Carter to offer Dean 'words of praise'

Coming after endorsements from Al Gore and Bill Bradley, the tacit offer of support from Carter will align Dean with the most prominent Democrats to run for or claim the White House in recent years, except for former president Bill Clinton, who has vowed to stay out of this year's nomination fight. Aides said Carter will not officially endorse Dean and will remain neutral in the race, but will offer "words of praise."

The Carter appearance also is aimed at bolstering support for Dean in the South, where the battle for the nomination will enter a decisive phase following Monday's caucuses and the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 27.

At the same time, it continues Dean's movement from grass-roots insurgent to establishment candidate, a transformation somewhat at odds with his attacks this week on rivals he has branded "Washington politicians" and "Washington Democrats."

Dean and his aides have argued that such endorsements show his ability to unite the Democratic Party. They also believe they will comfort party donors who have expressed concern that Dean may have a volatile personality and who question his ability to withstand an expected onslaught in the general-election campaign.

The value Dean places on the endorsement is evident in his decision to leave Iowa for an overnight stay and event in Georgia less than 48 hours before Iowans kick off the delegate-selection process with their party caucuses.

"We do not believe this is an endorsement, but it certainly is significant that President Carter is welcoming Governor Dean to his home the day before the Iowa caucuses," said Tricia Enright, Dean's communications director.

The two men plan to have a private meeting and then make a joint public appearance in Carter's hometown of Plains. Dean also plans to attend church with Carter, Enright said.

Dean's advisers originally planned the appearance with Carter for Jan. 4 but had to cancel because of a scheduling conflict. The timing of the rescheduled trip highlights their wish to make a splash as the candidates vie for momentum heading into the voting phase of the campaign. Carter remains a favorite in Iowa.

Like Dean, Carter was a vocal critic of the war in Iraq. The position plays well among Iowa's sizable antiwar movement.

"When he left office, [Carter] was not popular, but if he spoke at the convention this year, he would have a lot of support, largely because he has been such a strong opponent of President Bush and the war in Iraq," said Merle Black, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta. "His politics fit what the party is standing for this year."

Dean spent yesterday at home in Burlington, Vt., a final respite before launching his Iowa push. He made radio and television appearances via satellite that aired in Iowa and New Hampshire, as well as in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, which vote on Feb. 3. He also made television appearances in Michigan, which votes Feb. 7.

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