Dean raps Kerry, looks to future contests
 |
Dean talks to supporters after Tuesday's polls.
Story Tools
VIDEO
|
Howard Dean prepared for a tough Tuesday, but doesn't intend to give up.
|
SPECIAL REPORT
|
|
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
|
Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in.
Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions.
|
|
SEATTLE, Washington (CNN) -- Telling supporters he is looking ahead to contests in Washington state and beyond, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said he is the only candidate who can bring "fundamental change" to the White House.
In a low-key speech before all the votes were counted in any of the seven-state contests, Dean urged backers not to be discouraged by his lackluster showing in Tuesday's primaries.
Dean was not expected to win any of the five primaries or two caucuses.
"We knew we were going to have a tough night tonight, but here's why we're gonna keep going and going and going," he said, "just like the Energizer bunny."
"We're going to pick up some delegates tonight, and it's all about who gets the most delegates in Boston in July, and it's gonna be us" he said, referring to the Democratic National Convention at which the party's nominee will be chosen.
"This campaign is simply going to offer something different than everybody else," Dean told the hall full of students and union members. "I'll stand up for what I believe in, whether it's right or whether it's popular."
Saying he was the only candidate to initially oppose the Iraq war and the president's "no child left behind" education initiative, Dean posed a rhetorical question: "Do you want fundamental change, or do you want Democrats who behave like Republicans half the time?"
"You cannot say you're gonna get rid of the special interests in Washington if you've taken more money than any other senator in the last 15 years from special interests," he added in a jab at Democratic front-runner John Kerry. "We need fundamental change in this country, and we're not going to get it from someone inside the Beltway."
So-called Washington "insiders" are often referred to as being "inside the Beltway."
In Arizona, exit polls showed Dean faring better among conservatives than liberals. Dean did equally well with Missouri voters who supported and didn't support the war in Iraq.
The Internet continues to play a big role in Dean's campaign. In Delaware exit polls, and to a lesser extent elsewhere, Dean fared well among those who checked the candidates' Web sites
