Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Kerry scores in Tuesday triumph Democratic presidential nomination all but secured, Edwards drops out BY RON FOURNIER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS John Kerry cemented the Democratic presidential nomina tion, driving rival Johp Edwards from the race with a! string of Super Tuesday triumphs that left the Massachusetts senator stand ing alone against President Bush. “Change is coming to America," Kerry said, capping a remarkable six-week run that began with his candidacy bn the brink of extinc tion in Iowa and New Hampshire. Dominating all comers, Kerry won 25 of 28 elections as each vic tory fed on the next in a swell of momentum that persuaded Democrats he could beat Bush. From Edwards’ Southern strongholds to the jobs-poor Midwest states of Ohio and Michigan to the growing Southwest battleground of Arizona and to his own New England base, Kerry racked up victories in a primary season that amplified Democratic criticism of the Republican incumbent. In state after state, Democrats said their top priority was a can didate who could defeat a wartime president with a $100 million-plus campaign treasury. Kerry, a deco rated Vietnam vet overwhelm ing number of their votes, and now leads a relatively united par ty against Bush. The crowd shouted along with him as Kerry delivered his signa ture line: “If George Bush wants to make national security the cen tral issue of 2004,1 have three words that I know he understands — Bring. It. On." Strategists in both parties sav the general election may be one of the nastiest in memory, with both camps seeking to energize their core supporters. In a polarized na tion, there are fewer swing voters to be courted with warm-and-fuzzy politicking, they say. His poll ratings slipping, Bush begins a multimillion-dollar TV ad blitz Thursday designed to bol ster his political, fortunes. Kerry is prepared to dip into Democratic Party coffers to pay for his own V.lit D11/1V1 Vi aa a huge cash ad vantage. Briefly setting aside their dif ferences, Kerry took a congratu latory call from Bush. “You had an important victory ♦ PRIMARIES, SEE PAGE 5 4 >n i; * PHOTq COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., joined by his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry, daughters Alex and Vanessa and stepson Chris Heinz, addresses supporters In Washington, D.C. Fire raises safety issues BY MICHAEL LAFORGIA THE CAMECOCK Last week’s apartment complex fire in Clemson has prompted some USC students to take fire safety measures more seriously. Lt. Billy McAdams of the Clemson University Fire Department said an unattended candle in a lower apartment caused the fire. Mike Mewbome, a second-year electronic journalism student and resident of 820 Henderson St., said the fire at University Ridge affect ed his roommates, who all have friends at Clemson. He said that in the past he and his roommates considered fire alarms more of a nuisance than anything else. “We’ll probably take them more seriously now," he said. For his part, RHA president and third-year history student Adam Hark said he knows stu dents who disregard fire alarms regularly. “I see lots of people who ignore ^ them," Hark, a Woodrow resident, ♦ FIRE, SEE PAGE 3 Lutherans to leave PALM because of budget, denominational issues BY ADAM BEAM THE GAMECOCK Lutheran Campus Pastor Bob Thompson worked hard to get a sign in front of the PALM cam pus ministry house that reflect ed car lights. “We spent $210 worth ... just to get the right logo,” he said. But Thompson is more proud of the sign’s message: Lutheran Campus Ministry. USC’s Lutheran ministry has been a pres ence on campus for the past 50 years, but it hasn’t been alone. It’s part of PALM, a unique ministry organization that combines Lutherans and Methodists. At their January meeting, Lutheran mem bers of PALM’S governing board announced plans to leave PALM and form their own ministry. Budget cuts over the past two years have forced a different kind of discussion at PALM these days, one that involves “de nominational identity” as well as finances. The leaders told the students after the Feb. 15 worship service in the common area of the PALM house. “It’s kind of like a married couple being together for 30 years and then divorcing. You have some of the same kind of emotions that could occur if their parents were getting a divorce,” Thompson said. “Some of them asked me if we as the students had caused this to happen.” ♦ PALM, SEE PAGE 6 Donation to fund proposed center BY GABRIELLE SINCLAIR THE (iAME(U)CK An anonymous business exec utive and USC graduate has do nated $2 million to help fund a pro posed Travel and Tourism Technology Research Development Center in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. Dean Patricia Moody said the donor is a longtime friend to the university. “He is a true philanthropist,” she said. “He has donated this money to help this college and this university in the state of South Carolina.” The college will use the money as a match for its funding propos al to the state’s Research Centers of Economic Excellence review board, requesting $2 million for an endowed professorship and for the center, which would develop new technology industry stan dards, and ultimately work to at tract new technology firms to South Carolina. USC President Andrew Sorensen said that the center, if approved, would give the tourism industry a competitive edge. ♦ GIFT, SEE PAGE 7 Theater lasts during 80-year opening act BY JUSTIN CHAPPELL THK CAMECOCK Columbia’s Town Theatre is the oldest continuously operated com munity theater in America, at tracting an acting entourage for nearly 80 years and earning a spot in the National Register of Historic Places. The theater at 1012 Sumter St. has had a role for the young and old — be it acting, costumes or backstage crew — in creating commu nity theatrical pro ductions since 1924. "There is nothing like live theater — it’s probably the most wonderful feeling," Roy Lynn, 84, who first be came in volved with the theater in 1954, said. Lynn said that when he came back to America af ter serving overseas in World War II, he was interested in perform ing and has since acted in a “cou ple dozen” shows. “I never lost my interest in the theater,” Lynn said. The theater has filled a unique role in the community by provid ing professional resources for am ateur interest. “It is the result of people want ing a vehicle for their stage tal ents," Anita Baker, box office co ordinator who has been involved since 1968, said. The theater was established on these principles — theatrical re sources for and by the communi ty — by a group of families who wanted to provide Columbia with something new in the summer of 1919. Then, five years later, their dream became a reality when con struction of the Town Theatre was completed. Through nearly three-quarters of a century, the original building, which was designed by Columbia architect Arthur W. Hamby, served the needs of the communi ty. In 1992, the theater underwent an extensive $1.2 million renova ♦ THEATER, SEE PAGE 3 ♦ BOWING OUT John Edwards drops out of the presidential race. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 5 ♦ BOXING DAY USC graduate uses gym to give something back to the students. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 3 ♦ BY HIS STRIPES Curtis Chow defends “The Passion' against criticism that it distorts the story of Christ. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 8 ♦ MINE BAN Why the U.S. shouldn't change our policy to end the use of land mines. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 8 ♦ HOLD THE MAYO Bread is only the beginning when it comes to sandwich building. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 9 ♦ BREAKING OUT Spring break survival requires proper packing and preparation. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 9 ♦ CATFIGHT Men’s basketball takes on Kentucky in final home game. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 12 ♦ TOURNEY TIME Women’s basketball plays Georgia in first round of SEC Tournament. FOR MORE SEE PAGE 12 Index Comics and Crossword _ 11 Classifieds_ 14 Horoscopes __ 11 Letters to the Editor_ 8 Online Poll_ 8 Police Report2 Entertainment News 2 USC Calendar 2 Weather visit us TODAY THURSDAY III I High 79 High si online at: Low 56 Low 58 www.dailygamecock.coin; mostly cloudy mostly cloudy The GamefldcldH printed on and warm and warm recycled paper. - *' J'r’ 'S.'-.--. - S ' ■ ■ '.l iS%-r> ^