Democrats fear effect of divisive Senate primary race (FLA)

[chimpymustgo]

By Brian E. Crowley, Palm Beach Post Political Editor
Sunday, June 13, 2004


HOLLYWOOD -- An increasingly hostile U.S. Senate race worries some Democratic Party leaders, who said Saturday they fear that a divisive primary could hurt the party's chances of winning the election in November.

Hundreds of state party activists and leaders gathered at the Westin Diplomat for a weekend of meetings, rallies and their annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner, which featured North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, a leading contender to become Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's running mate.

"I think Edwards would make a terrific vice president," said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, who dismissed the notion that Nelson himself has a realistic chance of being picked by Kerry. "I think I'm a long shot."

-snip-

Former Vice President Al Gore increased the tension in the campaign last week when he accused Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas of being "the single most treacherous and dishonest person I dealt with during the campaign anywhere in America." Gore has said that Penelas abandoned him during the 2000 election.

-snip-

Democrats here appeared increasingly interested in seeing Edwards on the ticket.

"He is exciting, and we need someone with a strong personality," said Bill Wallace, a Miami retiree who listened to Edwards speak at a rally at Hollywood's municipal beach. "I think Kerry and Edwards would make a strong team, and Edwards could help win votes in the South."

An Associated Press poll released Saturday showed that more than one-third of the nation's registered voters -- 36 percent -- said they would most like to see Kerry choose Edwards. Among Democrats surveyed, Edwards fared even better: 43 percent preferred him over other Democrats. Edwards declined to comment on the poll.

-snip-


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/news_04bc5c4ef6a7a1ee00a2.html

************
Lots of good stuff in this article: Edwards for VEEP, the Senate race dramas, the Arab-American vote in Fla...