Rampant Kerry focuses on Super Seven battle

US SENATOR John Kerry yesterday turned his attention to the 'Super Seven' battle as his runaway New Hampshire victory made him the man to beat in the Democratic presidential race.

Mr Kerry easily won New Hampshire on Tuesday with 39% of the state's primary vote, dealing a new blow to early front-runner Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, who came second on 26%.

Kerry got another huge boost with the news that South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack intend to endorse him. The backing of Democratic congressman Mr Clyburn, the dominant black politician in his state, is critical in South Carolina where almost half the voters in the February 3 primary are expected to be minorities. .