Kerry locks up Democratic nomination

WASHINGTON — John Kerry locked up the Democratic presidential nomination Saturday, reaching the magic number of delegates needed to become President Bush's chief rival in the general election, according to an Associated Press tally.

The four-term Massachusetts senator reached the 2,162 delegate mark Saturday afternoon, the AP count found, just as Democrats in Kansas headed to party caucuses.

Amassing the required number of delegates was a mere formality for Kerry after his last main Democratic opponent, John Edwards, dropped out of the race following a disastrous showing on March 2, when 10 states held "Super Tuesday" contests.

"We're certainly pleased to have as many delegates that we do, but John Kerry will continue to fight for as many votes as possible from now up until we arrive in Boston for the (Democratic) convention," campaign spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said.

Kerry hit the magic number early Saturday afternoon thanks to support from "superdelegates" — people who get a vote at the convention in July by virtue of their influence within the party.

Kerry had 2,000 delegates following his commanding wins in primaries in four Southern states last week. He picked up the last 162 needed through superdelegate endorsements and pledges to vote for him at the convention.

Superdelegates don't have to abide by the results of the primary or caucus in their state and can change their mind on who to support at any time.

There will be a total of 4,322 delegates at party convention, with nomination requiring the votes of a simple majority of at least 2,162, through any combination of pledged delegates gained in primaries and caucuses, and superdelegates.

Campaigning in Quincy, Ill., Saturday, in the city that saw a historic 19th century debate, Kerry called for monthly debates with Bush to elevate the tenor of a campaign that's opened with a relentlessly negative tone.

"Surely, if the attack ads can start now, at least we can agree to start a real discussion about America's future," said Kerry, speaking Saturday to about 500 people packed into a school gymnasium.

"America shouldn't have to put up with eight months of sniping," said Kerry. "We need to get off that detour and back into the true path of democracy."

Though eight months remain until the presidential election, Bush has launched an attack ad campaign bashing Kerry, and Kerry has fired back with a campaign of his own. For months, Kerry has bashed Bush as he campaigned against his rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"We confront big issues — as big as any in our history — and they call for a new and historic commitment to a real and informed exchange of ideas," said Kerry. He argued that "2004 can't be just another year of politics as usual."

Kerry made his call in Quincy, the largest city to host the 1858 series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during a Senate campaign eventually won by Douglas. On Oct. 13 of that year, 20,000 people gathered at Quincy to hear the sixth of what would be seven debates between the two men.