Howard Dean: I feared Mitt Romney More Than McCainApril 11th, 2008 | 16 Comments | Posted in 2008 Election, DNC, Howard Dean, John McCain, Mitt Romney
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(CNN)— Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday he feared his party’s nominee facing Mitt Romney in the general election more than any other candidate.
“Frankly, Mitt Romney was the candidate I feared the most in the general because he’s got plenty of money, he’s wealthy,” Dean told reporters at a committee briefing. “He’s very articulate and he willing to say practically anything, and Republican voters want discipline.”
When asked if he’d fear a McCain-Romney ticket, Dean said the former Massachussetts governor was the best candidate the Republicans were probably “ever going to get.”
Romney dropped out of the presidential race last February saying that if he continued his campaign it would “forestall the launch of a national campaign…making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win.” His departure from the race essentially secured John McCain’s place as the presumptive Republican nominee.
Dean also characterized McCain, as a “weak candidate,” one who is very out of touch with “21st century Americans” on issues like the economy, Iraq War, and health care. He added that McCain has no plans to get out of Iraq or solve the mortgage crisis.