Political Dating

The John Kerry campaign has come out with a bumper sticker: Dated Dean, Married Kerry.

State Director Judy Reardon says if it seems like there are overtones, it?s very intentional.

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4:48 ... D. is a really fun person to go watch give a speech, but when people step back and really think about it, the question they have to ask is, who would I really want to be my president?...there are a lot of people infatuated with D. right now, the same way you might be with a flashy guy in high school, but when it comes time to get married, you might want somebody who is a little more serious and steady.

The last thing Reardon wants to see people doing what Concord businesswoman Kathy Timbas did.

Checked out Kerry, and married Howard Dean.

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2:06 ... I might have flirted with them a little bit with John Kerry. He was the other candidate, I had liked some of his views, but I wouldn?t go so far as to say I dated him.

With about 70 days before the primary, some people believe as much as 2/3rds of the electorate is up for grabs.

Despite the significant lead former Vermont Governor Dean enjoys, the election outcome is far from certain.

Republican pollster Glenn Bouldger says this time of the race is a little like dating, but is exponentially more complicated.

2:56 ... some of your voters are supporting you, and are married to you, and others are dating you, and you want to make the final sale, and keep them in your column, and then there are voters who are just sort of going to a movie with you to check you out and see if this is something they want to pursue, and if they don?t they will drop you and go onto the next one.

Bouldger says the key thing for any campaign is once a person shows any interest to draw them in.

That?s what the front-running Dean is trying to do.

Campaign State Director Karen Hicks says the campaign is trying to build on the relationships its? established.

On the Dean website, there is an on-line pledge to support Dean, letter writing initiatives, and plenty of activities on the ground.

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2:43 the next two months there will be a big push getting to the people who haven?t made up their mind... we try to engage as many people as active volunteers...We really think the more we get people engaged, the less likely we are to lose them.

GOP pollster Bouldger says this is not a time to assume any relationship is on safe ground.

9:34 you need the political equivalent of roses and chocolates. And that are phone calls, from key supporters, from volunteers, we are glad you are with us. You mail them bumper stickers, or you deliver yard sign. B/c nothing says commitment like a yard sign.

Just like in high school dating, politicians are competing for voter?s attention.

Part of the process is that candidates try to convince the electorate that one given candidate isn?t what they appear to be.

Kathy Timbas, a Dean supporter, is certainly aware of the concerns raised about her candidate?s position on Medicare and gun control.

But those attacks haven?t changed her mind.

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:00 (anything that could woo you away from D) certainly, if there were any truth to something that I heard that was disturbing, I would have to stop and relook at who I am dating, if I found a major character flaw, or being dishonest with me, he didn?t have the moral stature, I would have to break the date, break the courtship. The sign would come off the lawn.

Just as the internet has become a integral part of dating, Dean?s New Hampshire director Karen Hicks says it?s equally important for the campaigns.

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1:07 ... we have this incredible tool, the internet, and the blog. ...And that is a way we can stay in close communication with our supporters. So if they hear something, they can communicate with us, and say, hey, what?s the deal? And we can provide a fuller, more realistic explanation for why D. said something...so these attacks probably don?t have the same effect they would have 5-6 yrs. ago.

For as handy or common the dating metaphor might be, it?s frivolous to Representative Christine Hamm.

Hamm has checked out the candidates, and she says this is serious business.

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:00 ... when we use these kinds of words like dated, and married, we talk as if we are looking for someone to go out with and have a good time with. That is not what we are talking about here. What we are talking about is that we are going to trust to steer the country. In a time when we need to think about who has the qualifications to do this.

Ultimately for anyone who goes to the trouble to vote, choosing the right candidate is not done lightly.

Just as there?s a time in ones? life when playing the field is OK, when it comes down to it, most people are looking for a committed relationship.

For NHPR News, I?m DG.