GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Buffeted by criticism that he is too outspoken and prone to verbal gaffes, Howard Dean says he won't recalibrate his candid manner, arguing that holding himself back would be artificial.
As Dean's Democratic presidential rivals have pounced on a series of his recent comments, the former Vermont governor has balked at suggestions that he needs to be more cautious in his public comments.
"I'm not going to withhold what I believe is the truth from the American people, because that's why I'm running -- because there are enough people in government that aren't telling the truth," he said recently in an interview with The Times between campaign stops in Iowa.
From his statements about wanting to appeal to voters who display Confederate flags to his chiding of party leaders for not doing more to rein in his critics, Dean has provided his opponents with ample fodder. And, he continues making provocative remarks, some that don't get immediate attention, including a few over the weekend.
On Saturday, he took on conservative religious leaders and corporations he says have undue influence on the government.
"Don't you think that [the Rev.] Jerry Falwell reminds you a lot more of the Pharisees than he does the teachings of Jesus?" Dean said at a town hall meeting in Waterloo, Iowa. "And don't you think this campaign ought to be about evicting the money changers from the temple?"
His candor has drawn sharp arrows from his rivals and some party leaders, who say his frankness only facilitates the work of Republican opposition researchers.
"It seems like he's come down with a case of 'mad mouth' disease," quipped Democratic strategist James Carville. "He may be candid, but there is the glory of the unspoken thought here."
Some fret that Dean's insistence on speaking his mind -- no matter what the political cost -- could be the Achilles' heel of a candidate who otherwise has demonstrated relentless discipline in his quest to unseat President Bush.
"I know Howard Dean is the doctor, but I have a prescription for him: He doesn't need to answer every question," said Donna Brazile, Al Gore's presidential campaign manager in 2000.
Dean dismisses such arguments, saying voters are tired of politicians who base their message on focus groups and polls.
