http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-clark8jan08,1,111900.story?coll=la-headlines-nationStaffers for Front-Runner Dean Seen Chasing After Clark
By Eric Slater, Times Staff Writer
PETERBOROUGH, N.H. — In a sign that Wesley K. Clark's presidential campaign may be gaining ground in New Hampshire, Howard Dean's staffers on Wednesday staked out Clark's campaign appearances, handing out fliers that called the retired Army general "pro-war" and questioned whether he was a "real" Democrat.
In Peterborough, a man who identified himself as a Dean campaign staffer handed out the leaflets to people attending a Clark speech. And Clark campaign staffers said they found the fliers on windshields at an event in Bedford late Tuesday night.
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Clark aides suggested the apparent momentum may have been one factor that prompted the Dean campaign to distribute the leaflets. "The Dean campaign can undoubtedly feel the Clark campaign's hot, minty breath on the back of its neck," quipped Clark senior strategist, Chris Lehane.
Clark said of the fliers: "I guess that's what professional politicians do."
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In addition to rising poll numbers, Clark has been drawing larger crowds in New Hampshire. A fire official in Peterborough ordered campaign staffers to close the doors to an auditorium where Clark was appearing after more than 600 people crowded the room, perhaps a hundred of them standing.
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On Wednesday, in Keene, campaign organizers at the last minute relocated their last event of the day from a junior high school to the high school, in order to make room for a larger crowd. About 1,000 people showed up and still couldn't fit in the auditorium. A month ago, Clark was drawing crowds of about 100 people.