Countdown to Delaware primary

WILMINGTON, Del. - September 8, 2008 - That includes two races where Democrats and Republicans will pick nominees for governor.

On the campaign trail, John Carney spent the day "pressing the flesh," knowing Tuesday's Delaware primary will determine his fate. Having won the race for Lt. Governor twice in a row Carney, a Democrat, now wants to be Governor.

But Jack Markell, Delaware's Democratic state treasurer for the last 10 years, stands in the way.

Markell tells voters universal health care tops his list. It's an issue where the two Democrats differ most.

"We've got 100,000 people in Delaware without insurance. The percentage of uninsured is growing faster in Delaware than it is almost anywhere else," Markell said. "Yet, he wants to continue down this incremental path that we've been on for the last eight years."

"I think the way to do this is to continue to work on affordability so people can afford the plan that is available to them in the marketplace. So, my plan gets us to universal coverage, it just does it in a smarter way," Carney said.

Also on the gubernatorial campaign trail is Bill Lee. The retired Superior Court judge, a Republican, lost the race for governor in the 2004 general election. Back then, education was his major platform issue. This time, it's the economy.

"The economy has become the big issue, and I think when people realize how bad things are, they are going to expect a change," Lee said.

Lee will have to get past Mike Protack Tuesday, a self-proclaimed underdog who will run as a Republican, but will appear as an independent on the November general election ballot.

"People need to understand, politics is a 'go along to get along' process where the results aren't as important as the process. I'm more interested in achieving real results in areas like health care, education and job growth," Protack said.

Polls will open at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8:00 p.m.

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