressman Richard Gephardt (), Senator (Massachusetts), Congressman (Ohio), Senator Joseph ✔ History Shows January Lieberman (Connecticut) and Reverend Alfred Sharpton. Front Runner Often Does Not (continued on page 2) Win Democratic Nomination In only 4 out of 10 election years did the front runner at this stage of the campaign win the The 2004 Presidential Election: Democratic Party’s nomination, An Interview with Charles Cook according to a recent poll analysis done by the Organization. Charles E. Cook, Jr., editor and trade, the economy, job growth and the These four were Adlai Stevenson publisher of The Cook Report, is a war in , dominating the campaign. in 1952, John F. Kennedy in 1960, in 1984, and political analyst for the National in 2000. In all other Journal Group, and is regarded as one Q: What will be the instances, someone else came of the nation's leading authorities on issues in the 2004 elections? U.S. elections and political trends. from behind as the primary A: If I had a choice, if I had to predict Recently, Washington File Staff writer season unfolded. whether President Bush was going to Darlisa Crawford talked to Cook about get reelected or not, and if I had a the 2004 presidential election. He choice of knowing either who the To receive this newsletter predicts that the upcoming presidential Democratic nominee was going to be via a listserv go to: race will be a “big-issue” election with http://www.usembassy.de/mail (continued on page 3) ELECTION FOCUS 2004

(continued from page 1) selection is made for the presidential larger amounts than $18.8 million in and vice presidential nominee, and public subsidies through the nominat- In recent elections, presidential their policy positions, or “platforms.” ing conventions for their campaign. candidates have begun their campaigns The Democratic National Convention At the general election on more than a year before the first cau- will take place July 26th – 29th in November 2 voters across the country cuses and primaries. The media, public Boston, Massachusetts. The cast their votes for president. But a opinion polls and fundraising test a Republican National Convention will nationwide popular vote does not candidate’s popularity long before any take place in New York City from determine the winner. In actuality, votes are cast. Therefore, candidates August 30th – September 2nd, the voters have selected a slate of must get their message out and attract latest a Republican national conven- “electors” to the Electoral College, new supporters early in the process. tion has ever been held. a system written into the U.S. They also need to maintain their The financing of campaigns Constitution by the Founding Fathers. momentum and continue to bring in remains an issue of great attention In all states except Maine and funds through the lengthy election and controversy. The McCain-Feingold Nebraska, the party that wins the cycle: the primaries, the political con- Law, recently upheld by the U.S. popular vote commits all of its elec- ventions and the general campaign. Supreme Court, places some restric- tors—each state is entitled to as many Another reason getting off to a tions on how money for political electors as it has U.S. senators and fast start is crucial is the increasingly campaigns can be raised and spent. representatives in Congress—to the early scheduling of primaries and Despite these limitations, however, winning candidate. caucuses, a phenomenon known as candidates and parties will spend On December 13, 2004 the elec- “front-loading.” Various states, hoping many hundreds of millions of dollars tors will meet and vote for president to play a more decisive role in the on television and radio advertising, and vice president. The two-party process, have scheduled their primar- direct voter outreach and so-called electoral system of Democrats and ies and caucuses early in 2004. Other “issue ads” promoting political posi- Republicans requires an absolute states—, , Utah and tions on specific issues without majority of the 50 states or 270 elec- Washington—have reacted to this endorsing a candidate by name. The toral votes, since there are 538 total front-loading of the campaign calendar federal government also provides electoral votes. The votes are certified by canceling their primaries altogether funding to help national candidates by state authorities and sent to in the belief that a late primary will finance the campaigns for their Washington, D.C. where on January 6, have little impact on the outcome, and parties’ nominations, but several 2005, the votes will be counted by the choosing instead to save the millions candidates, including President Bush president of the Senate, with the full of dollars required to stage an election. and Howard Dean, the current Senate and House of Representatives Results from the primaries and Democratic front runner, have opted in attendance. At that time, the candi- caucuses gradually lessen the number out of this system, believing they can date officially becomes the winner and of candidates, as some contenders raise more funds by themselves. This president-elect. drop out, and determine how many decision will free all three candidates The inauguration of the new delegates will be pledged to each can- from a $45 million spending limit, president takes place at noon on didate. The delegates come together at which is imposed on any candidate January 20, 2005, ending an election their parties’ national convention, held who receives such public funding. All process that began nearly two years during the summer, where a final three candidates believe they can raise before. ■

