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WASHINGTON - Democratic chairman Howard Dean mischaracterized his party's platform on gay rights in an interview courting evangelicals, then set the record straight Thursday when an advocacy group called him on it. Dean told Christian Broadcasting Network News that the 2004 Democratic platform declares "marriage is between a man and a woman" — just one of the points he made in reaching out to religious conservatives who are largely hostile to the party. But the platform does not define marriage that way, and his remarks prompted the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to return a $5,000 donation from the...

A skimpy bank balance at the Democratic National Committee has some party members nervously questioning Chairman Howard Dean's fundraising and management skills as they prepare for midterm elections this year. (((SNIP))) Mr. Dean, the former Vermont governor who for a time was the front-runner for his party's 2004 presidential nomination, won the chairmanship last year by promising to plow more of the party's resources into state campaign committees, particularly in red states that lean Republican, to help expand the party's base and strengthen its political firepower. (((SNIP)))

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has angered supporters in the gay and lesbian community by stating that his party opposes gay marriage. Appearing on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s program "The 700 Club” on Wednesday, Dean declared: "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's what it says. I think where we may take exception with some religious leaders is that we believe in inclusion, that everybody deserves to live with dignity and respect, and that equal rights under the law are important.” Dean, however, "misrepresented” the party platform, according to...

Dean said that "one of the misconceptions about the Democratic Party is that we're godless and that we don't have any values." The Vermont liberal is trying to change that. Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean told CBN News that his party has a lot in common with the evangelical community. Dean wants evangelicals and other conservative Christians to know that Democrats have something to offer them. "The truth is, we have an enormous amount in common with the Christian community, and particularly with the evangelical Christian community,” Dean said. But the Democrats’ record on hot political issues such as abortion,...

Well, 'ol Howard has done it again! His recent statement on the 700 Club that the dems are against gay marriage too has the gay & lesbian activists all atwitter. Here's a sample: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force denounces DNC Chair Howard Dean's misrepresentation of party platform In a Christian Broadcasting News segment aired today on The 700 Club concerning how Democrats are reaching out to evangelicals, Howard Dean, chair of the Democratic National Party, said, "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's what it says. I think where...

Dean Misstates Party Platform on Gays By CALVIN WOODWARD, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago Democratic chairman Howard Dean mischaracterized his party's platform on gay rights in an interview courting evangelicals, then set the record straight Thursday when an advocacy group called him on it. Dean told Christian Broadcasting Network News that the 2004 Democratic platform declares "marriage is between a man and a woman" — just one of the points he made in reaching out to religious conservatives who are largely hostile to the party. But the platform does not define marriage that way, and his remarks prompted the...

Democratic Party Chair Howard Dean has contradicted his party’s platform and infuriated gay rights advocates by saying the party’s platform states “marriage is between a man and a woman.” “Howard Dean puts his foot in his mouth so often that he should open a pedicure wing in the DNC during his tenure,” Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Guerriero said Wednesday. “Howard Dean’s positions on LGBT issues have changed more often than the weather in New England, where he’s from.” National Gay & Lesbian (Socialist) Task Force... Foreman said in response to Dean’s “pandering and insulting interview” with the Christian Broadcasting...

Democratic Party Chair Howard Dean has contradicted his party's platform and infuriated gay rights advocates by saying the party's platform states "marriage is between a man and a woman." Democratic Party Chair Howard Dean, appearing on the Christian Broadcasting Network, erroneously stated that the party's 2004 platform says 'marriage is between a man and a woman.' Christian conservative Pat Robertson is host of the program. "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says marriage is between a man and a woman," Dean said May 10 during a "700 Club" program hosted by conservative Christian leader Pat Robertson on his Christian Broadcasting...

Rising from the windy plains like twin pillars of fire, braying with the ungodly howls of a brace of hell dogs, the twin slavering Hounds of the Tyndalos have laid bare their party’s plans for usurping governmental power and returning it to the proper and passionate elites. Ayuh, the left’s premier field commanders, Nancy Pelosi, the woman who would be Speaker at the moment of victory, and Howard Dean, who will return to the sodden comfort of his ordure peppered Green Mountain pastures, come victory or defeat, have launched their dual summer armored offensives on the wide open fruited plains...

Optimistic, Democrats Debate the Party's Vision By ROBIN TONER WASHINGTON, May 8 — With Democrats increasingly optimistic about this year's midterm elections and the landscape for 2008, intellectuals in the center and on the left are debating how to sharpen the party's identity and present a clear alternative to the conservatism that has dominated political thought for a generation. Many of these analysts, both liberals and moderates, are convinced that the Democrats face a moment of historic opportunity. They say that the country is weary of war and division and ready — if given a compelling choice — to reject...

