COWARD DEANPEACE PROMISES 'IN-YOUR-FACE' RESPONSE TO GOP
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Topic: Lib Loser Stories

GOP, Dean trade barbs in Boston

A toned-down Howard Dean juiced up about 300 Democratic activists yesterday during his first party fund-raiser in Boston since taking over the Democratic National Committee helm, but took jabs at familiar targets, including Republican Gov. Mitt Romney.

"It's a delight to be in state with two Democratic senators, 10 Democratic representatives and a governor who's never here," Dean joked.

The GOP hit back, calling the Green Mountain doc and former Vermont governor "Dr. Mean" for criticizing the GOP, when he said earlier this year, "I hate Republicans."

Before Dean's "Paint the Nation Blue" fund-raiser at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel last night, the Massachusetts Republican party issued a news release with the headline, "Sick of losing Gov's races, Dems turn to sworn Republican hater."

Dean promised to escalate his attacks on the GOP despite the negative response to his controversial comments in recent weeks. His inflammatory statements have brought harsh rebukes from Republicans and generally tepid support if not outright criticism from fellow Democratic party leaders.

Among the most controversial was when he referred to the Republican Party as "pretty much a white, Christian party."

"I don't care if Dick Cheney likes my mother or not, we are going to fight back," Dean said.

He was referring to a recent comment from the vice president in which he said of Dean, "Maybe his mother loved him, but I've never met anybody who does."

The party expected to raise between $250,000 to $300,000 during last night's event, which offered donors summer fare with their dose of politics - hot dogs, popcorn and a bit of Dean's Vermont political roots - Ben & Jerry's "Peace Pops."

"They say they want small government, but their government is just big enough to fit inside Terri Schiavo's bed in the nursing home," Dean said.

Unbowed by the criticism, Dean added, "And as the head of the Democratic party, I will not be lectured about morals by (Texas Republican U.S. Rep.) Tom Delay and Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly."

Boston Herald ~ Ann E. Donlan ** GOP, Dean trade barbs in Boston

Drudge Report Exclusive ** DEAN PROMISES 'IN-YOUR-FACE' RESPONSE TO GOP