Howard Dean addresses Democratic Party officials

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean urged his party to attack Republican geographic strongholds in the upcoming campaign.

Dean, appearing at a presidential forum in St. Paul, sponsored by the Democratic National Committee, implored his party to not to cede the traditional Southern and Western states to Republicans.

"I'm going to campaign in the South and tell people there -- particularly white people -- that 'you've been voting for Republicans for years now, what do you have to show for it?'" Dean said.

In a 45-minute session before state party chairs, Dean attacked the Bush administration while ignoring the other eight prominent Democrats who are also vying for the party nomination for president.

Asked about his plan for improving the economy, Dean said, "the first thing we need to do is get rid of the (Bush) tax cuts." It was a line that drew only lukewarm response from the party faithful.

But Dean scored with his audience on issues of education, particularly his criticism of the No Child Left Behind act. "Teachers call it the 'no behind left' act."

But his message seemed to focus on coaxing the Democrats to face Republicans head-on on issues that Republicans have dominated. He criticized the party for taking "its base for granted," and pointed out his own credentials where he may have a chance with conservative voters. Dean favors the death penalty and says issues surrounding gun control are best left to the states.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut spoke to the group on an electronic hookup from Washington. Lieberman said as president he would spend an additional $16 billion on homeland security -- with $11 billion earmarked for local police and fire departments.

Lieberman criticized President Bush for failing to support the local officials who would be the first responders to a terrorist incident. Lieberman says nearly one-third of U.S. cities report having to lay off police and firefighters this year.

"This is all choices. Do you want to give America's hard earned money away in tax cuts to those who don't need it? Or do you want to give it to local firefighters and police officers to protect the American people?" Lieberman said.

Lieberman also said he was the strongest of the Democrats in terms of his ability to win against President Bush.

Rep. Dennnis Kucinich of Ohio told the party leaders he is proud to be called a liberal. He called for a rollback of military spending, more spending on education, health care and job creation, and "resurrect the meaning and purpose of our party."