Dean: I 'Feared' Romney Most in General Election
FOXNews.com
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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.
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