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to present its election coverage newsletter, Election Focus 2004. The — BUREAU OF — newsletter will provide non-partisan coverage of the U.S. election process, featuring articles, interviews, public opinion INTERNATIONAL polls, and other information on the presidential primaries, , conventions and campaign activities of the major INFORMATION presidential candidates. PROGRAMS Election Focus 2004 is produced by the Democracy and Human Rights team in the Bureau of International Information Programs. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

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(continued from page 1) then it really doesn’t matter who the events. opponent is. The 2004 Presidential It also depends on who the Democratic candidate is. Election: An Interview And conversely, if people have lost confidence in a president, if they with Charles Cook Obviously, if you’re Howard Dean don’t believe he deserves reelection, and oppose the war completely, your or how the war in Iraq is doing in the they don’t have confidence in him to attacks are of one nature. three or four months leading into the lead us for the next four years, then If you’re , and were election, I’d rather know how the war it almost doesn’t matter who the oppo- fully supportive of the war, enthusias- is doing. I think that’s more relevant. nent is, either. Any Democrat would have a plausible chance of winning tic about the war, but have differences If I had a choice of knowing who the Democratic nomination, and would with how the president has conducted the Democratic nominee was going be perfectly capable of winning. it, that’s very different. to be or what the economy is looking And John Kerry and Dick like in 2004, particularly in the second It’s only if it’s in that narrow Gephardt are yet different again. quarter of 2004—because we know “maybe” zone, where the voters are from history that it’s the second not sure if a president deserves So, it depends on who the quarter economic statistics that are the reelection; they’re not sure they have Democratic candidate is. best predictors of how an incumbent confidence in the president for the I think what you’ll probably see president is going to do—I would next four years, and only then is the is more Democrats saying that it’s rather know that, not just what’s the identity and the caliber of the oppo- great that has been gross domestic product growth rate, nent really relevant. captured and brought to justice, and but also what’s the unemployment rate, I tend to think that that “maybe” this is a good thing, but that we what’s the employment number, and zone in the middle may be where probably should have waited for how does that number compare to we’re headed, because I think it’s greater, more widespread international January 2001, and what’s the degree of unlikely that the situation in Iraq will participation, that we shouldn’t have under-employment of people that have be significantly better. I don’t think been in such a hurry, and that the lesser jobs today than two or three or it’s going to be resolved by then. The whole second phase of the war should four years ago? I’d like to know that. overall economy may or may not be have been planned better. And it’s not to say that who the better, but is the job situation going to Democrats nominate isn’t important, be significantly better by then? We Q: How will Dean maintain because it is, but overwhelmingly we don’t know that. his lead as the Democratic know that when an incumbent presi- front runner? dent is up for reelection, it’s basically Q: How will the Democratic A: I think everything comes down to a referendum on the incumbent more candidates discuss and/or January 19th when the Iowa caucus than it is a comparison between two criticize the administration’s takes place. If Governor Dean wins in candidates. It’s “do you believe that policy on Iraq after the Iowa, if he beats Congressman Dick this incumbent has performed well capture of Saddam? Gephardt—and they are—right now as enough to deserve reelection; do you A: I think this creates a period of time we say, neck and neck in the polls— have confidence in that incumbent of a month or so where it’s going to be absolutely tied—then if Governor Dean leading us for the next four years?” awkward for Democrats to attack the wins Iowa, I think there’s probably a 90 And the answers are “yes,” “no” president. But I also suspect it’s only percent chance that he’ll win the nomi- and “maybe.” If the answer is yes, going to be weeks or a month—not all nation. He’ll have so much momentum then the voters do believe that the the way to the election—because these and his trajectory will be so high that president deserves reelection and they situations tend to have what we call a he could win New Hampshire by an do have confidence in the president to “short shelf life,” where they don’t last enormous margin, and then he would lead us for the next four years, and very long and tend to be overtaken by be very difficult to beat even on

