South specific: Kerry strikes chord

JOHN KERRY, with only pushovers left in the Democratic race, easily won four Southern primaries on Tuesday to bring him within striking distance of the presidential nomination.

The Massachusetts senator swept Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. He took more than three-quarters of the votes in Florida and Mississippi, and about two-thirds in the other states, with 90% of precincts reporting in Texas and almost all reporting elsewhere.

George W Bush had a notable night of his own, by passing the required 1,255 delegates to wrap up the Republican nomination.

Campaigning for next Tuesday's Illinois primary, Kerry criticised the new prescription drug programme and argued Mr Bush had done little to help the elderly.

"It must be getting lonely for George Bush," Mr Kerry said. "It seems he's the last person left in America who actually believes his failed policies will ever work.

"This president doesn't have a record to run on, only a record to run from, so he's already resorting to personal attacks."

Mr Kerry may soon get help from former rival Howard Dean, reportedly on the verge of an endorsement.

Mr Kerry essentially locked up the contest last week after the departure of chief rival John Edwards. Exit polls of voters in the four states found Mr Edwards a popular choice for Kerry's running mate. More than four in 10 people said they'd like to see him on the ticket.

Ohio's Dennis Kucinich and Rev Al Sharpton, both trailing Mr Kerry distantly, were still in the race, but Mr Sharpton didn't make it on the Louisiana ballot.

The economy was voters' top issue and about four in 10 said their financial situation was worse than four years ago.

As in earlier primaries, many were angry at Mr Bush, especially in Florida, where his brother, Jeb, is governor, and in Texas, his home state, according to the exit polls.

Asked what the US should do now in Iraq, four in 10 Democratic voters said Mr Bush should withdraw all troops, and three in 10 said to withdraw some.

At stake Tuesday in the four states were 465 delegates. Based on early returns, analysts showed the senator with 1,816, but Mr Kerry wasn't expected to reach the magic number of 2,162 until later this month because of the way the party allocates delegates.