Debruyckere and Bussell spoke with Democracy in Action before Sen. Edwards arrived for the meeting.
 

Q: A crowded field, nine candidates, what are your thoughts?

Debruyckere: I've been doing some work--originally with John Kerry, an event we had recently in Derry at the end of April.  And I've been to a couple of his steering committee meetings.  And so far that's who I think I'm going to support for the rest of the campaign.

But I was watching the debate on C-SPAN a couple weeks ago and I heard Edwards speak and I was very impressed.
 

Q: Was that the South Carolina debate?

Debruyckere: It was the South Carolina debate.  He did very well.  He's very charismatic and when he speaks he just flows....  And I heard from Phil that he was coming to town to speak and I thought that was a great opportunity.
 

Q: So even though you're helping out Kerry, you're still open?

Debruyckere: I'm still open.  I think we both are so far...  So far right now I really do not like George Bush at all.  And the reason I'm putting my energy into a campaign is because I don't want him there in 2004.  So I'm trying to hedge my bets on who I think will do the best and who sends out the best message and who I think has the best potential to win.  And even if that candidate doesn't go through all the way through in the primaries then I will support whovever's going up against him...
 

Q: Graham doesn't fit your--?

Debruyckere: I don't think so.  I think Edwards comes across as more of a people person.  He's a little better known than Graham, even though Graham might have very strong support in the South.  I think Edwards will end up having more in the end because of his personality.
 

Q: What about all that experience Graham has?

Bussell: It's kind of like, what was it George Stephanopoulos posed the quesiton to him in the debate, Sen. Graham it seems like you're running for vice president?  And it seems like he is.  He does have tremendous experience.  And he's got electability in Florida, which obviously is really important, and he's from the South, which has traditionally been very important for the Democrats.

But I don't know.  I think there's probably three or four candidates right now that seem like they have a good chance of winning the nominination.  I would say probably Kerry, Lieberman, Gephardt and Edwards.
 

Q: Not including Dean?

Bussell: I think Dean is--I like some of his message, in particular his opposition to the invasion of Iraq, but I really think he's going to go out in New Hampshire.  I think he's going to make his cameo appearance and that's going to be his high watermark.

I really think that as far as the experience goes and just the overall command of the issues, I think that Kerry has the best shot.  But going back to the importance of a Southern candidate traditionally to the Democrats, I think someone like Edwards has that advantage, but of course the lack of experience--  It might even be an asset.  I don't know.  It's hard to say.  I like Kerry and I like his policies.

Debruyckere: The only thing that really truly bothers me about Kerry is that he did give the go on the war on Iraq.  As great as he's been about speaking out against the war and condemning Bush for his actions, that's always still kind of [a] little thorn in my side about that decision.

Bussell: It does seem like he was kind of hedging his bets.