February 19, 2004

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‘Governor, if you ever need anything’

More stories on campaigns ending, please:

In jeans and sneakers, Dr. Dean ambled around the office, asking forlorn staff members what they would do next, posing for keepsake snapshots, adding his name to a much-signed souvenir bat that symbolized the campaign’s innovative Internet fund-raising gimmick. Dozens of young staff members were clearing proprietary files off their computers, making plans to head home — or for a field trip to Mardi Gras — as they enjoyed the catered lunch of lasagna, mixed greens and garlic bread.

“Governor, if you ever need anything,” Doug Thornell, the traveling press secretary, said as he headed to the airport to catch a flight back to Washington, D.C., “I’m here for you. For life.”

They’re so sweet and sad.