DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Howard Dean dropped in on a Martin Luther King Day celebration in Des Moines Monday, but left quickly so as not to overshadow the event.
Dean, returning to Iowa's capital from a state-wide sweep before Monday night's caucuses, scheduled the quick visit to the meeting at the State Historical Building at the last moment.
He had cleared it in advance with the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans, which was hosting the event. But some organizers appeared surprised and Dean decided to leave quickly in order not to overshadow the commemoration.
The former Vermont governor was locked in a tight four-way race for Democratic presidential nomination with John Kerry, Dick Gephardt and John Edwards, according to the most recent polls.
