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Full Coverages>World>US Election>Backgrounder | |
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What's happened so far in the race to the White House Chronology Key events along the campaign trail for the Nov. 2004 US presidential elections. August 30, 2004 Republican National Convention begins at Madison Square Garden in New York while more than 200,000 demonstators marched with anti-Bush banners like"No War" past a heavily fortified Rupublican convention hall. GOP convention protest covers miles of New York street July 29, 2004 John Kerry was officially nominated on late Wednesday by the Democratic Party as its presidential candidate to face President George W. Bush in the Nov. 2 elections. US Democrats nominate Kerry for president July 26, 2004 Democrats open their national convention in Boston with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter urging party to unite behind Kerry and beat Bush in November. July 20, 2004 Bush's re-election campaign had raised $226 million while Kerry collected $185 million, both party records. July 6, 2004John Kerry on Tuesday chose former rival John Edwards as his running mate, selecting the smooth-talking Southern populist over more seasoned politicians in hopes of injecting vigor and small-town appeal into the Democratic ticket. March 12 2004 March 10 2004 March 9 2004 March 8 2004 March 5 2004 March 4 2004 March 3 2004 March 2 2004 February 24, 2004 Ralph Nader, facing the wrath of Democrats who blame him for Al Gore's loss in 2000, on Monday offered words of advice to party members who fear his candidacy will help re-elect U.S. President Bush. As an independent, Nader said he decided to run because both major political parties refused to address a list of issues that will form the basis of his campaign, including a push for public financing of elections, a universal, single-payer health care system and revising the tax system to ensure wealthy citizens and corporations pay their fair share. Nader to angry Democrats: relax, rejoice February 11 2004 Wesley Clark calls time on his first bid for public office after a poor showing in the crucial Tennessee and Virginia primaries. After a week spent battling with John Edwards to win votes in the south, Mr Clark is forced to quit after running out of both cash and support. Mr Edwards battles on, but John Kerry takes the plaudits as a north-eastern liberal wins in the south for the first time. Howard Dean, who sits out these two primaries, plans a "last stand" in Wisconsin. Wins in south take Kerry close to clinching Democratic race, Clark quits February 8 2004 Before the campaign heads south, the small New England state of Maine also votes for John Kerry. Only 20,000 people vote - but that is almost twice as many as in the 2000 election. Howard Dean comes second, but fails to make a real impression on what is almost home territory. The win is Mr Kerry's 10th from 12 contests held so far. February 7 2004 There are more victories for John Kerry, this time in Michigan and Washington - big states which send plenty of delegates to the Democratic convention. Mr Kerry wins easily, taking around 50% of the vote in both states. Struggling Howard Dean finishes a good second in Washington, but loses the support of a key union. Candidates begin to think about the forthcoming southern primaries. Kerry wins Michigan and Washington February 3 2004 John Kerry wins in Arizona, Delaware, Missouri, New Mexico and North Dakota, but faces criticism that he is not a national candidate to carry the conservative south. Welsey Clark takes Oklahoma, and John Edwards his native South Carolina. Joe Lieberman drops out of the race. Kerry wins four states, Edwards nets one January 27 2004 With his campaign revitalised, it is John Kerry who now looks unstoppable. He takes the north-eastern state of New Hampshire with 39% of the vote against 25% for Howard Dean. Wesley Clark and John Edwards pretty much tie for third place, with arounnd 12% of the vote. January 20 2004 George Bush begins his re-election campaign with the annual state of the union address. He declares the US to be on a mission to "lead the cause of freedom", he scales down his claims over Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and he argues that Saddam Hussein's removal has made the world "a better and safer place". On domestic issues, he outlines plans to spend $120m (￡66m) on job retraining and expansion in public health insurance - both traditionally Democratic themes. Bush to set re-election themes in speech January 19 2004 Despite polls showing his rivals closing in on his lead, most are taken by surprise when Howard Dean, the frontrunner, comes third in the first of the Democratic votes to choose a candidate - including, apparently, Mr Dean himself. His "I have a scream" concession speech becomes an internet and late night talkshow hit for all the wrong reasons, with Mr Dean shrilly vowing to "take back the White House". John Kerry wins, John Edwards takes second place, and Richard Gephardt stands down. January 15 2004 Carol Moseley Braun becomes the first of the nine Democratic hopefuls to drop out of the race for the White House. The only woman, and one of two African Americans running for the party's nomination, she says she cannot compete in terms of fundraising and organisation, and urges her supporters to back Howard Dean. January 13 2004 Mr Dean wins Washington DC, a nonbinding primary. January 8 2004 George Bush moves to woo America's fast growing Hispanic community by proposing a guest worker programme which would legalise the status of millions of illegal immigrants. Bush plans immigrant legalization reforms December 9 2003 Former vice-president Al Gore announces his endorsement of Howard Dean. Gore points the Democrats towards Dean November 10 2003 Mr Kerry fires his campaign manager and long-time adviser Jim Jordan. September 17 2003 Retired General Wesley Clark, the former commander of Nato, announces he will seek the Democratic nomination. February 18 2003 African-American woman joins White House hopefuls: Former senator Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois announces she will seek the Democratic nomination. Febraury 17 2003 Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio says he will seek the Democratic nomination. January 21 2003 Civil rights activist Al Sharpton announces he will seek the Democratic nomination. January 13 2003 Connecticut senator Joseph Lieberman, who unsuccessfully sought the vice presidency on Al Gore's ticket in 2000, announces he will seek the Democratic nomination. January 6 2003 Representative Richard Gephardt of Missouri says he will seek the Democratic nomination. January 2 2003 North Carolina senator John Edwards announces he will seek the Democratic nomination. December 15 2002 Former vice president and presidential candidate Al Gore said he would not make another run for the White House. Al Gore not to seek White House in 2004 December 1 2002 Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts announces he will seek the Democratic nomination for president. August 7 2002 Vice-president Dick Cheney says he will run for a second term with George Bush. May 31 2002 Former Vermont governor Howard Dean enters the presidential race. |
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