With an eye on winning delegates from seven states early next week, Democratic candidates in the US presidential race fanned out across the country today.
Mr John Kerry salutes supporters in Manchester New Hampshire as news of his victory becomes apparant. Photo: Reuters
One day after Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts scored his second consecutive victory, this time in the small northern state of New Hampshire, the contest for the right to take on President George W. Bush in November saw the pack scatter south and west in search of votes in seven contests, from South Carolina to Arizona.
With 97 per cent of votes counted in New Hampshire Mr Kerry had 39 per cent of compared with 26 per cent for closest rival Mr Howard Dean. Senator John Edwards scored 12 per cent, as did retired General Wesley Clark. Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut scored nine per cent.
Much attention is now being focused on South Carolina, the first test for Mr Kerry - the patrician senator from New England - in the South, and the first time the candidates have to compete for a sizable number of black voters.
Mr Kerry was set to arrive in the state after a visit to Missouri, which has the most delegates, 74, at stake next week.
Mr Edwards, fresh from his fourth-place showing in New Hampshire, stressed his southern roots as he returned to South Carolina, the must-win state of his birth.
Mr Dean, who said he was pleased to finish with what he called "a solid second," returned to his home in Burlington, Vermont for a day before going on to South Carolina tomorrow to campaign and participate in a debate.
Mr Clark skipped Iowa to concentrate on New Hampshire and finished third just ahead of Mr Edwards with 13 per cent of the vote
Despite finishing near the bottom with about 9 per cent of the vote in New Hampshire, Mr Lieberman of Connecticut vowed to stay in the race.