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February 3rd when you have the third they have to pull out of Iowa and not He’s got that flexibility that he would round of events, which is primaries and compete, but under the circumstances, I not have had had he abided by caucuses in , , think their assessment was exactly right. matching funds. New , , , They weren’t going to do well. North Dakota, and . So does forfeiting Iowa hurt their Q: Dean won the If Dean were to lose to Gephardt credibility? Yes. But since they weren’t endorsement of Elijah in Iowa, I think that, at that point, going to win it, they are probably Cummings of Maryland, his chances of getting the nomination better off taking that money they the chairman of the would drop down to maybe 60 per- would have spent in Iowa and trying to Congressional Black cent. He could still go on to win in improve their chances of winning in Caucus, and former Vice New Hampshire, because he has such New Hampshire or South Carolina or President Al Gore, as well a huge lead there, but his momentum some of the other February 3rd states. as a dozen state and local would be slow enough and his trajec- lawmakers in Georgia. tory low enough where the chances of Q: Senator John Kerry, Will this position Dean as Gephardt or former General Wesley former Governor Howard the “favorite candidate” for Clark or John Edwards from North Dean, and President Bush the African American Carolina, or maybe even John Kerry have rejected public community? of Massachusetts, could catch him on financing. How will this A: I think Governor Dean has made or after February 3rd. decision affect their a big deal out of some of these But I really think that the defining respective strategies? endorsements, but I think he’s done event will be the Iowa caucus, that A: I don’t think voters understand that because he doesn’t have real will sort of tell us whether Dean is public financing, matching funds, and strong support on the level likely to roll on and win the nomina- I don’t think they really care. in the African American community, tion or whether he’s going to have a and so he’s trying to kind of leverage tough fight ahead. In terms of affecting the candidates’ strategies, it just gives them greater support among some of the leaders into grassroots support. Q: Senator Lieberman and flexibility, that, under the law, if you General Clark have chosen accept the matching funds, there’s a The polling I’ve seen in places not to participate in the limit to how much money you can like South Carolina, for example, the spend in each individual state, an . How will African American vote is absolutely individual spending limit. wide open. I mean, it is absolutely up this decision affect their for grabs. Dean is getting very little of respective campaigns? And so now, if they’re in a tough fight in one state or another state, they it now. If he wins Iowa, if he wins A: Senator Lieberman and General can spend as much as they want, which New Hampshire, he’ll probably get a Clark decided not to compete in Iowa is a flexibility that’s very, very impor- very healthy share. because they realized that they just had tant, and that helps them a great deal. I think the most important absolutely no chance of winning, in fact, endorsement was when South Carolina not much of a chance of even coming in So it’s not just a matter of being Congressman , who is second, third or even fourth place; and able to spend more money total, it’s African American, and is, arguably, so they decided, rather than fight and being able to spend more money in the most influential Democrat in the spend a lot of money and lose, that they places where you need to spend it the state, endorsed . I’d would hold their resources back and most, and not be hampered. rather have Jim Clyburn’s endorsement compete more aggressively in New For example, if Kerry needs to than Al Gore’s, because Howard Dean Hampshire or in the February 3rd pri- spend all the money in the world in was doing so well that I’m not sure maries. I think it’s bad for a campaign New Hampshire, but not spend as any endorsement would help him to be in a position where they feel like much money in Iowa, he can do that.

