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Politics : John Kerry for President Free speach thread NON-CENSORED -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: American Spirit who wrote (861)	6/10/2005 12:33:34 PM
From: StockDung	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1449

GOP leader criticizes Democrat remarks By David M. Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, June 10, 2005 Republican National Chairman Ken Mehlman on Thursday night urged Pittsburgh-area Republicans to expand the party's base to help re-elect U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and other GOP candidates in 2006. Mehlman also used an Allegheny County GOP money-raising event at the Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown, to accuse Democratic leaders -- including National Chairman Howard Dean -- of using "hateful rhetoric" in comments about Republicans. "As Republicans, we will always point out where the other party is misguided and mistaken, but we will never embrace their hateful rhetoric," he said. Democratic leaders hope "their loud talk and angry rhetoric will hide the fact that they have nothing to say and nothing to offer," Mehlman told a crowd of about 450 Republicans at the $50-a-plate dinner. Dean said last week that a lot of Republicans "have never made an honest living in their lives." The comment sparked a roiling controversy. Some prominent Democrats, including Sen. John Edwards, of North Carolina, criticized Dean for the remark. Dean said later his comments referred to Republican leaders' lack of action on working-class issues. In another controversial remark, Dean recently characterized Republicans as "pretty much a white, Christian party." During an earlier event yesterday, Mehlman poked fun at Dean's comment. At a reception for him by the Republican Jewish Coalition, held at the Duquesne Club, Mehlman quipped: "Good afternoon, my fellow white Christians." In the speech last night, Mehlman acknowledged the party needs to work harder to attract more blacks and Hispanic Americans into its rank-and-file membership. During an interview, Mehlman said his trip to Pittsburgh was to fire up grassroots Republicans, expand the party in a traditional Democratic stronghold and raise money. Asked if he believes Dean has become a handicap for the Democratic Party, Mehlman said, "I think that Gov. Dean's comments reflect a party that is so focused on what it's against and who it's against that it's not proposing solutions to solve problems the American people care about." Mehlman, 38, who became national GOP chairman in January, was manager of President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. A Baltimore native, he has a law degree from Harvard Law School and a bachelor's degree from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Lancaster County. Monica Douglas, executive director of the Allegheny County Republican Committee, estimated last night's dinner and a private reception before the dinner raised about $50,000. It was a much-needed shot in the arm for the local GOP, which cut staff in the spring because of lagging contributions. Yesterday's events far exceeded the party's announced $20,000 goal. "This is an excellent morale booster," said county GOP Chairman Bob Glancy. Among Republicans who attended the dinner were U.S. Reps. Melissa Hart, of Bradford Woods, and Tim Murphy, of Upper St. Clair; state Attorney General Tom Corbett, of Shaler; former county Chief Executive Jim Roddey; and state GOP Chairwoman Eileen Melvin. Santorum, who didn't attend because of Senate votes on judicial confirmations, addressed the dinner audience briefly by telephone. Santorum, of Penn Hills, is facing a potential challenge in 2006 from Democratic state Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. David M. Brown can be reached at dbrown@tribweb.com or (412) 380-5614.