http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~11676~2675640,00.html
"Wellington Webb's campaign for Democratic Party chairman boasted support this week from a top party official who turns out instead to be backing Howard Dean.

"I was surprised that I didn't get a call from him to find out where I stood," said Ben Johnson, deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who served as a top adviser in the Clinton White House.

On Tuesday, Denver's former three-term mayor issued a news release touting "growing support" among the 447 members of the Democratic National Committee who will pick a new chairman Feb. 12. Johnson topped Webb's list of supporters.

"The mayor had a conversation with Ben Johnson early on in the race, and Ben Johnson pledged his endorsement to the mayor," Webb campaign manager Paul Lhevine said Wednesday.

Not so, countered Johnson, who signed Webb's and other candidates' petitions to make the ballot but said his signature was "not meant as an endorsement."