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enormously. Conversely, had anyone was being raised and spent by the else won the Gore endorsement, it national parties. would mean a lot more to them, So to be honest, I don’t think the because they all needed a break. new law will end the influence of big So, in terms of translating into money. It will just rechannel it away votes, I would rather have Jim from the parties and more into these Clyburn’s support, because I think new independent groups. South Carolina is going to be a critical “I think it’s going to be primary, and I think he would probably Q: What role will the Internet have more sway among voters in play in the 2004 election? a big-issue election, not a South Carolina, particularly African A: The Internet is a very, very useful small-issue election. American voters in South Carolina tool. So is the telephone. So is the than Al Gore would have nationally. fax machine. So is the photocopy When the economy machine and the printing press. It’s Q: Do you think Gore’s an instrument. is good and when there is endorsement of Dean no war, then issues like increases his base of Some campaigns are in a position support in the South? to use the Internet more effectively abortion or gay rights or the than others. A: I think Governor Dean is now trying environment, some of these For example, Howard Dean’s to create a beachhead in the South, and campaign has used the Internet very other kinds of issues have he’s trying to do it with endorsements effectively, both in terms of being able from key leaders, but he hasn’t been an opportunity to kind of to raise money from non-traditional endorsed by that many significant fig- percolate, to come up to the campaign donors, and as an organiza- ures in either the white or African tional tool. top, and to dominate. American communities in the South. In some cases people who have Q: How will the Supreme never given to a political candidate But when you’ve got Court decision to ban soft before are simply going on the Internet big issues like war and money and restrict some and going on Dean’s website and TV and radio issue ads contributing money using a credit card peace, prosperity or influence the campaign right over the Internet. economic turmoil, then strategies of the candidates? In other cases, it’s an organization- those issues are going to A: In the primary, it’s not going to al tool—helping people communicate dominate over anything make much of a difference in the fight with other people and to organize for the Democratic nomination. rallies and events for Dean, to organ- else.” ize groups of supporters, either in a In the general election, what it geographic area or with a common — Charles E. Cook, Jr., editor and means is that a lot of the money that publisher of The Cook Report interest to support Governor Dean. the national parties would be spending So he’s used it extremely effectively. on behalf of the presidential campaigns, instead will be spent by other inde- I also think, though, that the kind pendent groups who will be cropping of supporters that Howard Dean usual- up on both the Republican and ly has are younger, a little bit more Democratic sides, and who will raise affluent, tend to be more open to tech- and spend much of the soft money that nology. His appeal is uniquely suited towards the Internet. Another candidate,

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like Dick Gephardt, could have just as Q: If decides to depends on how close the election is good a website and pour just as much run for the 2004 presidency as to whether it’s enough to make a money into using the Internet as on the Green Party ticket, difference. Howard Dean has, but it wouldn’t do how will that decision affect nearly as well, because his member- the other candidates? Q: Dean secured the ship tends to be older, they tend to be endorsement from two A: If the election is very close, any a little bit less affluent, they tend to be politically powerful labor other candidate on the even more unionized, and they’re a lot less unions, the American wired to the Internet than, say, Dean’s getting a relatively small number of votes can make the difference. Federation of State, County, pool of potential supporters. and Municipal Employees The question is, is the election and the Service Employees Q: How will the role of going to be close enough so that International Union. How private contributors such as Nader could make a difference if he critical is the role of labor Soros’s commitment to voter decides to run? unions in the upcoming funds influence the outcome I tend to think that Nader will get election, and are there of the 2004 election? even fewer votes in 2004 than he did particular states that are in 2000, just as I think if there is a A: I think President Bush is going to more labor union intensive conservative third-party candidate raise and spend far more money than in terms of voting? the Democratic nominee will, and I running, they will probably get even think it’s safe to say that the Republican fewer votes than did A: Within the Republican Party, labor National Committee will raise and spend in 2000. is of minimal influence. But on the Democratic side, labor does have a considerably more than the Democratic And I think the reason for that great deal of influence. But there’s an National Committee will spend. is that because the last election was enormous split this year within the so close, I think there’s going to be But having said that, I think world of labor. The unions that have a reluctance on the part of voters on there’s going to be more money raised traditionally hired manufacturing the liberal or the conservative side to outside of the two campaigns and workers, for instance, have largely “throw away” their vote for someone outside of the two major national party backed Gephardt, while unions of pub- else. committees. lic employees, government employees I think there will be more money If I were a liberal living in Florida and of service employee workers have raised on the left, on the liberal, labor, and I had voted for Ralph Nader, I gone more with Howard Dean. would probably have regretted that pro-Democratic side, than there will And it comes down to trade. The vote every single day since the 2000 be on the business, conservative, unions that care about trade are almost election; and conversely, if Al Gore pro-Republican side once you take out all backing Gephardt and the unions had won Florida and the election by the two candidates, the two national for which trade is of no consequence 537 votes, and if I were a conservative committees. whatsoever tend to be backing Dean. who had voted for Pat Buchanan in I think there’s going to be more Florida, I probably would have regret- It’s what we call “white collar” money on the left than on the right, ted that vote every single day, too, or government employee and public and that it will partially, not entirely because I would have seen that there sector and service employee unions but partially, offset the Republican was an enormous difference between on the one side versus “blue collar” spending advantage that otherwise is Gore and Bush and that, voting for a manufacturing-oriented jobs, going going to be taking place. I think it’s third candidate hurt the cause. with Gephardt. going to make the fight a little bit more evenly split between the two sides. So I would say there’s going to Now, which states? be a lower vote in 2004 Iowa is a key state with unions. than there was in 2000, and it just The Michigan caucus which is coming

