"Dated Dean, Married Kerry"

A Vision Of Things
By John P. Gregg - Valley News Staff Writer

U.S. Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign got a small boost yesterday from an Upper Valley lawmaker. State Rep. Ruth Bleyler, a Lyme Democrat, decided to back the Massachusetts Democrat after initially endorsing former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean earlier this year.

Bleyler, a retired environmental scientist and first-term lawmaker, said Kerry's experience in international relations and “statesman”-like presence prompted her to switch candidates.

“He's somebody you can look at and say, ‘Yes, I want you to be talking to other countries and other nations and doing the right things,' ” Bleyler said. “I also think Kerry has a grasp of a big picture, and has more of a vision of things as a whole than Dean does.”

Kerry can thank Bleyler personally this weekend. He's slated to attend a house party in Hanover on Saturday. Because he continues to trail Dean in several New Hampshire polls, the Kerry campaign is also promoting a new bumper sticker trying to get more converts. “Dated Dean, Married Kerry,” it says.