A look at the emerging Democratic field of presidential candidates for 2004

<br>The Democratic field for president in 2004 grew to four Thursday with the entrance of Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and confirmation that outgoing House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt is forming

Friday, January 3rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Democratic field for president in 2004 grew to four Thursday with the entrance of Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and confirmation that outgoing House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt is forming an exploratory committee. That group of candidates could grow in the next week or so to more than a half-dozen who will compete for the right to challenge President Bush.

Here's a glance at their plans for the 2004 race:

JOE BIDEN: The U.S. senator from Delaware is actively considering another run and is being encouraged by party activists who respect his longtime expertise in foreign affairs.

WESLEY CLARK: The retired general who was supreme commander of NATO is reportedly considering a bid for the White House. Party officials in early states like Iowa say Clark has been in touch with state and local political leaders to discuss a possible bid.

HOWARD DEAN: The Vermont governor is already running for president and hopes his early grass-roots work in states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina will keep his low-budget effort alive into the next wave of contests.

TOM DASCHLE: The Senate Democratic leader from South Dakota is strongly leaning toward a run for the White House, though associates say the final decision won't be announced until the middle of the month.

CHRISTOPHER DODD: The senior senator from Connecticut is considering a run for president, though aides don't indicate he's close to announcing a decision soon.

JOHN EDWARDS: The senator from North Carolina announced Thursday he is running for president, and cast his relative inexperience as a freshman lawmaker as an asset, saying he wants to be a champion for ``regular people.''

DICK GEPHARDT: The Missouri representative has decided to form a presidential exploratory committee in the next few days and supporters are planning a fund raising reception Jan. 22 to announce his run for president. He hopes to capitalize on his national political network, strong ties to labor and experience running a failed presidential bid in 1988.

BOB GRAHAM: The Florida senator and former governor is actively considering a run for president and could announce a decision later this month. His extensive congressional background in foreign policy and intelligence gathering could catch voters' attention.

JOHN KERRY: The Massachusetts senator has already formed an exploratory committee and is busy raising money and building a veteran political team. The Vietnam war hero is counting on his resume as a decorated soldier and former prosecutor to fend off attacks that he is a northeastern liberal.

JOSEPH LIEBERMAN: The Connecticut senator who was Al Gore's running mate in 2000 is widely expected to join the race in the next week or so. Lieberman was freed from his pledge not to run if Gore did because Gore said Dec. 15 he would forgo the race in 2004.

AL SHARPTON: The civil rights activist from New York City plans to file papers for an exploratory committee in about three weeks, aides said.