Overview
Throughout the pre-campaign period in 2001-02, prominent Democratic presidential hopefuls were out in key states, establishing contacts, cultivating potential supporters, developing messages, and helping to raise money for Democratic candidates and state parties.  Following former Vice President Gore's announcement of his decision not to run on December 15, 2002 the Democratic field began to crystallize.  On September 17, 2003, after considerable hesitation, Gen. Wesley Clark became last Democratic candidate to enter ther race, bringing the field to its peak at ten.  Sen. Bob Graham was the first major candidate to pull out of the race on October 6, 2003.

However, the big story throughout much of 2003 was the campaign of Gov. Howard Dean, which raised record amounts of money for a Democrat, generated considerable buzz, and appeared to place Dean on a solid path to the nomination.  January 2004 produced an entirely different race.  Dean fell short of expectations in the first-in-the-nation Iowa precinct caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.  Sen. John Kerry, seen as the most electable candidate by Democrats wanting to defeat President Bush, gained huge momentum from Iowa and New Hampshire.  On March 3 Kerry's strongest remaining challenger, Sen. John Edwards, withdrew  after failing to win any of the ten Super Tuesday contests.

KERRY
.
FORMER CANDIDATES
KUCINICH 07/22/04	SHARPTON
EDWARDS 3/3/04	DEAN 2/18/04	CLARK 2/11/04	LIEBERMAN 2/3/04
	GEPHARDT 1/20/04	MOSELEY BRAUN 1/15/04	GRAHAM  10/6/03

Former Candidates:
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (OH): Kucinich for President, Inc., U.S. House office ...endorsed the Kerry-Edwards ticket on July 22, 2004.
Reverend Al Sharpton (NY)
Senator John Edwards (NC): Edwards for President, Inc., U.S. Senate office ...withdrew March 3, 2004; endorsed Kerry March 3, 2004.   One America Committee
Governor Howard Dean (VT): Dean for America  ...withdrew Feb. 18, 2004.  Democracy for America
General Wesley K. Clark (ret.): Clark for President, Inc.   ...withdrew Feb. 11, 2004 (Feb. 10 statement); endorsed Kerry Feb. 13, 2004.  WesPAC - Securing America's Future
Senator Joe Lieberman (CT): Joe Lieberman for President, Inc., U.S. Senate office  ...withdrew Feb. 3, 2004.
Congressman Dick Gephardt (MO): Gephardt for President, Inc., U.S. House office, P2000 page ...withdrew Jan. 20, 2004; endorsed Kerry Feb. 6, 2004.
Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun (IL): Carol Moseley Braun for President  ...withdrew Jan. 15, 2004; endorsed Dean Jan. 15, 2004.
Senator Bob Graham (FL): Bob Graham for President, U.S. Senate office  ...withdrew Oct. 6, 2003.
 

Many Opted Not to Run in 2004:
Former Vice President Al Gore, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY), former Senator Gary Hart (CO), maverick Republican Senator John McCain (AZ), and other prospects decided not to enter the race for the White House.
 

Indicators
Money
Iowa: Visits  |  Organization
New Hampshire: Visits  |  Organization  |  Endorsements
National:  Organization  |  Endorsements

Timeline
1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s
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More
Media Links
Season's Greetings 2003.   More Season's Greetings
Season's Greetings 2002.   More Season's Greetings.  Yet More Season's Greetings.
 

Copyright © 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.  All Rights Reserved.