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RNC Chairman: Dean's Personal Attacks Should Be Denounced

WASHINGTON, April 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan released the following statement today:

"Both Senator McCain and the RNC have been very clear about running a respectful campaign based on the issues. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Howard Dean. The DNC Chairman has consistently attacked Senator McCain's integrity and character, even his military service. It is absolutely laughable that Howard Dean would call on anyone to denounce anything considering the pattern of outrageous and personal attacks he has leveled at McCain and Republicans. If anything, Senators Obama and Clinton should immediately stand up and repudiate the coarse and inappropriate actions of their party chairman."

Obama Has Attacked "Slash And Burn, Negative Campaigning Of The Past":

Obama: "We've got to get beyond the small politics ... the slash and burn politics that have become the custom in Washington." ("Obama Denounces 'Slash And Burn' Politics," The Associated Press, 2/19/07)

Obama: "We don't want the small, timid, slash and burn, negative campaigning of the past." (Josh Hafenbrack, "Obama Barack Obama Calls For New Political Spirit During South Florida Campaign Swing," [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Sun Sentinel, 3/26/07)

Obama: "I know that inWashington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected, but I really don't think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party, and I don't think it is good for our country, and I think that the American people will reject it in this election." (Ben Smith, "Obama: Clinton Rewrites History," The Politico's "Ben Smith" Blog, www.politico.com, 1/13/08)

Sen. Clinton Has Denounced The "Politics Of Personal Destruction":

Sen. Clinton: "Well, I want to run a very positive campaign. And I sure don't want Democrats or the supporters of Democrats to be engaging in the politics of personal destruction. I think we should stay focused on what we're going to do for America." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, Remarks At Democratic Forum,Carson City, NV, 2/21/07)

Sen. Clinton: "But I think it's clear I don't condone attacks on anyone who has served our country with distinction and with honor..." (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 9/23/07)

FLASHBACK: Dean Has A Long History Of Over-The-Top Personal Attacks Against Sen. McCain:

Dean Called Sen. McCain A "Blatant Opportunist" In Response To Ad Highlighting McCain's Military Service To Our Country. "The American people have been waiting for a president who understands the challenges they face, not another out of touch Bush Republican who promises four more years of the same failed leadership. John McCain can try to reintroduce himself to the country, but he can't change the fact that he cast aside his principles to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Bush for the last seven years. While we honor McCain's military service, the fact is Americans want a real leader who offers real solutions, not a blatant opportunist who doesn't understand the economy and is promising to keep our troops inIraq for 100 years." (Democratic National Committee, "Dean: New Ad, But No New Ideas From John McCain," Press Release, 3/28/08)

Dean Said McCain "Doesn't Seem To Really Have An Ethical Compass." (Howard Dean Interview With National Journal's Linda Douglass, www.nationaljournal.com, 2/21/08)

Dean: "But look, John McCain is a flawed candidate. Here's a guy who has a typical situation ethicist. He runs on his integrity, but he doesn't seem to have any." (CNN's "Late Edition," 3/2/08)

FLASHBACK: Dean Has A Long History Of Over-The-Top Partisan Attacks Against Republicans:

Dean: "The Republicans are incompetent." (White House Bulletin, 10/5/06)

Dean: "[N]ow of course you can't trust the Republicans with your kids." (Will Sullivan, "This Is Just A Firestorm," U.S. News & World Report, 10/16/06)

Dean: "Theirs [Republicans] is a party of self-absorption and selfishness." (Dan Balz, "Dean Hammers Bush On War, Immigration," The Washington Post, 12/4/05)

Dean: "I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for..." (Dana Milbank, "Dean's Past As Prologue To DNC Future," The Washington Post, 1/29/05)

Dean: "I hate what the Republicans are doing to this country. I really do." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 5/22/05)

Dean: "I'm tired of the Ayatollahs of the right wing ... We're fighting for freedom inIraq. We're going to fight for freedom in America." (Josie Huang, "Dean Calls For End To 'Culture Of Corruption'," Portland [ME] Press Herald, 10/23/05)

Dean: "They all behave the same. They all look the same. It's [The Republican Party] pretty much a white Christian party." (Carla Marinucci, "In S.F., Dean Calls GOP 'A White Christian Party,'" San Francisco Chronicle, 6/7/05)

Dean: "The R.N.C. ... they love to play the victim. The truth is they are a White Christian Party." (ABC's "The View," 9/15/05)

"Appearing On The Liberal Air America Radio In Minnesota, Dean Said Republicans Are, Quote, 'Mean. They're Not Nice People. They Want To Run Nearly Every Aspect Of Your Life,' End Quote." (Fox News' "Special Report," 4/5/05)

Dean: "[R]epublicans ... A lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives." (DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Remarks At Campaign For America's Future "Take Back America Conference," DC, 6/2/05)

Dean Called Republicans "Brain-Dead." "One major reason [Dean's] party lost the 2004 race to the 'brain-dead' Republicans is that it has a 'tendency to explain every issue in half an hour of detail,' Dean told the semi-annual meeting of Democrats Abroad..." (Peter Gorrie, "Spreading The Message," Toronto Star, 3/20/05)

Dean On Republicans And Democrats: "[T]his is a struggle of good and evil. And we're the good." (Joel Mathis, "Dean Roars Into Town," Lawrence Journal-World, 2/26/05)

"During A Meeting ... With The Democratic Black Caucus, DNC Chairman Howard Dean ... Questioned Republicans' Ability To Rally Support From Minorities. 'You Think The Republican National Committee Could Get This Many People Of Color In A Single Room?,' Dean Asked To Laughter. 'Only If They Had The Hotel Staff In Here.'" (Nancy Benac, "Dean Ready To Take Charge Of Democrats," The Associated Press, 2/11/05)

Paid for by the Republican National Committee.

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

SOURCE Republican National Committee