Presidential Campaign Trail

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VPR’s complete coverage of Governor Howard Dean’s run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Review NPR’s coverage of all nine Democratic candidates.

Lieberman unveils health care plan October 28, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Lieberman unveiled a plan to provide health care to all Americans Tuesday afternoon at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Lieberman wants to establish new federal insurance pools for people who can’t afford to purchase traditional private coverage.

Dean’s campaign finance dilemma October 28, 2003
Howard Dean’s fundraising success presents a tough dilemma for the Democratic presidential candidate. Dean must decide whether his campaign will accept federal matching funds to continue the race next year. If he takes the money, he’ll have to sharply limit spending though next year’s Democratic convention. Dean says he hasn’t yet decided what to do.

Kucinich calls Dean television ads untrue October 24, 2003
Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is calling on Howard Dean to stop running a television ad in New Hampshire. The Ohio Congressman says the ad is untruthful. Deans says Kucinich is off the mark because the ad was meant to target just the top Democrats in the presidential field.

DC primary may boost Dean’s appeal October 21, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean plans to wage an active campaign to win a primary in the District of Columbia. The D.C. primary is being held six days before the Iowa caucuses and the Dean campaign is hoping that a win will show that Dean’s message is being strongly supported by African-American voters.

Dean issues third quarter fundraising report October 15, 2003
The Internet remains a money machine for presidential candidate Howard Dean. About half of the $14.8 million that Dean collected over the last three months came from online donations.

Iraq resolution one year later October 13, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean is on the offensive over the congressional resolution authorizing military action against Iraq. Dean says his opposition to the resolution shows better judgment than his opponents in the race, who voted for the resolution. He says these candidates should admit to the American people that they made a mistake.

Interview: Candidates debate in Phoenix October 10,2003
VPR’s Mitch Wertlieb and analyst Hamilton Davis discuss how the nine Democratic presidential candidates faired in Thursday night’s debate in Phoenix, Arizona. Davis is the former editor of the Burlington Free Press and a contributor to a forthcoming book on Howard Dean, a candidate in the race.

Analyst calls Dean frontrunner in Iowa race October 8, 2003
According to Iowa State University political science professor Steffan Schmidt, there’s no doubt that Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean has emerged as the front runner in the race to win the Iowa caucuses.

Dean proposes national ‘Success by Six’ program October 7, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean rolled out the first part of his early childhood education plan on Tuesday. The program is modeled directly after the “Success by Six” initiative that Dean implemented in Vermont.

Dean makes campaign pitch to DNC October 3, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean told members of the Democratic National Committee on Friday that his campaign is an effort to restore dignity to the United States. Dean says the time has come for Democrats to stand up for the core values they believe in.

Third quarter fundraising ends September 30, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean is set to reach his goal of raising $15 million dollars in the last the months. The effort shatters the previous record for a Democratic candidate in the same time period by 50%.

Democrats debate in New York City September 25, 2003
Neal Charnoff interviews WNYC’s Jim Colgan after the Democratic presidential debate in New York City. They discuss the tense exchanges between Dean and other candidates, and the impression made by Wesley Clark in his first appearance with the other nine candidates.

Dean rallies supporters in Boston September 23, 2004
Neal Charnoff talks with WBUR’s Fred Thyce, who attended Howard Dean campaign rally in Copley Square in Boston. Dean said his campaign is not about whether he’ll be the Democratic nominee, but who will protect the nation’s ideals from the Bush administration, and what he called the “extreme right wing”.

Gephardt compares Dean to Gingrich September 12, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt is highlighting his differences with Howard Dean on Social Security and Medicare. In a conference call with reporters on this afternoon, Gephardt compared Dean’s position on these issues in 1995, with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Dean says he’s disappointed that Gephardt is resorting to scare tactics and guilt by association.

Dean tries to widen base with Hispanic voters September 11, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean has surged past his rivals with his aggressive use of the Internet. But the supporters who’ve shown up so far for his rallies and campaign events are overwhelmingly white. Dean has yet to break through and connect with minority voters who are a core Democratic constituency. The former Vermont governor was in New Mexico last week to woo Hispanics.

Democratic contenders debate in New Mexico September 5, 2003
Howard Dean took criticism on his trade policies and health care plan Thursday night in the Democratic presidential debate held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But Dean’s rivals for the nomination were mostly subdued in their criticism of the former Vermont governor, who is now considered a frontrunner the race.

Interview: Candidates prepare for debate September 4, 2003
Thursday evening in New Mexico, the eight candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination will meet in a debate for the second time. VPR’s John Dillon is in Albuquerque and reports on the preparations and expectations for the debate.

Dean urges supporters to mobilize September 3, 2003
Howard Dean took his presidential campaign to New Mexico on Wednesday and asked his followers to redouble their efforts to sign up new volunteers.

