For Dean, no 'storm' on horizon this time

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The two Day-Glo orange snow caps labeled "The Perfect Storm" stood out amid the muddy winter wear in the crowded Howard Dean "volunteer center" on

Elm Street yesterday like bursts from a brighter past -- when Dean's machine seemed unstoppable and even its oddest choices of phrases seemed like strokes of inspiration. "The Perfect Storm" was the name the Dean campaign gave its volunteer effort in Iowa, when 3,500 young "Deaniacs" shipped in from out of state, bunked at winterized scout camps, and spread out across the state to persuade undecided caucusgoers to back their man.

There will be no "storm" this weekend in New Hampshire, perfect or otherwise. There are no camps of young Deaniacs, huddled like Depression-era bonus armies. More than a thousand young out-of-staters have come on their own, but Dean's New Hampshire campaign is eager to dispel any notion that they are counting on young people to make the difference.

"We're really focusing on New Hampshire natives," said campaign spokeswoman Dorie Clark, taking pains to note that Dean has 3,400 New Hampshire residents canvassing the state. "We have the state divided into more than 200 regions, and each region has a zone captain, and each zone captain has a certain number of Dean Leaders, and each Dean Leader is in charge of bringing 50 voters to the polls.

"Obviously, it works better if they're in-state people," she said. "It makes much more of a difference if you have a candidate recommended by a person you trust, rather than a cold call from a stranger."

That's the lesson the Dean campaign learned in Iowa. Like many weather predictions, the Perfect Storm was a fizzle. Not only were there reports of Iowans expressing outrage at lip-studded teenagers approaching them to talk about Iraq, but the zeal of the young supporters whipped the candidate into such a frenzy that he nearly self-destructed.

All week, Dean has explained that his overheated speech on caucus night was meant to buoy the young volunteers. And, the youngsters said, they got a big charge out of it, like watching a favorite teacher taking a turn in the dunking booth during spring carnival.

"I know they gave Howard a lot of hell over that speech," said Jeremy Palin, 23, one of the two wearing Perfect Storm caps.

"But honestly, that speech is what got me on the plane coming out here. It really pumped me up."

Palin, who joined The Perfect Storm two weeks ago along with 40 classmates from Indiana University, is here by himself in New Hampshire.

"The climate is a lot different here in New Hampshire," Palin said. "When you have only 4 percent of people turning out for the Iowa caucuses, how many can you bring out? How many minds can you change? I think you'll see a real difference here."

Campaign leaders aren't counting on it. They hope to reap the benefits of a more traditional organization. But if they fail, and Dean starts to fade from the scene, his campaign will leave behind a lasting image of those 3,500 young volunteers in orange hats, fanning out into a cold Iowa night.

Dean chose an odd way to boost their spirits, but his love for them seems real. And their devotion to him still makes him the envy of all his rivals.

Peter Canellos can be reached at canellos@globe.com.