Support for Kerry-Edwards Surges Across the Country; Americans Gather in at Least 20 States

7/8/2004

From: Allison Dobson of John Kerry for President, 202-528-1463, Web: http://www.johnkerry.com

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- As the energetic Kerry- Edwards ticket continues to barnstorm the country following Tuesday's announcement, voters nationwide gathered in their own towns and cities today to show their support for the ticket that will restore hope at home and respect in the world.

Characteristic of the incredible wave of enthusiasm for the Kerry-Edwards ticket, events will be held in at least 20 states.

"Grassroots support has been the engine behind this campaign since day one, and that support has only grown since Senator Kerry made the right choice for his campaign and America -- John Edwards," said Kerry-Edwards campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill. "This is a new team for a new America. The American people are optimists and what we are seeing is them responding to the hope that is at the heart of the Kerry-Edwards ticket."

Events today ran the full gamut from rallies to press conferences to house parties in living rooms. They featured individuals from all walks of life, including elected officials, Democratic activists and ordinary citizens energized by the Kerry- Edwards vision.

States scheduled to hold events today (and some tomorrow) include: NH (Portsmouth), ME (Portland), NV (Las Vegas), IA (Sioux City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids), MO (grassroots organizing in smaller towns across the state), MI (Flint, Lansing, Kalamazoo), PA (Philadelphia with DNC Chairman Terry McAulliffe), LA (Baton Rouge with Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu), OR (Portland with the lead singer of Everclear), WA (Seattle), AZ (Phoenix, Tucson with AG Terry Goddard), WI (Madison with Gov. Jim Doyle), CO (Denver with FMr. Energy/Transportation Sec. Federico Pena), NM (ABQ), VA (Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk), TX (Austin), AL (Birmingham), NE (Omaha), MN (Twin Cities, Duluth) and WI (Eau Claire, Green Bay, Wausau).

Simply put, America loves the Kerry-Edwards ticket and is rallying behind two leaders who will stand up for America's values and fight to build a stronger America that is respected in the world.

------

Today's events are reflective of newspaper articles, editorials and public opinion polls published since Tuesday. See below for a snapshot.

DEMOCRATS THRILLED WITH CHOICE

Pick is "Immensely Popular." "The pick is proving immensely popular with rank-and-file Democrats, who said Mr. Edwards, with his smooth Southern style and "Two Americas" message, are a good complement to Mr. Kerry's war service and 20 years in the Senate." (Washington Times, 7/7/2004)

"Rejoicing," Not "Quibbling." "Importantly, there was no mainstream Democratic quibbling - and much rejoicing - in the wake of Kerry's announcement." (Houston Chronicle, 7/7/2004)

Choice Popular Among Virginia Democrats. "Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry's choice of fellow U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., as his running mate proved popular Tuesday among Virginia Democrats" (Daily Progress, 7/7/2004)

Selection "Delighted" Democrats. "Kerry's selection of his former campaign rival, after months of stringent secrecy, delighted many Democrats, who think Edwards will broaden the ticket's appeal to his native South, as well as to independents and voters who share his small-town, blue-collar upbringing." (LA Times, 7/7/2004)

Northwest Democrats Call Kerry-Edwards a "Winning Blend of Experience and Energy." "Democrats in the Pacific Northwest hailed John Kerry's selection of North Carolina Sen. John Edwards to be his running mate, calling the new Kerry-Edwards team a winning blend of experience and energy." (AP, "Northwest Democrats hail selection of Edwards," 7/7/2004)

Kentucky Democrats Say Edwards Understands Southern Values. "Top Kentucky Democrats predicted that John Edwards' rise to their presidential ticket would broaden the party's appeal in a state easily carried by President Bush in 2000. Edwards - tapped Tuesday by presidential candidate John Kerry as his running mate - is a "son of the rural South" who understands the "issues and values of Southern voters," said U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-Ky. Chandler said that Edwards would "instantly expand the ticket's appeal across Kentucky and across the country." (AP, "Kentucky Democrats hail addition of Edwards to ticket," 7/7/2004)

Arizona Democrats Call Kerry-Edwards Ticket "A Hit." "Immediately embracing the duo on a first-name basis, Arizona Democrats voiced approval Tuesday of the "John and John" presidential ticket. From state party headquarters to the Governor's Office to the homes and businesses of Valley residents, the selection of North Carolina Sen. John Edwards as John Kerry's running mate was a hit." (Arizona Republic, 7/7/2004)

Democrats "Enthusiastically Embraced" Ticket. "Democrats enthusiastically embraced John Edwards as their vice presidential candidate on Tuesday, predicting that the charismatic southern senator will help them win back Congress as well as the White House." (Reuters, 7/7/2004)

