Karl Rove Wants Dean Against Bush for 2004

Talk about lining up the competition. President Bush's chief political adviser has seen the possible presidential candidates among the Democrats and has found one he apparently thinks his man can beat: former Vermont governor Howard Dean.

Karl Rove tried to stir up enthusiasm for Dean marchers yesterday at the 37th annual Palisades Citizens' Association Fourth of July parade along the District's MacArthur Boulevard, which always attracts plenty of politicians.

As a dozen people marched toward Dana Place wearing Dean for President T-shirts and carrying Dean for America signs, Rove told a companion, " 'Heh, heh, heh. Yeah, that's the one we want,' " according to Daniel J. Weiss, an environmental consultant, who was standing nearby. " 'How come no one is cheering for Dean?' "

Then, Weiss said, Rove exhorted the marchers and the parade audience: " 'Come on, everybody! Go, Howard Dean!' "

Music Icon Shills For Kucinich
Presidential candidate Howard Dean may be the Democrats' best-financed lefty, but progressive Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) had his own victory to announce last week: the endorsement of country-western icon Willie Nelson.

"I am endorsing Dennis Kucinich for president, because he stands up for heartland Americans who are too often overlooked and unheard," Nelson said. "A Kucinich administration will put the interests of America's family farmers, consumers and environment above the greed of industrial agribusiness."

Nelson said he planned concerts to help fill Kucinich's campaign coffers.

Kucinich was thrilled. "It's an honor to earn the support of a man who has come to symbolize the best values of America," he said.

Calif. Recall Gains Favor
A majority of those polled by the Los Angeles Times believe California Gov. Gray Davis (D) should be recalled in a special election. The newspaper polled 1,412 adults, 1,127 of them registered voters; 51 percent favored a recall, 42 percent were opposed and the rest were undecided.

Recall support had grown since March, when 39 percent of those polled by the Times said it was the way to go. The good news for Davis in the latest poll, conducted from June 28 to July 2 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, is that many who thought ousting him was a good idea balked when they learned a special election to do just that would cost $25 million or more, the Times said.

Recall backers announced on Thursday they have at least 1 million signatures on petitions for counties to validate. Recall opponents told the Associated Press they have 1.1 million signature, but under California law, their petitions don't count.



© 2003 The Washington Post Company.