Dr. President? Democratic hopeful woos Iowa voters

Internist turned candidate, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, MD, covers a lot of ground in 38 hours on the campaign trail.

By Tanya Albert, AMNews staff. May 5, 2003.

Fresh off a few hours of sleep, Howard Dean, MD, strides into the Iowa Public Television Studios in his neatly pressed pinstriped suit, crisp white shirt and blue tie. His smile is confident. His handshake is firm.

It's 9:45 a.m. on a Friday in March.

Six hours earlier, he flew in from New York City, where he met with about 600 voters. Already the primary and caucus season for the 2004 presidential election is under way.

Now in Iowa, the former Vermont governor and internist briefly consults with his local campaign staff. He's then whisked into the studio's makeup room -- a mirrored space barely big enough for a half-dozen people to stand comfortably. His face is powdered and his hair combed.

The makeup artist unclasps the teal blue cover around Dr. Dean's neck. Less than 30 minutes after walking through the studio's door, he's seated at a round, wooden table where three journalists are ready to fire off questions during the 30-minute "Iowa Press" taping.

What should we do about Iraq? What about North Korea? What are the differences between you and the other Democratic presidential candidates? Who is Howard Dean? As a governor of a small state, what experience do you have with foreign policy? What would you do about the economy? Education? Health care? Agriculture? Gay rights? Guns?

Dr. Dean shoots back his answers as quickly as the questions come and covers a lot of ground in a short time.

War with Iraq isn't justified. North Korea is a threat. He's different because he's balanced a budget, worked with a legislature and made other executive decisions. We need a balanced budget. We need to do more for small businesses. We need health care for all Americans.