Bush, Gore Sweep Western Primaries
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Al Gore and George W. Bush raked in more delegates as voters in three western states took part in the latest round of elections. As CNN's Patty Davis explains, after being reduced to nearly a formality, the contests are still a critical stepping stone to securing the party's nominations.</s>PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With opponents John McCain and Bill Bradley now out of the race, George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore swept Friday's western state contests. In Colorado, Bush scored an overwhelming victory over McCain and Alan Keyes in the Republican race. As for the Democrats, Gore crushed Bradley once again. It was a theme repeated in Utah, Bush trouncing McCain and Keyes, Bradley meeting a similar fate at the hands of Gore. And as expected, Bush did well in Wyoming's County Convention.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vice president, next president of the United States, Al Gore.</s>DAVIS: Al Gore campaigned in Denver last week.</s>AL GORE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to fight for you. I want to fight for your loved ones. I want to fight for your families.</s>DAVIS: Bush hit all three states in a one day flurry of campaigning Thursday.</s>GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know the surplus is not the government's money. The surplus is the people's money.</s>DAVIS: Their goal? Get out the vote and grab the delegates. As of yet, neither candidate has enough to earn their party's nomination, but with Bush and Gore well on their way, the focus is now turning to this fall's general election. Both candidates are trying to raise their profiles and point out their differences. Bush and Gore are expected to repeat Friday's clean sweep again this coming Tuesday, when six southern states including Bush's home state of Texas and Gore's home state of Tennessee go to the polls. Patty Davis, CNN, Austin.</s>O'BRIEN: Al Gore will try to add to his delegate count today as three states hold Democratic contests. The Michigan caucus will award 129 Democratic delegates while the Arizona primary will deliver 47. Minnesota's caucus will be held today and tomorrow and offers 74 Democratic delegates.