For Sen John Kerry, D-Mass., \Super"" has been the operative term for the last 24 hours. Not only was it ""Super Tuesday,"" the biggest opportunity for the Democratic nominees to win delegates, but it appeared to be a ""super"" night for Kerry as he overwhelmingly won nine of 10 states up for grabs Tuesday night. Vermont was the only state with a non-Kerry victory, with Howard Dean placing first. ""Thank you to voters from coast to coast who have truly made this a Super Tuesday,"" Kerry told a cheering crowd in Washington.
To add to Kerry's celebrations, CNN announced Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., will officially leave the presidential race today once he returns to North Carolina. Along with the delegate majority and Edwards' resignation, Kerry's Democratic nomination is all but clinched. Appearing once the polls were officially closed, Kerry announced his victory and thanked his supporters for their dedication to his cause.
""Get ready, a new day is on the way,"" he said.
Yet even as the Democratic primaries are drawing to a close, preparations for the November elections have already begun. Minutes before Kerry made his celebratory speech, President George Bush called Kerry to congratulate him on his victory. At the same time, Bush's campaign headquarters announced plans to release their first political ad Thursday.
Kerry also used his celebratory speech to begin his attacks on Bush.
""The Bush administration has run the most inept, reckless, arrogant and ideological foreign policy in the modern history of our country. And we will reverse that course."" Kerry said.
He also outlined his plans to repeal Bush's tax cuts, reduce the deficit, examine alternative fuel sources and fix the nation's health care and manufacturing woes.
Also, Kerry bashed Bush's request for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as an institution between one man and one woman.
""[Bush] has no right to misuse the most precious document in our history in an effort to divide this nation and distract us from our goals,"" he said.
Patrick Murphy, a political science professor at the University of San Francisco, said although Kerry does not believe in same-sex marriages, he also does not think the institution is threatened to the extent that a constitutional amendment is concerned.
Murphy said he believes now is the time for Kerry to relax his attacks on Bush and re-organize his campaign in preparation for November.
""It's sort of the sports team that's going into the playoffs and has a chance to get healthy. They're worn out, they need some sleep,"" he said.
George Twigg, Wisconsin State Director for Kerry's campaign, agreed, saying he believes Kerry will spend the next few weeks getting organized and rebuilding his campaign. For now, Twigg said Kerry will step back and focus on more pressing issues, such as choosing a running mate.
Most experts predict Edwards will be Kerry's running mate, but Kerry's supporters are unsure how Kerry will decide on a running mate.
""I personally like Edwards. He's a great complement to the ticket and he has some pull n the South,"" said Jim Witkins, a web-master who designed an unofficial Kerry site, www.independentsforkerry.org.
In response to criticisms that Kerry and Edwards lack any type of chemistry, Professor Murphy pointed out, ""Bush and Cheney also had no chemistry. Chemistry has never been a prerequisite for getting into the White House.""
In terms of the presidential elections, Kerry's job has just begun. According to Murphy, Kerry must somehow raise enough money to counter Bush's $150 million ""war chest,"" which far outweighs Kerry's estimated $36 million in campaign funds. Also, Kerry must keep the momentum of his campaign rolling until the Democratic National Convention in July.
Twigg also stressed the importance of a unified Democratic Party in the upcoming months.
""It's only with the entire political party behind [Kerry] that he has a chance of winning this election,"" he said. ""The Bush campaign is going to try and exploit differences within the party, but Kerry will not back down from a fight, no matter how long the odds.\
