Mutiny by top aide in Howard Dean camp

Howard Dean was hit with mutiny by a top aide yesterday as he struggled to keep alive his bid for the 2004 US Democratic presidential nomination.

Campaign chairman Steve Grossman told the New York Times that he will leave Dean and support front-runner John Kerry if Dean loses the Wisconsin primary tomorrow as expected.

"If Howard Dean does not win the Wisconsin primary," Grossman said, "I will reach out to John Kerry unless he reaches out to me first."