Democrats "Saluted Kerry" for Pick. "In statements echoing across Capitol Hill, Democrats saluted Kerry for setting aside past differences in picking Edwards, saying the two former rivals for the party's presidential nomination will provide Democrats a strong team in the November elections." (Reuters, 7/7/2004)

Rivals for Running-Mate Position "Heaped Praise" on Ticket. "Even some of those passed over for the second spot on the Democratic ticket heaped praise on Edwards, calling him a powerful populist campaigner. "A great choice," said Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who was believed to have been on Kerry's short list of possible nominees. "As he proved during his inspiring campaign, John Edwards is a strong and compelling voice for our small towns and rural communities and for all working Americans."" (Reuters, 7/7/2004)

Former Rivals Praised Kerry-Edwards Ticket. "Within a few hours, several erstwhile rivals had issued statements praising the new ticket. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, once the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, called Edwards "a smart choice." Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who ran as Al Gore's vice presidential pick in 2000, said Kerry's selection was "a home run."" (LA Times, 7/7/2004)

Selection Drew "Enthusiastic Response." "Edwards' selection drew an enthusiastic response from Demo-crats, who said he will give the ticket an injection of charisma, a campaign focused on middle-class concerns and an ability to reach out to Southerners, independents and moderate Republicans." (Raleigh News-Observer, 7/7/2004)

OVERNIGHT POLLS SHOW AMERICA ENERGIZED BY KERRY-EDWARDS TICKET

-- Kerry-Edwards Beats Bush-Cheney 49 to 41. "Following wall- to-wall veepstakes coverage for Kerry-Edwards coming out of a long holiday weekend, a poll taken last night for NBC News by Princeton Survey Research and aired this morning on TODAY shows Kerry- Edwards beating Bush-Cheney 49 percent to 41 percent, with Nader- Camejo at 4 percent" and "24 percent say it makes them more likely to vote for Kerry." (NBC, 7/7/2004)

-- Choice Met With "Positive Response." "Sen. John Kerry's naming Tuesday of North Carolina Sen. John Edwards as his running mate met with a positive response, slightly improving the standing of the Democratic ticket, and also improving Kerry's image among voters, according to a CBS News poll." (CBS, 7/7/2004)

-- 7 Out of 10 Happy With Choice; 2 Out of 3 Think Edwards Has Right Experience. "A majority of all voters, and seven in ten Democrats, say they are glad that Edwards was chosen. Only one in ten think Kerry should have named someone else. By more than two to one, voters think Edwards has the right experience to be a good vice president, though many are not sure he has enough experience to be a good president." (CBS, 7/7/2004)

-- "Little Doubt" That Kerry's Choice of Edwards is Popular. "There is little doubt that the choice of John Edwards was a popular one. Most voters said they were glad Edwards was chosen, and few would have picked anyone else." (CBS, 7/7/2004)

-- Positive Reaction Exceeds Previous Running-Mate Choices. "The general good feeling about the Edwards nomination exceeds the positive reaction towards two former vice presidential nominees about whom this question was asked. In 2000, 45 percent of all registered voters said they were glad that Al Gore chose Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman; in 1988, only 33 percent said they were glad that George H.W. Bush named Dan Quayle." (CBS, 7/7/2004)

-- "Significant" Satisfaction Within and Outside of Democratic Party. "When asked specifically about the Edwards choice, there was a significant level of satisfaction - both within the Democratic Party and outside it. Nearly three in four registered voters said they were satisfied (one in five was enthusiastic about the choice). As for Democrats, 90 percent were satisfied. Very few voters admitted they were angry about the choice." (CBS, 7/7/2004)

-- Edwards "Far More" Favorable Than Cheney. "At the moment, Edwards enjoys far more favorable assessments than does his opponent, Vice President Dick Cheney. Vice President Cheney has been under attack lately, and in the last few weeks, his image has declined somewhat. In late June more of this sample's voters had an unfavorable opinion of the Vice President than had a favorable one, by a margin of 23 percent to 37 percent." (CBS, 7/7/2004)

-- 64 Percent Say Choice Excellent or Pretty Good. "A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll taken Tuesday found that 64 percent of registered voters surveyed viewed the choice of Edwards as excellent or pretty good, while just 28 percent termed it only fair or poor. Seventy percent said they were either enthusiastic or satisfied by the choice, while only 19 percent described themselves as dissatisfied or angry." (CNN/UST/Gallup, 7/7/2004)

-- Two-Thirds of Americans Said Choice Reflects Favorably on Kerry's Ability to Make Important Presidential Decisions. "In a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Tuesday, nearly two-thirds of Americans said Kerry's choice of Edwards reflected favorably on his ability to make important presidential decisions." (USA Today, 7/7/2004)

Paid for by John Kerry for President, Inc.