By C.G. Lynch

While Northeastern supporters for former Vermont Governor Howard Dean are still hoping for a revitalized campaign, many have looked forward to what they believe is the main objective of this presidential race: usurping President George W. Bush from the White House and strengthening the Dem-ocratic Party into a unified body.

“NU for Dean has the underlying goal of getting rid of George W. Bush,” said Jason Zaler, a freshman journalism major who started the group this past fall without financial support from the university. “Therefore, we will all work, no matter who the nominee is, to send him back on a one-way bus ticket to Crawford, Texas.”

Dean vowed to stay in the race for the Democratic nomination on Monday at a rally in Wisconsin. The announcement surprised ma-ny of his supporters, who received an e-mail from Dean last week stating he would withdraw if defeated in Wisconsin on Feb. 17.

As Massachusetts Senator John Kerry improves on his lead, supporters of NU for Dean have approached the issue by building on the former governor’s objectives and adopting them into the overall platform of the next Dem-ocratic candidate, whoever it might be.

“Every Democrat on campus has embraced Governor Dean, whether directly or indirectly, because he has changed the message, theme and overall attitude of this campaign site,” Zaler said.

Other supporters echo his comments.

“Our goal will definitely be to solidify the party,” said freshman Andrew Geibel, another Dean supporter. “[Bush] does such a terrible job that anyone would be better.”

Geilbel said that financial support will be critical for whichever candidate emerges in July at the Democratic National Convention in Boston this summer, citing the approximate $200 million Bush has already raised.

Until the party chooses their candidate, NU for Dean upholds their support and hopes for a positive outcome in Wisconsin.

“All the Dean people are looking to Wisconsin,” Geibel said. “If we lose, we’ll accept it.”

Voting in Wisconsin will take place next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Dean’s supporters nationwide are continuing to back their candidate, having recently raised $700,000 for him in one day.