Interview with Judy Dean, Part 2
For all of Howard Dean’s political life, his wife Judy has maintained a private profile. In the second part of Judy Dean’s conversation with Bob Kinzel, the wife of the former Vermont governor talks about the major influences in her life and the importance of her medical career.

Interview with Judy Dean, Part 1 September 2, 2003
Howard Dean’s presidential campaign is in high gear, and pressure could build on Judy Dean to be on the campaign trail; pressure she says she’d resist. Listen to Judy Dean’s interview with VPR’s Bob Kinzel about this issue and how she feels about the former governor’s presidential bid.

Public financing dilemma August 26, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean has reached his goal of raising a million dollars during his four-day campaign swing across the country. Dean’s surprising success at raising money is causing him to reconsider his pledge to take public funds for his campaign.

Edwards meets voters in New Hampshire August 22, 2003
VPR continues its presidential coverage from New Hampshire, where North Carolina Senator John Edwards was looking for votes.

Dean campaigns on renewables August 22, 2003
VPR continues its presidential coverage from New Hampshire, where former Vermont governor Howard Dean was looking for votes.

Dean begins campaign for Washington state August 4, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean says his strong fundraising efforts in recent months will allow him to set up campaign organizations in a number of critical states after the New Hampshire primary. The Dean campaign is now focusing on the state of Washington.

Firefighters campaign against Dean August 1, 2003
Vermont firefighters have contacted their New Hampshire counterparts to tell them that Howard Dean doesn’t have their support in his campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination. The Professional Firefighters of Vermont says that during his time as governor, Dean was not pro-labor or pro-firefighter.

Native Americans criticize Dean’s civil rights record July 30, 2003
Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean could have opposition from an unexpected quarter in Vermont in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Small contributions in large numbers July 17, 2003
Former Governor Howard Dean is third among Democrats for the money raised so far in the presidential race. But Dean leads the pack in the number of individual donors who have given to his campaign. Political observers say Dean’s use of the Internet – and his ability to reach out to small contributors – has changed the way campaigns are financed.

Dean’s online fundraising July 3, 2003
Howard Dean’s presidential campaign has become an Internet cash machine. Dean raised $7.5 million in the last three months. About $3 million was collected online in the last week of June. The fundraising success stems from a number of factors, including a loyal core of young supporters, and the campaign’s skillful use of technology.

Text of Dean’s announcement speech June 23, 2003
Read the text or listen to VPR’s broadcast from Church Street, and see pictures from the day of the speech.

Dean announces candidacy in Burlington June 23, 2003
Former Vermont governor Howard Dean officially kicked off his presidential campaign on familiar turf on Monday. Dean told several thousand people gathered at the Church Street Marketplace that he’s running to help restore traditional values to the country.

Old friends and new rally for Dean June 23, 2003
On Monday, old friends and new political supporters gathered on Church Street for Howard Dean’s campaign kick off. The crowd of several thousand included people who worked with Dean in his early days as a community activist in Burlington.

NPR News story: Dean’s Vermont record June 22, 2003
In the national campaign, Dean is widely perceived as one of the most left-leaning of the nine Democratic contenders. But that’s not how everyone in Vermont remembers him. (John Dillon reports for NPR News.)

Dean makes “house calls” in NH June 13, 2003
Former governor Howard Dean has unveiled a new theme for his campaign to win the Democratic presidential nomination. Dean, the only physician in the race, is making “house calls” to health care centers to promote his plan to provide universal access to health care.

Dean to make formal announcement in Burlington June 5, 2003
Governor Howard Dean will formally announce his presidential candidacy in Burlington later this month. Deputy Campaign Manager Bob Rogan says even though Dean has been actively seeking the Democratic nomination for a number of months, the governor felt it was important to present Vermonters with a clear vision of his candidacy.

Meet Up events draw Dean supporters June 5, 2003
In an effort to boost his run for president, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean has made extensive use of the Internet. Dean has raised over a million dollars online and, using a relatively new web site, he’s also raised his profile. More than 30,000 people signed up online to take part in Dean campaign events across the nation Wednesday night.

New campaign offices May 29, 2003
For the third time in a year, Howard Dean’s presidential campaign has outgrown its offices. This week, Dean’s staff moved to larger quarters in South Burlington. The move shows a campaign operation that is now among the biggest of the Democratic field.

Iowa labor vote May 21, 2003
All of the Democratic presidential candidates are actively seeking the support of labor unions in Iowa because the unions play a pivotal role in determining the winner of that state’s caucuses.

