Judy Dean, the shy spouse of Democrat Howard Dean, made two appearances with her husband Sunday evening in Iowa, her first visit to the campaign trail since her husband began his presidential bid.
The appearances came as the former Vermont governor has dropped in opinion polls and voters prepared to attend Iowa’s caucuses Monday evening, when more than 100,000 Democrats will meet and select who they consider is the best nominee for their party.
Although Dean has spent all or part of more than 70 days in Iowa since Jan. 1, 2003, Judy Dean–known professionally as Dr. Judith Steinberg–had never been to the state before her visit Sunday.
Her appearance came after Dean said he did not intend to “drag” his wife around the campaign trail “as a prop.” At the time, he said she had no interest in campaigning.
The visit by Dean’s wife, which lasted just a few hours, came as family members for other presidential candidates crisscrossed the state.
Judy Dean, who hadn’t given a public speech in 20 years and declines almost all interview requests, had appeared at her husband’s side only once before to support his presidential bid: in June when he formally announced he was running.
Her arrival in the state was choreographed. The couple emerged for photographs from his plane, even though she had flown in separately.
Beaming a huge smile and showing some nervousness, Judy Dean told an audience in Davenport that she had come to the state to thank Iowans for “being so gracious to my husband.”
She said demands of her children and medical practice had kept her away. “But I wanted to come today, I wanted to say thank you to Iowa and to support my husband for president,” she said, speaking from a prepared text that included five sentences and cues for when to smile.
The presence of his wife seemed to relax Dean, who smiled more and looked like he was having more fun than he has in recent days.
A Tribune poll of likely Iowa caucus participants earlier this month indicated that Dean does slightly better among men than women, just the opposite of Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi said the Iowa visit was arranged Saturday, after Sen. Tom Harkin’s wife, Ruth, suggested that such an appearance might be helpful.
Dean said on Saturday that no family members would be with him Monday night when the caucus results are reported.
The husband-and-wife appearances followed a morning meeting between Dean and former President Jimmy Carter in Plains, Ga.
Some Iowa voters had found it peculiar that Dean’s wife had not made a trip to the state.
“I think it’s kind of odd,” said Bridget Montgomery, 28, who is leaning toward Dean.
Edwards’ wife, Elizabeth, was asked what she thought of Judy Dean finally joining her husband at a campaign event, and she replied: “I think she should do whatever she’s comfortable doing.”
Kerry appeared with his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, two daughters and a stepson at a rally in Des Moines on Sunday evening.
Last Friday in Ft. Dodge, Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri outlined the work that five family members, including his wife, Jane, were doing in his campaign that day.
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“If we can find a few more relatives to come out, it’s a virtual Gephardt army,” he said.