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean addressed the American Jewish Committee on Wednesday, where he claimed the Democratic Party is more inclusive and a better choice for Jewish Americans. I was recently asked about the difference between the Democratic and Republican parties," Dean said. "When it comes right down to it, the essential difference is that the Democtrats fundamentally believe it is important to make sure that American Jews feel comfortable being American Jews." But the facts don't back up the DNC Chairman's assertions. Virginia Democrat Rep. Jim Moran blamed the war in Iraq on the Jewish community, claiming, "If...

The Talk Shows Sunday, May 7th, 2006 Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows: FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich.; Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa.; Washington Nationals co-owner Mark Lerner. MEET THE PRESS (NBC): House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Bush impersonator Steve Bridges. FACE THE NATION (CBS): Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. THIS WEEK (ABC): Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.; Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas; Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean; outgoing White House press secretary Scott McClellan. LATE EDITION (CNN) : Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt;...

Shakeup follows criticism by partner; Bond named replacement Democratic Party Chair Howard Dean on May 2 fired the party's gay outreach advisor Donald Hitchcock less than a week after Hitchcock's domestic partner, Paul Yandura, a longtime party activist, accused Dean of failing to take stronger action to defend gays. Dean immediately hired gay former Democratic Party operative Brian Bond to replace Hitchcock, according to DNC spokesperson Karen Finney, who called Bond a "proven leader." Bond served from 1996 to 2003 as executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a bipartisan national group that raises money and provides training...

Howard Dean, in a speech to the American Jewish Committee... took a swipe at the Republican Party, saying the Democratic Party is one of inclusion and religious freedom. "I was recently asked about the difference between the Democratic and Republican parties," Dean said. "When it comes right down to it, the essential difference is that the Democrats fundamentally believe it is important to make sure that American Jews feel comfortable being American Jews." Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, who is Jewish, addressed the group on Tuesday. The head of the Democratic Party said Wednesday that unchecked U.S. reliance on...

The head of the Democratic Party said Wednesday that unchecked U.S. reliance on foreign oil helps fund terrorists and the nation must address its energy needs in a way that creates jobs. Howard Dean, in a speech to the American Jewish Committee, said new industries should emerge to develop alternative fuel sources. The other option, he said, is continued support of Islamic schools that teach hatred of the United States and Israel. "We are committed to ending our standing while our oil money (provides) indirect funding of fundamentalist Islamic schools all over the world," he said. Dean took a swipe...

Dean: Republicans Owe The American People Leadership On Immigration May 2, 2006 Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement as millions prepared to march peacefully around the country for comprehensive immigration reform: "No matter where you stand on today's peaceful rallies, the core issue remains. America needs comprehensive immigration reform that will strengthen our borders, protect U.S. workers and their wages, and allow hard working immigrants who pay taxes and obey the law the opportunity to apply for the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. "While parents should keep their children in school, the fact that...

The Washington Post recently ran a piece highlighting the fact that the Democrats' Congressional Committee is at parity with the Republicans in cash on hand and that their Senatorial Committee has doubled up the NRSC in cash on hand (although the two have raised about the same amount). This is all true, and it is not good for Republicans. However, there has been some exaggeration as to just how bad it is. The committees' success is partly, but not entirely, the result of Democratic fundraising prowess. It has just as much to do with the fact that the Democratic National...

NEW ORLEANS — Democrats cast themselves Saturday as the party that will change the nation's unpopular course but hedged on how they would do it. The Democratic National Committee used a three-day meeting in New Orleans to unveil a six-point statement labeled as the party's vision for governing, yet it avoided such thorny issues as Iraq or immigration. And party leaders put off further discussion of a Democratic plan for Iraq until later — and then it will be done in private, perhaps after the November election. Throughout the strategy meeting, Democrats said they were confident that anger at President...

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Democratic Party chief Howard Dean said on Saturday the Bush administration had "cut and run" on Gulf Coast hurricane recovery and created a political legacy of deficits, divisiveness and deceit. Dean, speaking at the Democratic National Committee's spring meeting, said November's congressional elections would be a choice between real change from Democrats or more of the same from Republicans.

Meeting Democratic National Committee Meeting Democratic National Committee New Orleans, Louisiana (United States) ID: 192086 - 04/22/2006 - 1:30 - No Sale Dean, Howard Chair (2005- ), Democratic National Committee Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean presides over the general session and delivers the keynote address of the DNC Spring Meeting. New Orleans was chosen as the site of the meeting to symbolize efforts to help revitalize the economy of the Gulf Coast.