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N HER BOOK Shrub, a sassy look at the performance of George W. Bush when he was governor of Texas, columnist Molly Ivins suggests that inexperienced reporters be advised of the three ways to assess a politician. “The first is to look at the record. The second is to look at the record. And the third, look at the record.”

Good advice, and that’s what we have attempted to do with this book on Vermont’s former governor Howard Dean — only we chose experienced reporters for the assignment, some of whom have covered Dean for years.

This book was a collaborative project. It involved three entities: The Rutland Herald and its sister paper, the Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus; Steerforth Press, a book publisher in South Royalton, Vermont, and a team of nine writers.

The three groups shook hands in early August 2003 when it became clear we had a good story on our hands. After a lackluster campaign start in spring, Howard Dean by mid-summer was stunning the political world with his ability to raise money and appeal to voters. In late July a political poll indicated this little-known governor from a small state was the top choice among likely voters in California’s important Democratic primary. Dean’s harsh criticism of President Bush’s handling of the Iraq war and the U.S. economy was resonating. This book was completed in eight weeks.

Howard Dean — the citizen’s guide — does not tell everything there is to know about Howard Dean. While governor for nearly 12 years, Dean was involved in many events and issues that earned him both criticism and praise. We have focused on those deemed most significant for Vermont and those that provide special insight into the former governor’s personality and character.

We received much help with this book. Dean’s personal acquaintances through the years and legislators and government officials who worked with him generously shared their observations. We thank them. We also give a hearty thank you to the writers’ spouses. They endured much during the busy race toward deadline.

Dirk Van Susteren
October 2003