Dean Hires Iowa Coordinator

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) "became the first 2004 Democratic presidential candidate to hire an Iowa coordinator, naming former state Democratic Party executive director Jeani Murray to lead his caucus campaign," the Des Moines Register reports (via Taegan Goddard's Political Wire):

A former state Democratic Party executive director... Jeani Murray, of Ames, also is a former chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell of Iowa and most recently managed Democrat John Norris' unsuccessful challenge of Rep. Tom Latham in Iowa's 4th U.S. House District.

Murray, 33, became director of the Iowa Democratic Party in May of 2000 after serving as Boswell's chief of staff for four years. Her role as party chief during the 2000 presidential election gave her familiarity with the state party organization, she said.

"I've been involved in Iowa Democratic politics for a decade and, as the former executive director, I know a lot of party officials, which can only be helpful," Murray said. "This is going to be a grassroots organization, and that's how you win a caucus."

Iowa starts the presidential nominating process with the precinct caucuses in January 2004. Dean is one of four Democratic hopefuls who purchased from the state party a database of 2000 caucus-goers, which Murray helped develop during her time with the party, said Jean Hessburg, the current Democratic executive director.

"She's an excellent organizer," Hessburg said of Murray.

....

Dean, who has criticized President Bush's rhetoric on possible war with Iraq, accused Bush on Tuesday of being unwilling to challenge Saudi Arabia on allegations that nation has given money to terrorists.

Dean also said the United States should not have released a ship bound for Yemen carrying North Korean missiles. He said the delivery appeared to violate Yemen's commitment not to purchase any more North Korean missiles.