John Kerry
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Kerrys rivals wax optimistic
Massachusetts senator goes for third weekend win
Howard Dean braves the cold weather to speak to supporters outside of a caucus site in Bangor, Maine.
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CNN ELECTION EXPRESS
On the campaign trail: The latest Express Line dispatch
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Kerry wins caucuses in Washington state and Michigan.
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Kerry sharpens his attack on the Bush administration.
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GOP may target Kerry by labeling him a “Massachusetts liberal.”
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RELATED
Gallery: Analyzing the results
Gallery: On the campaign trail
Gallery: The candidates, up closer
* Kerry labels Bush extreme
* Dean loses endorsement
* Edwards focuses on the South
* Analyzing Michigan, Washington
* Poll: Kerry has national appeal
DEMOCRATIC CONTESTS
* Sunday, February 8:
Maine caucuses
* Tuesday, February 10: Tennessee and Virginia primaries
*Tuesday, February 17:
Wisconsin primary
When is your primary? For more key dates in the 2004 election season, see our special America Votes 2004 Election Calendar
SPECIAL REPORT
* Complete February 3 results
* Upcoming Races: Washington, Michigan, Maine
* Delegate Scorecard
* Primary Explainer
* Special Report
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BANGOR, Maine (CNN) — Democrats across Maine braved frigid winds Sunday to have their say in presidential caucuses in which 24 delegates to the partys nominating convention are up for grabs.
Front-runner Sen. John Kerry of neighboring Massachusetts entered the Maine contest with the momentum from two dominant first-place showings in Saturdays caucuses in Washington and Michigan.
Kerry also has the endorsements of Maines Democratic governor, John Baldacci, and former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell. A win in Maine would be his 10th victory in 12 primaries and caucuses.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, struggling to revive his once-promising campaign, was the only candidate barnstorming the state Sunday, making stops in six cities, hoping his fellow New Englanders dont give him the cold shoulder.
“Maine folks are just like Vermont people — theyre very independent. And thats a great place to start the turnaround,” Dean said after greeting supporters in Bangor who braved sub-zero wind chill to cheer their candidate.
Results from the caucuses were expected from party officials about 9 p.m.
Dean finished second in both caucuses Saturday. He got 30 percent of the delegate support in Washington, his best showing in any of the nominating contests held so far. But he was nearly 20 points behind Kerry, and 35 points behind him in Michigan.
In an appearance earlier in the day on CNNs “Late Edition,” Dean insisted the race is far from over.
“With 15 percent of the delegates selected so far, I question whether Democrats really want to choose somebody that they dont know much about,” Dean said. “I just think Democrats ought to be very careful about this.
“I hate to totally gild the lily, but in fact our second-place finishes are stronger than any weve