Dean Won't Apologize For Quip At Black Caucus

BALTIMORE -- Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean had an answer Thursday for Republican critics - including Maryland's lieutenant governor - who accused him of making a racially offensive remark two weeks ago.
"You don't apologize when people call you names," said the former presidential candidate, "you fight back."
Dean was the headliner in Baltimore at a fund-raiser for Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. In addition to outlining his plans for the party, the one-time Vermont governor addressed the flap that accompanied his remarks before the Democratic black caucus in Washington when he said, "You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here."

Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, who is black, claimed the statement was insensitive to minorities.
Speaking Thursday before about 60 people for Cummings, the former head of the Congressional Black Caucus, Dean said he was unrepentant.
"You know why they talk about that - because they have nothing to say about education and health care," he said.