As rivals sense a weak spot, Dean defends his stance on Iraq

YUMA, Ariz. -- Democrats trailing Howard Dean in the presidential race said yesterday his statement that America is not made safer by the capture of Saddam Hussein raises questions about his political and national security judgment. The former Vermont governor responded by casting himself as the victim of unjustified attacks and said such criticism risks alienating the voters their party needs to win the White House in 2004.

"I think that's typical Washington politics. It's what the American people are sick of and that's why people don't vote, is because of silliness like that. I'm here with a positive agenda," Dean told reporters during a four-city swing through Arizona and New Mexico. "I'm going to keep talking about that and they can talk about what they like."

Senators Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, both trailing Dean in the kickoff voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, said in speeches that Dean's statement Monday and his broader opposition to the Iraq war highlighted weaknesses that Republicans and President Bush will surely exploit in a general election campaign.

Speaking in Manchester, N.H., Lieberman said: "Howard Dean seems to believe if you are just against everything, that's enough. Against removing Saddam Hussein. Against tax cuts. Against knocking down walls of protection around the world so we can sell more products that are made in America, by Americans. Dr. Dean has become Dr. No."

Kerry, speaking in Iowa, said: "I knew my vote" in favor of a congressional resolution authorizing the war "wouldn't be popular in the primaries, but I based it on my experience, not the polls."

Accusing Dean of a foreign policy that would be overly reliant on international consensus, Kerry added: "To follow the path that Howard Dean seems to prefer is to embrace a `Simon Says' foreign policy, where America only moves if others move first."

Dean said those comments, as well as his continued criticism about his rivals' support of the administration's tax cuts and education reform plan, were "simply a way of pointing out our differences."

Backed by a cheering group of supporters assembled by his staff, he said at his news conference: "We have some differences on issues, but I think that that can be separated from personal attack and invective."

In Burlington, Vt., Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi continued the theme, sending an open letter to the eight other Democrats, asking them to cease any involvement in ads attacking Dean. One running in Iowa and South Carolina features the image of Osama bin Laden and says, "Howard Dean just cannot compete with George Bush on foreign policy."

The group backing the ad, Americans for Jobs, Health Care, and Progressive Values, is led by a former donor to Representative Richard A. Gephardt, Democrat of Missouri, who is running for president.

Asked if he thought Gephardt was behind the ad, Dean said: "I hope not, because whoever is behind these ads is not going to get the Democratic nomination and is not going to be elected president."

Arizona has become a crucial battleground in the 2004 primary campaign, because the state is one of more than a half-dozen that will hold primaries and caucuses on Feb. 3, a week after the New Hampshire primary. The most recent public opinion poll in the state showed Dean leading the field.

Yesterday Dean received the endorsement of Bruce Babbitt, the former Arizona governor, Interior secretary, and 1988 presidential contender. Babbitt, addressing a crowd of 650 senior citizens in Sun City, said Dean

is "going to win in Iowa, he's going to sweep New Hampshire, and then it's our turn -- and we've got to deliver."

Glen Johnson can be reached at johnson@globe.com.