For the moment, the dean of his class

His political career has often seemed charmed. In Vermont, his first campaign for lieutenant governor was easier than expected after the incumbent chose not to run. When Gov. Richard Snelling died, Dean took over the office. Even then, however, his ambition was clear. Shortly after becoming governor, he became chair of the National Governors' Association and the Democratic Governors Association. Friends note that he's campaigned longer than almost any other presidential hopeful - much of it in obscurity. "He's paid a lot of dues," says Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell, who's known Dean for years.

He's also been unusually aggressive in pursuing this nomination. One reason Dean's out front may be that he's shown an unrelenting willingness to attack not just Bush but also his Democratic opponents. In Iowa, he recently aired the campaign's first negative ads, targeting Gephardt's support for the war.

Many voters say what they like best about Dean is his fight. And while critics characterize him as unelectable, supporters often say they think his vigor and willingness to shake things up make him the only candidate who can beat Bush.

Jenna McCarley first heard Dean speak at a soup supper months ago. "He said the things I wanted someone to say," says the retired lab technician, who's come to hear Dean at the University of Iowa in Ames. "He just has a lot of fire in his belly."

Born: Howard Brush Dean III, Nov. 17, 1948.

Hometown: New York, N.Y.

Parents: Andree Dean, art appraiser; Howard Brush Dean Jr. (deceased), a top executive of Dean Witter Reynolds (no relation).

Family: Wife, Judith Steinberg, M.D.; daughter, Anne; son, Paul.

Religion: Congregational; his wife and two children are Jewish.

Education: St. George's boarding school in Middleton, R.I.; Yale University, B.A., 1971; Albert Einstein School of Medicine, M.D., 1978.

Previous jobs: Stockbroker, physician.

Net worth: $3.8 million.

Favorite book: "Sometimes a Great Notion" by Ken Kesey.

Favorite song: "Jaspora" by Wyclef Jean.

Campaign song: "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley.

His wheels: A 1989 Chevy Blazer.

Favorite presidents: George Washington and Harry Truman.

Eating habits: Doesn't smoke; doesn't drink alcohol or coffee.

Crossed paths: George W. Bush's grandmother was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Dean's grandmother.

Political highlights:

• State representative of Vermont, 1983-86.

• Lieutenant governor of Vermont, 1986-91.

• Governor of Vermont, 1991-2002.

• Expanded Vermont's health-insurance program for children, making virtually everyone under 18 eligible for coverage.

• Signed legislation allowing gay couples to attain the legal equivalent of marriage.

Campaign touchstones:

• Opposed the war in Iraq.

r Would repeal all of Bush's tax cuts and use the money to give healthcare coverage to 30.9 of the 41 million uninsured, including every child, and adults up to age 25 with incomes up to three times the poverty level.

Key legislative positions:

• Critic of Bush's 'No Child Left Behind' bill - he's called it a 'disaster' - and the only Democratic candidate to oppose it all along.

• Supports civil unions, though not gay marriage, and says each state should decide on its own rules. Opposes 'don't ask, don't tell' law on gays in the military.

• Supports abortion rights and calls the ban on 'partial birth' abortion 'outrageous.'

• Believes gun control should be left largely to the states, and received the NRA's endorsement several times as governor. He does favor some federal gun-control measures, including an assault-weapons ban.

Sources: Compiled from wire services, Salon, Slate, Chicago Tribune, New York magazine, Washington Post, Time, New York Metro, National Journal, dean2004.blogspot.com.

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4