LAS VEGAS: Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. John Kerry easily vanquished his rivals in the Nevada and District of Columbia caucuses Saturday, building on the stack of delegates he needs for his party's nomination.
Kerry, the only candidate to campaign in Nevada, outdistanced second-place finisher Howard Dean in caucuses that unexpectedly drew thousands of people, surprising state officials who saw less enthusiasm four years ago.
In Washington, D.C., Kerry finished far ahead of his nearest opponent, Al Sharpton.
Forty delegates were at stake in Saturday's contests.
A crowd of about 6,000 Democrats overwhelmed Chaparral High School in Las Vegas, forcing caucus activities to move outside to the football field.
The number of Democrats attending was about 10 times greater than the number that showed up for previous caucuses, said state Democratic Party spokesman Jon Summers.
The high attendance may have been due partly to Kerry's brief appearance at the school early in the day.
Many people stayed to participate in the caucus after the Massachusetts senator had left.
"I'm astounded and grateful for everybody coming out, but we have to go caucus," Kerry said before he headed back to Wisconsin, which on Tuesday holds a primary seen as crucial in the battle to find a challenger to President Bush.
Nevada is considered a tossup for the fall election, so Summers and other Democratic officials were excited, believing that the unexpectedly high turnout may indicate that state Democrats are motivated to unseat Bush.
"I've been in Nevada Democratic politics since 1968, and I've never [seen] a crowd like this in all my years," U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley roared to packed bleachers of cheering Democrats at the high school football field.
Daniel Holleran of Henderson, Nev., said: "Now this is what I call fielding a candidate!"
But some Democrats were irritated by the disorganization of the suddenly alfresco caucus.
"This is a little aggravating, because here we stand with no idea what's going on whatsoever," said William Wraith of Las Vegas.
"But you know, I'd rather be a Democrat and spend days out here than the alternative."
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