Dean campaigns at caucus sites in bid to stir voters
WATERVILLE, Maine -- After 11 straight primary and caucus losses, Howard Dean attempted to resurrect his presidential campaign yesterday through politicking in its purest essence.
The former Vermont governor put on his wool overcoat, stood out in 14-degree cold to rally supporters, and then worked his way from Bangor to Portland, trying to spur support for his candidacy with a direct appeal to Mainers gathered for their Democratic caucuses. Considering that virtually everyone who heard his pitch was a registered voter about to make their pick in the race, it was the ultimate in direct voter contact.
"I think it makes a difference," Dean said as he walked along shaking hands. "It's just like standing in front of the polls, which I used to do when I was running for governor. People see you in person; that helps."
The unexpected entrance of a principal in the 2004 race impressed many gathered at caucus sites around the state -- from the Bangor Auditorium to a firehouse in Oakland, to the senior high school in Waterville, one of three college towns Dean visited. Of the 283 people who voted in Waterville, 43 percent picked Dean and 33 percent picked the Democratic front-runner, Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts. Former Army General Wesley K. Clark of Arkansas finished third with 10 percent.
Steve Crate, the caucus convener, said afterward, "I think most of the people who came here were already for Dean -- mostly Colby College students -- so his speech was just icing on the cake."
Yet where Dean found support, he also found himself confronted by questions about a candidacy that continued despite a string of losses.
"I'm for you all the way, but I was wondering, what are you going to do following this election, following the Democratic nomination, if you fail? What are you going to do after this? What is your purpose?" one man asked as a group of 43 people caucused in an Oakland firehouse, the smell of diesel in the air from a pair of firetrucks, the walls decorated with portraits of past fire chiefs.
Dean, taken aback by the question, said, "If I don't win the presidential nomination, I'm going to support whoever does win."
The questioner persisted, asking, "What position? You're not governor now. What are you going to go for?"
Dean replied, "I haven't thought about that. All I know is I plan to win. That's why I'm standing right here."
Kerry, a fellow New Englander, tried to match Dean's strategy by dispatching surrogates to each location the former governor had been scheduled to visit. In Bangor, Dean was leaving the auditorium when he bumped into Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was about to address caucusgoers on behalf of a candidate who works alongside his uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
"I've got all the votes already, Bob," Dean quipped, although he was departing 45 minutes before the city caucus began and before most of the voters had arrived.
In Waterville, Dean's appearance was followed by a pitch for Kerry from Representative James P. McGovern, Democrat of Worcester. In Lewiston, Representative Martin T. Meehan, Democrat of Lowell, tried to counter Dean's special-interest criticism of Kerry by highlighting the senator's support for Meehan's signature campaign-finance reform legislation.
Representative Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio, another Democratic presidential candidate, also spoke in Lewiston before Dean took the microphone.
Just before he stepped on stage at Waterville High School, McGovern said: "I'd prefer to have gone before him than after him, but I'm very passionate about John Kerry, and I'm anxious to do my duty here."
Meehan, who also spoke in Auburn immediately after Dean, cited his Bay State colleague's election wins across the country before telling the Lewiston crowd: "It's time for Democrats in this state and throughout the country to come together, because George W. Bush has $200 million, and he's ready to throw it at whoever the Democratic nominee is, and I'm here to tell you, after watching and knowing John Kerry for 25 years, he is ready to fight."
After barnstorming Maine, Dean flew to Wisconsin to campaign in a state in which he has said a loss in the Feb. 17 primary would effectively end his candidacy. After a stop in Madison this morning, he will fly around the state, landing in Green Bay, Stevens Point, and Superior.
Having raised more than $1 million since Dean declared his do-or-die Wisconsin strategy, the campaign also readied to begin airing a biographical ad tonight on Wisconsin television stations. Tomorrow, it will debut a second ad, chosen through Internet balloting, among three commercials produced by Dean's supporters.
While some Democratic leaders are concerned Dean will launch a scorched-earth attack on Kerry, Dean's media consultant, Steve McMahon, told reporters during a conference call: "At the current time, everything we're doing is positive. . . . Folks in Washington who are concerned about this should relax. Everything's going to be fine."
Glen Johnson can be reached at johnson@globe.com.
