A Chequer-Board of Nights and Days

The chairman of the Republican Party yesterday challenged his Democratic counterpart to condemn racist statements against Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, but Howard Dean demanded his own apology and ignored the question.

The former Vermont governor was asked by host Tim Russert on NBC's "Meet the Press" to respond to the statements, in an appearance that Mr. Dean insisted be separate from an interview with Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman.

Mr. Dean gave no response, aside from saying he didn't receive an apology for being called an anti-Semite by a member of the Republican Party.

Mr. Steele, a Republican candidate for the Senate, is the first black elected to statewide office in Maryland, where Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller Jr. labeled him an "Uncle Tom" in 2001. Some black political leaders maintain that Mr. Steele is not exempt from racial comments because of his political views.

"There's been an utter silence in response to what have been vicious and racist attacks on Michael Steele in Maryland," Mr. Mehlman said.

Mr. Mehlman on "Meet the Press" called on Mr. Dean to "condemn this kind of racist and bigoted activity. It's wrong."

"He's had racial epithets thrown at him. He's been derided on a Web site that the Democrats have. And while some Democrats in Maryland have criticized it, there's been utter silence from national Democrats on this important issue," Mr. Mehlman said.

"I would also hope he'd condemn the following: There are a whole bunch of Democratic candidates and Republican candidates around the country. But Charles Schumer and the [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] chose one candidate [Mr. Steele] to go after his credit report and engage in identity theft against him," Mr. Mehlman said.

Mr. Russert put forth both questions to Mr. Dean, who said "moral values" should bring a "better tone in our political campaigns."

"I don't like that stuff," Mr. Dean said of the credit-report incident.

Mr. Dean declined to address the statements against Mr. Steele, but said, "I didn't hear Ken condemning the chairman of the Maryland party when he called me an anti-Semite."

Mr. Dean, whose wife is Jewish, did joust with the head of the New York Republican party, but a LexisNexis search does not show that John M. Kane, Maryland's Republican Party leader, was involved.

Link:

Maryland Republican Party Chairman John M. Kane called on Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean to issue a retraction and apologize for his comments on Sunday's nationally televised program "Meet the Press."  During his appearance with Tim Russert, Dean made a false statement regarding Chairman Kane and failed to apologize for his party's attacks on Lt. Governor Michael Steele.

"Howard Dean made a damaging and slanderous statement yesterday on NBC's `Meet the Press,' which I view as defamation of my character.  Dean's comment was wholely incorrect and I am personally distressed that the Chair of the DNC would state mistruths on a national program.   I am demanding that Howard Dean promptly apologize to me for his slanderous comment," Kane stated.

"Additionally, Dean's comments regarding Lt. Governor Steele were a pathetic attempt to excuse the racist comments and treatment leveled against Steele.  Dean has yet to take any responsibility and apologize for operatives from his party that stole the identity of Lt. Governor Steele.  It is time for the DNC to stop their inappropriate and vicious attacks and apologize for their actions," Kane continued.  "It is becoming increasingly obvious that the reason the DNC is falling far short in their fundraising is due to their disregard for the truth and their unlawful behavior."

It would be nice to be shown a reason not to draw certain conclusions from these two links.