Dean and Kerry Vying for Same Voters

Along with Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.), Kerry and Dean make up the top tier of the Democratic field of nine candidates, but by dint of geography and demography, the two New Englanders often find themselves fishing in the same pond, fighting over the same voters: white, liberal, moderately affluent, well-educated, mostly antiwar, vehemently anti-President Bush.

These prospective Democratic voters find themselves in a head-vs.-heart debate over whether to support Kerry or Dean. In Kerry, they see someone with the credentials to be president, but they worry about his passion and ability to excite an electorate. In Dean, they see the opposite, a blunt and inspirational politician willing to challenge Bush, but they wonder whether someone with his experience and views can win.

Marian Welton of Nashua came to hear Kerry on Wednesday night, another undecided Democrat looking mostly at Dean and Kerry. She said at this point Kerry looks more like a winner, but that Dean's candor reminded her of Arizona's McCain (R), who won the GOP primary here four years ago, and she regarded that as a plus.

How will she make up her mind in the Kerry-Dean sweepstakes? "When one or the other shows more promise in being able to beat Bush," she replied.