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up on February 7th is a huge state with going to dominate over anything else. because I think that it will require an industrial unions playing a large part. The other thing I would suggest is unusually high level of economic that I have not seen trade as a major growth to create enough new jobs to Q: How will General Wesley campaign issue since the Democratic get us back to anywhere near where Clark’s extensive military presidential primaries in 1988, but I we were in January 2001. and foreign policy see trade really picking up as an issue And that’s why I think the trade experience pose a threat in this election, and it’s because of issue is going to be big, and one thing to the other Democratic some of the structural job losses that that complicates it is that a lot of these candidates? we’ve seen. job losses are white collar jobs. In many cases, they’re knowledge-based General Clark’s background is There was a study by the Federal jobs that are going to foreign countries, obviously a huge advantage in a key Reserve Bank of New York that was and they’re very high-paying jobs. area. It gives him a level of credibility released back in August, and it looked They’re the jobs that we were training and authority that no other Democrat at the last four economic downturns. In people to get out of manufacturing and has. However, it’s offset by the fact the downturns of the mid-’70s, 49 per- go into knowledge-based jobs that that he’s not as experienced in politics. cent of the job losses were what we call cyclical job losses—temporary job would be more permanent jobs, that If Dean were to win the nomina- losses—but when the economy comes would last them for a career, and now tion, I think the chances are very back, those jobs come back, and 51 we’re starting to lose many of these. strong that he would pick General percent of the job losses were structur- And that’s why I think the econo- Clark, because Clark’s strength is al, were more permanent job losses. my is going to continue to be an issue Howard Dean’s weakness, and I think and jobs will continue to likely be an they would complement each other a In the downturn of the early ‘80s, issue through this election, much more great deal. In fact, I have a hard time the percentages were exactly the so than in other recent elections. ■ seeing how Dean would pick anyone same—49 cyclical, 51 structural. other than Wesley Clark. In the downturn of the early ‘90s, The opinions expressed in this article are Clark may or may not be the best though, the cyclical—the temporary those of the interviewee and do not running mate for other candidates, but job loses—dropped down to 43 and necessarily reflect the views or policies of I think he would be a much bigger the structural ones went up to 57. the U.S. government. asset for Dean than anyone else. But the current downturn, only 21 percent of the job losses were cyclical; Q: Do you want to add 79 percent were structural. any other comments or And we know that it always takes reflections? longer to create brand new jobs than it A: I think it’s going to be a big-issue does to basically bring people back to election, not a small-issue election. old jobs: it doesn’t take long to add When the economy is good and another shift back at the factory or to when there is no war, then issues like call back salespeople that had been abortion or gay rights or the environ- laid off when sales were down. That ment, some of these other kinds of happens pretty quickly. issues have an opportunity to kind of But when you have to create whole percolate, to come up to the top, and new jobs, sometimes from entirely new to dominate. companies, or from entirely new indus- But when you’ve got big issues tries, that takes much, much longer. like war and peace, prosperity or eco- So, the jobs issue, I think, is going nomic turmoil, then those issues are to be a very big one in this campaign,

