Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Look To Make Strides In Gephardt’s Missouri

St. Louis Congressman Dick Gephardt looks vulnerable – vulnerable enough to attract other Democrats running for President to test the waters in Missouri. Gephardt still remains the favorite to win the Missouri Democratic primary, but two of his opponents: former Vermont Governor Howard Dean and Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts are making plans to stump in Kansas City this fall. Senator John Edwards of North Carolina has made at least one unpublicized visit to Kansas City and Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut is said to be quietly reaching out to Missouri Democrats. Gephardt is seen as vulnerable by his rivals, because public opinion polls indicate Dean is gaining on Gephardt in Iowa and Gephardt had a disappointing second-quarter of fundraising. Missouri does not have a winner-take-all primary, meaning a second place finisher could take some important delegates to the Democratic Convention.