By ANNE SAUNDERS The Associated PressConcord--Democrat Howard Dean's stance against the war in Iraq has brought him supporters from across party lines in New Hampshire.
Hilary Cleveland of New London, wife of the late congressman James Cleveland, and a prominent campaigner for both President Bushes, is helping organize a Republicans-for-Dean movement.
Dean announced the names of 40 Republicans who will serve on a steering committee. Cleveland says she's been a lifelong Republican, but will switch her party registration to independent so she can vote for Dean in the primary.
Cleveland was the New London co-chair for George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign and was the state finance chair Bush’s father in 1980.
"I have been disappointed in the Bush Administrations policies in Iraq, and Former Gov. Dean has best articulated why we should not have gone to war in Iraq. I like his emphasis on the importance of internationalism and his fiscal program," Cleveland said.
“I’m a moderate Republican and moderate Republicans did stress the need for international involvement in Iraq, and moderate Republicans have always spoken out for fiscal integrity,” she said.
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Republican political consultant David M. Carney, who ran Bob Dole's 1996 New Hampshire campaign and was White House political director in the presidential administration of George H.W. Bush, said Dean is a candidate “our party needs to take seriously.”
“I think Howard Dean is our biggest threat,” Carney said, adding that Senate and House members running for the Democratic nomination could be more “target rich” because they have cast hundreds of votes on controversial issues that could be used against them.
“He's a governor who for 11 years balanced budgets; there are a lot of businesses in Vermont who considered him a pro-business governor; he's got a 100 percent rating with the {National Rifle Association},” Carney said. “There's a passion there that's really scary. He could ignite people who haven't participated in the process. … He's certainly beatable on his positions, but I don't think many people think it's a slam dunk. I don't know anyone lately {who} thinks that.”
http://www.post-gazette.com/election/20030907targetdean0907p2.asp