Howard Dean’s camp, topped nearly 2-to-1, says he “finished very strong.”
PORTLAND – John Kerry took the Maine presidential caucuses Sunday as the Democratic front-runner won a three-state weekend sweep to boost his daunting advantage in the primary race.
The Maine Democratic Party said the Massachusetts senator had 45 percent of the statewide vote based on reports from 200 of 403 municipalities where caucuses were being held. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was second with 26 percent and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich was third with 15 percent.
Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina had 9 percent of the vote, and retired Gen. Wesley Clark had 4 percent.
“Today, the voters of Maine have sent a message that George Bush’s days are numbered and change is coming to America,” Kerry said in a prepared statement, which added he is “honored and humbled by the confidence that so many of you have shown to me in this contest.”
Dean’s campaign put the best face on his performance, saying, “We finished very strong in Maine.”
“We look forward to a competitive race in Wisconsin,” said Dean’s Maine spokesman Jesse Derris, adding “we feel confident that we can do well.”
Twenty-four delegates were at stake, with delegates to the state convention in Maine being apportioned on the basis of caucus votes.
Kerry’s Maine victory followed decisive showings Saturday in Michigan and Washington, and solidifies his front-runner status in the race to be the Democratic presidential nominee. He has won nine of 11 primaries and caucuses that have been held.
Dean, a former Vermont governor who finished a distant second behind Kerry in Washington and Michigan, held a series of rallies in several Maine cities in an effort to build up steam in a state where he and Kerry both ran strong campaign organizations.
As many as 15,000 Democrats were expected to take part in local political gatherings, including about 2,500 who had voted by absentee ballots.
Turnout was heavy in Portland, where Rep. Dennis Kucinich shook hands with party members as they filed into Deering High School and Dean addressed hundreds who packed the school’s gymnasium.
Participation was also very strong in other cities across the state, especially for a cold day with a brisk wind and temperatures in the teens, said Maine Democratic Chairwoman Dorothy Melanson.
“We have been overwhelmed today,” Melanson said.
At the Portland caucus, Dean told the cheering crowd that he stood out among his rivals as the best candidate to bring change to America.
“What the party needed was a backbone transplant and they got one,” Dean said, adding, “We need a real difference. I don’t want to just change presidents.”
Robert Kennedy Jr., representing Kerry, called the race the most important in 40 years and pleaded for party unity once a nominee is chosen.
Dean appeared at pre-caucus rallies in Bangor and Waterville, and made a surprise stop in the small town of Oakland.
Kucinich, who spent more time in Maine than any other candidate, also made several caucus-day appearances.
Edwards, Clark and the Rev. Al Sharpton did not put major campaign efforts in Maine leading up to the caucuses.
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On the Net:
Maine Democrats: http://www.mainedems.org/
AP-ES-02-08-04 2329EST
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