The Democratic field for the White House swelled to four Thursday as Sen. John Edwards announced his candidacy for president in 2004 and supporters of Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt announced formation of a presidential exploratory committee in the coming days.
The field is likely to grow to a half dozen or more in the next week or so–almost two years before the 2004 election.
Edwards, 49, announced Thursday he was entering the race for president, saying, “I want to be a champion for the people I have fought for all my life: regular people.” He joined Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry in the fast-growing Democratic field.
Supporters of the 61-year-old Gephardt put out a statement late Thursday saying a reception to benefit his exploratory committee would be held Jan. 22.The Democrats in the field will compete for a chance in the 2004 elections to face President Bush, whose popularity has been high in the 16 months since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But the Bush administration faces an uncertain economy and growing international problems.
Bush said Thursday he is not paying attention to the growing field of Democrats jockeying for the right to challenge him. He is too busy to pay any mind to “a lot of verbiage and a lot of noise and a lot of posturing and a lot of elbowing” on the Democratic side, he told reporters after a tour of his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
“One of these days, somebody will emerge, and we’ll tee it up, and see who the American people want to lead,” Bush said. “And until that happens, I’m going to be doing my job.”
Declared Democratic candidates.
Howard Dean: The outgoing governor of Vermont is a doctor who has placed health care at the centerpiece of his national agenda. He formed a presidential campaign committee last spring and has been an outspoken critic of Bush’s approach to Iraq.
John Edwards: A first-term senator from North Carolina, Edwards made a fortune as a trial lawyer in personal injury cases. The telegenic 49-year-old has tried to turn his lack of experience into an asset, appealing to Democrats seeking a new face to take on Bush.
John Kerry: The three-term senator from Massachusetts, a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded the Silver Star, joined the race in December. He is among the most aggressive Democrats in criticizing Bush, particularly in foreign affairs, although he backed the Senate’s Iraq resolution last year.
Richard Gephardt: An unsuccessful presidential candidate in 1988, Gephardt stepped down as Democratic House leader after Democrats lost House seats in November’s election.
