MADISON, Wis. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean kicked off a do-or-die campaign blitz across Wisconsin on Monday, telling voters they have the power to "keep this debate alive" and nominate someone who can unseat President Bush.

"The way to beat George W. Bush is with a candidate who already has stood up to him ... on issues that mattered -- like health care, investing in our children, the national debt and the Iraq war," said Dean, drawing sustained applause from hundreds of backers at a Madison hotel.

"Democrats who watched the popularity polls and cut bad deals with the White House are not the right people to stand up to George Bush this fall," Dean said.

The former Vermont governor who once was considered the party's front-runner made the comments in taking a swipe at the party's new leader, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, another White House rival.

Dean has said he must win the state's Feb. 17 primary to keep his once high-flying campaign alive. He intends to focus on Wisconsin during the next week in what could be his last stand.

Dean arrived in Wisconsin from Maine, where on Sunday he suffered his 12th defeat without a victory in state nominating contests.

"REAL CHOICE, REAL CHANGE"

While polls show many Americans believe he should call it quits, and some backers have defected, Dean hopes to stage what would be a dramatic comeback in Wisconsin with an eight-day barnstorming campaign called "Real Choice, Real Change."

He contends a victory would reinvigorate his campaign, help generate fresh momentum and cash and prepare him for the presidential contests ahead, particularly in big states like California, New York and Ohio on March 2.

"So Wisconsin, eight days to go," Dean said in zeroing in on the state's primary. "You have the power to keep this debate alive."

"On February 17, you can vote for a better America," Dean said. "I ask you for your support."

With $1.1 million in contributions raised in recent days, Dean planned to begin airing on Monday a biographical ad in Wisconsin that basically helps reintroduce him to voters.

The spot describes Dean as a former family doctor and Vermont governor who has taken on special interests on behalf of average Americans, and is now ready to take on Bush.

Dean helped shape the party's 2004 White House race with his anti-war, anti-Washington message, and largely Internet-based organization that smashed fund-raising records as it connected with legions of online supporters.

Dean drew some of his strongest applause on Monday when he again ripped Bush for the Iraq war, and the willingness of other Democrats to go along with it.