Dean talks up conservation in Iowa May 19, 2003
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean is calling for a comprehensive renewable energy plan that includes a massive wind project in the Midwestern region of the United States. (VPR)

Southerners size up Dean’s chances May 7, 2003
Southerners size up Dean’s chances For Howard Dean, South Carolina is an important early primary in his quest for the presidency. But the former Vermont governor faces low name recognition and a crowded field of Democrats in the South. It’s also a big question how voters there will react to Vermont’s civil union law, which Dean signed.

Dean tested in first national debate May 5, 2003
The stakes were high this past weekend for former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. He went into the first presidential debate in Columbia, South Carolina as a candidate who’s untested on the national stage. The viewers who watched the late night face-off saw some sharp exchanges between Dean and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Political observers in South Carolina say no clear winner emerged from the debate and that Dean may have benefited from the controversy with Kerry.

Kerry calls Dean unfit April 28, 2003
Five days before the first debate featuring all of the Democratic presidential candidates, the campaign of Massachusetts Senator John Kerry has launched an attack on the capabilities of Howard Dean.

Student vote and Internet key to campaign April 21, 2003
Former Governor Howard Dean says his campaign to win the Democratic presidential nomination hinges on the support of young voters. Dean is speaking on college campuses and expanding his Internet web site to attract voters between the ages of 18 and 35.

On the Campaign trail in NH April 18, 2003
Bob Kinzel reports from Concrod, New Hampshire where Howard Dean is trying to turn the focus his campaign from war to the economy. Dean is a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Fundraising deadline nears March 24, 2003
The presidential campaign of Howard Dean is actively fundraising to show that Dean can be a credible candidate in the Democratic race. Dean has also become the first candidate in the race to qualify for public financing.

Dean claims the ‘Democratic wing’ March 20
Former Governor Howard Dean is emerging as the leading anti war candidate in a crowded field of Democratic presidential hopefuls. Campaigning in New Hampshire this week, Dean said he still believes the 2004 election will be a referendum on the state of the national economy and may not be dominated by foreign issues like Iraq.

Dean rallies anti-war support in NH March 18, 2003
Former Governor Howard Dean says he feels President Bush is making a mistake by sending troops into war in Iraq without the support of the United Nations Security Council. Dean, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, made his comments at several campaign stops in New Hampshire Monday afternoon.

NPR News: Dean’s anti-war distinction March 11, 2003
NPR’s Mara Liasson reports on the presidential aspirations of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean who’s campaign is gaining momentum in early caucus states such as Iowa because of his strong remarks against a war with Iraq.

Reiner endorses Dean February 20, 2003
Howard Dean’s bid to win the Democratic presidential nomination got a big boost on Thursday when film director Rob Reiner announced his strong support for Dean. Reiner is very active in Democratic politics and the endorsement is expected to open a lot of new fundraising opportunities for Dean.

Dean call’s Iraq policy “reckless” February 17, 2003
In a speech scheduled to be delivered Monday in Iowa, Dean said the president’s go-it-alone approach is driving away some of the U.S.’s most important allies.

Dean: Iraq not an immediate threat February 6, 2003
Former governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean says he remains unconvinced that Iraq poses an immediate threat to the United States.

Dean’s gubernatorial records sealed January 14, 2002
Many of the records from the 11 years Howard Dean was governor of Vermont will be kept secret, at least for now. Shortly before he left the governor’s job, Dean negotiated a deal that seals his sensitive papers for 10 years. Records from the two previous administrations were closed for just six years. Dean is running for president, and he says he wanted the records closed because of political considerations.

Candidate field widens January 6, 2003
The field of possible Democratic presidential candidates is expanding. Last week, North Carolina Senator John Edwards and former House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt announced their intentions to run. And in the next few weeks, several more candidates are expected to join the race.

Dean says Bush must prove Iraqi threat December 18, 2002
Governor Howard Dean says President Bush must present convincing evidence to the American people that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction before sending any U.S. troops to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Dean, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, says the United States must also be prepared for a long-term commitment in Iraq if military action is taken against that country.

Dean hopes to attract Gore supporters December 16, 2002
Governor Howard Dean is in Iowa contacting supporters of former Vice President Al Gore. Dean says Gore’s decision not to run for president in 2004 will help his own presidential campaign effort.

Interview: the race without Gore December 16, 2002
VPR’s Steve Delaney talks with political science professor Eric Davis about former Vice President Al Gore’s decision not to run for the Democratic presidential nomination, and the implication that decision has on Governor Howard Dean’s campaign.

Dean ranks 4th in NH poll December 9, 2002
According to a new poll, 6% of New Hampshire Democrats support the presidential campaign of Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Dean says he’s encouraged by these results.

Interview: Dean’s campaign manager November 27, 2002
VPR’s Steve Delaney talks with Scott Ridder, chair of Howard Dean’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Dean to pursue youth vote November 26, 2002
Governor Howard Dean says attracting young people to his upcoming presidential campaign is an important strategy in his effort to win the Democratic nomination.

