Ex-Dean backers turn to Edwards
Senator's targeted supporters include onetime organizers
MARK JOHNSON
Staff Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State University freshman Nick Benson, dressed in a navy suit and light blue tie, stood on stage behind U.S. Sen. John Edwards at a rally in a university ballroom Sunday.
He might have been just another one of the 30 human backdrops, except that until last week, Benson was president of the OSU students backing former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.
The night before, Dean's Ohio coordinator, Steve Chaffin, announced at an Edwards rally in Cleveland that he was endorsing the N.C. senator for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Days after Dean departed the presidential race, Edwards is quickly and successfully courting the organizers in some key states who helped marshal Dean's Internet-fueled troops.
"Governor Dean told us we have the power" to change America, Chaffin said after his announcement. "We think Senator Edwards has that same kind of approach."
Although Dean has not endorsed anyone, Edwards has targeted Dean backers in Ohio and Minnesota, two of the more delegate-rich contests among 10 states holding primaries on March 2, Super Tuesday.
Edwards has welcomed the Dean faithfull
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