Centerfield

Hilary Cleveland of New London, wife of the late Congressman James Cleveland, and a prominent campaigner for both President Bushes, is helping organize a Republicans for Dean movement.

Dean announced the names of 40 Republicans who will serve on a steering committee. Cleveland says she’s been a lifelong Republican, but will switch her registration to independent so she can vote for Dean in the presidential primary.

Cleveland was the New London co-chair for George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign and was the state finance chair Bush’s father in 1980.

"I have been disappointed in the Bush Administration’s policies in Iraq, and former Governor Dean has best articulated why we should not have gone to war in Iraq. I like his emphasis on the importance of internationalism and his fiscal program," Cleveland said.

"I’m a moderate Republican and moderate Republicans did stress the need for international involvement in Iraq, and moderate Republicans have always spoken out for fiscal integrity," she said.

Another member of the committee, Paul Staulcup of Manchester, said he will switch his affiliation from Republican to Democrat for the primary but isn’t sure he’ll remain a Democrat.

"I see myself more as a Deanocrat than a Democrat," he said. Staulcup said his concerns relate to the country’s finances, health care and school funding.

"Bush and his colleagues are doing just about everything wrong," he said.

His wife, Elizabeth Staulcup, is switching parties after a lifetime as a Republican to support Dean. "I like what he did with the health insurance for Vermont children — that I considered very important," she said. Both say they were drawn to Dean because of his anti-war statements.

"He’s got a strong appeal," said Rep. Jane Kelley from Hampton, who became an independent to vote for Dean. "He’s peppery; he’s gutsy; he tells it like it is," she said.

Originally a Democrat, Kelley switched her affiliation to the Republicans three years ago and says she’ll return to the Republican fold when the primary is over.

While she agrees with Dean’s position on Iraq, she also is impressed that he balanced budgets as governor of Vermont.

State Republican party spokeswoman Julie Teer said these crossover Republicans remain a minority.