DEAN EQUATES BLACKS WITH 'HOTEL STAFF'

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Former Governor Howard Dean, checks his e-mail as he gets acquainted to his new office at the DNC headquarters in Washington, on his first day in office as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Monday, Feb. 14, 2005. Dean replaced Terry McAuliffe. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

By Robert "Rob" Redding Jr.

Editor & Publisher

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2005, 6:30 p.m. - Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean referred to blacks as "hotel staff" during a Democratic meetings meant to woo minorities last week.

The Washington Post in its Saturday editions quoted the former Vermont governor and presidential candidate as saying: '"You think the [Republican National Committee] could get this many people of color into a single room?" he marvels. "Maybe if they got the hotel staff in there."'

Dean, who was elected to head the Democratic Party on Saturday, made the comments during marathon meetings with various ethnic and special interest groups at the Hilton Washington on Friday.

Donna Brazil, who responded to questions for the party, said as the daughter of a maid and janitor she sees nothing wrong with the comments.

"How can it be insulting to black people when its been the Democratic Party which has been doing outreach," said the chairwoman of the party's Voting Rights Institute. "I think Dean's remarks were meant to empower African-Americans within the Democratic Party and he received standing ovation following his remarks."

But conservative talk radio host Sean Hannity disagreed.

"What would have happened if a conservative had said something like this?" Hannity asked on his radio program.

The Republican Party Chairman Ken Mehlman agreed.

"It's pretty offensive," Mehlman told Hannity. "It's pretty racist, if you ask me."

This is not the first time Dean has been accused of being insensitive to blacks.

During last years election said he wanted to be the candidate of "white folks in the South who drive pick-up trucks with Confederate flag decals."

He also had to explain why he had no blacks in key positions on his gubernatorial staff.

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