Dean hires fundraising director November 12, 2002
Howard Dean has signed up a Democratic activist from Massachusetts to help him begin raising money for his presidential campaign. Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Steve Grossman says he wants to help Dean’s campaign gain credibility through fundraising. Grossman is also a former chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and briefly ran for governor of his home state this year. Grossman says he’s appreciative of the support he got from Dean and he believes in the Vermont governor’s ideas. Grossman hails from the same state as one of Dean’s chief rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator John Kerry. Grossman says he respects Kerry but supports Dean. (AP)

Court rules on privacy of Dean’s schedule November 2, 2002
The Vermont Supreme Court says Governor Howard Dean must release his daily schedule that relates to his presidential campaign. But the Supreme Court sent the case back to a lower court to decide whether Dean can continue to keep the other parts of his schedule to himself.

Dean quiet on Iraq resolution October 15, 2002
Governor Howard Dean won’t say if he supports a congressional resolution that authorizes the use of force against Iraq.

Dean discusses Iraq on ‘Face the Nation’ October 1, 2002
Governor Howard Dean says President Bush still hasn’t made a strong enough case for a strike against Iraq.

Dean on Face the Nation September 30, 2002
Governor Howard Dean says President Bush still hasn’t made a strong enough case for a strike against Iraq. Dean told a national television audience on September 29 that he believes the United States must first gain international support.

Dean visits Jimmy Carter September 25, 2002
Governor Howard Dean traveled to Georgia Wednesday afternoon to meet with former President Jimmy Carter. The governor says the Carter presidential campaign of 1976 serves as a model for Dean’s own presidential effort.

Dean opposed to military action in Iraq September 19, 2002
Governor Howard Dean says he opposes a Congressional resolution giving President Bush the authority to take military action against Iraq. Dean says the president hasn’t made a compelling case to the American people to support this action.

VPR Poll results on Dean’s campaign September 19, 2002 New poll results indicate that Vermonters have ambiguous feelings for Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign.

Dean opposed to military action in Iraq September 19, 2002 Governor Howard Dean says he opposes a Congressional resolution giving President Bush the authority to take military action against Iraq. Dean says the president hasn’t made a compelling case to the American people to support this action.

Interview: an Iowan’s impression of Dean September 6, 2002
Steve Delaney talks with Ellen Gaffney, a Democratic Party offical from Buchanan County, Iowa. Gaffney gives her impression of how Iowa voters are receiving Dean’s campaign message.

Dean expands campaign operations September 6, 2002
Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign enters a new stage this week. Dean is opening an office in Burlington, hiring several staff people, and launching a national web site for his campaign.

Vermont’s Dark Horse (clicking link launches Real Audio player) story heard nationally on NPR’s All Things Considered reported by VPR reporter. August 24, 2002
Vermont Public Radio’s John Dillon reports on the nascent presidential campaign of Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. Dark horse candidate Dean is already running hard in important primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

Interview: global warming meeting August 27, 2002
Steve Delaney talks with Governor Howard Dean about the regional environmental initiative. Dean is in Canada meeting with New England governors and premiers of eastern Canadian provinces.

Dean on possible Iraq invasion August 19, 2002
Vermont Governor Howard Dean is developing a series of foreign policy positions as he pursues his long shot presidential campaign. In a trip to New Hampshire on Sunday, Dean said if the U.S. attacks Iraq, Americans must be prepared for a ten-year conflict in the most dangerous region of the world.

Dean’s presidential campaign gets publicity July 24, 2002
Over the last several weeks, Governor Howard Dean has been riding a wave of publicity for his long-shot presidential campaign. The publicity is part of Dean’s strategy that has moved him into the top tier of Democratic candidates. In the first story of a two-part report, Vermont Public Radio looks at the national publicity Dean has received.

Dean discusses campaign strategy July 24, 2002
Over the last several weeks, Governor Howard Dean has been riding a wave of publicity for his long-shot presidential campaign. The publicity is part of Dean’s strategy that has moved him into the top tier of Democratic candidates. In the second story of a two-part report, Vermont Public Radio looks at the strategy Dean has mapped out for his campaign.

Switchboard: Governor Howard Dean July 18, 2002
Governor Howard Dean joins Bob Kinzel for an open forum on the state of affairs in Vermont and progress of Dean’s campaign for presidency. Dean comments on the organization of the campaign, his fundraising efforts, the Middle East and criticizes aspects of President Bush’s foreign policy. (Listen to this archive of the program online.)

Vermont and the Presidency
This five-part Impact Series was aired December 17-21, 2001 as Howard Dean formed a PAC to explore a run for the presidency. The series looks at the governor as a “new kind” of

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