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Dean, Howard

Howard Dean's Comeback Bid in Maine's Democratic Caucuses

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a surprise move, Howard Dean's Democratic presidential campaign made several stops throughout Maine, visiting with about one in five caucusgoers, and seemed to have paid off in Waterville, where he won 123 of 283 votes. However, in the state as a whole, Dr. Dean placed a distant second to Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. Dr. Dean's efforts in Maine aimed to stoke a comeback in next week's primary in Wisconsin, which he has declared a must-win state for his presidential campaign.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Dean visited with about one in five caucusgoers in Maine, a strategy that paid off in Waterville, where he won 123 of 283 votes.
  • Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts won the state as a whole, but Dr. Dean placed a distant second.
  • Dr. Dean's campaign plans to run television advertisements throughout Wisconsin starting Monday, highlighting his biography.
  • The campaign also plans to broadcast an advertisement made by supporters and is polling people online to pick among three such spots.
  • Dr. Dean's media adviser, Steve McMahon, stated that the campaign has no current plans to use advertising to attack Mr. Kerry, but added that they have not ruled anything in or out.
  • Dr. Dean painted Mr. Kerry as a Washington insider beholden to special interests and urged voters not to be swayed by the momentum of Mr. Kerry's victories.

Statistics:

  • Dr. Dean won 123 of 283 votes in Waterville, while Senator John Kerry won 92.
  • Dr. Dean placed a distant second to Senator John Kerry in the state as a whole.
  • The campaign plans to run television advertisements throughout Wisconsin starting Monday.
  • The campaign has no current plans to use advertising to attack Mr. Kerry.
  • Over 4,000 voters attended the caucus at Portland's Deering High.

Sources:

  • "Howard Dean's Comeback Bid in Maine's Democratic Caucuses" by an unknown author, The New York Times, an unspecified date.
  • "Maine Democrats caucus for presidential candidates" by an unknown author, an unspecified publication date.
  • "Dean's campaign tries to rise from the ashes" by an unknown author, an unspecified publication date.

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