Debate takes on issues for 2004

by Julie Kim
Staff Writer

Five days before Super Tuesday and the end of John Edwards’ presidential campaign, both John Kerry and Edwards joked about having each other as a vice presidential nominee at the California democratic presidential debate.

Last Thursday’s discussion, sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and CNN, was the first to be conducted in a sit-down fashion this year.

“It (gives) quick responses and discussions in an informal nature,” said moderator Larry King, also the host of CNN’s top-rated show.

In addition to Edwards and Kerry, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich used the event to discuss their platforms on several controversial issues.

On the topic of gay marriage, Sharpton used slavery as an example of what could happen if states have substantial legal power.

Both Kerry and Edwards opposed the idea of non-traditional unions, but disagreed with President George W. Bush’s recent request to create a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

“He’s playing politics with the Constitution of the United States,” said Kerry, senator of Massachusetts and the front-runner of the Democratic presidential election.

According to national results by MSNBC, Kerry had 72 percent of the votes in his elected state.

He also led in California, the state with the most delegates, winning 116 out of 370 representatives.

In the same primary, the North Carolina Senator was a distant second to Kerry.

Edwards attempted to remove some of Kerry’s momentum by pointing out what he thought was a key difference between the two.

“I am somebody who comes from the same place most Americans come from,” said the Southern politician. He worked at a textile mill to pay for college before becoming a trial attorney.

Kerry tried to present himself as a qualified representative for the American public.

“I’ve had experiences that John (Edwards) hasn’t had,” said the decorated Vietnam veteran.

Failing to place ahead of Kerry in other states besides his native South Carolina, Edwards was Kerry’s last major challenger in the Democratic presidential election.

Although both Sharpton and Kucinich have been trailing in polls, the Ohio representative garnered a surprising 17 percent of the votes in Minnesota, according to MSNBC.

However, Sharpton managed to receive only 2 percent of California votes, trailing behind former candidate Howard Dean.

The Times’ editorial page editor Janet Clayton and political correspondent Ron Brownstein asked the questions for the 90-minute deliberation. Besides airing live on CNN, it was also shown in Iraq.

“Tonight’s debate is an extension of our mission,” said Times editor John Carroll on the publication’s duty to educate readers about the candidates.