HTTP://USINFO.STATE.GOV 7 ELECTION FOCUS 2004 Campaign★★Highlight The 2004 Presidential Candidates Howard Dean After graduating from with a REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT 1969 and the University of B.S. in 1971, Howard Law School with a J.D. in 1972. She Dean received an George W. Bush also served as President ’s M.D. from the Albert Sworn into office on ambassador to New Zealand from Einstein College of January 20, 2001, as 1999 to 2001. Moseley Braun, a critic Medicine in New York the 43rd president, of the war in Iraq and the , in 1978. Before turning to politics, he George W. Bush is the supports expanding and shared a medical practice with his wife. second son of a presi- pension protections. In announcing her Dean was first elected governor of dent to also serve in candidacy, she said a woman president Ver mont in 1992, after serving the that office. John could move the nation “toward peace, remaining term of his deceased prede- Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, prosperity and progress.” cessor. He was re-elected to four was first. Bush spent his childhood in Carol Moseley Braun was born on consecutive two-year terms, opting not Midland and Houston, , and August 16, 1947 in Chicago, . to run in 2002, in order to pursue the received a bachelor’s degree in history She is divorced with one child. presidency. Dean was the first from Yale University in 1968, followed Democrat to oppose the congressional by an MBA from Harvard Business Wesley K. Clark resolution authorizing military School in 1975. Elected governor of action against Iraq. Recognized as After graduating from Texas in 1994, Bush was re-elected to the Democratic front runner, Dean the U.S. Military a second four-year term in 1998. emphasizes new spending that empha- Academy at West sizes health and education, paired The attacks of September 11, Point with a B.S. in with a repeal of the 2001 tax cuts 2001, gave the Bush administration, in 1966, Wesley K. and a balanced budget. the president’s words, “our mission Clark went on to and our moment.” Since that time, the Oxford University in Dean was born on , war against has been the 1968 and earned his M.A. degree. 1948, in New York, New York. He and administration’s highest priority. During his 34 years of distinguished his wife, Judith, have two children. duty in the U.S. Army, Clark served as Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in a four-star general, with stints on the John R. Edwards New Haven, Connecticut. He and his , as commander- wife, Laura, have two daughters. U.S. Senator John R. in-chief of the U.S. Southern and Edwards was elected DEMOCRATS European commands and as supreme from (Listed in alphabetical order) commander of NATO. After army in 1998. Before that, service, Clark became chairman and he was a practicing Carol Moseley Braun CEO of Wesley K. Clark & Associates attorney. Edwards and a military analyst for CNN. He As a U.S. senator graduated from North has been critical of the war with Iraq, from Illinois from Carolina State University with a B.S. in and emphasizes the importance of 1993-1999, Carol 1974 and from the University of North building international coalitions to Moseley Braun was Carolina with a J.D. in 1977. Senator deal with terrorism. the first female Edwards opposed the 2001 tax cuts and African American to Wesley Clark was born on supported normalizing trade relations serve in that capacity. December 23, 1944 in Chicago, with China and “fast track” trade Moseley Braun graduated from the Illinois. He and his wife, Gert, have authority. Although he voted to author- University of Illinois with a B.A. in one child. ize President Bush to use military force

