Dean: I ‘Feared’ Romney Most in General Election
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday that he had most “feared” facing former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in a general election against the yet-to-be determined Democratic nominee.
Speaking during a presentation of a DNC Swing State Voters Survey taken to gauge views of Republican candidates’ perceived weaknesses, Dean said Romney’s wealth and his willingness to say “practically anything” made him a fearsome rival.
On the other hand, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is a “weak candidate” and does not have a “strong brand,” Dean said.
Dean said that based on the survey’s results, the DNC plans to “target” McCain as a flip-flopper because it is the ” biggest weakness he has” and is an” enormous problem” for the Arizona senator.
McCain has been accused of flip-flopping because he held a meeting with the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, a liberal lightning rod, after previously declining to meet; and for his recent support of President Bush’s tax cuts, which McCain opposed when they passed Congress in 2001 and 2003.
Dean said the survey did not bring up the flip-flop characteristic, but some swing voters in focus groups volunteered that on their own, saying McCain is “wishy washy.”
Republican National Committee spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson called Dean delusional.
“John McCain is widely respected for being straightforward and honest with the American people, and he has a lifelong and distinguished record of service that has warranted the admiration of voters from all walks of life. At the end of the day, Americans are going to elect Senator McCain as president because he has the judgment, character and positive vision to strengthen our nation’s economy and win the War on Terror,” she said.
FOX News’ Serafin Gomez contributed to this report.
Hey Howard, don’t worry. You may still get a chance to ‘fear’ Romney when he runs as VP.
MITT ROMNEY FOR VP.
Interesting comment from HOWARD DEAN that based upon a few comments from “focus groups”, Democrats are planning to wage a ($40 million) campaign against John McCain in this election concerning “flip-flopping”. Now that’s “strategic planning” of the finest order - NOT!
I decided to take a poll of MY Democratic acquaintances (read “focus group”) regarding DEAN. Of the 10 people I polled, 6 thought he was either “certifiable”, just plain “dumb”, delusional or ought to be “Baker Acted”, 3 thought he was the “best possible choice to lead the Democratic Party to defeat in 2008″ and 1 said “however did someone like him get to be Party Chairman?” And these were fellow Democrats!!
If this idiocy keeps up, I surely will vote Republican this election.
Thank you evangelicals! You and Huckle cost us everything.
Nobody cares what Howard thinks!
Let him worry about his 48 state strategy!
Please don’t tell Dean we really have 50 states! That can be our secret!
What a joke Romney could never win the Republican nomaniton. The South would never go for him he was the Gov of Mass. he is a flip flop this guys would be worst than Hillary both of them will say anything to try and get votes!
ANYBODY BUT HILARY OR OBAMA …MCCAIN ISN’T WORSE MUCH BUT HE IS A MUCH BETTER CHOICE THAN THE DEMOCRAT’S CHOICES.
This just confirms what I already knew. Howard Dean is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. You team him up with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and you have the most incompetent Democratic leaders I’ve seen in my lifetime.
True, no one cares what he thinks. Really a dumb bunny