Democrats' Rallying Cry: Anybody but Bush

Democrats want a winner, above all else. Policies, endorsements, leadership posts, Washington experience - even a candidate's history with the party itself - mean less than usual in this year's primary fight. Democratic voters say a single quality outranks them all: the ability to beat President Bush.

"If he can't take out Bush, I don't care if he's the Lord himself, I'm looking for another candidate," said Matt McGrail, 35, of Laconia, N.H.

Interviews with dozens of Democratic voters and strategists in the past three months reveal lingering resentment over the contested 2000 election, mounting disgust with Bush's agenda and little patience for any candidate who looks vulnerable to the White House re-election machine.

"Why do you think you can beat Bush?" said Carl Vogelhuber, 78, challenging candidate John Edwards during an Iowa town hall in August.

"Because of where I come from," Edwards replied. "The values that I had growing up. In many ways, I'm the opposite of George Bush. I'm a walking, living example of the American dream."

"Not sure that's enough," Vogelhuber muttered.

EL - The most sure way of beating Bush is a Dean/Clark ticket.

The animus has given rise to the candidacies of Howard Dean and Wesley Clark.

Dean is leading in key state polls and fund raising on the strength of his anti-war, anti-establishment message, and the belief that he is standing up to Bush while his Washington-based rivals waver.

"He's the most electable. He's made the party bigger," said Jon Myers, 30, a Santa Fe, N.M., businessman. "Some of his issue I don't agree with, but who cares? I think he can beat Bush."

But many Democrats, particularly among the party's leadership, fear that Dean's opposition to the war in Iraq and support of gay unions may allow Bush to portray him as a liberal. They also worry that his feisty style will not wear well with voters, that he is not as likable as Bush.

"Dean's message appeals to me the most," said Lenore Young, an 84-year-old retiree who attended a Dean rally in New Mexico. "But if I get wind that he can't win, I'll think twice."

Some of these Dean-wary Democrats have turned to Clark - or are at least giving the retired Army general a chance to impress. They are willing to overlook his long Republican ties.

"These outsiders are doing good because they've tapped into not only our anger but our craving for a winner," said Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist in Washington who managed Gore's campaign.