Dean aims to expand campaign operations

[Freddie Stubbs]

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean is looking to expand his campaign operations into several early primary states, an opportunity created by his successful fund raising.

Joe Trippi, campaign manager for Dean, said Tuesday that the campaign may establish a more formal presence in Arizona, New Mexico, Washington and possibly Oklahoma as early as Aug. 1 or Sept. 1. Initial plans had called for the Dean campaign to open offices in those states no earlier than October.

Dean led his Democratic rivals in fund raising from April to June, collecting $7.5 million. He also finished first in an Internet primary and formally launched his presidential campaign.

"We had a mantra at Burlington and that was Iowa, New Hampshire, Internet and fund raising," Trippi said. "Obviously, we're in a different position now."

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