The battle for delegates, momentum

Here is a glance at the seven states holding presidential primaries or caucuses Tuesday. Combined, these states account for more than 10 percent of the 2,162 delegates needed to clinch the nomination.

MISSOURI

- Delegates: 74

- 2000 general election winner: Bush

- December 2003 unemployment rate: 5 percent

- Primary voting requirements: Open Democratic and Republican primaries; any registered voter can vote for a candidate from either party.

- The race: Two factors suddenly have made this state into a coveted prize: Sen. John Kerry's surprise rebirth and local son Rep. Richard Gephardt's exit from the race. Plus a large number of delegates are at stake.

Kerry leads in polls in Missouri, but Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, retired Gen. Wesley Clark and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean are waging campaigns in hopes of picking up a few delegates. Under party rules, delegates are divided among strong finishers.

- Delegates: 45

- 2000 general election winner: Bush

- December 2003 unemployment rate: 6.1 percent

- Primary voting requirements: Open Democratic primary; no party registration is required to vote.

- The race: This contest may come down to Kerry vs. Edwards, though Clark also is competing hard.

Kerry, the former Vietnam veteran once had high hopes for South Carolina, with its heavy military population, but in recent months has devoted little money and organizing time here.

Edwards, a South Carolina native, called a victory crucial.

The state poses one of the first tests of whether Kerry, a Massachusetts senator and son of New England, can have broad appeal.

- Delegates: 55

- 2000 general election winner: Bush

- December 2003 unemployment rate: 4.8 percent

- Primary voting requirements: Closed Democratic primary; only voters registered as Democrats by Jan. 5 are eligible to vote.

- The race: The state has enough delegates to be a priority. Dean in particular has built strong organizations here.

- Delegates: 40

- 2000 general election winner: Bush

- December 2003 unemployment rate: 5.1 percent

- Primary voting requirements: Closed Democratic and Republican primaries; only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans by Jan. 9 are eligible to vote in their respective primaries.

- The race: Polls have shown Clark ahead, but Edwards and Kerry aren't far behind. More than one-fifth of likely primary voters are undecided. Four contenders - Clark, Edwards, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich - landed in Oklahoma on Wednesday, hoping to find a spark that will fuel their bids.

NEW MEXICO

- Delegates: 26

- 2000 general election winner: Gore

- December 2003 unemployment rate: 5.7 percent

- Caucus voting requirements: Closed Democratic caucuses; only voters registered as Democrats by Dec. 30 are eligible to vote.

- Delegates: 15

- 2000 general election winner: Gore

- December 2003 unemployment rate: 4.1 percent

- Primary voting requirements: Closed Democratic primary; only voters registered as Democrats by Jan. 13 are eligible to vote.

- Delegates: 14

- 2000 general election winner: Bush

- December 2003 unemployment rate: 3.2 percent

- Caucus voting requirements: Democratic caucuses; participants must sign a sheet saying they backed a Democratic candidate in the last general election or have plans to support a Democrat this year.

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