Though it is its own community with a unique history, political character and residents, Rappahannock County did not resist the tide Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is riding in the race to become the Democratic presidential nominee.

According to the Virginia State Board of Elections, Kerry conquered Rappahannock County even more soundly than he did the rest of the state -- winning 54.43 percent of the vote in the county compared to 51.50 percent statewide.

"I figured that's what was going to happen," said Rappahannock resident Ann Pankow. "My friends and I were just waiting to see who was going to drop out after this."

Indeed, the morning after the Feb. 10 Virginia and Tennessee primaries, retired Gen. Wesley Clark bowed out of the race after posting a distant third in both states.

For Rappahannock resident Elizabeth Lee, voting was still an exciting experience, even if the polls spoiled any surprises.

"I wish I could have done it twice," said Lee, who drove friends to the voting booths.

Lee, who voted for Kerry, is equally enthusiastic about the Massachusetts senator's chances in the general election. "He's got huge potential. I think he'll even draw Republicans."

Lee was not the only Rappahannock resident motivated to go to the polls. Voter turnout in the county of about 7,000 residents was 12.97 percent, compared to 9.24 percent statewide. It was also much larger than the last primary.

"We were pleasantly surprised, even though it's such a small amount, that 654 people voted," said Nancy Newlin, chief registrar for the county. "In the last primary we had 132 people that voted."

Newlin attributed the higher volume to increased awareness.

"The local Democratic Party worked hard to get the information out. Also the news was focusing more on the early Virginia primary," she said

The lead story in the county's local newspaper, the Rappahannock News, following the primary was the increased voter turnout. The paper also covered a weekend gathering put together by the Rappahannock County Democratic Committee meant to rally voters.

Julie Emery, secretary of the committee, was one party member who was working to get out the vote. She is also a volunteer with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's campaign, and while she was happy so many people participated in the primary she was saddened by Dean's poor performance in both the county and the state.

"Obviously disappointing from my perspective, though not surprising," she said. "We saw it coming."

Although Dean is no longer the front-runner, Emery said she and her fellow supporters can still use the massive Internet network generated by his campaign.

"The bonds are strong enough that we can continue these meetings and if Dean is not the nominee, maybe whoever the nominee is can use this forum, or perhaps we can work towards other causes," Emery said. "I don't think all the support and interest Dean generated will go to waste."

Regardless of the final Democratic nominee, they will still have a long hill to climb to capture the southern rural communities like those in Rappahannock County, Va.

-- By Chris Nammour, Online NewsHour