Antiwar candidate targets Lynch

The day after Ned Lamont's victory over US Senator Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut Democratic primary, Philip Dunkelbarger hit the campaign trail in Massachusetts' Ninth Congressional District with a simple message.

``People are making a very clear statement to Democrats who may have been complicit in this disaster in Iraq," Dunkelbarger told a group of residents of the Orchard Cove senior retirement community in Canton Wednesday morning. ``Yesterday was Lamont-Lieberman. Today starts Dunkelbarger-Lynch."

The 57-year-old Westwood businessman, an activist in Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign, is challenging Representative Stephen F. Lynch, a three-term Democratic congressman from South Boston who voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq .

Dunkelbarger is trying to tap antiwar sentiment in the Boston-south suburban district in the same way that Lamont rode a wave of opposition to the conflict in Iraq.

``People are fed up with politicians generally and in particular the incumbents who they think created this mess," Dunkelbarger said in an interview.

Lynch, who won office in a 2001 special election and has not faced a major challenge since, dismisses comparisons to Lieberman.

He said he has a much stronger record than Lieberman on traditional matters of concern to Democrats, including health care, the environment, consumer rights, labor issues, and veterans affairs.

He also defends his record on Iraq. He said he has filed legislation calling for a phased withdrawal of troops from the country.

``Most people understand it is not a situation where we can walk to the airport and fly home," Lynch said. ``We have 136,000 people on the ground."

In Massachusetts' all-Democratic congressional delegation, Lynch is the only one with opposition in the Sept. 19 primary.

The Ninth District stretches from southern sections of Boston to Bridgewater and covers all or part of 21 municipalities in Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol counties. The diverse district has well-to-do suburbs, older urban areas, and small towns.

Many analysts and Democratic Party leaders project that Lamont's victory will have repercussions for Democrats in the 2008 election, especially the race for president. However, it does not appear likely to shake up many Democratic contests this year.

Amy Walter, an analyst for the influential Washington-based Cook Political Report, said she does not see any incumbent House or Senate Democrats in trouble from antiwar primary challengers. She noted that many states have already had their primaries.

The most prominent Democratic incumbent with an antiwar challenger now is New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is heavily favored over Jonathan Tasini.

Peter Ubertaccio, a political scientist at Stonehill College, said the Iraq issue is more likely to affect races that involve a national figure like Lieberman, a former vice presidential nominee . He said he does not see a big threat to Lynch because of the war.

``Local races still tend to be dominated by local issues," Ubertaccio said.

Unlike Lamont, a wealthy businessman who spent more than $3 million of his own money on his campaign, Dunkelbarger is running on a shoestring. As of June 30, he had a little more than $2,000 in his treasury, while Lynch had more than $1 million.

In his appearance at Orchard Cove, Dunkelbarger found a receptive audience of about 50 seniors, brought together by a recently formed antiwar group, Grandparents for a Just Society.

``He's not your usual politician," said Bernard Redmont, an Orchard Cove resident and retired dean of Boston University's College of Communication. ``He feels very strongly about the issues, and that resonates here."

Larry Fuchs, who chaired George McGovern's presidential campaign in Massachusetts, compared Dunkelbarger with the Rev. Robert Drinan. In 1972, Drinan, an anti-Vietnam War candidate, upset incumbent Massachusetts congressman Philip Philbin in the Democratic primary.

``It looks like a miracle now, but it can be done," said Fuchs, an Orchard Cove resident.

Lynch's supporters dismiss Dunkelbarger as a threat. With a strong record of constituent service and delivering aid to local communities, Lynch should coast to reelection, his backers believe.

``He's a hands-on politician and congressman," said state Representative Kathleen M. Teahan, a Whitman Democrat. ``I don't think people in this district are one-issue voters."

Jim Regan, a plumber for the Braintree public schools, noted the blue-collar roots of Lynch, a former ironworker.

``He is the one that represents me -- the guy who wears work boots and carries a pail to work. He represents the values we have," Regan said.

Robert Preer can be reached at preer@globe.com.