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against Iraq, Edwards proposes a fed- gained notoriety as a spokesman for to that he was the Connecticut state eral agency that focuses on collecting Against the War in attorney general from 1983-1988. He intelligence about terrorist threats 1971. He supported the October 2002 received a B.A. degree from Yale within the , divorcing the congressional resolution giving University in 1964 and an L.L.B. from FBI from that responsibility. President Bush authority to use mili- in 1967. As former tary force against Iraq, but opposed Vice President Al Gore’s running mate John Edwards was born on June funding of missile defense research. in the 2000 presidential election, 10, 1953 in Seneca, South Carolina. Lieberman became the first Jewish He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three Kerry was born on December 11, nominee for national office on a children. 1943 in Denver, Colorado. He has two major party ticket. He supported the children from his first marriage, and October 2002 congressional resolution three step-children, with his wife, Richard A. Gephardt giving President Bush authority to use Theresa. Congressman Richard military force against Iraq. A. “Dick” Gephardt Lieberman was born on February is currently serving Dennis J. Kucinich 24, 1942 in Stamford, Connecticut. his 14th term in the As a member of He and his wife, Hadassah, have four U.S. House of the U.S. House of children. Representatives. Representatives from After graduating from Ohio, Dennis J. in 1962 with Kucinich is currently Alfred C. Sharpton a B.S. degree, he received a J.D. from serving his fourth term Alfred C. “Al” the in 1965. in Congress. Kucinich Sharpton is an He served in the Air National Guard received both a B.A. and an M.A. in ordained Pentecostal from 1965-1971. Gephardt ran for the 1973 from Case Western Reserve minister. He ran Democratic presidential nomination in University. He supported the congres- unsuccessfully for the 1988, winning the Iowa caucus, but sional resolution authorizing President New York state senate losing the later primaries. He voted for Bush to use military force against Iraq, in 1978, and also the October 2002 congressional reso- but also wants a Department of Peace lost bids to be U.S. senator from lution giving President Bush authority created that would seek “not only to New York in 1992 and 1994, as well to use military force against Iraq. make nonviolence an organizing princi- as the mayor of New York City in ple in our society, but to make war 1997. As president of the National Richard Gephardt was born on archaic.” Few political observers think Action Network, a civil rights organi- January 31, 1941 in St. Louis, that Kucinich has a chance of becom- zation, Sharpton disagrees with the Missouri. He and his wife, Jayne, have ing the Democratic nominee in 2004, use of military force in Iraq, claiming three children. but he may appear on the presidential the Bush administration’s response to John F. Kerry ballot as the nominee of the Natural the attacks on September 11, 2001, Law Party. have put citizens’ constitutional rights U.S. Senator John F. in jeopardy. Kerry has served four Dennis Kucinich was born on consecutive terms October 8, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sharpton was born on October 3, from Massachusetts, He is divorced with one child. 1954, in Brooklyn, New York. He and beginning in 1984. He his wife, Kathy, have two children. ■ graduated from Yale Joseph Lieberman University with a B.A. U.S. Senator Joseph in 1966, and after serving in the U.S. Lieberman has served Navy from 1968-1969, he obtained a three consecutive J.D. from Boston College in 1976. six-year terms from Although he received the Silver and Connecticut, begin- Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts ning in 1988. Prior while serving in Vietnam, Kerry

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Calendar of Primaries & Caucuses A caucus is an informal meet- ing with candidates and potential voters in which participants discuss their preference for a certain candi- In the United States primary A primary is a state-level date, and delegates, pledged to a elections and party caucuses are election in which voters choose a particular candidate, are selected to essential to choosing presidential candidate within a political party go to party conventions. In Iowa, candidates. This calendar lists to run against a candidate of other one of the six U.S. states to hold a currently scheduled presidential political parties in a later, general caucus, a candidate must have at primaries and caucuses leading up election. A primary may be either least 15 percent of the vote to send to the national 2004 election. The open—allowing any registered voter delegates on to a county convention. Democratic National Convention is in a state to vote for a candidate to The supporters of candidates who July 26-29 in Boston, Massachusetts. represent a political party, or do not receive at least 15 percent of The Republican National Convention closed—allowing only registered the vote must choose a more viable is August 30 – September 2 in voters who belong to a particular candidate or none at all. A caucus New York City. political party to vote for a candidate is the most local form of election from that party. politics, with voters being directly involved in the process. ■

PRIMARIES & CAUCUSES

JANUARY 19 FEBRUARY 14 MARCH 9 MAY 6-8 Iowa District of Columbia (D) Florida Wyoming (R) Nevada (D) Louisiana JANUARY 27 Mississippi MAY 11 New Hampshire FEBRUARY 17 Texas Nebraska West FEBRUARY 3 MARCH 13 Arizona Kansas (D) MAY 18 Delaware Utah (D) Missouri Hawaii MARCH 16 Kentucky Oklahoma Idaho Illinois Oregon S. Carolina (D) (D) MARCH 2 MARCH 20 MAY 25 North Dakota California (D) Idaho Connecticut Wyoming (D) FEBRUARY 7 Georgia JUNE 1 Michigan (D) Maryland APRIL 13 Massachusetts Colorado (D) New Mexico FEBRUARY 8 New York APRIL 27 Maine (D) Ohio JUNE 8 Rhode Island FEBRUARY 10 Montana Vermont MAY 4 Washington Virginia Indiana District of Columbia (R) Minnesota North Carolina

Note: Primaries are in blue; Caucuses are in red italic.

10 ELECTION FOCUS 2004

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