Dr. Demento Rides Again

That wacky Howard Dean, with his unique outreach methods, continues to bring more people into the Democratic Party...

National Democratic Chairman Howard Dean' name was defending another of his comments Friday after telling liberal activists a lot of Republicans "have never made an honest living in their lives."

Republicans called his Thursday comment "mudslinging." Some fellow Democrats expressed reservations over his choice of words, too, before Dean amplified his comments.

"The point I was making is clear: Republican policies have declared war on hardworking Americans," Dean said Friday. "I will continue to criticize Republican leaders and their policies, and the Democratic Party will continue to offer constructive alternatives."

The Democratic chairman made the initial comments about Republicans doing "an honest day's work" Thursday during a speech to a Washington conference sponsored by the Campaign for America's Future.

While discussing the hardship of working all day and then standing in line for eight hours to vote, Dean had said, "Well, Republicans, I guess, can do that because a lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives."

Republican spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said Dean's comment shows his priority "is to generate mudslinging headlines."

Dean has made comments that stirred controversy before. A recent example occurred in May, when Dean said House Majority Leader Tom DeLay "ought to go back to Houston where he can serve his jail sentence."

The House ethics committee is investigating whether DeLay violated congressional rules by taking foreign trips paid for by lobbyists. The Texas Republican has not been charged with a crime, but Dean said later he would not apologize.

What's even better is the response other leading Democrats. John Edwards had this hysterical quote...

"The chairman of the DNC is not the spokesman for the party," Edwards said. "He's a voice. I don't agree with it."

Better yet, Joe Biden said the same thing. Somebody needs to check the job description for the Chairman of the DNC -- either Dean is a spokesperson for the party -- or he needs to start using a disclaimer before he says anything. Actually, the latter might be a good idea regardless.