WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Howard Dean on Iraq and his Presidential Campaign

Howard Dean on Iraq and his Presidential Campaign

Burlington, Vermont - April 8, 2003

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, who opposed the war with Iraq, is careful these days not to criticize the commander in chief. "Clearly the American military has been very successful. They are going to get rid of Saddam and we are going to be in charge of Iraq," said Dean on Tuesday morning. "I am not going to comment on the tactics of the President is using in the war. It is not my policy. I did not support the war first place." said the Democrat who is running for President.

This was a rare day Dean was in state. Since leaving office three months ago, Dean has criss-crossed the country looking for votes. On this day he's in Vermont taping an appearance on Channel 3's "You Can Quote Me."

Dean how has 40 paid staffers and countless volunteers in a cramped office in downtown Burlington. "The people who are really enthusiastic about our candidacy are younger people, said Dean as he prepared to leave for Washington. Volunteers are fluffing up his bank account as well. Dean has nearly two million dollars in campaign contributions--much of it raised over the internet. It's cash Dean needs if the Democrat is to challenge better financed candidates like John Kerry. The Massachusetts Senator is Dean's favorite target these days."Kerry is still going back and forth. On the one hand he calls for a regime change which is anti war rhetoric and on the other hand he voted for it. These people who straddle the fence are going to find they are not going to find a lot of traction because that is not what people want to hear anymore." It's blunt talk that Dean says is attractive to voters. "That's a pretty rare commodity in politics. You see a lot of the other candidates dancing around about these issues. When the issues change, their positions change. People don't like that and they are sick of that", said Dean.

It's a message Dean says is working and he'll keep repeating as he leaves Vermont again headed out on the long road to the White House.

Anson Tebbetts - Channel 3 News